Liverpool banter 5

26 Jul 2026 14:40:14
The progressive play was evident and positive yesterday, obviously the transfer talk has been dominated by wingers, but the chasm and lack of protection in midfield was still extremely apparent. There were some real flashbacks of last season in terms of how open we were. Obviously a lot of youngsters, and when the likes of Szob came on, obviously you saw the improvement, but Grav will have to be dramatically better to fill that gap. He just doesn't have the aggression and fight to actually be a protector, I know people will go back to his title winning form, but he was actually only decent for about 4ish months.

I'm less worried about Salah's replacement, because he won't ever really be replaced. The goals etc are obviously the focus, but I think the more important aspect people are maybe overlooking is his availability. We've never really needed a backup for him, but now we more than likely will and Frimpong is stratospheres away from even that. Maybe blind positivity, but the wing positions don't really worry me. It's still the midfield, that actual leader and fighter in there.

Diomande at Real goes the same way as Camavinga/Endrik/Guler, they don't have the patience for youngsters who aren't world class from the off, and Diomande looks nothing more than your typical West Ham signing.

26 Jul 2026 17:08:38
Despite the result, I felt it was a bit of a lackluster display at times, particularly the first half, lots of small mistakes that would cost a lot more dearly were it a proper game, but sure look, it was essentially an academy team, so it's to be expected. The midfield was lacking; introducing Dom certainly brought some stability. I really like that Nyoni was looking to progress the ball at every opportunity, something I'm keen to see more of this season.

I think he was the real standout player amongst the youth. Some decent performances all round, despite the raw and inexperienced energy. Looking forward to the rest of the tour.

The wings are still a major concern for me. Fully agree on the Diomande to Real move, it's a poor career choice this early imo. He will have to perform immediately, he will not be given the grace he would have received with us or elsewhere. His loss. Not bothered.

26 Jul 2026 14:22:04
I know we normally rely on ITKs for transfer activity.

However, just wondering if anyone has info on how training has changed since Iraola took charge?

26 Jul 2026 15:04:35
You can watch the inside training videos on YouTube. Looks very intense, and a few players have said so too. Morrison said about double sessions, and his legs being ruined every day.

26 Jul 2026 21:42:30
I believe that they have started running, which is already much better than last season.

26 Jul 2026 11:37:08
Anyone know of any CB's we are interested in? We know Zabarnyi is the most recent and Ordonez has been looked at in the past but any others?

100% need a strong PL proven CB

26 Jul 2026 13:14:35
We've just brought Leoni and Jaquet for £85m. Brought in Tor Ndaiye, Ndukwe, Adekoya and picked up the highly rated young lad from Celtic. Add in Nallo, who's gone on loan as well, and Virgil. Endo was a CB before moving into midfield, as was Bajcetic.

26 Jul 2026 13:23:18
Why list all those players when two are midfielders, and the rest are youth, and 1 in Jaquet should be ready before the season, and Leoni won't. It's like most of you fans are just content with anyone who has a pulse can play centre back, it's ridiculous.

26 Jul 2026 13:25:40
I would be shocked if we didn't sign one more CB. Joe Gomez is a figment of our imagination at this point.

26 Jul 2026 13:30:52
Keegans Purm, not a single player in that list is currently capable of being a regular starter in the Premier League. From injury to inexperience and lack of quality.

26 Jul 2026 13:55:11
I really think the Zabarnyi on loan with option to buy must be a priority for the club. I have very high hopes for both Jacquet and Leonni. They both, however, are young and coming off the back of injuries.

Gomez cannot be relied upon to stay fit and VVD is again and likely entering his last season, so Zabarnyi would also act as good succession planning whilst improving us for the immediacy.

26 Jul 2026 13:56:57
Yesterday, we played 87mins with our 5th and 6th choice Cb's. Virgil is on holiday, yes, but he's 35.

26 Jul 2026 14:34:56
Keegan'sPerm,
You haven't got a clue, mate. Leoni and Jacquet are kids coming back from long injuries. The other 3 you mentioned are kids, bought to develop in the u21s. One of them hasn't even got a work permit.

Gomez is a waste of space, who is bang average even when ge is fit. We have one fit seniir centre back and he is 35. If we don't sign an experienced centre back before this window closes, we are not getting top 4.

26 Jul 2026 15:29:39
Keegans purm, the phrase barrel and scraping springs to mind.

26 Jul 2026 15:51:17
Rome, I know that, just pointing out the depth. Obviously we need a cb, but Jaquet and Leoni will feature imo for most of the season. Huijsen was inexperienced in the Prem, as well as Zabarnyi, yet had amazing seasons.

26 Jul 2026 16:00:43
Jacquet looks like the next Joe Gomez, not the next VVD, another cardboard cut out!

26 Jul 2026 17:17:48
If Zarbanyi is still an option, I think we definitely should be looking at it very seriously after Gomez's injury this morning.
I love Joe. When he gets a run of games he's very capable in multiple positions, but he simply can't be relied on anymore.

If AI is going to give the kids a chance, that's fine to a point, but we need a senior defender.

26 Jul 2026 17:30:42
If we buy another cb who starts next to Virg? He needs a partner to build understanding with, and pass on his experience, so next season that partner can do the same, or are we just going to start with 2 new cbs? Can't see Jaquet being happy sitting there or any new signing that comes in.

26 Jul 2026 11:27:49
Hi, I know a number of readers don't want Diomande at the club for various reasons, but I'm just wondering, if the club bid 100million euros plus 20million based on achievements over the contract term, would RB accept the offer?
If they did, we would then find out the players real ambitions.
Over to Carra, The Fields etc for their knowledge.

26 Jul 2026 13:01:21
RB might accept it but doubt Diamande would.

26 Jul 2026 13:05:25
I believe we already offered 120 euro and it was rejected.

26 Jul 2026 13:16:08
Leipzig never wanted to sell. They have told every party interested that the ideal scenario is him being brought and loaned back, which could see a deal for less than the initial £85m. No one is doing that, so they want a Bundesliga record for him.

26 Jul 2026 13:32:09
Pretty sure we already made an offer very close to that. Real are at the table now, so forget about it. Romano reported yesterday that Diomande has closed doors to English clubs.

26 Jul 2026 14:14:07
Honestly, Diomande and his entourage are a bin fire. Walk away from it. If there's any truth that Barcola is refusing to sign a new contract, make an offer and get that done.

26 Jul 2026 14:16:26
Clemence2, I am pretty sure personal terms were agreed with Diomande a while back, I don't think that would be the issue. The problem is his agency, and the fact RBL don't want to sell, so you cannot blame them for dragging their heels.

We knew this before prioritising him, so the powers that be clearly think he is worth it. Whether he signs or not, let's hope the risk works out.

26 Jul 2026 11:04:01
I’d like us to sign John Stones.

26 Jul 2026 12:40:21
Stones is just as injury prone as Gomez!

Let the blue half of Merseyside take him back.

26 Jul 2026 12:42:10
Plenty of experience and quality, but also some concerns on his injury record. Missed 24 games last season with various muscle niggles...

26 Jul 2026 12:44:06
So JG has a mate in the treatment room on £200k per week? I don't think he's played more than 20 games a season for years. He's a good player and, if he would sign a pay as you play deal, then yeah, but he won't.

26 Jul 2026 12:49:29
Me too actually.

26 Jul 2026 14:14:40
He's older and as injury prone as Gomez. Hard pass.

26 Jul 2026 17:28:10
I like the idea of an experienced CB, maybe not John Stones though, we need someone to help VVD n let the youngsters bed in for at least a year or two.

26 Jul 2026 10:43:48
It would be more sensible for the club to just assume Gomez is injured 100% of the time and ensure the squad is planned and built without him in mind.

Then when he is available, it’s a nice little bonus. Can’t help but feel for the lad. He never gave up and always gave it his all despite all the setbacks and for that we love him. But we need some reinforcements now.

That back line is reminding me of 2020/21 already. We will either need to bring in some solid reinforcements or just ride our luck all season.
Relying on an aging VVD, 2 CBs who have just come back from lengthy injuries and some kids is worrying me.

The fact the Right back position also looks incredibly shaky just compounds the issues as well. Let’s hope the new conditioning coach is a lot more competent than Slot's man, and we start to see some improvement in availability and less injuries going forward.

Having said all that, I can’t wait for the new season to start now.
I can’t imagine we will win the league and totally see this one as a transition year but I reckon the football is going to be really fun to watch again and after Slot ball boring me to death, I’ll take entertainment again any day.

26 Jul 2026 13:26:56
Yep, that is a decision that should have been taken at least 3 years ago.

26 Jul 2026 13:34:02
He should have been moved on by now, my sympathy only goes so far, I don't blame the lad, the club has been irresponsible in keeping him on despite the fact that he's made of wet cardboard.

26 Jul 2026 10:36:46
Hi all!

A quick perspective on last night's friendly. Firstly, I thought it was great to see us pressing and playing on the front foot. Iraola's fingerprints were all over the performance and it’s great to see his style already in evidence. Similarly to Klopp's first game, when you could see what he wanted from the first kick of a ball, I got that last night.

Yes, there were a few issues to iron out and I’m sure Iraola will correct them in good time. But I thought the young players in particular seized their chances and I hope some get to stay and get minutes. In particular, McConnell and Nyoni, I thought, controlled the midfield well and the young centre back pairing were pretty solid.

Our need for reinforcements is pretty clear but I’m not panicking about it. The club will be aware and I trust them to sort it. As fans, we need to stop trying to spend the club's money and trust the club will do it properly themselves. I’m fairly sure they’re more qualified than we are and know what they’re doing.

I’m sure a RB will be on the list and potentially another CB. I also trust they will sort the wing positions. So stop panicking about it.

Great first outing of the Iraola era and we still have some big hitters ready to return ahead of the next friendly. Onwards and upwards!

26 Jul 2026 11:53:03
The fans that are panicking about transfers will have zero bearing on the club.

The fans that aren't panicking about transfers will also have zero bearing on the club.

If fans want to be glass half full or half empty, let them.

It's all an opinions game.

Cheers for the game feedback, though, Rick, didn't see it myself, so enjoying reading up on it today from posters.

26 Jul 2026 12:02:42
It was an enjoyable game to watch, JK. First time I have said that about Liverpool game in a long time.

26 Jul 2026 12:03:57
I'm still happy the transfer we got right was Slot gone, Iraola in.
The football will be so much better to watch win, lose, or draw.
Personally I'm excited for the new season so we can forget that wretched season last time out.

26 Jul 2026 12:12:19
Agree, Rick. The two very young centre halves acquitted themselves well. I thought Nyoni was very good and McConnell was solid. Like the look of Kumas and Morrison. Thought Rio and Harvey looked leggy, which is probably a good thing at this early stage.

Given the injury to JoGo and the timeline for the recovery of Lionni, we are short at the back. Overall, a good work out with a promising second half albeit against a second stroking Sunderland after the break.

26 Jul 2026 13:05:42
I actually think a quality Right Back is an absolute must for this team. I'd rather we spent big there than seemingly chasing players for the 'glory' forward positions. We have lots of attacking players, yet all we have for RB are Bradley, who has availability issues (and who I don't really rate), and Frimpong, who really isn't a RB.



I don't know who is available, but go and buy the best one we can and start with a strong base.

26 Jul 2026 13:30:57
A good run out on a bit of a stodgy surface.

Nyoni, Ndukwe, Ndiaye and Koumas stood out.

Morrison, Wright, Chambers, Ramsey, Szobo, Kerkez and Chiesa did ok.

Marma, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Curtis, Elliott, Rio and McConnell were underwhelming.

While I am sure things will improve as the preseason goes on, Marma, Frimpong and Curtis performances were a little concerning.

26 Jul 2026 13:37:50
Wingers cost 100+. You'll get a very good RB for half of that. There's no issue with getting both. Buying a 100m+ winger will not affect our ability to secure a RB. What will affect it is whether or not the club is stupid enough to think continuing with Frimpong and Bradley is a bright idea.

26 Jul 2026 17:35:53
It's easy saying get a rb, but name one?

26 Jul 2026 09:59:07
I know Klopp or Slot didn’t fancy Ramsay but whenever I’ve seen him play he seems more than capable what am I missing?

26 Jul 2026 11:48:54
I mean he's only played a handful of minutes and the coaches would see him a lot more than we do.

I tend to agree tho, in the limited minutes I have seen him play, he hasn't looked like a lot of hope.

So who knows really!?

26 Jul 2026 13:32:09
Maybe he's like Chiesa that way - terrible trainer, but decent in game?

I agree that what little pitch time I have seen, which is very little, he's looked at home.

26 Jul 2026 17:36:59
He looked better than Frimpong last night.

26 Jul 2026 18:49:12
SJ, definitely better than Frimpong.

26 Jul 2026 08:58:20
Unfortunately, we absolutely cannot rely on Gomez anymore, which is such a shame due to his temperament and versatility. I would go all out on a top class CB and RB asap if I were Iraola, more than a CM.

As (I believe) Carra and The Fields have stated, I don't think we'll be going for a CM unless one leaves.

Nyoni needs to be getting more minutes, looks like he's bulked up and could be a good option in a double pivot.
With that said, we need to spend any money we have on CB/RB/RW and possibly a CF.

Kounde, Ordonez, Arnau Martinez, Ben White (please God no) can all play CB & RB if we go that route.

26 Jul 2026 11:58:40
Gotta feel for Joe. Breaking down 7 minutes into the first pre-season game of the season after having the summer off doesn't make good reading.