Liverpool banter 5

18 Sep 2026 01:00:52
Hi Reds,
Anyone know anything about Kostas being replaced by someone more competitive? I think we've been linked with Tyrick Mitchell from Palace, who from what I've seen is pretty decent and on his final year in his contract.

I really like Kostas but his performances so far have been pretty scratchy and unimpressive. I much prefer Kerkez, despite his limitations, starting, with someone matching his position competing.

{Ed666's Note - Mitchell is a baller I’d be happy for him to replace Kerkez let alone Tsimi

18 Sep 2026 05:38:33
Anything can happen in Amy match - stats can be made to support whatever you want to make them say.

18 Sep 2026 06:41:16
He should have been shipped ages ago. Unfortunatley the club wouldn't spend big on back ups at full backs positions like chelsea, city or Arsenal. He couldn't even start 5 meaningful games back in italy.

18 Sep 2026 06:57:40
Never been lucky enough to be in Amy match.

18 Sep 2026 07:23:12
Tsimikas is Championship level at best.
Kerkez is not much better.
We have a glaring need for a highly competitive addition at LB

Same applies for RB, Frimpong is a joke defender, Araujo is doing a pretty good job but something tells me the club won't pay his fee to sign him permanently
Bradley is a nice lad, and I wish he could consistently play well but he can't, and his injury record is next level bad.

18 Sep 2026 09:20:37
With all due respect Mitchell is not anywhere near the level required even as a backup. Extremely limited player.

18 Sep 2026 10:26:10
Any time I've seen Palace play he's been a good player. My opinion anyway. What are his limitations dilly2 seeing as you obviously have knowledge of his abilities?

18 Sep 2026 10:32:26
Very limited, Dilly2.

18 Sep 2026 13:27:36
I'd soon both Mitchells to be fullbacks.
Phil and Grant. The famous red shirt on over their leather jackets would only add to their intimidatory qualities.

18 Sep 2026 08:17:01
Ed666 I was very disappointed Luke chambers never got any minutes the other night he looked good in preseason he can't be any worse than Kostas.
Ed have you seen anything or heard much about Lewis John-Charles young academy right back I see a right up about him hopefully we might have an in house right back for the future.

{Ed666's Note - no mate I don’t know anything about the academy player you mention but I’m sure others will. I’m not sure how close chambers is because will he be risked in a CL or Prem game? I don’t think he plays in the Caraboa Cup against Chelsea? Maybe if we get a lowly team in the FA Cup in the first couple of rounds?

17 Sep 2026 18:46:04
Klopp once again showing what a rare kind of human he is. I think he is perhaps the best thing to have happened to all sport in the modern era - a guy, who has very clear moral boundaries, without putting his hat upon the fashionable canards of the day.

We were so damn lucky to have him.

17 Sep 2026 18:56:51
I thought his hat looked very fashionable.

17 Sep 2026 20:08:52
Jurgen may again show his love for LFC by being our new talent spotter for the best Germany has to offer, and of course players from the different countries Germany faces. He hates Bayern and Kompany who invariably end up with Germany's best, an even greater motivation, as they did beat his Dortmund in a UCL Wembley Final versus Bayern.

Jurgen's first formation and the players selected will be interesting?

17 Sep 2026 20:42:05
He was enjoying his time at Bayern with Kompany when doing the rounds at clubs in Germany watching their training.

17 Sep 2026 22:45:12
@007, given Klopp is such an alround good guy do you really think he hates Kompany and Bayern Munich? Could he not be wise enough to see the person and the football club for what they are - another decent human being and a sports club?

18 Sep 2026 07:09:57
I don't think Klopp hates Bayern or Kompany.

In the same way he didn't hate Man City or Pep. He respected Pep massively as a coach and as a competitor.

He's a professional who has worked at the very top of his craft and is now the manager of the German national team - he doesn't hate the most successful Germany club team or its manager.

18 Sep 2026 09:35:20
Klopp doesn't hate anyone. He may dislike how people talk or act but hate? Nah, that ain't him, i'm sorry.

Klopp is so secure in his body and mind, has so much grace and empathy for his fellow man that it is impossible to project on him what others may think is hate towards he/she/them.

Just my take.

17 Sep 2026 15:06:14
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 4 - Quick Round Up

17 Sep 2026 17:50:32
Thanks for this Ed01. The Liverpool vs Fulham is one of the worst games in recent memory. We never created anything! It was incredible how bad it was.

17 Sep 2026 18:43:46
Andoni has to make big calls for the betterment of the team. Dom scoring a goal won't detract from how woeful he can be with the ball, constantly losing possession.
Grav looks he's not andonis type of player and I don't blame him. We're bare in the middle. Hopefully nyoni can help in there until at least January.


I hope ed666 is correct if this season isn't great concerning the squad. The squads bloated with some very poor player's.
The club had no Intention this summer of signing a midfielder so we need a top sd that will listen to andoni who will no doubt come to realise we need two midfielders to go straight in.

17 Sep 2026 22:47:24
Interesting little fictitious universe you are building there @Ron, eagerly awaiting the next installment.

18 Sep 2026 06:43:31
"Grav looks he's not andonis type of player and I don't blame him"
Really. so who do you blame instead? He was hailed as the second coming of Makalele over here.

18 Sep 2026 08:31:26
Loosely interpreted as "why won't the club do as I say? ".

18 Sep 2026 09:36:29
Flash, there are a lot of that going around this forum right now.

18 Sep 2026 22:09:55
Since the game began fans have always thought they know what's best for the club. I've had the problem for 60years.

The difference these days is that the current generation don't seem to have any fun playing make believe. They are too busy finding fault and then just dying to apportion blame, even though, at least away from the x-box, their opinion isn't worth a shiny shi# in the context of what the club decides to do.

17 Sep 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

17 Sep 2026 17:16:17
A vicious cycle.
Long may it continue!

17 Sep 2026 17:44:30
All together now for the MUFC chorus:

" all things "BRIGHTON" and beautiful"
" all creatures great and small"
" all things "BRIGHTON" and wonderful"
" the Lord God made them all "

YNWA Andoni.

{Ed666's Note - I think I say this for everyone 007. You can do better much better

17 Sep 2026 19:11:52
Can "Car-Wreck" do any better! Should be the Question?

Had circa 3 years at Middlesbrough and never got them promoted, he was sacked. Though that EFL champioship experience might be useful, and Neville tipped them for third above us?

17 Sep 2026 19:50:15
We're two points ahead of them, let's wait until there's more daylight between us before we get excited about their struggles.

17 Sep 2026 22:51:46
@Clearview, nah, let's stick it to them every chance we get 😉.

I was amused to read in one of the match reports that some i'd the Stretford Rd end even stayed til the end - hard to believe - to boo the team and manager off.

18 Sep 2026 00:32:16
'I'd' was supposed to be 'of'🙁.

18 Sep 2026 09:37:51
Clearview i'm sorry but I ain't passing up any opportunity to absolutely clown these bozo's, mate.

That will never happen.

18 Sep 2026 13:17:02
Complete agreement with WDW and Oli.
A thorough clowning should be mandatory for United at every opportunity.

17 Sep 2026 07:58:28
Ed666 I thought the club made a big mistake letting Salah leave early.
I hope we can get VVD and Alisson to sign contract extension for at least one more season.
We have a lot to do and I think they both have plenty left in the tank.

{Ed666's Note - I would like to make that decision at the end of the season. Too early to call I think

17 Sep 2026 13:02:46
The version of Salah that plays these days isn't the same as the one we scored so many for us. He is a legend but his timing was perfect to depart I personally think.

I like the look of Munoz so far.

17 Sep 2026 13:05:36
I would give Alisson another year for sure. We need a keeper who can play before we sell him, we should have learnt this much from selling Salah.

As for Virj, i would wait. Should he leave, we seem to have some capable CBs now. Of course we would need to bring someone in so that we have enough CBs, but I think it's something more manageable than Alisson leaving as it stands.

17 Sep 2026 13:13:55
99% of people on here wanted Salah dropped / sold last season when he was doing nothing in games and throwing strops when the manager dropped him.

17 Sep 2026 13:46:07
I think it was right for both parties to separate when it comes to Salah. I think people are underestimating just how much the league has increased in intensity over the past couple of seasons. Both the immediate and longer term physical demands have increased massively, and it didn't look like he could meaningfully adapt to it.

Salah could never settle for a bit-part role, he's just too much of a competitor. He reminds a bit of CR7 in that regard.

What we didn't want to have happen is it become so toxic as to irreparably tarnish his legacy at the club.

As for Virgil and Alisson I think we need them at the club for as long as they can play at the level. Virg has looked really good recently, long may it continue, and Ali on his day is still the best in the business for me. His kicking has declined significantly, but it's still levels above Mamar's and no other keeper reads the game as well as Ali.

While I think Mamar would prove to be a good keeper at the Forests/Palaces of this league, I don't think he can cut it long term in a team like ours, so if Ali goes we're going to need to spend big to replace him. I'm not overly impressed with what I have seen of Brughmans so far for anyone thinking he may be the answer.

17 Sep 2026 13:51:16
How come big players say, like Virg, don't stay on at a club, when let's say he can't keep up with the league next season, pace or stamina or whatever, I hope he does, but would someone like him, not be great to have for lower intensity early cup rounds? Extra time in semi finals? Guiding and supporting the new trench to build them in his image?

Do older players leave for a big pay day? Saudi or America?

17 Sep 2026 14:25:22
@WarMachine73
I'm 87% sure that the figure of 99% you state is an exaggeration.

17 Sep 2026 13:10:32
We may not be able to make that decision at the end of the season though Ed. Both of them could sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from Jan onwards.

{Ed666's Note - gun to my head I would let them go.

17 Sep 2026 16:33:33
We have to think we have four to five stepping up this season in form of Araujo, Jacquet, Leoni, Ndukwe and Ndiaye. I think he'll leave. Less sure on Alison as may depend if we want to throw Brughamns in from beginning of season or say Jaros.

17 Sep 2026 16:34:22
I'd keep them if they wanted to stay. passing on experience,

17 Sep 2026 17:06:21
Why can't John Barnes be a teacher to Rio and all the young players. What a person to learn from.

{Ed666's Note - I think he’s preoccupied with getting healthy at the moment. But it’s a great idea.

17 Sep 2026 17:23:04
We do have a habit of hanging onto players for sentimental reasons rather than moving them on when the candle is fading or when the sardine loses its glimmer.

Just my opinion, but Salah was here one year to many. I can't see VVD being effective past this year. I can't see him wanting to be a bit part player in decline here when he can go to Italy or the USA and look like a legend of the game for another year or two.

17 Sep 2026 17:25:23
Of them 5 named Red Jones two or no more than prospects at this stage, Leoni(as much as I think he looks very good)has played 80 odd mins for us and has been out for over a year and Araujo is by next summer going to be 28 and the club might think they can do better and younger for their money.

Virg is still so important to us. Not the player he was but still in the top 5 CB's in the league for me easily.

17 Sep 2026 17:45:51
If Virg and Gomez leave at the end of this season. I think we will sign another centre half as well as araujo if that gets made permanent it's only early days so far but if he carries on in this form be hard not to make it permanent just hope we don't do another Nicolas Anelka 🙈.

17 Sep 2026 19:41:21
I disagree Flo. I think this is Virgs last season with us and we will move forward with Jacquet Aruajo partnership (if things go as way as they have). Leoni will have returned to fitness over the course of this season, and we have Ndukwe and Ndiaye who would be phased in.

I just don't see us extending given his wages and age, when we have so much talent waiting to get in. I don't know what Aruajo being 28 has anything to do with it.

17 Sep 2026 19:51:18
Do we usually spend big money on 28 year olds?

{Ed666's Note - We know Wayne Rooney doesent

17 Sep 2026 20:04:05
I read £47 million when we signed him, is that a big fee in this day and age, I'd say it's a good deal, especially if he keeps playing the way he is. You could even argue (not sure if correct) that Araujo, jacquets, Ndukwes, Ndiayi and Leonis wages are less collectively than Vigils.

{Ed666's Note - So you think those 5 players earn less collectively a week/year than Virgil??? I have chocolate tea pot for sale and it’s never been used

17 Sep 2026 20:10:34
Don't know about the wages. Dont care about wages when it comes to Virgil to be honest. I think about him the way I thought about Salah. All time 11 players deserve every penny of their huge salary. The likes of Virg could have been earning much more than we've paid him this last decade but he stayed loyal to us.

I really like Jaquet and Araujo has done well also but Virg is still the main CB for me at the club even now for me.

18 Sep 2026 00:28:22
Agree with Ed. Wait and see. Ali has made no secret of wanting to go back to Brazil at some point and while Mama might not be the answer he is at least far younger, plus we have the big Belgian lad coming in. Those two fight it out for the shirt?
Virg even at half the player he once was is still a top drawer defender and will have offers from elsewhere, plus we have JJ, Leoni coming back, the two young lads who are both supposedly highly rated and possibly Araujo if he keeps on as he has been.

Mentioned above he could keep and have for experience and slower paced games. I'd say that's a very expensive 2nd choice option, can only see that on reduced wages.
If I had to guess looking at the info, I again agree with Ed, I reckons this is their last season.

{Ed666's Note - I just want to see Ali gone so I can remember him for the GOAT and the incredible performer that he is. He has nothing to gain by staying another year after this one. I don’t want to see him become a shadow of the player he was in a red shirt because people will dispute his greatness. I’ve never seen a better goalkeeper and yes he’s better than Schmeical, chech and De gea in my humble opinion

18 Sep 2026 07:40:07
Those players would have to be good teachers, not just great players.
There are somethings which are unteachable. Glenn Hoddle as England manager used to struggle when he was coaching England players because things he just 'did instinctively' lesser players couldn't replicate. Hoddle couldn't teach it because no-one taught him, it was just his instinct.

It's tough to teach 'skill' I think that needs a specialist coach, not necessarily an ex-player. I doubt Barnes could teach some of his ball skills and I doubt VVD could teach the way he reads the game etc.

On the other hand, somethings you can teach, like hard work and professionalism. You can teach players how to get the best out of your talent by fitness and good habits. You can teach mentality, how to deal mentally with injuries or career setbacks etc.

That's where someone like James Milner is definitely worth his wage.

18 Sep 2026 08:20:35
Agreed again Ed. I wasn't around for the glory days of the 70's and 80's but I've watched a lot of footy from the 90's onwards and I don't think I've ever watched a more complete keeper or defender than Ali and Virg respectively, and yes both are showing clear signs of slowing down.

It's a testament to how good they have been that even way below their peak their both still great players.

{Ed666's Note - I’ve never been a fan of recency bias so for me Baresi was better than VVD if not better at least equal. Fcuk me I’m old..But keeper wise in all my years and I’m mid 50’s now there hasn’t been a more complete keeper than our Ali. By the way mate some of the football we played in the 80’s was just special. Did you get to witness the first Dalglish era?

18 Sep 2026 09:40:16
"I've never seen a better goalkeeper and yes he's better than Schmeical, chech and De gea in my humble opinion"

Bang on, Ed. Say it with your chest, mate because I fully agree.

{Ed666's Note - And what’s makes me extra proud to say it Oli is he’s such a good human being. If there was ever someone who deserved obscene wages for kicking a piece of white leather about than it’s our Ali

17 Sep 2026 10:58:11
Big game now on Sunday. A win will mean it's been a good solid start under Ireola. Resuls and performances can and will get better but going into the 3week break undefeated and hopefully with the 3 points will keep a feeling of positivity around the place. Bournemouth play their 1st ever European game tonight so hopefully they are still feeling the effects of that.

17 Sep 2026 11:29:23
What would a draw or loss mean on Sunday considering either could likely leave the club going into the extended break in anything from 8th-14th.

Just from a league standing perspective i think 3 points is a must.

I agree on the positivity though I've really enjoyed watching the games this season stand fast Fulham.

17 Sep 2026 11:47:25
We got to start winning PL games. That's the reality of the situation because we've already shown we can win games under Iraola early on as well as, being hard to beat to an extent.

Time to bring those wins onto the realm of the PL, our bread and butter, as they say.

17 Sep 2026 12:01:37
I think it will still take time for Iraola's methods to properly sink in. Yes 3 points would be great, but we are only 4 games into the season right now.

I just want to see the signs of progress with how we play and I think we should expect some hardships before January.

I think we will have a better second half to the season personally.

17 Sep 2026 12:13:40
Still feel like we're "dipping our toe in", instead of really going for teams.

Time to believe in ourselves a little bit more.

17 Sep 2026 12:27:41
I think there are plenty of signs to be optimistic. Virgil has changed his game somewhat since Iraola has come in, and Jacquet is already looking every bit an Iraola center half with his aggression off the ball, proactively coming out to engage high up, and his ability to step out or pass it forwards quickly when he does win it. You can see the hallmarks in his ability to coach in the midfield performance of McConnell and Nyoni, Koumas and the full backs being unleashed against Spurs. Araujo looks a different player under Andoni, like all his best and worst qualities have been channelled and transmuted. It's the established stars that maybe we'd have to wait a little bit longer for in terms of shifting habits they've developed over a long period of time.

Early days yet but I have no worries that it will work out, the bravery that Iraola expects from his players is really showing through.

17 Sep 2026 12:30:59
Just want to see the team looking more in sync. I think with the Carabao Cup to break up the week, it'll be ideal for our team to put in a big shift this weekend for the coach in his return to Bournemouth.

17 Sep 2026 13:01:21
More positives than negatives so far.

17 Sep 2026 14:33:05
We are playing better than the scraped few wins a row at this point last season.

17 Sep 2026 15:54:21
It's a must win given points dropped already. Plus, we should be fresher than them given their first ever European excursion tonight.

17 Sep 2026 16:43:58
LFCfan the few 5 wins early last season served us well, somehow, in getting CL football this season.

18 Sep 2026 00:24:27
Great way of putting it @LFC8, spot on.

I'd like to see Bournemouth give us a really good game and play the best they can (or are allowed by us) and we can judge where we are up to.

My heart says it's definitely a win but my head is saying, let's see it then.

17 Sep 2026 11:10:58
Nice interview with Koumas in the Guardian today.
Comes across as having a fantastic attitude.

17 Sep 2026 13:29:18
Seems like a nice grounded kid. I loved the that fact that when he was told live on air that he got player of the match his response was just "no way!". I think he was fully expecting to be presenting it to Gakpo.

16 Sep 2026 22:21:24
I know this is the Liverpool page and we shouldn't talk about other teams but

Hahahaha.

16 Sep 2026 22:33:21
What he needs, and hear me out here, is to sit down with a little magnetic board in this lap to sort the tactical shape.

16 Sep 2026 22:46:15
Teliemens, Santos and Mason Mount 😂 that's some midfield that

Clueless as 3 Nits on a Bald Head.

{Ed666's Note - just to think we nearly got Mason Mount talk about dodging a bullet

16 Sep 2026 22:55:00
They have not tumbled yet that Spain won the World Cup with a Spanish Manager, A Spanish Manager won the PL league, Emery won the Europa League. A Spanish manager is 20 games unbeaten in the PL with two different clubs. A Spanish manager who has won the UCL twice the last two years, Pep Guardiola is the most successful Spanish manager in the PL. Rafa Benitez has won the UCL. Alonso has won the Bundesliga. Arbeloa will keep Fulham up.

The penny will drop sometime? thank god Xavi is just recently employed (one wonders why the Dutch FA bypassed a certain Mr A. Slot for Xavi). Fabregas could be a good option? and Andoni must be offered a new contract sooner than later, there is no doubt whatsoever who would swoop for him!

17 Sep 2026 00:45:24
Sorry @007, who would swoop for AI?

17 Sep 2026 05:20:52
@007 what about the Basques?

17 Sep 2026 06:25:31
Man United the gift that keeps on giving.

How Liverpool finished below them last season is still a hard pill to swallow.

17 Sep 2026 06:42:57
Back into the mold routine at Utd.

Hopefully they win the next couple of games. cant have Carrick being shown the door so soon.

17 Sep 2026 08:08:09
Maybe I am a sad old man, but the only thing that gives me more joy that seeing us win is seeing United lose!

Struck me this morning, a lot of us were up in arms when they signed the "generational talent" Leny Yoro for £52.5m.

Now we have signed Jaquet (who is 4 months older) for £55m and I know who I would rather have!

17 Sep 2026 08:24:25
Jonnyboym, I'm as sad as you, mate. I'm exactly the same!

17 Sep 2026 08:37:28
Rome, long may us sad old gits enjoy it!

17 Sep 2026 08:42:47
As I always say with Utd., just give it time.

Some of their fans were actually saying last season when Carrick was the interim manager with his "interim bump" in results, "Had we had Carrick at the start of the season, we would have won, the title".

Seriously, imagine getting this giddy over "interim results".

Again with Utd, you have to give it time for reality to smile at them.

17 Sep 2026 09:09:30
Is Carrick another Ole?

17 Sep 2026 09:09:07
@infantinio,

Pep Guardiola is the most successful Spanish manager ever in the Premier League, he is sadly not Basque.(he was a BASTqARD instead)

His PL trophy record of 20 major trophies, and trophies won at Barcelona and Bayern, most comfortably beats all the above managers trophies haul, all put together.

Who would swoop for Andoni? RM, Barcelona for starters, so you must think he is not good enough for LFC, by suggesting that, that is a bashing in my opinion-WDW4.

17 Sep 2026 09:17:21
I'm not sure he even knows WDW IV.

17 Sep 2026 10:28:08
Always cheers me up when the Mancs lose 👌.

17 Sep 2026 10:41:57
Here, here, jonnyboym!

17 Sep 2026 11:42:52
Whenever we start gloating about any other teams misfortune, it always seems to come back and bite us in the arse. That's why i never do it. You've jinxed us now mate. We'll go and get spanked 4-0 by Bournemouth now.

17 Sep 2026 11:49:59
Incredible, i'm not sure any of us have that much impact on fate or the universe, as you think.

All we're doing is having a laugh and some banter. Not sure it's as deep as you think it is, man.

17 Sep 2026 12:12:37
If anyone needs a laugh, go to the Manchester United rumours, banter page. Had a big smile on my face reading that.

17 Sep 2026 12:25:53
Man united in transition again!!

17 Sep 2026 06:25:14
I shuddered at that ed666. Can't believe I ever thought he'd be a decent player for us. How wrong I was.

{Ed666's Note - Maybe Klopp would have got a tune out of him?

17 Sep 2026 13:20:27
To be fair Mount looked a really versatile and coachable player at Chelsea with a lot of space to develop, Klopp loved him. So there's no telling how he could have turned out, though questions marks have to be raised over his durability and availability.

United look to me to have bought poorly in the window, Baleba had a terrible season and there's no telling how that will have affected him, Tielemans has always been a very middling and even overrated player who is decent on the ball but poor off it, not sure what the rationale was behind Santos either, a half-decent squad option maybe.

17 Sep 2026 15:49:12
redcafe is all you need to cheer yourself up and have a laugh! Comedy gold!

16 Sep 2026 20:50:07
That Vuskovic look some player for Brighton.

16 Sep 2026 23:29:15
We wanted him as I remember Carra alluded to it in the summer.

16 Sep 2026 23:50:22
And Spurs let him go so they could replace him with Van Hecke.

And you think our scouts are bad.

17 Sep 2026 00:42:18
We should go for him next summer instead of bringing in Araujo. I really hoped the club would go for Vuskovic during the summer.

17 Sep 2026 01:49:41
Jacquet, Leoni, Ndukwe, VVD, N'duaye, Gomez, Araujo (maybe) there are probably more pressing matters 😉.

17 Sep 2026 08:44:02
Flo, i'm keeping Araujo if he continues the way he is doing now.

Vuskovic is a good player but Araujo is showing that he is that guy.

17 Sep 2026 09:31:07
We have (potentially) a lot of very good young CBs (I think that Jacquet looks like he could be absolutely awesome) but they need a bit of experience alongside them. Given the age of Virg and Joe's injuries, if Araujo can continue his form I think signing him is a must.

I love his aggression and enthusiasm. I think it looks like he thinks he may have found the place he wants to be after the issues he had at Barca and is playing like someone who wants to stay here.