Liverpool banter 6

09 Jun 2026 12:57:26
Wondering if Iraola is a high intensity press type of manager who will lead the press next season? None of our entire front 3 when fit - Isak, Ekitike and Gakpo - are natural pressers. For all Ekitike's achievements this year I think he jogs into the final yards of the press (he also needs to work on his heading but he's young) and the other two are worse. Not sure that can be coached into players or at least into so many of them.

Mane and Firmino were naturally aggressive players - Salah learned it in the press - but not convinced we have anybody that can do this consistently. Szobo could but full press needs all going together and he needs to be in midfield really with his athleticism. Not sure we signed the right type of player in the last window for that. Sorry to be so negative but it's a concern for me.

09 Jun 2026 13:41:38
I think Gakpo is a good presser and Ekitike should be too. Interesting to see if Isak can do it also. He could be frightening if he can and get fit.

It was very hard to press in the Slot system. Spaces were too big. I expect all of a sudden, many players will look like better pressers.

09 Jun 2026 13:43:35
With Robbo going, this reminds me of his one man press against City all those years ago! That was just awesome!

09 Jun 2026 13:51:44
The key is coaching the team to press as a unit, otherwise it's just a waste of energy. You lay traps and press when the circumstances are right. Watch any game from last season and see how most teams waited until Konate was on the ball to press us as a unit.

09 Jun 2026 13:58:58
Eki has shown no signs of doing much pressing.

09 Jun 2026 13:59:49
Gakpo is capable of pressing, he's not Mane level, but he's capable, at the same time, he doesn't offer enough from the left to be a starter for me. Fully agree on Isak and Ekitike. The good thing is, if we bring in 2 pacey wingers, they can apply some extra pressure to somewhat alleviate Isak/Ekitike.

{Ed077's Note - it is very hard to carry 1 player in a pressing setup.

09 Jun 2026 14:18:01
The pressing under Klopp was immense. Everyone knew the triggers and, more often than not, we'd force a turnover. Last year you had players pressing on their own, which, as Shipley says, is a waste of energy, and just creates huge gaps.
The other thing is the counter attack. Under Klopp, we'd win the ball high up and, within 3 passes, it'd either be a chance or a goal.

Everyone knew where to go. Even if Slot's half assed press worked, the players had no clue where to go. I lost count of how many times counter attacks just fell apart because of a poor pass, players getting in each other's way, or just not knowing where to run.

09 Jun 2026 14:35:31
This is just my opinion, but there's no such thing as a "natural presser". Pressing is a team effort and needs to be coached. We were ineffective in the press last season because we didn't work on it in the training ground.

And that's on Slot, not the players. Iraola would demand much more from the players and I'm sure that most, if not all of them, would be receptive towards his methods.

09 Jun 2026 16:48:34
I'd agree with that 100%, Drac. Any player can be coached to press, you just need a manager and coaches who can coach it properly.

No point just telling someone he needs to press, as without the rest of the team reacting to it, the press is worse than useless.

We had a low defensive line, and attackers trying to press (very half heartedly), which just left the midfield so big we couldn't get near people.

I'm sure the attackers were pressing so half heartedly, because in the back of their minds they were aware of the space they were leaving in behind them.

It has to be done as a unit. The team needs to all move up together to close off the out ball. If you give the defender an out ball, they'll just play around the press, and they are straight at the back 4.

09 Jun 2026 14:25:42
it's not ideal Ed I completely agree, but if we are going to re-deploy an intense press, I think the setup will have to make intelligent allowances for Isak & Ekitike, in one way or another. Naturally, some pressers are more intense than others, some are more measured, I'm not saying they should be let off their duties altogether, but they can operate at a reduced intensity so long as they're intelligent in their positioning, you can still offer an intense press without a flat out srint at every turn.

{Ed077's Note - if CR7, Messi and MBAPPE weren't good enough to be "carried" in a pressing system, I doubt anyone else can make it work

09 Jun 2026 22:17:27
What kind of pro footballer is incapable of pressing?

Only one with a pathetic attitude.

They will press, don't worry about that.

10 Jun 2026 00:49:14
It's hard to tell if Hugo is any good at pressing as the whole team has to press and last season was, shall we say, not our best season for pressing.

10 Jun 2026 08:43:28
I think Adonis will get them all pressing. It's his style. I don't think he will put up with players who don't.

09 Jun 2026 10:26:34
Any takers for Raul Jimenez coming on a free from
Fulham?

09 Jun 2026 10:57:34
Not now.

09 Jun 2026 11:08:17
No where near the level, too slow, too scared, too lazy.

09 Jun 2026 11:22:36
Hmmm, I could be wrong, but I don't know if that is such a bad idea under the circumstances, esp. if he is on a free with Eki being out for at least another 9 months and Darwin maybe not being considered by the club. At least, on the face of it.

09 Jun 2026 11:40:40
Can't be taking players that aren't good enough just because they are free. What does that say to the likes of Danns or Wright?

09 Jun 2026 12:10:07
I assume the plan is to use Cody down the middle as backup to Isak unless an offer we can't refuse comes in for him.

Then we might look at a flexible forward like Mateus Fernandez-Pardo from Lille.

09 Jun 2026 12:21:23
Hell no. Too old, not good enough.

09 Jun 2026 12:50:29
Chewy, how old is he?

09 Jun 2026 12:57:37
Florian, your notion would make sense if Wright wasn't a kid with no minutes in the first time, and if Danns (who I like, btw) hasn't been injured for near the last 18 months. So, based on the facts above, both are non-starters. And, imo, I don't want Gakpo alternating btw LW and CF. He should focus on LW only, as that is where he thrived years before your guy decided he was smarter than everyone else re: how Gakpo should play last season, including himself.



Now, Jimenez and Darwin may not be good enuff for you, but with the pickle we are in re: Isak's backup, you may need to go back and get such players (not necessarily them) who can come in on a free and do a job if, indeed, you don't have the funds there to pay the fees and wages to get the one you deem "good enuff" cos there are other priorities to address within the first team, which there are.

09 Jun 2026 13:05:10
I think it's clear we're too slow to play under this new manager. This squad would look slow on a chess board.

We need some speed, that's one thing that can't really be taught or improved much on the training ground.

We need to sign players who can Run.

09 Jun 2026 13:09:43
If Liverpool get one more winger after Diomande, you can rest assured Gakpo will be playing CF if Isak's not fit or gets injured, and then there's the case of Dann and Will Wright, the head coach will be willing to try them there, at least. I won't be worried about the Ekitike Gap until we don't sign another winger after Diomande, like I said.

09 Jun 2026 13:09:57
Some people are happy to let Salah go cos he's 33, but now we're discussing whether to sign a 35 year old Raul Jiminez.

09 Jun 2026 13:12:45
He's 35.

Going for a striker that old, I'd rather get Lewandowski.

09 Jun 2026 15:41:39
If Jimenez or Nunez are good enough to do a job and available on frees, then yes.
I don't think they are good enough to do a job for us, though.
We've seen Nunez firsthand and he wasn't good enough then and it's possible that he's regressed.

09 Jun 2026 16:37:25
But Oli, if he's no better than the kids you already have, you may as well close the Academy. We laughed at Utd these last few years, signing forwards nowhere near good enough for them.

So many on here cried last season about the Academy youth not getting chances. Well, we are going to have to trust it a bit this season, hold onto your hats, gents. 😁

09 Jun 2026 17:12:07
Exactly that. If we want a short term option, the Lewandowski. At least he knows where the goal is and how to shoot / head between the posts and under the crossbar.

10 Jun 2026 00:53:39
@Oli, the bits and pieces I have seen from Wright and him being in a couple of matchday squads suggest he'll get game time next season. For what it's worth, the bits I've seen of him playing have been impressive. He looks like a natural goal scorer.

09 Jun 2026 10:11:25
Folks! While the chaos of the World Cup is going on.

I have not 1 little worry about Liverpool and that’s how light the squad is.

I just hope we don’t use 90% of whatever money Liverpool have on 1 player.

My opinion is we need volume and that’s with the likes of Nyoni and Rio added.

I genuinely don’t care about 1 big marquee signing. I just think the new manager needs help from that get go and I mean by Options!!

Keeping my fingers crossed

09 Jun 2026 10:50:09
We have plenty of money for multiple signings.

09 Jun 2026 10:52:49
While I agree there are a few positions in the squad that need improvement, signing quantity instead of quality is never a good idea. For me, that's what held us back during Rafa's time at the club.
Sign the best players you can in the urgent positions needed, and use the academy to fill in the gaps.

09 Jun 2026 10:59:37
The money is there to spend. We just knocked £18 mil a year off the wage bill with just one player. And besides, we need to be buying quality all over the pitch. Buying chaff does not win you trophies.

My main concern is lack of British players coming in, or even local lads pushing through and joining the first team. If Jones goes, who else have we got who's scouse? Danns, and he's never available.

09 Jun 2026 12:05:24
I agree - I just meant quality, but a number of them without massive transfer fees.

09 Jun 2026 12:17:34
I would say we need 6 players this summer on the basis we keep Marma and Cody.

I suspect, though, the club will listen to offers for those two, and if something suitable comes in, we would need a couple more in on top of the 6.

This is not counting the youngsters that we are chasing such as Eichorn, Motsi, Banjaqui etc.

09 Jun 2026 12:21:57
Quantity over quality is never the answer.

09 Jun 2026 13:19:07
PostKlopp - "massive transfer fees" - I'm not worried about that, it's getting the right players into the squad.

I know we are probably violently agreeing, other than, I don't think you need to obsess about transfer fees. 1) The fees reported in clickbait tabloids are wrong usually, they're pushing a narrative, and 2) We are still in a very strong position financially.

09 Jun 2026 14:21:19
We must also use the academy. Plenty of players should be given a chance to prove themselves up to the challenge.

10 Jun 2026 01:04:17
I have no concerns. We have an exceptional squad that was woefully mis-used by Slot. There were about half a dozen games last season, primarily in the CL where we actually played and showed what we could do if we played to our strengths rather than fixate on what the opposition were going to do.

We've brought a promising young head coach in. We've made a very good signing in Jacquet and I reckon there'll be 4 or so new signings.

I don't care how much players cost - like 90+% of the people on here - as I don't understand the management finances in a multi-billion business other than to say it's probably a bit more complex than simple maths and Hughes having a big sack of used fivers in his office.



At the moment I can't see anything to worry about. It's the start of a new chapter for Liverpool FC. We are starting from a very strong position and I can't wait for the season to start.

09 Jun 2026 10:08:05
Hi everyone,

It’s been difficult to get information out of the club recently, my aunt’s cousin’s sister’s best friend’s niece has a passing acquaintance with the tea lady, but she is struggling with her hearing lately, and so hasn’t been able to pick up any juicy titbits lately. In any event, confirmed 100% that we will not be signing Jamie Vardy.

Muchas gracias.

DS15.

09 Jun 2026 10:24:01
Titbits.....lol.

09 Jun 2026 10:50:51
At least we still have tea ladies unlike another club down the motorway...

09 Jun 2026 13:14:18
@DS15, I'm going to boo you just because you started it so good I had my hopes up. 🤣

10 Jun 2026 01:05:26
Nice one DS. 😀😀👍

09 Jun 2026 08:56:21
Ed001 I seen you'd take Darwin back but is there any realistic chance we can get him on a free.i don't see why they'd let him leave on a free though.so if there was a fee involved would you steer clear and if not what's the most you'd pay

{Ed001's Note - he is being released on a free because they got Benzema. There is no fee involved.}

09 Jun 2026 09:37:37
Quite surprising his club don't try and play Darwin with Benzema or even have him as back up. Not sure if at 38 he'll play every minute of every game.

9 other foreign players in the squad and they've chosen to take a 50 mill loss.

09 Jun 2026 09:57:25
I'd be happy if we took Darwin back, just for the sheer havoc and panic he causes defenders. And maybe Iraola can work wonders with him.
We definitely need back up, so I think it's worth a try.

09 Jun 2026 10:15:18
If he is happy as back up and on a free, it is no brainer.

Too many personnel changes in a short space of time.

But then again, don't see the ego of Hughes and Edward taking him back even on a free, after getting rid of him.

09 Jun 2026 10:59:55
I have warmed to the idea of taking DN back. He is an upgrade in Chiesa and will be a valuable squad member. Plus, the crowd love him.

09 Jun 2026 11:33:04
When you say the crowd love him, Man.of.todd, that's a bit of a stretch.

09 Jun 2026 11:42:17
I don't know, Rome, the crowd used to love chanting Nunez, Nunez, Nunez regardless of whether he was doing something good or passing the ball into touch.

09 Jun 2026 12:27:01
It will either be a genius move, because Darwin will have something to prove, having learnt a few things from his failures, or it will be a complete disaster and he'll miss 9/10 opportunities because he hasn't learnt a single thing from his experiences. Either way, I'm fully here for the chaos.

09 Jun 2026 12:28:53
You are right there, JK23. My "you're just a useless headless chicken" song never really took off!!

09 Jun 2026 14:32:53
Loved him away to Newcastle and down to 10 men. Nunez, Nunez!!!

09 Jun 2026 15:49:40
There were a lot of flags dedicated to Nunez in his three seasons with us.
Mostly offside flags, mind.

09 Jun 2026 15:54:49
Good one, Rigsby.

09 Jun 2026 19:06:13
Great option on a free, can play wide left and rotate with Isak.

09 Jun 2026 19:12:00
I mean i'd take him over diamonde at RW tbh. I think both will have similar output. But nunez is already a fan favourite.
Dont see it happening myself but napoli should be all over it now.

09 Jun 2026 22:19:45
A "no-brainer", you say.

Yeah that fits quite well. 😆

10 Jun 2026 01:08:12
It wouldn't be a genius move, @Chewy.

10 Jun 2026 06:56:21
Seemed to play a different game than everyone else and played like there was no offside rule but tbf to him, man, he was great at that crossbar challenge.

09 Jun 2026 07:35:49
Morning eds1.
I don't know if you've been asked this before so apologies if you have.
Would you take DN back on a free? Clearly the vote on here was yes but am not so sure.

Just because he's free and he can run, it seems LFC fans want him back. For me it's a no as he couldn't score a tap in most times so I don't see the point.

{Ed001's Note - yes, 100%, he would have improved the team last season and he would improve things as they stand. Is he the long term answer? No, but that is not what he would be signing to be.}

09 Jun 2026 08:15:52
My view is that we are currently short due to Ekitike being out for such a long time, and we can't rely on Isak week in week out. So, as a versatile option who can play centre forward or left wing and allow us to rest Isak or change games from the bench, it makes sense if it's true that he's available on a free.

09 Jun 2026 08:34:22
Do you think there's a chance Liverpool may go in for him Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - no, I don't think it will happen.}

09 Jun 2026 09:04:31
He contributed so much to the team, it just was a shame he couldn't score enough since he would be something special otherwise! He really was a Klopp style of player though who gave everything and could press.


With Ekitike's injury, and given he's a free transfer, why not sign him? Can have a year to prove himself and if not, we can make some money on him.



I do really think he would suit Iraola's style of football.

Tell me another striker we could get on a free transfer (or for very cheap) who would offer more than Darwin?

09 Jun 2026 09:07:08
100% I wouldn't have him back! He's not good enough! We've been there and done that! He's gone for a good reason, so move on to someone better and spend money on the future. Anyway, that's my opinion.

09 Jun 2026 09:20:29
I see the reasons for and reasons against Darwin coming back so whatever happens, I'm cool with it. But as Ed01 said, I don't see it happening. The PR stuff alone would be a bit mad and not sure the club wants to deal with any of that esp. right now.

09 Jun 2026 11:22:19
When Darwin was here last time, the system was geared towards Salah. Nobody was ever going to outscore Salah. I think Nunez would be an excellent option for the following reasons:
1. Isak will not play every game and Nunez could cover the games he misses, especially with Ekitike potentially missing a good chunk of the season.
2. He creates spaces for others with his relentless workrate, which occupies defenders.
3. He can cover two positions up front, as he can play off the left too.
4. He would be a great option off the bench.


5. First time around, he probably felt under pressure to score because of the fee even though he was contributing in other ways. I think his finishing would be calmer now, as he would not need to justify a massive fee and his numbers would not be compared to Salah's.
6. If he comes on a free and re-invents himself to a certain degree, we could get another fee for him if we let him go again.

To me, it is a no brainer, so we should get him, as Richard Hughes's deals last season showed a distinct lack of a brain.

09 Jun 2026 12:58:31
KemlynRoad, very good reasons to get him, imo.

10 Jun 2026 01:13:50
And a very good reason not to sign him would be that he is nowhere near the standard required at the elite level of football.

I saw a comment along the lines that he was great for the team but it was a pity that he didn't / couldn't score more goals.

Surely his primary job was to score goals and lack of being able to do so was detrimental to the team rather than anything 'great'.

For those who would have him back, what length I'd contract would you give him and how much money would you pay him each week?

09 Jun 2026 06:19:11
Saw a post yesterday saying front 3 of Mane, Bobby and Salah were best we’ve seen. They were excellent and may be.
However, other LFC attacks to consider and I’m sure I’ll be missing some here…
Barnes, Aldridge, Beardsley
Sturridge, Suarez, Sterling (with Coutinho behind)
Torres, Gerrard
Rush, Dalglish
Keegan, Toshack
McManaman, Fowler.

09 Jun 2026 07:56:24
I met John Aldridge and asked him about that front 3 with Beardsley and Barnes. I asked him which player he linked up with the most naturally to get the best out of himself, and to my surprise, his answer was "Ray Houghton". He didn't even hesitate either. John told me how they played and roomed together for Ireland and Liverpool. He explained that when he or Houghton had the ball, they just knew what run the other was going to make before they'd even made it.



It was a really interesting conversation. By the way, John is quite possibly the most humble famous person I've ever met. Chatting with him, it's like he doesn't even realise he's a legend. He's approachable, relatable and incredibly funny. He insists that you just call him John, which really makes you feel like he sees you as his equal. A real credit to Liverpool Football Club.

09 Jun 2026 09:06:22
Couldn't agree more, MK.
Had the good fortune to meet him a few years ago, and while I was apprehensive about even approaching him, he was a diamond.
An absolute gent.
Spent ages just chatting to me and a mate about LFC, football and everything in between.
What a player he was too.

{Ed078's Note - agreed, was my experience too. Met him and Carra at the same event (not the ITK Carra), and whilst Jamie was brief (we have some mutual Bootle mates who once slagged him off to his face whilst I was there) Aldridge was in no hurry to move onto the next "fan". He was humble and gracious, a solid fella. Stood in stark contrast to a contemporary of his who played left back and never game me the time of day at similar events.

09 Jun 2026 10:12:51
Aldo is alright. Met him with my brother outside the ground. Loves Liverpool FC with a passion and genuinely cares. Not many around like that these days. Would sweep the streets for Liverpool Football Club if you asked him to.

09 Jun 2026 11:38:12
Semi related. I once got stuck in an elevator with Harrison ford. When the elevator first broke down he let out an exaggerated sigh and said "well kid. This is going to suck" we both laughed and then chatted for 40 minutes until it restarted again.

Was a super nice dude, I dunno where his bad rep comes from

09 Jun 2026 12:20:45
A 1966 shout out for you:
Peter Thompson, Roger Hunt & Ian Callaghan.

09 Jun 2026 11:45:46
absolutely love stories like these. Ed25 experience having tea with Kevin Keegan is still the best. Pure class

08 Jun 2026 22:44:39
I’ve just been looking at the home kits for the World Cup teams. Argentina as usual looks amazing. I really don’t know how such a simple design seems to get better every World Cup. But I have to say the DR Congo top is delicious. However the USA? That is one atrocious kit.

09 Jun 2026 02:28:51
Yeah, the US kit is bad. It's like the Ryder Cup. The Euros always look so nice, and the Americans so OTT. They can't seem to go w simple and stylish. Loud and brash is the order of the day.

09 Jun 2026 07:43:04
Germany's is class.

09 Jun 2026 09:22:13
Indeed, 1jj. That German shirt is fire. The U.S. kit has been poor for the past 10 years and nothing has changed.

Sadly, Nigeria didn't make it cos their kits are absolute fire.

{Ed078's Note - there's a world cup on? My bad, no LFC players in the England team and the event being held in the new 3rd Reich, I'll watch my grass grow instead.
That's not actually true. I'll be not watching because there are 14 dive sites of Indonesia and a 5 day indigenous cooking school in Laos that I have to attend.

09 Jun 2026 10:24:38
"the new 3rd Reich" embarrassing.

{Ed001's Note - how is it embarrassing? It is spot on. The Nazis even said at the Nuremberg trials that they based their regime on the USA at the time with its Jim Crow laws, which are basically coming back. I think it is more embarrassing that anyone can not see that.}

09 Jun 2026 11:50:51
Like the Tunisia kits and DR Congo third kit is nice, Mexico home and Germany home is classic.

09 Jun 2026 11:38:24
Jim Crow is not coming back to America. I think Trump's enabling of Israel and his actions in Iran are disgusting but that's not an excuse for hysterical misinformation.

{Ed001's Note - ICE begs to differ.}

09 Jun 2026 11:40:35
Eds are correct, the rampant suppression of free speeches. Ignorance of constitutional rights and the literally rounding up of certain groups of people. There's plenty of similarities and only very few differences.

09 Jun 2026 13:00:40
"Jim Crow is not coming back to America."

Go tell that to African Americans in the South who just got the power of their vote taken away from them via a very controversial ruling by the Supreme "Trump" Court, just like during the Jim Crow era.

09 Jun 2026 13:44:09
Can this Jim Crow fella play right back?

09 Jun 2026 14:47:51
ICE has nothing to do with Jim Crow. ICE deport illegal immigrants and they deported more under Obama than Trump. It's ironic that you mention you're going to Indonesia and Laos. Do you know how they deal with illegal immigrants over there?

Oli, how have African-Americans had their power to vote taken away? Please don't tell me it's the voter i'd issue. The vast majority of the countries in the world require i'd to be able to vote.

{Ed001's Note - ICE round up people of colour and put them in concentration camps, nothing to do with illegal immigrants, no matter what a MAGA moron might say. And that is everything to do with Jim Crow, where people are treated differently due to the colour of their skin.

Indonesia and Laos? No idea what you are talking about, it would help if you had the intelligence to realise that those of us who aren't blinded by the propaganda are not just one person. Embarrassing this conversation, some people will swallow any old lies so long as they can keep their white privilege.}

09 Jun 2026 15:02:36
It's not quite that yet, but it's certainly heading there rapidly.

Keep an eye out for Peter Thiel, he's the guy who will bring what you're talking about in full force. He's high up in Palantir and was pivotal in JD Vance getting the VP spot.

09 Jun 2026 16:00:36
Plenty of coffee needs to be smelled when you guys wake up.

09 Jun 2026 18:06:34
Don't know why people and the Eds insist upon getting into politics on here, but here's a little perspective:

The issues you are referring to are known as political "gerrymandering" which is the redrawing of local voting areas to help one party over another. In California, there is no requirement for showing an i'd ie ANYONE can vote. I voted just last week in the Governor race. I also bought a bottle of red wine from the local grocery store which requires me to show an ID. I also have to show one if I get pulled over or want to get through airport security, but not to vote. Why is that? Hmmm.

The US Representative is akin to the local MP in the UK. New England states vote 60/40 democrat/repulican yet have ZERO republican representation in Congress. Ca is also about 60/40 but conservatives have 18% (about to go less with more gerrymandering by Gov Newsome) representation. They have been doing it for decades and republicans are finally fighting back.

As for the black vote, recall that three amendments were made to the US Constitution to protect blacks. They were 1. Abolish slavery. 2. Give black people the right to vote and 3. allow blacks to become citizens. These amendments all passed with 100% republican support (the party who fought to abolish slavery in the civil war) and 0% democratic support, bar one which received 25%. These are all historical and current facts.

{Ed001's Note - who the hell are you to tell us what we can get into? Scroll past if you don't want to read it, but don't go all jackbooted fascist and tell us what we can or cannot talk about.

Not sure why put the end bit on, as it has all changed since then and that is just a piece of useless trivia which is outdated by current events.}

09 Jun 2026 19:35:45
Never told u what you can for can't get into. Just said don't know why as it never goes well. Facist is a little extreme Ed. No need for that. I just pointed out simple facts. Guess u don't like them or can't debate them without attacking.

I was just back in the UK and all seems a lot better than what's in the news media. I would say the same for the takes that I read on the USA. Although not perfect, it's still a great place to live.

{Ed001's Note - I never said I didn't like them, I like trivia, I just get sick of people coming on and telling us what we can or cannot talk about, just because they don't like what is being said.}

09 Jun 2026 20:00:03
Yep, that wasn't my intent. Apologies if that's how it came across.

{Ed001's Note - it did, no worries though, and apologies for jumping on you so harshly, it is just there is so many sites and every day there is at least one thread where someone starts having a dig about what is posted. Regularly we also get one about how editors shouldn't have an opinion as well, so it does tend to cause an overreaction when I see something that looks to be along those lines.}

09 Jun 2026 20:40:32
No worries. I love the debate on here, but the best part is the banter and the back and forth. I'll take your advice and skip the politics next time. 🤣

{Ed001's Note - just don't miss out the trivia! I like stuff like that.}

09 Jun 2026 11:43:41
@Dirty, if the truth is embarrassing to you then, that is on you. What Ed78 said about Jim Crow laws being the blueprint for the Nazi government is absolute fact.

Even the Apartheid regime in SA did the exact same thing. And judging by what is actually going on in the States under the Dumpster of a Dictator is Trump concerning minorities, can we really argue that America is not the new 3rd Reich?

08 Jun 2026 21:39:47
Liverpool only have 8 players at the World Cup. Alisson, Virgil, Endo, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo and Isak.

I know that's distorted by Konate, Robbo and Salah all only just leaving but I still found it mad that we have less than a full XI out in the US for the World Cup.

08 Jun 2026 22:22:51
I’m pleased with it and one of them is a keeper, so that’s ok.
7 outfield players and Endo is a fringe player.
So 6 first team outfield players.
I wouldn’t be amazed to see either Gakpo or Mac Allister or both to go, which leaves 4 first team outfield players.

Good news. 👍

08 Jun 2026 22:49:52
Sounds great to me as most get a rest and see the new manager.
Wharton
Scott
Kayode
Palestra
Zabarnyi
All linked and not there as well.

08 Jun 2026 22:57:42
MK....

You could have a Liverpool Starting 11 there at the World Cup.

Wonder how they would do against France?

Add in Diomande as well as a bonus just for starters. More names at the World Cup will surely be joining us in the summer.

I think we would beat them, but would have to play on the front foot, high pressing intensity.

08 Jun 2026 23:53:28
Endo is going? I thought for sure he'd be injured still? Looked pretty bad.

08 Jun 2026 23:33:50
Tbh I'm not arsed, I've only ever enjoyed two world cups, Mexico 86 which was my first World Cup I remember, plus it had the greatest moment of any World Cup when (during the France v Brazil match) the camera panned round the stadium and caught some very attractive Brazilian woman flashing her norks, I was only 9 at the time but it was utterly enthralling, the other was Italia 90 which was an absolutely wonderful spectacle of football and culture.

Everything after that has been pretty crap.

09 Jun 2026 00:47:01
Also distorted by Hungary, Italy and Georgia not qualifying. Not that that is a given, mind you.

09 Jun 2026 02:35:54
Not excited about the World Cup either. Can't remember the last time I watched an international match. Expecting lots of diving, play acting, time wasting, win at all costs tactics by some, w a large sprinkling of very poor officiating. All of that topped off by a load of s**** pundits (thank your lucky stars that u don't have to be tortured by the idiotic loudmouth Alexi Lalas) and rip off ticket prices.

This is all set up for the sponsors, the pundits and the players. Infantile did say that football is nothing without FIFA. He got that one backwards and would be nice to see the tournament flop imo. Time for another glass of the pessimist. 😂😂

09 Jun 2026 06:13:21
It's far from good news. I mean, your players can't be that good if they aren't playing for their national team can they? A bit idiotic to think otherwise in my opinion.

09 Jun 2026 07:18:16
I'd argue Robbie Fowler was pretty good.

09 Jun 2026 07:23:09
There isn't a lot you can do if your country doesn't qualify. Add the 3 leaving to that list: 2 for Hungary, keeper for Georgia, Bradley captains his national side. We have a full matchday squad of current internationals, barring the kids, Gomez and Jones, who both have caps.

09 Jun 2026 09:24:57
VV, that WC was my first one and still till this day, the best I've ever watched. Watching Diego for the first time and it changed my life.
And that Brazil v France Q-final game being the stuff of legends, still gives me chills.