Liverpool banter 7

30 Aug 2026 11:26:29
Gakpo confirmed? With Barcola coming in? I really really really x100 do not like our approach to the market. I really hate what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. And I’m the overly optimistic guy on here hahahahahahaha.

Assuming Gakpo does go, Barcola comes in then we’re left with basically an entirely new attacking group.

Between Isak, Rio, Munoz, Barcola, Ekitike and whoever other attacker we might also bring in, there is just a handful of games where any of these guys have played together for the club.



Months ago I said to prepare for an up and down season and just enjoy the ride. Right now I’m preparing to drop expectations and just enjoy the ride.

YNWA.

30 Aug 2026 12:11:51
That's hoping the ride is an enjoyable one, Faith...

Out of interest, what would need to happen for you to enjoy the ride?

30 Aug 2026 12:25:13
It is absolutely crazy, @Faithinworks. I generally stay away from commenting on Hughes as we don't always have the full picture, but he has to take some of the blame for this colossal mess.

30 Aug 2026 12:45:20
Faith, I agree, mate. The way we have moved in this window has been shocking to say the least. The excuse of this was the plan all along is amateur at best, and shows how bad things have been behind the scenes. Once the STC leaves, I will tell you a bit about it, like I did when Edwards left.

30 Aug 2026 13:58:00
I'm certainly looking forward to that TF.

30 Aug 2026 14:11:31
Looking forward to your analysis, @Fields cos you are right that whatever shambles happening within the background has spilled over onto the pitch and it is now Iraola having to pick up the pieces.

Personally, I would have sacked Hughes along with his other two bozos in Slot and Edwards, and started afresh, but here we are. Cheers, man.

30 Aug 2026 23:11:35
JLC - I'll always enjoy the ride, mate! I just adjust my critique / analysis based on where I think the squad are at versus where we are headed.

I suppose for this season I'll just be wanting to see how the team grow their connection together.

30 Aug 2026 11:13:23.
Anyone crying out for Gakpo not to be sold, check out MOTD and look at his efforts in tracking back on multiple occasions.

Absolutely no desire to track back or bust a gut helping out.

Just doesn't look interested at all.

Was the same last week but because he scored a great goal it went unnoticed.

30 Aug 2026 12:10:56
People don't want him to leave not because he is great but because his rumoured replacements don't sound any better.

30 Aug 2026 12:22:17
Yeah, saw the running stats... Isak gets a lot of heat for being "lazy", but he ran more than the irreplaceable workhorse Gakpo... (granted Gakpo was subbed).

30 Aug 2026 12:23:35
Yeah, Trent was the same when he knew he was leaving.

30 Aug 2026 12:33:32
I don't want him to leave because we have very little goal scorers in our team as it is.

30 Aug 2026 12:37:30
Gakpo is a decent player, but not the best. I just cannot stomach him leaving when:

1. We are short in forwards when Isak gets injured (because he will), even with Barcola in. And whoever is counting with Ekitike this season is just hopeful, because he is not going to recover his previous form until 2027/2028 (if he can).

2. He is the only one that has a record as a 9, even if people say that Barcola and Munoz can play there, but it is not their preferred position at all while Gakpo was originally a hybrid between LW/Striker.



3. The options for RW, or whatever other forward options we are looking at, seem to be worse quality than Gakpo.

Hopefully, I am wrong, and that is why I'm not working for the club, but I wouldn't sell him.

30 Aug 2026 12:41:07
Exactly, and Minteh is a workhorse.

30 Aug 2026 13:27:51
Forget that utter nonsense, you do me a favour and go check out what score our last 2 games would have finished if it wasn't for Gakpo, I'll wait...

Some people can't see their hand in front of their face.

30 Aug 2026 14:15:28
Minteh is crap and levels below Gakpo so a non starter for me.

@Bigh81, I saw that as well, and indeed, Gakpo offered very little cover to Frimpong, but it does not remove from the fact that he is currently the most effective player we have in attack. That much is clear.



His replacements aren't what I would like so if you cannot find something better then, you keep the player. Selling him without a better replacement or signing a player well below his level like Minteh is something coming from Stupid Land.

Just my take.

30 Aug 2026 14:27:11
It's not that people don't want to sell him, it's the replacement issue. We have been woeful and scattergun in the market. If it's between keeping him and Sarr, I'd rather keep him, however other improvements like Minteh, yeah, sell him.

30 Aug 2026 14:45:38
Do you think he played well the first two games, Chew?

30 Aug 2026 11:06:11
So Ndiaye to Spurs, who have given up on Gakpo. Gakpo to Man City, Sarr to us. Who’s getting the best deal? Richarlison back to Everton. Very odd window.

30 Aug 2026 12:13:03
Merry go round of PL players...
Interesting question though... Who is getting the better deal?

Arsenal??

30 Aug 2026 12:55:15
Sarr to us. One year old, but similar stats and more agile, plus actually covers Isak and more pace.

30 Aug 2026 14:32:56
Richarlison got the best deal 'cause somehow he's still in the Premier League.

30 Aug 2026 10:46:33
Away from transfers for a second. (Thank Christ)

Imagine if your squad had to be made up of clones of 1 player and 1 player only. So they have to play every position, even GK, who are you picking to clone?

Both in the Liverpool squad and worldwide.



My Liverpool one would be Szob, my worldwide would be a toss up between Rice and Bellingham, but Szob still pretty close to the top.

30 Aug 2026 12:08:05
I think Milner has played every position in his career before except for GK. So my choice would have to be him ;)

30 Aug 2026 12:48:26
Probably Gerrard.

30 Aug 2026 13:33:31
Souness for me.

30 Aug 2026 14:18:38
Suarez would've been insane in 1v1 games - some would say he was just insane, but arguably the most talented player to ever pull on the red shirt for Liverpool.

30 Aug 2026 14:41:09
Balotelli - for sheer entertainment value, 11 of him running around would be absolute chaos; I suspect the entire team would end up either in fisticuffs or storming off in a huff, and the match would be called off before half-time.

That or Heskey for a laugh, would be funny to see 11 versions of him - each one even worse at his job than the next.

30 Aug 2026 10:24:41
I think we all realise by now we have no chance of major silverware this season bar the smaller domestic cups.

But I appreciate more how good Salah, Firmino and Mane were compared to all the insane price tags players are going for.

We had some serious high quality players.

30 Aug 2026 12:03:05
We also had the most expensive defender in the world, and for a brief period the most expensive goalkeeper.

30 Aug 2026 10:23:06
Been to first 2 games of the season (was in with the Geordies for the first one 🫢) and in Anfield Road upper yesterday… All felt very last season.

Put our foot on the ball far too much, no speed or urgency in transitions, constantly knocking the ball back from wing to full back, to centre back, across to other centre back, to the other wing, rinse and repeat. No penetration and we sit so high we push teams back and pack their box leaving us with no space to operate and we don’t have the players to unlock those defences.

We have the team to play counter attacking football…especially when Barcola completes…and I know teams will naturally sit back against us and that’s part of the problem, but we don’t take enough risk to draw them out and even when we do we set up completely wrong by leaving no deep cover and not having a true no.6 destroyer (what I’d do for another Mascherano).

Anyway, all this is to say, what I have seen from Munoz is exciting and it appears he can do a decent job on the right. He’s a bit “head down” and direct, which has its place, but he needs to develop that side of his game…Lift your head up and look for someone in a better spot.

Fix that and he’s a serious player.

So what I’m leading to, if he fills that role on the right short term and we have Barcola left with Rio also in the mix keeping them honest, I’d be prepared to take Minteh and wait till he’s fit.

Minteh has a touch of the Sadio Mane’s about him. Rapid off the mark, slinky in tight spots and looks for the assist as much as the goal.

With those four as wing choices, Ekitike back to give us 2 top class striker options all we need to fix is the no.6 spot (would like to think we have someone in mind for this now) and the tactical side, which I believe Iraola will do in time.

See how Kerkez and Frimpong cope until Xmas as Iraola develops them more and if needs be go for a full back or 2 in Jan. Not ideal but we need patience and not expect to fix everything in one window.

Trying to be constructive and positive after an underwhelming window and start to the season. I think we’ll get there boys, try to keep your heads up.

30 Aug 2026 12:21:35
Completely agree. Said it earlier in August.

The players we have got are abrade for counter attacking football, and taking this approach would give us more solidity whilst AI implements his style.

Having Barcola, Munoz, Wirtz and Isak operating in space will suit them down to the ground - Kerkez and, it seems, Frimpong joining in.



However, that relies on the two midfielders behind Flo staying disciplined and staying behind the ball.

Plus.. I'm not sure how a behind-the-ball approach will go down with the fans.

30 Aug 2026 13:00:53
Spot on, Bob! I'd even say Wirtz and Sobo playing as a higher pivot, with Grav as rotation and an out n out 6 behind them, sitting in with the CBs. Tighten the middle up and let the attackers do their thing with a bit more space.

30 Aug 2026 14:21:15
"Minteh has a touch of the Sadio Mane's about him."

Sorry, I emphatically disagree. Minteh is nothing like Sadio when he was at Southampton nor when he arrived at LFC.

Sadio was our record-signing and lived up to the hype and then some.

Sadio scored bags of goals for Southampton including coming off the bench to bag 2 against us while he scored 4 goals in a game vs Palace, (I think).



Minteh is poor in front of goal with very limited end product and is currently injured so in fact, why are we signing an injured player, for heaven's sake.

Have we not learned from the Aquilani disaster?

30 Aug 2026 14:51:34
I said last November that the best solution for this squad was to play counter-attacking football, to give up a little possession to draw out opponents and give us space to create; of course, people didn't take too kindly to the suggestion, understandably, but I felt it would best suit the players we have.

It's not what I want to see. Iraolaball would be a better watch, but admittedly, I care more about winning than being entertained. We can build off wins, but stacking draws and losses gets you nowhere.

30 Aug 2026 15:45:16
@OliRed, I said "a touch of the Sadio Mane's" which means he has a small amount of similarities...not "he's a clone". 🤦🏻‍♂️

When you add a touch of salt to your meal, do you pour a bucket on?

Have a camomile tea and an early night, lad, for heaven's sake!

30 Aug 2026 10:23:00
A bit of perspective is needed.

We have won 17 from a possible 44 in the league since we were last champions.

There is no quick fix.

Yes, we need players.
But we also need to give the new manager and coaching team time to implement their ideas.

We know the players can't play the way the boss wants them to for 90 mins currently.



It'll take time to regain this level of fitness and play the way AI wants us to play.

Prime and Netflix are to blame for this level of impatience among our fan base.

I was throwing my toys out the pram after the first game but patience is needed.

30 Aug 2026 10:14:33
Everyone can see the obvious apart from the people responsible for making the signings.
This squad is absolutely desperate for a strong physical midfielder, with aggression, the ability to read the game and win second balls.
Ex players can see it and the fans can see it.
A player like this improves everything.

They will bring out the best of whichever midfielder plays alongside them and the best out of Wirtz.
It will also stop the opposition running 20, 30, 40 metres directly down the middle of the pitch straight at our centre halves.

30 Aug 2026 10:14:01
For everyone moaning and panicking.

2 summers ago: zero buys, #FSGOUT -> title, Slot is a genius.

1 summer ago: We were all salivating and pinching ourselves at the thought of Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike etc… Just made CL. Slot gone.

This summer: Hughes/Edwards a disgrace.

We are panic buying (despite having brought in a number of new players who have already played well in 2 games)…

Would we like a destroyer DM, a RB etc? Of course… but the last three transfer windows have Proven that we can all moan, bitch or salivate and it matters not one jot as to the outcome…

30 Aug 2026 14:53:43
So, why you moaning about people moaning about it then?