Liverpool banter 7

14 Jul 2026 22:24:34
Just watched the inside training video. Thought Dom's body language was strange, especially around the fitness tests - he didn't seem interested. Any else think the same?

14 Jul 2026 22:44:10
Maybe he's heard about the cunning plan:

"Sign a new contract in the next 8 weeks or we're benching you for 2 seasons."

14 Jul 2026 23:34:21
I've always felt Dom looks a bit meh.
I think that's his normal facial expression and demanour.

14 Jul 2026 23:42:10
Unfortunately, with Edwards leaving and Hughes probably September, Sobs' contract will linger on. It's disgraceful. If Sobs doesn't want to sign, sell him.

15 Jul 2026 00:09:30
Yeah, but Dom does and did last year show he wants to play football in my opinion. ...why we watching videos of him training pre season? And slating him? Nobody likes that. I know I certainly didn’t, as you got start training with hardly any game until pre season friendliest, and come on he was our best player last year (which wasn’t too hard).


The guy stood up amongst the rest and showed heart.
It’s pre season, guys.

15 Jul 2026 07:39:33
I thought he looked his usual self, mentally, it is tough to push yourself to the limits, and that might just be why he seemed off.

15 Jul 2026 09:26:26
Ron, well, we can use your cunning plan, eh.. of letting him run his contract down n wave him off into the sunset like a good top Liverpool fan.

15 Jul 2026 11:15:02
The body language experts are taking this way too seriously.

14 Jul 2026 22:16:24
Why can’t I see my post? Also why can’t I see France in the WC final?! Hahahaha it’s coming home... Barcola to sign, Jaquet already in, Munoz already in, if Newcastle go for anyone else maybe we or another Premier League team will snatch them, great scouting team they have for the rest of the league 🤣
I think hopefully Gomes in from Wolves and another versatile left/right back, then everyone gets training (a lot more than last year and our manager stays in England) then we will not be as lacklustre and unfit as last season.


Let’s give him a chance. Stop the hating on here and love the club, love the squad, and we are Liverpool this means more.
YNWA

14 Jul 2026 22:11:38
What were we saying about Kone being the type of midfielder we need?

Stood there and let Olmo run off him because he wasn't bothered tracking. Perfect Man United player.

14 Jul 2026 22:47:24
Yeah, he looked more like Man U (traffic) Cone.

14 Jul 2026 23:15:27
Dreadful performance.

15 Jul 2026 11:16:48
Spain have done this to every team and player throughout the tournament. Kone (who has had a brilliant WC individually) is not the outlier here so not sure what this is all about.

14 Jul 2026 21:40:07
Anyone wanting us to sign Barcola, well I sincerely hope that his display in those 55 minutes of a World Cup semi final have convinced you what I've been saying all along about him. Possibly the most overrated player we've been linked with. Doesn't tackle, head, track back, cross, shoot, create anything. An overrated overhyped nothing player. Avoid.

14 Jul 2026 22:21:12
Not going to get into if Baracola is the based based on 55 minutes where France were completely nullified.

Shout out to Ron Keague! Spain in, so can England get to the final also. 👌

14 Jul 2026 22:24:51
I am 100% in agreement with you. Cannot fathom how he is worth £100m. World has gone mad and transfer fees are beyond justification.

14 Jul 2026 22:29:40
Money aside, I wouldn't sign any of those French players based on that performance.

You would think that they would have given a bit more of a toss for a semi final of a WC...

14 Jul 2026 22:31:26
France were completely nullified, but Barcola was probably their best and most dangerous player.

So, if we are basing our opinions on that 55 minutes, I'd say we should definitely sign Barcola because he's better than both Mbappe and Dembele, and he did more in that 55 minutes than his replacement, Doue, did after he came on, so he's better than him too.



That makes Barcola one of the best attackers in the world! If we are to believe that Mbappe is one of the best and we are basing our opinion on that 55 minutes ;)

14 Jul 2026 22:34:36
Cheers Rover, I've had a feeling about Spain, I think they'll win it.
England have had a lot of luck going their way so their name could be on the cup.

14 Jul 2026 22:36:00
It's one game today... who else would you sign then? I think under AI pushing players to their limits and not pandering, then giving them days off after dreadful performances and basically treating them like players and not superstars, then if you perform then you're in the next week...


You never deserve a place in the team, you have to earn it. Wages mean nothing, giving it your all gets you the crowd and the turf underneath your feet every week.

14 Jul 2026 23:01:17
Glad we don't base our recruitment off one game, otherwise we'd never sign anyone!

15 Jul 2026 03:05:10
They got beat fair and square, outplayed by tactical decisions. Attacking like they did gets them so far, but they still are a quality side, and their front three are amazing, and we would have any of those in our forward line (if we signed them). We would take that all day long.

15 Jul 2026 11:18:21
Mad, isn't it, Zeddicus. I just smell a tinge of pettiness when these types of conversations come up.

14 Jul 2026 20:19:08
Anyone else just getting a sneaky feeling we have went back to the old way of transfer business from us when we have links to numerous players and end up just getting our signings in at the drop of a hat without expectation?

I just seen the rest of the league and even a United making signings so quickly (unbothered though of other teams buying and how much, little or who)

Just feel we are due something out if left field of some big news coming that will leave the majority of us very happy!

14 Jul 2026 22:32:36
Nope.

We are just shopping in Harrods these days instead of Tesco so the deals are more difficult and complicated.

14 Jul 2026 23:02:27
I agree with both of you.

We are shopping at a higher level, which does complicate deals, but we're also trying to plug leaks, so we will no doubt see more left field signings like Munoz. 👍

15 Jul 2026 11:19:09
Nope, ChickenEkitikka. That may just be you being too impatient.

14 Jul 2026 19:42:55
Just with most of our targets seemingly being from other leagues. How are Liverpool fairing with the homegrown quota or rather the max number of non-homegrown players?
Surely with number of British players who have left recently and talk of Jones going too, a few quality players who qualify as homegrown would ideal signings.

14 Jul 2026 22:25:37
We'll be grand, just like every year.

14 Jul 2026 22:35:38
I do agree that we need some home grown players in this team, I don't just mean from Liverpool, because that pool doesn't seem to be bearing any fruit atm, but British players in general.

During Klopp era, we had quite a few that were a core part of the group and now we have none. The issue is, we've missed the boat on a lot of the good ones that would improve our starting 11.

14 Jul 2026 22:38:31
Florian, I'm sure we will. I was just opening up a conversation. 😅 I had a wee Google out of interest, and looking at it, sure we've already let plenty non homegrown lads go, Salah, Konate, Robbo, and likely more to leave. So plenty of squad space for foreign signings.

14 Jul 2026 23:03:16
The home grown quota doesn't exist and there's a decent convo with Antony just a few posts below that explores the ins and outs.

15 Jul 2026 11:19:58
Like you, Flo, I don't worry myself about such topics.

14 Jul 2026 19:25:26
I can honestly say if we sign Barcola, Gomes, Zabarnyi, then a RB and maybe another for midfield, that’s a better window than last summer.
I get Wirtz and Isak had poor seasons, but the whole team did, and last summer's window was unbelievable at the time.

14 Jul 2026 22:19:44
I personally don't think Barcola is a "Six" figure player, 3 quarters of that is more a fairer figure. Would Barcola be an improvement on Gakpo, yes? The whole thesis of any transfer is to improve your side first and foremost.

A proper team won tonight, not a team of individuals.

Andoni must be delighted that Alonso cannot select Cucurella, had Dembele on a piece of string. Hopefully the French National Team failing filters down to PSG in the UCL, stop the wingers, stop the team?

14 Jul 2026 22:26:57
Is Barcola definitely an upgrade on Gakpo? I'm not convinced.

14 Jul 2026 22:37:14
6 figures? A hundred grand?

So, you think he's a £75k player?

Good luck negotiating with PSG. 😂

14 Jul 2026 22:40:30
Same, I think Gakpo gets too much stick. Had a difficult season, just like everyone else.

15 Jul 2026 01:37:12
Barcola is 100% better than Gakpo, all day long.
You judge him on one game. I think he is a superstar in the making.

15 Jul 2026 07:35:45
Who said anything about one game? Don't mind last night, I'm judging them both over their careers and I'm not sure Barcola's has been better than Gakpo's.

14 Jul 2026 21:46:12
Ed, some of these...

{Ed033's Note - Take a sccreenshot and upload on the sightings page, please.

14 Jul 2026 16:55:22
Away from transfers for a minute, how impressed are people by Iraola's interview?

I think I really like what this guy is about and I’m all aboard. Let’s hope the players take to his ideas and implement his style ASAP as I can see this being a step in the right direction for all parties involved (fans, owners and team).



I loved the way he’s fully invested in soaking up all of what being the Liverpool manager is. Representing the city, the team and fans.

Hugely impressed.

Can’t wait for the new season.

14 Jul 2026 17:08:44
Came across as an extremely humble and down-to-earth character who's eager to prove his worth. I'm very much looking forward to seeing a manager who recognises the importance of adopting the culture.

14 Jul 2026 17:20:32
Yep, agree.

He also has that way about him that looks to get relationships with players - doesn't seem anywhere near as cold as Arne was towards them.

14 Jul 2026 17:20:36
He came across very well. But 99% of Liverpool fans craved for the same thing last season, so all he needed to say really was "My football won't bore the arse off the fans, and I'm gonna integrate with the City."

For as well as he did, he couldn't lose in all honesty with that interview.

14 Jul 2026 17:35:06
Iraola is not box office conferences/interviews. But what he does do is speak very well, and he comes across to me, at least, as extremely passionate guy (without bravado of major animation), intelligent, eager to immerse himself in the club, eager to improve the players he has, and eager to play high octane effective football the fans enjoy. Rarely ever talks about titles. Game to game I feel with the hope the work there all racks up to titles. He seems very focused on the performance.

He said all the things we want to hear really.

I think the real proof will be in the football and ultimately the results.



I'm glad he mentioned that he will likely make mistakes and that he may need to adapt certain things to a schedule that almost always has midweek games. I liked that from him because I also expect a small learning curve for him to adjust to this level.

But I'm pretty convinced by his personality and his coaching ability, that he will adapt. I think he is one of the best managers around to be honest. But let's see.

I understand the caution of others too. Let's see how it all shakes out.

14 Jul 2026 18:39:15
I actually enjoyed Slot's pressers his first season. Not listened to Iraola's yet, but have it downloaded, ready to go eventually.

On a separate note, the ticket ballots are now open for members. Great opportunity to get a ticket.

14 Jul 2026 18:48:39
I actually thought Iraola came across really well in his first press conference.

You could tell he was excited to be there, but he wasn't trying too hard or making loads of big boy promises. I liked that he just seemed focused on getting to work and being with the lads rather than saying things that would grab headlines.

The bit that caught my attention was when he spoke about intensity and how he wants the team to play. If he can get us pressing the way his Bournemouth side did, but with better players, it could be a really exciting watch over the next season.

At the same time, he didn't sound like he was going to rip everything up and start again. He seemed to appreciate what's already been built and just wants to add his own ideas.

Obviously, talking in a press conference is one thing and delivering on the pitch is another, so we'll have to wait and see. But as first impressions go, I thought he handled himself well. He came across as genuine, level-headed, and confident without sounding arrogant.

I'm looking forward to seeing what he does now with the squad and spotting patterns of play in the preseason games.

YNWA.

14 Jul 2026 18:52:14
Andoni's whole LFC demeanour was similar to a "child in charge of a sweet shop". How many longed for that scenario growing up?

"Integrate into the City" was a dig at Mr and Mrs Slot, him for selecting a home a stone's throw from Manchester Airport and direct flights home to Holland (JLA does not do 24/7 flights to Holland), he even landed at Manchester Airport when he first arrived as LFC coach, and visited his new home before the AXA Centre and now Anfield.

Mrs Slot, for not supporting her husband, the "bread-winner", by maintaining her children's education was far more important than the LFC manager's job, and therefore never stayed in the UK, let alone Liverpool, to support her husband. Circa 50 thousand LFC season ticket holders would totally disagree with that, Mrs Slot.

Mrs Itziar Iraola and their two children stayed loyal to her husband by living in Bournemouth when he had the manager's job at the Cherries.

One would expect similar loving support by moving home with Andoni to the City of Liverpool. Andoni and his family will find out that it is the people of Liverpool who make the city (Blues included), just like Liverpool Football Club is actually our Liverpool Family Club.
I am fairly certain that "integrate into the city" actually means, for future reference, "I am going to dis-integrate City"?

Alonso had a similar Chelsea press conference yesterday. He is in the papers this morning holding a Chelsea shirt with the name Alonso on the back. Andoni already shows him the way; his picture in the papers this morning shows Andoni with his arms aloft holding a Liverpool FC scarf with directly underneath "You'll Never Walk Alone". Andoni actually has put Chelsea out of Europe this year by finishing in one of the Euro qualifying spots, advantage Iraola!

{Ed025's Note - i like that post Bond..

14 Jul 2026 20:34:06
I liked Andoni's press conference, but I would suspect it was heavily curated by the club's press team. I was struck by how many talking points were brought up that were negative talk last year, such as low blocks, manager/coach being integrated into the city, intensity of play, using the full squad and youth more...

This isn't a criticism of Andoni, as he delivered the message well, but for me, this was a clear case of club messaging.

14 Jul 2026 20:55:06
I get Rafa vibes. He just seems a very intelligent coach, in the sense of Rafa vibes. He seems a little shy, so I doubt we will see theatrics on the touchline, but I'm ok with that. Don Carlo isn't theatrical and he's won almost everything.

Roll on August.

14 Jul 2026 21:08:55
Seemed that way, Dow-ney.

14 Jul 2026 21:40:36
Very good.
Very prepared.
:)

14 Jul 2026 22:39:08
He basically listed all the things that the fans moaned about with Slot and said he'll do the opposite.

It was a pretty easy win for him, really.

I'm not convinced he has the personality and charisma to lead Liverpool FC, but I'll let the football do the talking as that's how he will ultimately be judged.

15 Jul 2026 08:57:23
@riosstepover, Bob Paisley wouldn't have been renowned for his personality and charisma. Ever heard of him? Didn't think so.