Liverpool banter 8

04 Jun 2026 17:30:42
Is there any potential to sign both Diomande and Barcola? Or is that unlikely due to the amount the players will cost individually?

04 Jun 2026 18:07:04
Either way it's big pressure. I've given Hughes and Edwards a massive amount of deserved stick over fumbling with Arne for a ridiculous amount of time, where it was obvious he was needing to be sacked.

But to replace Mo Salah, who gets into the all time Liverpool 11, one of the true greats of our club, it's no easy task that. Pivotal times.

04 Jun 2026 18:07:08
I bloody well hope that's the case, as much as I love Rio, he's nowhere near ready to shoulder the responsibility of being our week in week out starter at LW. Whoever's coming, there's absolutely no doubt we need 2 wingers.

04 Jun 2026 16:40:08
Just a thought but I would be inclined to say that Iraola might want to keep Chiesa, I think he suits his play style, he's a ball of energy and presses a lot, not a starter but would be useful coming off the bench if we need to chase a game in the 70+ min to grab a goal (like he's done for us a number of times).

You'd get more pressing out of Chiesa than you would Gakpo.

04 Jun 2026 16:49:26
Rustler - I love his attitude. Be nice to see if the new man can get a tune out him as I think with the right tactics he could offer us something in the later stages of a game where we need energy.

04 Jun 2026 16:51:34
I love Chiesa, so this would make me very happy. I do think he'll leave though.

04 Jun 2026 17:00:24
Iraola should keep Chiesa around, very valuable fringe player.

04 Jun 2026 17:04:06
He's on that big money, though, isn't he. Tough one.

04 Jun 2026 17:07:35
We need to keep every player, his style will need a large squad to even fight on 2 fronts, never mind 4, and Liverpool don't have enough bodies atm.

Molby.

04 Jun 2026 17:25:24
From what I've seen of him, he struggles to retain and regain possession and is not particularly skillful. His energy and enthusiasm are top class, but he gets paid a lot of money to run around and not make any real impact. Hope I'm wrong.

04 Jun 2026 17:30:01
Chiesa is up there with Sean Dundee as one of the worst players we have signed. The new manager will not suddenly get him back to peak 2020 Chiesa. He will sell him to make space for someone who will be a viable rotation option.

04 Jun 2026 17:32:12
Chiesa wouldn't start for any Premier League team barring maybe the promoted teams. The peak of his career was 6 years ago. Let it go.

04 Jun 2026 17:36:39
140k pw and wants to play. I'd rather see both his and Gakpo's wages and fees used for more suitable, young players.

04 Jun 2026 18:08:52
His attitude and work rate is very much to Iraola's liking. We also need to keep as many players as possible this summer. There's a lot of work to do already. Look how badly we were affected by all of last year's (very much unnecessary) summer movement.

04 Jun 2026 19:23:55
How was it unnecessary? We lost Darwin, Diaz and, unfortunately, Jota. They needed replacing.

04 Jun 2026 16:32:59
Ornstein reporting we have made contact with RBL about Diomande. Do the KTKs or EDS know much more about this?

Apparently we are in more advanced talks than PSG.

04 Jun 2026 16:55:41
For your career, why be a possible PSG squad player only in a very poor league, when instead you are offered the chance to be Salah's replacement in the hardest and best league in world football.

At PSG, he is competing with Dembele every game?

Let's see if money is his motivation and an easy life, or he wants to be Salah's equal and full pelt every game!

04 Jun 2026 17:11:15
Irony of calling it a poor league when they've won the Champions League back to back. He'll play a lot of footballer at PSG if he goes there.

04 Jun 2026 17:22:23
Again, not in the know, but from various online sources, PSG are more inclined to close a deal for Monaco and France winger Maghnes Akliouche and are exploring the possibility of Kroupi. They already have Kvaratskhelia, Doue, and even Dembele (although he plays more like a false 9) who would be ahead of him.

That's not even mentioning Barcola, who is more than likely to leave. Due to this, Diomande has indicated a preference to come to Liverpool if the deal can be done.

04 Jun 2026 17:25:48
I think it depends what kind of priorities a player has. The last Premiership season was brutal, and not much fun at all for offensive players. Almost like Serie A in the 90s.

It might be more fun playing in France, with a less physically demanding league, meaning you are more likely to have the stamina to shine at European Cup and international level.



That's why I think Iraola could be really helpful. Yes, you have to break the pain barrier for him, but he's the most attacking manager in a league that has gone all defensive (without being tactically deficient like Ange). I reckon that will appeal to players considering their options.

04 Jun 2026 17:48:11
@Bloopers, The irony of not knowing your facts.

French teams have won the Champions League three times: Marseille in 1993, who were the first ever, and that was overshadowed by a bribery scandal.

PSG have won it twice now, that is three in total since 1955. Liverpool Football Club have doubled that, in seasons when the total fixtures were longer and there were no winter breaks like the French League has.

The PL is 38 fixtures, the French League is 34, and to boot PSG got beat by Chelsea in the First World Clubs Final 3-0; that's because they could not rest players in a KO tournament, like they could in the French League!

PSG win the French League before Xmas every year, they rest players after the winter break and stroll to the line in the new year. Jurgen would have loved to be in that PSG position in the PL every year.

04 Jun 2026 18:12:36
007. Back-to-back Champions League winners. That's an unbelievable draw. End of.

04 Jun 2026 14:12:43
Just watched the highlights of Poland v Nigeria and who do I see as Poland's No. 1? A certain Kamil Grabara.

Wow, now that's a blast from the past.

04 Jun 2026 16:13:06
It can be frustrating to see great GKs come and go - Jaros and Pesci being our current bets.

To be honest, it was far more frustrating when we had Mignolet in goal, who everyone could see, could be improved on relatively easily.

Been a bit easier having the world's best GK between the sticks for the past few years, tbh!

04 Jun 2026 16:28:28
Tbf, we didn't have great alternatives when Migs was here. Don't forget poor Brad Jones' disaster class against Utd when Brendan finally dropped Migs. Ward flopped as soon as he was 1st choice at Leicester, and Klopp tried to improve on Migs relatively quick, but Karius was a gamble that didn't work, cos he preferred being on insta (still better than Migs imo).



Offhand, I think the only youth goalie we had at the time who went elsewhere and did well was Gulacsi. We should keep Jaros and give him a chance in the cups if he's fit again. See, could he succeed Ali?

04 Jun 2026 16:28:54
I remember when we had to choose between Kelleher and Grabara, when both were with U21s. We chose Kelleher and sent Grabara away on loan. Seems like only yesterday.

04 Jun 2026 16:47:47
Strange how Hughes left Bournemouth 01 June 2024, and the Cherries still signed top players after he left. One hopes that "AN-fiel-DONI" brings the Cherries scout also, he's a top, top egg!

Kroupi came in February 2025 for 12 million, Rayan came in January 2026 for 25 million, Spanish LB Jimenez was signed 01 Sept 2025 for 16 million, looks like Hughes signed Scott in 2023, and Senesi in 2022.



Any Basques on Andoni's radar, one hopes? Perhaps a swap deal, TAA for Mac Allister plus dosh, rather than wee on the club for nothing?

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure you want to crow about Jiminez, for one he is a right-back and for 2 he has been caught grooming a schoolgirl, which is why he got dropped at the end of the season.}

04 Jun 2026 18:18:55
Surely every signing is made in "good faith"? There have always been such instances, such as Adam Johnson, Mason Greenwood and now Jimenez.

Throw in Ivan Toney, with an eight month ban for breaching PL betting rules, and rewarded with a place in Tuchel's England World Cup Squad.

There are no ways of knowing any player's future intentions/misdemeanours. Bruce Grobbelaar was found not guilty after two trials of match fixing allegations. Again, no one knew at the time because he was continually being picked as LFCs number one.

{Ed001's Note - the match fixing trials for Grob were after he left while he was at Southampton.}

04 Jun 2026 18:19:03
Woah! Just read the screenshots, Jimenez is f*****!

04 Jun 2026 23:36:48
The stress of the Mignolet/Marius days, where my heart would drop out my arse every time the ball went towards them, still hasn't abated, even with Ali, knowing he's been a safe pair of hands for so long.

04 Jun 2026 13:50:25
Ed1, you've seen both Diomande and Rayan. Which player do you think is more suitable for us or the one you preferred?

{Ed001's Note - I have only seen a tiny bit of Diomande, so I can't really compare them. I do like Rayan a lot. He has something about him.}

04 Jun 2026 15:27:32
Do you know if we are interested in Rayan as of right now? Is he being considered as one of the players for either RW or LW? I know we're interested in Diomande and Barcola based on news from here and journalists, but wondered if we've looked at others as well.

04 Jun 2026 16:17:37
I hope we are at least considering Rayan. It's such a small sample - barely half a season and maybe not enough to hang your hat on as a primary RW - but he seems to have the blend of skill and power that is so important for the Premier League.

Barcola has electric pace, but I wonder about the step up in physicality, especially given we struggled as a team with being bullied too easily this season.

Maybe those who have watched him more would have more to say. But even in wide areas, I'd like to see us ensure that who we bring in can't be easily pushed around.

04 Jun 2026 17:23:25
Rayan would be cheaper and has Prem experience plus worked with our current manager. For the huge price quoted for Diomande, we could sign Barcola and RB.

04 Jun 2026 13:10:47
Can anyone shed any light on where Ayoub Bouaddi may end up?

Also Lamine Camara is just over half the price of Anderson but very similar in output according to stats.

I'd be well happy to have either of these two monsters at LFC.

04 Jun 2026 13:38:26
Ayoub Bouddadi is some player. I'd love him at Liverpool, but that would spell the end for Nyoni and Bajcetic. I think both of them have real talent and have to be given a go.

We can't just keep on buying for every position.

We need rb and rw. Rest has to be sorted from academy, and players we already have but have not been given a fair chance.

04 Jun 2026 14:19:51
By all accounts, Baj is the main cause of his own decline, or lack of progress, whichever way you look at it.

Maybe a Spanish coach and taskmaster would help him, but I've got my doubts given how long he's been around the fringes of things and never kicked on.

04 Jun 2026 13:02:12
Reds. Does anyone know the date of registration for the first half of season ballot?

04 Jun 2026 17:05:36
I can't help you with that?

But the Premier League fixtures for 2026-27 are out Friday 19 June, 10.00 am, in previous years, it was 9.00 am.

We probably first match on the Friday night opening league fixture away to Arsenal, the two last winners of the PL, and quite possibly the next PL winners?

04 Jun 2026 12:27:39
Was thinking maybe if we get Diomande who's very young and only had 1 very good season on a top league, maybe loan Bowen for a season while West Ham get back up. It's a win win win win. We get a decent RW for wages only.

West Ham don't have to pay his wages and can have him back if they get promoted, Diomande is forced to start every game in a new league and Bowen keeps playing on the prem and keeps his England hopes.

04 Jun 2026 12:53:40
If hope were not paying over £100m for someone who's not ready to start every game, but I wouldn't mind Bowen if we need an alternative.

04 Jun 2026 13:16:42
100m for a player with 1 season under their belt in a vastly inferior league is a punt, although this is the going rate for potentially the next Mo/Mane these days (sadly).

04 Jun 2026 13:23:39
Would West Ham agree to that? I don't see it happening.

I'd be all over Bowen on a permanent move. Anyway, we could use his experience, clearly has ability and is English.


It's going to be a big summer ahead, and for the prices thrown about, I think he's a no brainer.

04 Jun 2026 13:29:08
I don't know why no one is going out and buying said El Mala. He is a better player than Diamonde. He is a truly two footed player. He can cover both wings easy.

Diamonde is hyped up. He won't be able to run through defenders in the EPL like he does in the Bundesliga. El Mala is sort of like Coutinho with an extra yard of pace.

04 Jun 2026 13:39:39
Bowen would be absolutely necessity for West Ham if they plan to get back up next year. They can't let him go.

04 Jun 2026 14:31:11
Did you catch El Malta's highlights on YouTube, Harry?

Couldn't stay away, eh?

04 Jun 2026 14:48:18
Now, don't be that Zed, it's not like you've been sleeping with Diamondes to know any better.

04 Jun 2026 15:40:17
Diomande is also two-footed. Was there a point in you saying El Mala is 'truly' two-footed, Cafu? In what way is Diomande not truly two-footed? El Mala is undoubtedly a good player, though, great numbers at the same age as Diomande, but Diomande, as far as I can tell from the limited times I have seen them play, has ridiculous work rate alongside the talent, and that really makes him stand out.

04 Jun 2026 16:26:28
El Mala is more technical, a bit of Coutinho, Bernardo Silva type winger.
Diamonde is very direct. I'm not saying Diamonde is bad at all, but his price is eye watering. Said El Mala could be half that price, and, as much as I have seen, will be better suited for the Premier League.


Either signing is great, but for the dollar my pick is El Mala. (we also have a few Germans in the team for him to gel and settle with).

04 Jun 2026 16:47:42
Cafu, in what world is El Mala anything like Bernardo Silva? Even Coutinho and Bernardo aren't particularly similar players aside from both having a low centre of gravity and speaking Portuguese.

El Mala is an extremely powerful runner who loves making driving runs in behind, as well as being 6ft2 and a solid aerial threat.

He is more like a young Cristiano Ronaldo if anything. A very good young player and not actually a bad suggestion at all, but I simply do not get that comparison to Bernardo and Coutinho at all mate.

04 Jun 2026 17:19:18
Bowen is 30 December 2026. His best football and pace has already been played, and pace well gone. Harvey would be just as good, football ability wise. Elliot's problem is like Bowen now, he does not have pace to burn, he's a plodder not a sprinter.



Bowen with a 4 year contract would be 34 years old like Mo in his last season. Mo is 34 this 15 June 2026. Incidentally, Jurgen was born on the 16 June (1967). VVD is 35 on 08 July 2026.

04 Jun 2026 18:20:17
I meant he is more technical than direct. Of course, he can run at pace and has strength. But also he has the intelligence of a footballer like Coutinho and Silva.
Diamonde is a brute but lacks intelligence, obviously that will come with experience. He mostly wants to do it all by himself.

04 Jun 2026 23:42:02
From the reports today, there seems a push from El Mala's family to bring both brothers as part of a transfer, with the other one unlikely to get a WP, so maybe that's best swerved.

04 Jun 2026 12:24:25
Thanks for the info Carra. One thing I'm surprised as not happen yet, or maybe still will. With Konate jumping ship, Sensei on a free surely would have made perfect sense and a much better player than Konate also. Fingers crossed they do it...

04 Jun 2026 13:02:25
Senesi has already gone to Tottenham.

04 Jun 2026 13:30:37
I'm with you, OP, and never say never.

Senesi's contract doesn't expire until 30 Jun 26, so although everything points to him joining Spurs, he's not a Spurs player yet.

Lots of late twists and turns in transfers - I always chuckle when I remember Robinho's first press conference as a Man City player where he said he was really happy to join Chelsea!

04 Jun 2026 14:09:07
Senesi is not what we need. Zabarniy? A lot better and per Carra, we are looking at him to come in.

04 Jun 2026 14:32:48
Oli, Senesi on a free, with not stupid wages and with PL experience, I think would be a no brainer.

Who knows if we can structure a deal for Zabarnyi with PSG?

Senesi would be similar to the James Milner acquisition on a free by Klopp, in my view.

{Ed001's Note - except Milner was good at his job, Senesi is not a very good defender. Exceptional ball playing ability but not a good defender at all.}

04 Jun 2026 15:10:14
My point exactly, Ed. Zed, the rationale(s) you provided are not good reasons to sign a player. because he's not on stupid wages? Not bothered. PL experience? If that means he is experienced at not being a good defender then again, I don't want him. Can he do the job as in actually defend? I don't think so. Good on the ball? Again, not bothered because we already have those at the club including Jacquet and Leoni.

Zabarniy is a better defender and if there is a chance for us to get him then, we should push the boat out to get him and we seem interested, like Carra said. Let's wait and see what happens.

04 Jun 2026 16:33:17
We have enough ball playing ballers. We need positional specialists (Do not ask me what that means!).

04 Jun 2026 17:27:17
But Senesi as a dm, who can cover cb?