Liverpool banter 8

14 Jul 2026 14:21:28
Hello Team

The increase of ITKs on this site is because the site blew up on X. I am on both but X is normally full of baloney but I like reading the drama haha. The majority of ITKs on here pop up 10 mins after the click bait artists make there feelings known on X.



But on good news Ornstein is starting to finally talk about Barcola which makes me feel VGD is correct, we are not far away from our next signing. Come on Spain!!!

14 Jul 2026 15:58:55
If you need Ornstein to confirm VG is legit, you should go back to X.

14 Jul 2026 16:02:13
You ain't lying, Chewy.

14 Jul 2026 16:15:17
Nice Chewy.

14 Jul 2026 16:37:54
VG is fully legit, and I, or in fact, most of the posters on here, can confirm that. We don't need some tinpot journalist to tell us that.

14 Jul 2026 16:38:39
If you think everyone gets everything correct always, then you should probably be less gullible, but then again we can all throw comments, can't we.

14 Jul 2026 16:45:34
The holy trinity on this site

Robbo
Victor goddamn
The Fields.

14 Jul 2026 16:56:20
💯 Chewy and Fatwallet.

14 Jul 2026 16:56:26
Alfie, someone being legit doesn't mean they get everything right. Just they are ITK.

More like the Fantastic 4 Fatwallet, you missed Carra. 😂

14 Jul 2026 17:00:03
I'm sorry, but you cannot call Ornstein a 'Tinpot journalist'. He's one of the most respected journalists out there, whose reputation depends on everything he says, and you hide behind anonymity.

14 Jul 2026 17:05:09
I never said he was not legit, Thefields, I said he was correct in his information especially after all the issues the club has had with tying up targets like Guehi and others recently.

I think this is the best site for information. I was suprised people jumped down my throat, when I was actually being positive on this site. I have been on here for 10 plus years and I love it.

14 Jul 2026 17:08:02
Fat wallet, how can you forget the oracle that is Carra... It is a "Fab Four".

14 Jul 2026 17:09:53
Ah yes, Ornstein, who served as a mouthpiece to say Slot was staying. Can hear the tin from here.

14 Jul 2026 17:42:47
Yes, Man of Todd, was going to say the same.

14 Jul 2026 17:42:51
ITK gets something wrong = things change.
Ornstein gets some wrong = he's tinpot.

14 Jul 2026 17:49:30
Carra is reliable as well.

14 Jul 2026 17:19:29
Potassium, I can and will call him that. In fact 99.9% of journalists are tinpot.

Alfie, I'm not having a pop but how do you know Ornsteins info is correct? As someone who people call ITK, I know the industry and how it works. I don't know VG personally but I know the circles he moves in as I get info from the same area. It's not always correct, no one can be correct all the time. Most journalists that report on the club are told what to say by the club.

14 Jul 2026 19:00:31
The way I see it is reliable ITKs like our fab 4 are proactive in gaining information. They seek avenues we normal fans have no access to, and share with us what they find. Sometimes a miss, but usually a hit or strong indication.

Journalists like Orstein are reactive. They report what the club has leaked to them slightly earlier than what the club tells the public.

They won't tread where the ITKs go, as they would damage their relationships with clubs. Results are more hits than ITKs, but less surprises or early indications.

Both have their merits, but personally, I appreciate the ITKs more for their work.

14 Jul 2026 18:57:38
The ego and arrogance you have are astounding. Cowardly hiding behind anonymity whilst criticizing those who put their name behind what they say.

14 Jul 2026 19:20:06
Guys, chill.
It's not a competition. It would be a rather silly competition "legit at spreading rumours on football transfers".
Some people will like a journalist, some people won't. I'm sure Ornstein will know that. You can't please all the people all the time.
Take the information as a "rumour" and all is good.

14 Jul 2026 20:39:57
You say that like it's a bad thing, Potassium. Some of the greatest people have an ego and arrogance, otherwise they would never have got where they did or are.

As my old ma says "Don't trust heeled shoes on a cobbled street nor a journalist." 😂 Oh, and before you bang on, she used to work for a well known local rag before it moved city.

So she would know. 😂

14 Jul 2026 21:27:15
Potassium, whilst he is very much respected as far as journalists go, he also operates as a mouthpiece for the club whenever they feel the need, which can put a big question mark over his credibility depending on one's personal views on journalism as a whole and on the specific situation, like with Slot; Ornstein doubled and tripled down on Slot staying next season, not because it was his opinion, but because that's what he was being told to write.

I would say Ornstein is a decent journo, but a journo nonetheless.

14 Jul 2026 21:29:19
It's been known for years on here that Ornstein says what the club want him to say. This is the most accurate site out there, a lot less so since ed002 left us, but still number one

Coincidently the least 'in the know' Liverpool fan also resides here. Me

15 Jul 2026 00:24:28
I'll take your "least ITK" and raise you an "IKFA", LFC8.

Bring.

It.

On.

14 Jul 2026 14:12:33
Reds,

Just revisiting what I posted back in June.

At the time, I said Liverpool had walked away from the Yan Diomande deal after feeling they’d been played by Roc Nation and wouldn’t be going back in. I also said Liverpool were in the race for Bradley Barcola and that they would make their move after the World Cup.



Today’s report from David Ornstein backs that up. He says Liverpool really like Barcola. Ornstein also expects the situation to develop once the tournament is finished.

That matches what I was hearing weeks ago. Liverpool’s plan has always been to wait until after the World Cup before making their move for Barcola.

Grizz.

14 Jul 2026 16:04:00
Ornstien isn't saying anything that we didn't already know re: Barcola or even Diomande.

Sounds like him regurgitating the same stuff from a few weeks back rather than him breaking any news, I.

14 Jul 2026 16:02:17
So is this a new post, or a re-post, or a post that proves you're ITK or just some sort of ego thing? I'm confused

14 Jul 2026 16:30:46
Has Robbo or maybe TheFields said we want both Barcola and Diomande. I am not saying you are not itk Grizz but just seems like you're repeating what has been said on here already

14 Jul 2026 18:02:51
Ah, yes, the ITK who really needs people to know they're ITK...

14 Jul 2026 19:08:47
Any man who must say, "I am the King", is no true king.

14 Jul 2026 14:37:28
Anyone know why we aren’t in for Neco Williams? Home grown, available for less than 30 million, can play left and right and Forest’s player of the season? Surely that’s right back solved and cover for the left?

14 Jul 2026 15:27:45
Could be because he's crap.

14 Jul 2026 15:40:11
Harsh Kemlyn.

14 Jul 2026 15:53:58
He's not crap. Had a good season last year playing on his weaker side.

14 Jul 2026 16:05:08
Neco's not crap by any measure of the word. That being said, he is not at the level we need either, in my view.

14 Jul 2026 16:31:23
We have been there, got the t-shirt, or that her he has lol.

14 Jul 2026 16:45:32
I would argue he's at a higher level than Bradley and Frimpong.

14 Jul 2026 18:11:37
I said when we sold him that it was a mistake. He was an ideal back up for Trent at the time, and would start a lot of games for us now.

15 Jul 2026 00:28:00
Based on what I have seen of him, I would have him back.

However, both when we sold him and now, I'm not sure he wants to be a rotation option?

However (again!) he could be a decent backup for Kerkez, allowing us to sell Tsimikas and thereby having another non-HG slot (important for UCL, less so for EPL as Leoni and Diomande (if bought) would be U21s in EPL but not UCL).



But again, is that what he wants instead of playing every week?

14 Jul 2026 09:19:25
Any update on Szob's contract, word was it was all agreed before the season ended and just waiting to be signed? I have not read anywhere that it's been signed or did I miss the announcement?

14 Jul 2026 10:55:50
Honestly think he's another one who isn't going to sign. I think he should be moved on.

14 Jul 2026 11:11:01
How are we supposed to 'move him on' if he is happy to stay until the end of his contract?

14 Jul 2026 11:13:40
Don't think he is signing this year, mate. He is waiting to see out how it goes with the new manager.

14 Jul 2026 11:38:35
Future Real, Bosman bench-warmer.

14 Jul 2026 12:06:18
Bring his replacement in now, make it clear to Szoboszlai he's no longer an automatic first choice and that he is a squad rotation option and that the club will listen to offers.



He can either accept a reduced role in the side and leave on a free, or take the hint and move on. A little bit of ruthlessness is needed as he's another one who wants Madrid.

14 Jul 2026 12:40:17
I agree with your sentiment to an extent, VV. I'd like to think we're in a position to do that, but he's actually one of our good ones. We have other priorities for outs and replacements.

14 Jul 2026 12:49:15
Crazy how people get their knickers in a twist and demand we move a player on (our best player by far last season I might add) because he hasn't signed a new contract yet - when they know absolutely zero about the situation!
You're just guessing and it's quite embarrassing to read actually. All very negative

14 Jul 2026 13:37:42
Easier said than done, Vik, that's a DOF type of decision, but the manager's going to play his best 11 regardless.

14 Jul 2026 13:54:03
Victor, don't you we can move players on, it's not morally correct, well according to the posters on here.

14 Jul 2026 14:46:01
If we benched Trent since he didn't sign a contract, I don't think we would've won the league. Fell off a cliff when he got injured that season.

14 Jul 2026 15:22:25
There is not a midfielder at the club who can't be improved upon. What the club should do is have each player on a 2 month window when doing contracts, it has to be sorted in that time or it's a no deal (obviously some mitigating circumstances). Let's not mess each other around, grow some balls and come clean, easy.

14 Jul 2026 14:47:19
Things don't (and never had) happened in an insta way, so unfortunately, despite the fact we all want news NOW THIS MINUTE, it might take a bit longer.

Szob was our best player last season and he deserves a bit of respect.

I feel like I've said this so often, but to echo the words of the late, great Ed002, players are transient employees. Most of them these days will play for multiple clubs, and that's fine. They don't all need to join us in their early 20s and stay for the rest of their careers.

As long as they give their all whilst they wear the liver bird, then they should rightfully be sung about and supported. Crouch only stayed a few seasons, so did Alonso, and yet they are still regarded fondly for their contributions. Given Szobs performances, especially last season, he deserves the same.

Let's wait and see what happens and not jump to conclusions.

Peace and love ✌️

14 Jul 2026 15:47:08
"I don't think we would've won the league. Fell off a cliff when he got injured that season"

Not entirely true, mate.

Trent had an ankle injury for 3 league games.

We won 2 and lost 1.

Form fell off a cliff after clinching the league at home to Spurs but that was because the manager was still in Ibiza mode and the players were still p##sed.

14 Jul 2026 16:05:39
And what do you propose we do after the 2 month window ends, Scouse John?

And whatever you plan on doing, do you think fully grown men are going to be spooked into making a decision? And even if they are, do you think it's going to be the decision we want? Will they view the deadline positively, or will they see it as a complete lack of respect?

14 Jul 2026 16:06:45
Jk23, Exactly, the title season wasn't Trent's best seasons. He is still walking after the United defence.

14 Jul 2026 16:16:47
I think Real Madrid gave Sboz a ring long time ago.

Like Trent, there is not much the club can do when a player's intent is to run down his contract.

14 Jul 2026 16:33:15
Didn't Szob just get back to training today?

Put yourself in his shoes.

Why would he sign a contract last season when the head coach's position looked in doubt and he'd been played out of position for half the season?

Then he's been on holiday with his family, so probably didn't want to think about it.



Now we've got a new manager, he'll obviously want to see what the plans are for him before committing.

That's just common sense.

14 Jul 2026 17:22:50
Szob might want to see things are under the new head coach and/or new bosses.

There's some naivety on here. If Szob is determined to see his contact and leave on a free to go to Madrid, with the money that bring him, why on earth would he forsake that and agree to be transferred to a club and country, maybe, that he doesn't fancy?
And putting someone on the bench because they won't sign a new contract or agree to be transferred is cutting your nose off to spite your face.


If you sign a player for five years, you should be prepared to play and pay them for five years.

14 Jul 2026 18:25:17
@ chewy: It's not a lack of respect, is it? Any player who wants to leave for free is showing no respect. Show commitment; if they are not prepared to do that, bench them. Put them up for sale,
And blood a new player. How can you build a team or have a strong mentality when your players are counting down the days til they leave? Alls they doing is giving other players ideas.

Let the club be strong: "You're not doing that to us with no consequences." Not arsed if they don't agree to leave. Maybe the clubs should structure the wages differently, and, as I said earlier, maybe limit clubs to signing one Bosman every 5 years.

14 Jul 2026 19:28:05
As the rules stand, there is nothing we can do to prevent it. Iraola is not going to bench him because he won't sign a new contract.
Even if he did, that would only hurt the team, the dressing room, and the manager.
Plus, some players would shrug their shoulders, keep fit and take a year on the bench for huge wages and not get injured.



It's like some think the club has a right to hold players to ransom. It doesn't, but only for the duration of their contract.

15 Jul 2026 00:17:47
Scouse John, you might have been able to do that back in the day, but it won't fly now. No manager who backs himself is going to bench his best players if they don't sign contracts. They're putting results and their reputation on the line. The manager expects the club to secure extensions and not to have to shoulder the shortcomings of the sporting director if talks stall.

If the extensions can't be secured, any manager with an ounce of self-respect or professionalism is still going to pick his best players and won't allow himself to be used as a pawn by the club in some sort of bully tactic. Those days, for the most part, are long gone. The players have the power now, and they know it.

14 Jul 2026 08:56:30
Hey Ed's is someone like Konsa still an option?

{Ed001's Note - what do you mean still?}

14 Jul 2026 09:23:57
Why would anyone seriously want Konsa? He's an absolute liability and poor in the air.

14 Jul 2026 09:34:05
I think he meant, is he single?

14 Jul 2026 11:26:46
Maybe Eds should host a Liverpool-Rumours dating site - we can link up single and available players with our favourite posters.

14 Jul 2026 13:25:45
I'd suggest you send him some flowers, Thiago's mate, to 'initiate contact'.

14 Jul 2026 16:17:44
Speaking of Thiago, does anybody know if he is still coming?

14 Jul 2026 16:06:43
Yeah, Ed. Were we in for him to begin with?

13 Jul 2026 23:49:11
First time poster here and a huge fan of this site.
Played a bit of fantasy sporting director and would like to hear your thoughts.

We are maxed out with 17 non-homegrown as of now for UEFA squad registration (non-HG including Rio and Leoni) - Alisson, VVD, Jacquet, Kerkez, Macca, Szobo, Grav, Wirtz, Isak, Gakpo, Munoz, Mama, Endo, Chiesa and Tsimikas (Rio and Leoni would be HG next year)

8 HG players (club trained+association trained) - Woodman, Frimpong, Owen Beck, Bradley, Gomez, Jones, Elliott and Mcconnell (when Rio and Leoni comes in this list next year, they would take Gomez and Woodman's slots as their contracts expire by 2027)

List B - Nyoni

If let's say we sign Joao Gomes and Diomande (as per ITKs), Chiesa and Tsimikas would have to be left out to make space.

This is with the assumption that Ekitike won't be fit until next year and doesn't need to be registered until January and if he needs to be included by then, another one has to be left out which could be Endo. I guess there won't be any takers for Endo in this window as he has just come back from an injury.

If Jones leaves, Bajcetic fills in (unlikely as he might be sold too) If both are sold, we can only register 17+7=24 list A players

I don't think Mama can be that ball playing GK replacing Alisson, so if we get a good offer, sell him and promote Jaros to fill the final homegrown slot. (I know it's risky to rely on Alisson as he is injury prone but no good GK would come to LFC to play second fiddle to him)

This would leave us with 1 more non-HG slot that we can use to sign a defender or midfielder this window (Zabarnyi or Manu Kone as per ITKs)

Next year, if we don't renew contracts of Alisson and VVD, we need a new GK (Bart Verbruggen maybe as his contract expires in 2028 and could be cheaper) and CB (Schlotterbeck as he has a release clause and hopefully he recovers from his injury and is back to his best during the season)

PS: I didn't forget Ramsay but didn't mention him as I don't think he has a future at Liverpool.

If players are happy to remain without playing champions league, we still have 2 non-HG slots in Premier League (used by Rio and Leoni for Champions league), so not all sales need to happen. But once Ekitike returns, someone has to be left out even from the EPL squad.

TLDR:
Sell: Chiesa, Tsimikas, Endo and Mama
Buy: Diomande, Joao Gomes, Zabarnyi/Manu Kone if Mama gets sold
Buy in 2027: Verbruggen, Schlotterbeck

I am excited for the new season under Iraola!

14 Jul 2026 05:57:58
That's a lot of assumptions.

14 Jul 2026 06:04:42
Hi Antony, welcome to the boards. Rio and Giovanni were both classed as U21 in the updated squad lists for the 2025-26 season when the winter window closed. Check it out on the official EPL website.

So, even without sales, we have 2 non-HG places available.

Rio and Giovanni won't need to be on the HG list, as they will remain U21 for some time yet - in the 26-27 season you are U21 if you are born on/after 1/1/05. Leoni is born in Dec 06, so he will remain U21 for 26-27 and 27-28.



Rio is born Aug 08, so he still has 4 more seasons as an U21.

Also, looking at linked players, Diomande is born in Nov 06, so still has 2 seasons as an U21. Bouaddi is born in 07, so he will have 3 seasons as an U21 if he joins.

Not debating that we need to sell some players, but we have more non-HG places than you think and there is no HG Quota, so we could run with 0 HG players and just have a squad of 17 plus U21s.

14 Jul 2026 08:17:25
Great response there Zed, thought the same myself remember one of the Eds talking about HG quota and how a lot of posters on here go on about it when it isn't a big a deal as some make it out to be, thought the same as yourself when it came to not really being a major issue and also to be fair the club will know what the can and can't do when it comes to it so also full trust in the ones in power to make the right calls etc

14 Jul 2026 09:40:55
I think that may be true for the PL, @Zed, but not for the CL. From memory, you need to have been at a club for 2 years before you can be on the U21 list for CL, so Rio and Leoni would require non-HG spots in the squad. It was the reason that Chiesa only got registered when Leoni got injured.

14 Jul 2026 11:03:10
Hi Zeddicus, I was talking about Rio and Leoni taking up UEFA non-HG spots for Champions League squad registration.

In the Premier League, it's fine, as they are both U-21, as I have mentioned here:
'If players are happy to remain without playing Champions League, we still have 2 non-HG slots in Premier League (used by Rio and Leoni for Champions League), so not all sales need to happen. But once Ekitike returns, someone has to be left out even from the EPL squad.'

Excuse me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Diomande and Bouaddi would be in the same situation as that of Rio and Leoni if they sign for us, as they need to complete two years to be counted as homegrown and, until then, would have to be part of List A non-HG for UEFA squad.



Yes, we can just play with 17+U21 but I was looking at it with utilizing the maximum squad possible i.e. 17+8+U-21 as Iraola prefers to work with a bigger squad.

14 Jul 2026 12:34:02
Fair enough, Antony and Shipley, you're right. I was concentrating on the EPL, and they do need to have played for us for 2 years to qualify for List B.

Interestingly, Rio joined from Chelsea in summer 2024, so may actually be eligible for List B for 26-27. Although he hardly played in the 24-25 season (unsurprisingly given he was 16!) he was "eligible" to play for us, which is the requirement from UEFA.



Leoni isn't until the 27-28 season and Bouaddi and Diomande won't be for 2 years as you say (Diomande will then be overage anyway).

14 Jul 2026 17:34:17
Good catch, Zeddicus

Rio can be part of List-B as he has completed 2 years while he was U-21, so that leaves us with 1 extra non-HG slot for a new signing.

Updated list:
16 non-HG - Alisson, VVD, Jacquet, Leoni, Kerkez, Macca, Szobo, Grav, Wirtz, Isak, Gakpo, Munoz, Mama, Endo, Chiesa and Tsimikas.
8 HG players - Woodman, Frimpong, Owen Beck, Bradley, Gomez, Jones, Elliott and McConnell (If Jones leaves, it would reduce squad strength as 17 non-HG + 7 HG + List-B).
List-B - Rio, Nyoni, Danns and whoever that's good enough from the academy.



Sell - Chiesa & Tsimikas (Endo would be unlikely as he is just back from an injury).
Buy - Joao Gomes, Barcola (As per ITKs in the rumours page, he is more likely than Diomande).
Squad registration for 2027 knockouts - Add Ekitike for the remaining non-HG slot.

P.S. Mama remains at least for 1 more season as backup to Alisson, and we can revisit GK position in 2027 summer if we don't renew contracts for Alisson and Woodman.

14 Jul 2026 21:56:03
I wouldn't sell Tsimikas, I think he is much better Kerkez cover than the others we have, as he has actually played several games for us in the EPL under Klopp.

I can also see us buying Diomande, as per some of the ITKs (Carra and Robbo IIRC), and I would leave Ekitike out until he has recovered.



Diomande would qualify as U21 for the PL, as would Leoni.

As to who to leave out of the CL non-HGs, that's a tough one. Maybe Marmadashvilli as you suggest?

13 Jul 2026 22:53:14
We have Iraola, and if we sign Barcola, it’ll be ola ola.

14 Jul 2026 06:09:36
Almost rola cola!

14 Jul 2026 06:52:52
You rang, mi lord?

13 Jul 2026 22:28:26
I had a thought earlier coukd Macconnell be turned into a right back? For me he has the aggression and ball ability to play right back. It is whether he has the positional sense and stamina to go up and down all game.
Ed001 do you think he could be moulded into a RB and save the clib money?

{Ed001's Note - interesting idea, I am not sure how quick a learner he is but it is quite common these days for midfielders to cover at right-back, so I don't see why not.}

13 Jul 2026 22:51:40
I think it might be worth trying, especially if we’re bringing in both Kone and Gomes. I don't see them getting game time in midfield. RB is one of those positions where, if you do the basics well, then that is kind of good enough as long as you are consistent.

14 Jul 2026 00:02:29
I'm all for giving the kids opportunities, but I hope you're not suggesting we use a 21-year-old midfielder with no Premier League or RB experience as our starting RB for next season.

14 Jul 2026 06:05:57
Chewy, we have Bradley and Frimpong and even Gomez. Why not try and bleed through Macconnell, the RB market is not great, so let's promote within.

14 Jul 2026 06:38:18
Still got Ramsey as well. He had quite the fan base push on here last season for him to be starting games.

14 Jul 2026 07:12:56
Wasn't Trent a midfielder? And did well as RB without Premier League experience?
Macconnell could easily be a success at RB, if anything, it's worth looking at.

14 Jul 2026 07:13:58
I am going to sound contradictory here but I don't think Ramsay will make it.

14 Jul 2026 07:47:12
Frimpong has clearly demonstrated that he can't play right back in this league. And we don't have Bradley - just be grateful if the lad can walk without a limp by Christmas.

14 Jul 2026 09:43:44
It's pointless trying to shoehorn a player into a position that is not natural to his playing attributes. It may work, it more than likely won't. The time to try such ideas is pre season, which bears zero resemblance to the cut and thrust of the EPL. We cannot afford passengers or make-dos if we're going to challenge for the top titles. We tried that last year with zero effect. Just go and buy a proper top level RB.

God knows we need one as there's nobody at the club currently that fits that description. We're not short of money so we don't need to do this or scrape the bottom to try find one. Get the best available whomever that may be. Remember we're trying ultimately to replace the efficacy of both Salah and TAA on the RHS of the pitch so we cannot settle for mediocrity.

{Ed001's Note - Trent was a midfielder until thrown in at right-back.}

14 Jul 2026 10:37:50
I don't think Frimpong played much at RB last season, actually. He initially did, and I thought he looked alright there. But he mostly played at RW and he was absolutely hopeless there. I still think there is value in trying him out as an RB again this season. Never know what he can do with proper coaching.

14 Jul 2026 11:19:27
I'm 100% with you, Shanklys Ghost.

14 Jul 2026 12:49:11
@ Dracred, Frimpong is horrendous as both a RW and as a RB. Possibly one of our worst purchases ever. Totally ineffective player. No coaching is going to change that.

14 Jul 2026 12:46:30
With respect ED01, I'd suggest that Trent was an exception to the rule. I'd also suggest that McConnell has shown little attributes to be considered as a RB. We'd have tried that before now if he did. We require a top level RB and we require him now. Go spend the money that's in the bank. It's a priority position.

{Ed001's Note - I agree, but just pointing it out as you mentioned him.}

14 Jul 2026 16:36:21
Ed, I think MacConnell already played RB in a game a couple of seasons ago before he got loaned out.

13 Jul 2026 21:46:36
Iraola needs to push for Barcola. If we need to sell Jones, then fine.

13 Jul 2026 21:48:59
It's happening already, have a scroll through the Rumours page. 👍