Liverpool banter 10

12 Jul 2026 14:25:12
Ed25 read this and thought of you :)

Five of the top 8 ranked teams going into the World Cup made it to the last 8, only 3 didn't.

Those 3 were managed by ex Everton managers

'Once Everton touches you'.

{Ed025's Note - thanks for that 1jj.. :)

12 Jul 2026 15:04:27
Ha ha. That's a good one I never even noticed.

12 Jul 2026 17:23:35
Very funny! Ancelotti, Martinez and Koeman, for those (like me!) that had to look up at least one of them!

12 Jul 2026 18:22:51
Koeman stumped me for a while, but mainly because I didn't think the Dutch were in the top 8 seeds.

12 Jul 2026 21:04:20
Koeman had me also. Forgot he managed Everton.

13 Jul 2026 08:54:52
Blue Christmas tree gate.......

12 Jul 2026 11:10:14
Anderson played very, very well to last night and goes under the radar because he's not on the score sheet.
Anderson has been a level above Rice. Very, very good player and a very good underrated passer.


Anderson does not get the love or pr from the fans or sensationalised media, but if Anderson became unavailable, that midfields ran through, and any momentum lost.
Future England captain for me.

12 Jul 2026 11:34:12
I'd say it's hard to compare the two. What Bellingham has done at 23 surpasses what Gerrard did at 23, but what Gerrard did is prove his world class level for 15+ years. But if we're taking stats and trophy cabinet, Bellingham is on the trajectory to be better than Gerrard, and the main man said it himself.

12 Jul 2026 11:41:34
Tbf, Rice has been playing with the aid of numerous injections to get him through matches. This apparently started in February, as he wasn't afforded time off to get his injury corrected, due to Arsenal's performance in the league and Champs League.

The guy is literally playing through the pain barrier for his country. That, coupled with his recent illness, shows next level dedication to me.

Having said that, he has been pretty poor, as a result of this.

12 Jul 2026 12:18:30
I like Rice, great player. If what has been said is true and he has been managing injuries with injections, I worry for his long term career. Can't be good not letting injuries heal properly.

12 Jul 2026 12:29:50
I thought Anderson was a 10/10 in that game. I hate that City got him tbh.

12 Jul 2026 14:51:39
VAR ruined last night's game on more than 1 occasion. Felt sorry for Norway, but VAR has ruined the whole of the tournament. 😢

12 Jul 2026 15:53:31
I absolutely don't feel sorry for Norway.
I'm delighted we beat them. 😀

12 Jul 2026 16:57:12
Why did you feel for them, Hunter? Haaland fouled Anderson very clearly for their second goal which was correctly ruled out.
The ball hitting the camera was unfortunate, but they also got lucky with the penalty incident (similar one was given for Argentina against Egypt).
I don't think everyone can blame VAR and the officials for not getting the result they wanted.

12 Jul 2026 18:28:00
Blatant foul on Anderson, VAR done their job for once.

12 Jul 2026 19:18:11
Agreed, the ball hit the cable, should have been a drop ball. Both referee and VAR failed there. Also, there was a blatant push on the box by an English player on a Norwegian player, no foul given.

Pickford covered his mouth and said something to Odegard, no action taken. Now, what was said? Only 2 people know what. Again, no action taken. Was Clement Turpin not slated by Tuchel for being poor? Funny that. 🙄

12 Jul 2026 19:44:01
I personally think the midfield 3 of Rice Bellingham and Anderson brings out the best in all 3 of them and they actually compliment each other. Could be the English midfield for the foreseeable as I don’t see anyone ousting any of them, not yet anyway.

12 Jul 2026 09:28:01
Bellingham played well for England in moments. There's so much PR that comes with the Bellingham brand; his England teammates get forgotten.
Bellingham is also not a midfielder. He's mostly been playing a false 9 for England that at times drops back in midfield attempting to defend when instructed. His attributes suit playing there.
The comparisons are well off with Gerrard. Positionally they're worlds apart for England.

Bellingham is not a central midfielder.
In his first season at Madrid, Ancelotti put him as a false 9 for most of the season. That's where he scored most of his goals. I don't even see him as a Lampard type. He's another "attacker" or forward for me.
England have not faced one top team in this tournament. Very lucky with the draw. Argentina are abysmal defensively. Should be tight, but France will destroy the team.

12 Jul 2026 09:54:37
Funk, we knocked out the team who knocked out Brazil. The top 4 ranked teams are in the semi final. Will we win it? I don't think we will. But, as an Englishman, it would give me enormous pleasure if we were to.

12 Jul 2026 10:06:31
Wow, how are those green eyes this morning, Ron?

12 Jul 2026 10:15:26
If Bellingham played for Liverpool, he'd be class. He doesn't, so he's crap.

12 Jul 2026 10:21:22
That about sums it up, JK.

12 Jul 2026 10:31:30
And quite often the other round as well. We're a fickle bunch.

12 Jul 2026 10:33:40
I referenced Bellingham and England. He's England's best performer, but he's not a "midfielder." England's midfield was run through before Norway when Tuchel put him in there during games. His athleticism brings him under that label as he'll track back when asked.
Bellingham's done nothing of note for two years at Real Madrid surrounded by top top players.

No trophies, the stats and performances warrant that statement.
How did Bellingham fare against us? Arsenal? Bayern? Barca these last two years? He was anonymous because he got swallowed up as a "midfielder."
This England team is there for the taking. I think we can get beat Argentina, but no way to France.

12 Jul 2026 10:34:21
And who would you call a top team in this tournament? To be fair, only France have looked a top team. Spain control games, but find it difficult to score. Argentina have found it hard going against Egypt, and if Embolo didn't have a complete brain fart, they might well have lost against Switzerland, who looked well up for a physical fight until the last whistle.

England have underperformed, but they are still in the semi finals.

I would say England have as much of a chance as anybody and should make the finals (I'm not English and have no inclination to see them win, I only ever support Asian and African teams in the WC haha).

12 Jul 2026 10:36:16
Bellingham as a no. 10 in our team would be great. I love Wirtz and think he has more technical ability and less ego. However, Bellingham is a winner and has that ability to drag a team through.

12 Jul 2026 10:37:55
Bellingham is a great player, got it all. Desire, speed, skill, with an eye for goal. Love him at Liverpool.

12 Jul 2026 10:48:57
Ron, name one country or club team in the world of football that wouldn't want Bellingham in it, there is your answer!

12 Jul 2026 10:50:45
This is such a strange and bitter post. I don't even really care for England, but there simply is no denying that Gerrard never showed up for England like he did for Liverpool.

Gerrard can be the better football player overall, but also be part of the "Golden Generation" failures. The two are not mutually exclusive.

12 Jul 2026 10:52:22
I agree, Strom. I watched Old Blighty last night and he was totally tuned in. He turned up when it mattered. Excellent player regardless of whether you want to call him a midfielder or otherwise. Pity we didn't sign him.

12 Jul 2026 10:57:47
So sad that people can't just enjoy a fantastic English talent.

Can never decide whether Funk is a Wum or just Taps.

12 Jul 2026 10:58:20
Sz,
As an attacker? Many. He's played behind Mbappe and Vini for two years and they've won nothing. His numbers are substandard. Because positionally he needs to be more of an attacker with less responsibility in filling the gaps in "midfield".


My entire point is he's painted as a central midfielder, when he's "Shining" currently because he's mostly playing as a forward. He was the highest player for most of that match yesterday.

12 Jul 2026 11:00:13
Bellingham has 43 goals and assists in his last 2 seasons.

Not sure how many of our midfielders or other midfielders worldwide compare to that?

12 Jul 2026 11:06:49
You can complain that Bellingham is over-rated and over-hyped. It's certainly (imo) a modern phenomenon to over-hype players and describe them as world class or best ever, after a few good games. But show me a player who's consistently influenced a game for 90 minutes, game after game, in this World Cup.

I can't think of one. Olise was largely quiet against Morocco, for example. I think if the team of the tournament was being selected now, Bellingham would be in it.



Now to the comparisons to Gerrard, Gerrard played his best football for us as a no. 10 or free role right midfielder. You could count on one hand the number of times he played either of those roles for England. He played defensive midfield under Sven, and usually off the left under Capello. Bellingham is at least getting the benefit of being put in something like his best position.

12 Jul 2026 11:07:11
I actually agree with this - he's not a typical central mid. Definitely an attacker, but a very good one. England haven't had a ball-playing midfielder in a while - it's all sideways or backwards safe passes. We rely on graft and athleticism and moments of individual brilliance. Been that way for as far back as I can remember watching England in tournaments.



And it all starts with grassroots training. I think we are starting to change things, and are starting to get more technical players - but mostly on the wings. We need to produce a technical midfield that can create, control the tempo and dictate play.

12 Jul 2026 11:07:15
At this moment in time I'd consider swapping him for Wirtz, even though we all know Wirtz is a "generational talent".

12 Jul 2026 11:14:31
Rome,
I'd absolutely take Bellingham over Wirtz in this league as a "10".
In regards to the other posters, glad to get the old men rocking and bothered. Where have you been, lads. 😉

12 Jul 2026 11:16:06
Are England playing 424?

12 Jul 2026 11:17:21
Ron, I really don't get your point. Are you simply trying to say that Bellingham is a crap central midfielder? Even if we were to concede your point, does that make Bellingham any less good as a footballer, whatever his position is? Also, note that he has had to sacrifice a lot of his game to accommodate Vini and Mbappe.

Before Mbappe came in, would you say that his numbers were subpar (though he was, as you note, playing mostly as a 9 expected to crash the box while nominally suiting up every game in midfield)?

12 Jul 2026 11:19:17
What am I missing here? Who cares what the position label is? Bellingham is clearly a top talent and without him coming to the table England don't advance. Why do we need to make comparisons?

12 Jul 2026 11:22:52
Bellingham over Wirtz any day for me please and thank you.

12 Jul 2026 11:46:02
Bellingham much better than Wirtz right now, and much more suited to English football. He won’t be leaving Madrid, though, so a complete non starter.

If we buy a new centre mid to sit in a 4231, then that player is likely to be partnered in the 2 by Grav.

That would leave Macca, Szob, and Wirtz competing for the ten role, as I think none of them are suited to playing in the wider roles in the Premier League.

It’s all about pace and power, and also a leftie on the right side of the three is the way we’ll probably go, which rules out Szob, with Munoz on the left.

The numbers don’t stack, so one of those three is likely to go, obviously Macca the most obvious one.

12 Jul 2026 11:51:00
You don't have a brand without having game.

12 Jul 2026 12:38:46
If Jude had gone to us over Madrid, he wouldn't have the big ego. He'd be excelling for club and country, and would be the most loved player in the England squad.

Oh how I wish he had come to us.

12 Jul 2026 12:41:30
Faith, Beckham was the most overrated footballer England ever produced. His looks and Victoria added to the "brand". Top drawer on set pieces, but he's seen as one of England's great passers, and I absolutely disagree and always have.

Great crosser, but overall? Overrated passer. The brand made the "Player" better than what he was.
Becks, though, played well for England and loved wearing the shirt. Jude's similar, imo. Soo over rated, his overall game as a "midfielder".

12 Jul 2026 12:58:19
Ron, get off the fence mate.

Simple, yes or no, do you rate Jude or not. 🤣

12 Jul 2026 13:07:37
Ron Funk your posts are no good to read with a hangover, now you're slating Beckham.

JK23 I reckon Ron justs spouts obvs BS for the attention, seems to have worked today 🤣

12 Jul 2026 13:41:06
While very different players, what Bellingham does share with Stevie G is his deft touches (with left or right foot) when he receives good or bad balls in the box. Really good box instincts like Stevie had.

Stevie had a lot more than Jude in terms of shooting, carrying, passing, tackling, and recovery runs. He really was a unicorn.

12 Jul 2026 13:46:19
Sz,
So Beckham was world class??. 🤣

Jk, yes mate, as a false 9. He's 23, has played a lot of matches, soo young, the burn out will come a lot sooner. I don't rate Bellingham as a central midfielder or even "attacking midfielder". He finishes well. So keep him as close to the goal as any forward on the pitch.

12 Jul 2026 14:08:08
Bellingham done nothing at Madrid? Apart from winning La Liga, Champions League, scoring 19 league goals and getting La Liga player of the year in his first season. Wouldn't mine that kind of useless player myself!

12 Jul 2026 14:25:37
Floodlights
Real Madrid have won nothing these last two seasons. Again, Bellingham played a lot as a false 9, his first season under Ancelotti.
I stated the past two years. His ghost appearances in big matches these past two seasons have quickly gotten forgotten. Let's see how season 4 fares under Mourinho, and what position Mourinho plays him.

12 Jul 2026 14:42:22
Ron, who mentioned world class, you said 'over rated', I don't believe he was.

Also, you said he wasn't one of England's great passers, well I disagree with you, so does Alex Ferguson, Glen Hoddle, Ronaldo, Zidane, to name a few, but you know best, Ron. 🤣

12 Jul 2026 14:45:00
Beckham was silos, couldn't tackle or save his life and might as well have been a monoped as his l3ft foot was useless. He was nowhere near world class.

12 Jul 2026 14:52:47
The thread confirms that funk is taps

12 Jul 2026 19:55:43
Jude in this system works because Kane drops deep. It worked at Real without Mbappe as well. He was lacklustre last season because he was instructed to sit deeper. He's not a CM - he's a forward.

12 Jul 2026 09:08:26
Am no Bellingham fan but the last two games he has been fantastic.
Run himself into the ground something I’ve not seen from him for Madrid.
I thought Kane was a total passenger last night.
I thought the subs were not great. Why he brought Eze on instead of Rodgers I will never understand.
Then he takes O'Reilly off for a right back when you could see Konsa was struggling and was out of position anyway.


And can anyone please explain to me how Madueke is in the squad, let alone the starting 11. He is truly awful.
I think we beat Argentina unless there is the Messi bias again.
But I can’t see us beating Spain or France.
Spain was my top before it started and nothing I’ve seen so far has changed my mind.

12 Jul 2026 10:20:19
Bellingham has been absolutely top class in this team and without him England wouldn't be where they are. He's carried the team a bit like Gerrard carried some of our teams in his Houllier days.
I predicted Spain to beat England when the knockouts were arranged. Sticking with that.



Argentina will be tough to beat. If England beat them, I expect the miles in the legs in this humidity and heat to build up and they'll flop in the final.

Spain are used to playing in this heat/humidity, so I think they'll squeeze past France who have been the standout team.

12 Jul 2026 10:56:45
Agreed, Grino and Ron. Bellingham is an excellent player. I hope Ingerland make the final. I'd love to see them do Argentina. 50-50 game then whether they face France or Spain imo. I'm hoping they go the distance!! Though, as a proud Paddy, I don't think I'll be able to suffer the English media afterwards if they actually do!!!

12 Jul 2026 11:03:01
Gerrard never played as high as Bellingham, especially early in his career. Gerrard also had to pull out worldies to carry a substandard team. Bellingham's scored two good goals and a few tap ins in this tournament, and he's "Gerrard".
Bellingham's best position is just off a natural 9.

He's not a midfielder or carries the responsibility of what Gerrard or Lampard had to for England.
Bellingham's drive is what sets him apart from the likes of Saka and even Rodgers. He wants to be as high as possible, scoring goals.

12 Jul 2026 11:38:01
No heat or humidity problem in Weds, as stadium has roof and AC. Will be about 21c. No excuse there.

Next Sunday, currently forecast rain and slightly cooler in New Jersey, so if that happens, then better for us. Open stadium.

12 Jul 2026 11:53:23
Bellingham is giving his all for England and you can't ask more than that.
All the England players are playing with pride and passion for their country.
It's great to watch and I hope it continues.
Come on England!

12 Jul 2026 12:47:29
I don't think anyone will beat France. England v France for me in the finals.

12 Jul 2026 08:50:38
It was great seeing Hendo getting involved at the England game. Warming up with the team and giving advice during the "hydration breaks". He's a natural leader.

12 Jul 2026 10:19:18
England wouldn't have won without Hendo last night. He was the difference.

John Terry full kit w*****. Hendo natural leader.

12 Jul 2026 11:03:04
Hendo was a good captain until Southgate gave Kane it because he upset him.

12 Jul 2026 08:42:41
Ed1, if you are about mate. What is your opinion in Joao Gomes from Wolves?
Does he improve us and is he what we need?

{Ed001's Note - I think he does improve us and gives us a bit of what we need. I would still like a more mobile Sadiki-type alongside him, but he is an upgrade on Macca or Jones with a little bite to his play.}

12 Jul 2026 09:41:47
Are we in for him or is it just paper talk, lads?

12 Jul 2026 09:38:11
I always thought Gomes was pretty mobile and athletic Ed
Covers distance well, and has the legs for the middle. exactly what we need. Really hope we get him,
Or Sadiki because I don't recall you being wrong to many times about players that you rated😁

{Ed001's Note - he is fairly mobile, more than Macca, for example, but not at the level of Sadiki. He has the legs to cover across the midfield, but not the engine to do that bit more like a Sadiki/Szobo can do. He is the one you have sitting to allow other midfielders the freedom, with enough mobility to do that job, but he needs a partner still and we would still need more bite. He isn't going to do all the ball-winning on his own.}

12 Jul 2026 10:21:43
He reminds me of Mascherano, but maybe I've just seen him in his good days. Played well against us.

12 Jul 2026 10:52:37
He's much better with the ball than Mascherano, in my opinion.

12 Jul 2026 11:22:07
Mascherano was an elite ball winner though. Inspirational at times.

12 Jul 2026 12:02:22
"Woah, woah, woah
We've got the best midfield in the world
We've got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko,
Gerrard and Mascherano"

As a midfield unit, if Momo hadn't got the eye injury and they had another couple of years or so at the club to reach their peak together, they might well have been the best all round midfield at the club in my life time.

Another one of the 'if only' ones like Rob Jones and Fabio Aurelio amongst others.

12 Jul 2026 13:17:19
Momo was a monster! A best of a player. Stamina, speed, strength, aggression, ball winning. I think it was a Charity Shield match against Chelsea. He fouled, Chelsea got a FK, and the next moment they took a sloppy one, he did win the ball back immediately.

Think he dominated that midfield and terrified them. Shame on the eye injury, and also he came into the team at a time where we were declining due to an assortment of reasons just before we nearly went into administration.

12 Jul 2026 12:35:20
Ed001, I think most things are more mobile than Macca these days

{Ed001's Note - traffic cones are more mobile than he was last season.}

12 Jul 2026 13:45:03
Joao Gomes profiled a lot like Gini Wijnaldum when we looked at him in January 2022. He was putting up crazy numbers for tackling, press resistance and recovery tackles. Not looked at his numbers recently, but he has that in his locker.

He is not a DM, like Gini wasn't a DM for us.

12 Jul 2026 14:31:05
There's a lot to like about Gomes. Works hard off the ball, is not weak in the tackle. For a lad of 5'9" he doesn't lack physicality; he also isn't afraid of a bit of graft and is almost always available (his injury history is non-existent). To me he's the type of midfielder we're very short of.

12 Jul 2026 07:52:18.
Bellingham immense last night as many are commenting.

Gordon also excellent both on and off the ball. His pass for the first goal was excellent.

Also worrying to see how good Anderson was. That’s the kind of midfielder I’d like to see us sign.

Just seems to be in the right place at the right time. Also a great passing range and love his ability to win the ball back, protect it and then pick the right option.

12 Jul 2026 08:46:58
I must have watched a different game, cause England were totally dominated in midfield and could get close to Odegaard. Anderson has a good engine but hardly excelled for a player of his transfer value.

12 Jul 2026 08:53:25
I agree, Bigh81. England super lucky.

12 Jul 2026 08:55:11
Anderson had a superb game and City have bought a player who will serve them for 10 years. Would've loved us to have bought him.

12 Jul 2026 09:32:49
Sorry Rome, can't see what the fuss is about with Anderson, looks busy and great engine, but too many square & backwards passing.
Never once caused Norway any problems with anything incisive.
Decent player but never worth that sort of fee. Just my opinion mind. 😉

12 Jul 2026 10:12:16
He played some great diagonal passes, Bristol, and he was everywhere. Our 2nd best player. The fee is up to City. Like I say, he will serve them for 10 years, so it could turn out to be money well spent.

12 Jul 2026 10:17:29
I was actually really impressed with Anderson's passing range last night. Hit a couple of diagonals like Stevie used to.

But that's genuinely the first I've really seen of him or paid attention to him when he's not played against Liverpool.

12 Jul 2026 10:20:19
Anderson is about the same level as another England international that City bought, Kevin Phillips, and we know how that turned out.

{Ed001's Note - embarrassing take. Anderson is a much better player than he was.}

12 Jul 2026 10:52:08
Anderson the same level as Kalvin Phillips? Are we really that biased against players that don't play for Liverpool?

{Ed001's Note - it seems that way mate.}

12 Jul 2026 11:00:43
@Kemlyn; Garbage. Anderson is excellent. And was last night too. We should have been in the mix for his signature. I can only assume he wanted City and nobody else for us not to be at the table for him.

12 Jul 2026 11:41:52
Anderson was excellent and is excellent. Virtually always looks forwards first, though passes not always on with England's forwards.

His range of passing is Gerrard-like. Incredible engine in that heat and humidity last night, running to the end, and a top-level mentality.

12 Jul 2026 11:53:49
Anderson can be incisive, but doesn't need that as his primary skills in this team. He can be excellent at what he is doing currently, which is recovering and retaining the ball.

12 Jul 2026 12:52:33
Anderson overrated? Some people were obviously watching the game six pints in.

12 Jul 2026 14:33:26
Anderson dog walked our midfield twice last season. To make out that he's not very good is ridiculous. He's plainly a very good midfielder and nothing like that fat oaf Phillips.

12 Jul 2026 05:33:11
Jude Bellingham is absolutely incredible, he can carry a team on his back similar to how Steven Gerrard could. To think people on here were doubting his quality a month ago, he is everything I would want from a Liverpool player. You can tell he gets it.

12 Jul 2026 06:22:39
Jude is already leagues ahead of Stevie G on the international stage. In a decade, we'll know if he matched Stevie G on a national level.

{Ed078's Note - leagues ahead?

12 Jul 2026 07:18:27
Yeah, never quite got the cynicism he'd get from sections of the fanbase. Maybe that was tinged with a bit of sour grapes cos he "chose" Real Madrid over us?

Fantastic player.

12 Jul 2026 07:37:25
Fantastic player, no doubt, but I'd not be happy if I was Tuchel right now. Very arrogant and unhelpful, some of his post game comments. You can tell he plays for RM.

12 Jul 2026 07:46:55
Spot on there, Westwood.

Jude has had a great tournament for England, but that attitude last night after the game stank.

Childish, arrogant and entitled.

Do you really want a guy in the dressing room who says "whatever" and "he's never played in those conditions" when told his manager rightfully wanted more quality from the team.

He's at the right club at least.

{Ed078's Note - agreed. He oozes arrogance, entitlement and cockiness.

12 Jul 2026 08:06:19
He oozes confidence because he is class and class players deserve to be confident. He got asked a question and he answered it honestly. I'm sure Tuchel didn't take offence to it. He is a winner, with bags of quality and he has worked harder than any other England player this tournament. Just the type of player Liverpool need at the moment.

12 Jul 2026 08:17:32
Fair points, but I grew up on graft and humility.

12 Jul 2026 08:30:49
What Red Will said.

12 Jul 2026 08:44:34
"Leagues ahead of Gerrard", we haven't played anyone of note, and the Gareth Southgate fortunes for a decent draw continue. Gerrard did it for over a decade, and against sides who were far stronger. I expect to beat Norway.

12 Jul 2026 08:55:12
I'll defend both Tuchel and Bellingham on their post match comments, and if it hadn't been for Gabriel Clarke s*** stirring in his interview, we wouldn't be even talking about it.
Bellingham has carried England so far and regardless of people thinking he's arrogant, we won't be near winning it without him.

12 Jul 2026 08:57:35
Stevie G hardly ever played in CM.

12 Jul 2026 10:30:00
Jude tries to share credit with the team at every opportunity. He was waxing lyrical about his team mates leading up to the 'whatever' comment, which I think was more in frustration at the interviewer for trying to ruin the mood after a good win.

For people on this site to use throw around words like childish and entitled is hilarious.

12 Jul 2026 11:08:26
Bellingham is up himself and very arrogant, weren't the Dortmund players glad to see him go, just something about him.

12 Jul 2026 11:26:09
"Streets ahead of Gerrard".. in absolutely nothing.

12 Jul 2026 12:19:52
Name the great games Stevie G had for England (meaningful ones).

Doubt Jude will ever match Stevie G's consistency in his Nations League though. Stevie G turned many a match single handedly.

12 Jul 2026 12:33:25
Post loop, are you OK? Seriously?

12 Jul 2026 12:42:08
This whole Bellingham has an ego and Bellingham is arrogant shtick is so lazy. Every coach he's ever worked with says he is a great pro and a great person. People just don't like to see young people with confidence who talk like a leader and celebrate goals like that. People have a tendency to feel like they want to take confident young people down a peg or 2 because, at that age, they themselves couldn't dream of having that much confidence and ability.

Haaland says he's a great lad. Hendo says he's a great lad. I saw a video today of a player who was in a children's hospital who video called Jude off the cuff, and he answered and took time to talk to a young boy with cancer.
That interviewer last night was annoying, and both him and Tuchel both rightfully got annoyed with him.

12 Jul 2026 04:42:20
Perhaps it's just me but how is it that we get quoted over 100m for a dude at the start of his career that has achieved nothing and has just one good season and a mediocre World Cup, yet we can't get more than 30m for a league and Champions League winner?

Pace + youth = 100m. It's mental just how expensive pace is.

12 Jul 2026 06:18:56
If you're referring to Jones, then look at it like this -
Diomande isn't worth 100m, but he is very young and has a season of excellent performance in a top league. He is an attacking player, which typically means a higher price, and he has a lot of qualities that teams put a premium on.


For Jones, he is a known quantity of good but not outstanding performance. He will improve a team but not make a particularly big difference. The Champions League winner status is immaterial - we know that Jones is a good player but that's all.

12 Jul 2026 06:38:00
Supply and demand.

Lack of options at right wing, but dozens of good options at CM. Plus, Jones hit his ceiling, while Diomande is just at the start of his career and seen to have big upside.

Lots of factors.

{Ed078's Note - the opposite of match of the day fever, Diomande's world cup gave me the sniffles.

12 Jul 2026 07:20:28
I doubt you'd find many posters here who would pay 30mil for Jones lol.

Big part is the market share between leagues.

Personally, I think it has created an unintended consequence of an imbalance between the leagues.

The market will inflate for sales to the Premier League in a large part due to how much revenue is being raked in.

12 Jul 2026 11:07:39
I wouldn't purchase any player on the back of their WC performance. I wouldn't dismiss any player on the back of their WC performance. The Liverpool scouts would apply that edict, I'd suggest, whilst compiling any shortlist of possible LFC candidates.