Liverpool banter 10

31 Aug 2026 11:46:15
Just a thought but with Barcola taking our last overseas squad place, Marma is being moved on to free up space for a Mintah/Sarr type signing. 🤔

31 Aug 2026 11:39:44
I think we’d all agree letting Gakpo go without bringing in another winger would be madness, but personally I’d keep him regardless to cover Isak/wings until at least the Jan window. If others can say no to transfers that don’t suit, why can’t we?

Aside from the forwards I’m also concerned that our very attack minded FB’s and midfield are causing us problems on the counter.

Although I’m sure it won’t happen because Ai won’t switch things up last minute, I do wonder whether a change in formation might actually fit the current players better?

VVD, Jacquet and Aruajo as a back three would allow Kerkez and Frimpong (or Szobo) to push forward as wingbacks and create width, while Grav/Macca can control the midfield and Wirtz can play as a 10 in behind Barcola/Isak.

31 Aug 2026 11:52:15
Ireola does not play a 3, does he? Suppose we were always gonna hear calls for it with Alonso winning his first coupla games using it.

31 Aug 2026 12:04:01
Chelsea look worse defensively than we do.

31 Aug 2026 12:04:06
Frimpong is Championship level at best. He should
be pushing on for a move
to Stoke.

31 Aug 2026 12:13:52
He doesn't have the players to play his way, so he either has to adapt or coach his socks off to get everyone up to scratch.

31 Aug 2026 12:16:53
Flo, even when Klopp was here, there were still people clamouring for a back 3, even tho every man and his dog knew that Klopp never played a back 3 99% of the time at LFC.

Except for once away at Brighton, where we were missing guys and Gini and Can had to play next to Lovren in a back 3.

Not sure it has anything to do with Alonso and all that.

Same applies to Iraola, as you said. He doesn't play a back 3 and will not be doing that any time soon. Iraola has to look for solutions re: the FB's being a problem offensively and defensively. That is his job now.

31 Aug 2026 13:54:37
I agree he won't switch as it's too big a risk now, but it does seem it would suit the individual players better, which, to me, indicates a disconnect between coach & recruitment strategy.

31 Aug 2026 11:18:33
Gakpo outgoing - Sarr incoming.

31 Aug 2026 10:50:42
Hi Diddly Ho,

The reports of Richard Hughes working on Al Hilal deals are true.

Absolutely shambolic he's been allowed to facilitate deals and the part of the coaching changes this summer.

Opinion - Iraola is the right coach to take this club forward, XA would also have been the right coach - we are coming to the end of one of, if not the most important transfer windows in our recent history and we're severely lagging behind our rivals.

I strongly urge us fans to get behind the coaches and the squad over the next 12 months and consider that the missed opportunities of this transfer market were not the players doing, the players all want to be here and play for the club - some may not be the quality of the ones that occupied their positions before, but they damn well will fight blood and tears to play for our club.

I hope the club takes the steps needed to rectify the mistakes made, I presume with the so called "passing of the torch" with Bhatia and co, we may very well see that.

Something I read and agree with is that the problem wasn't Edwards and Hughes coming in - it was them coming in so close to one-another and now exiting similarly. Those types of positions you can't just handover.

Anyway, hopefully we will see Sarr and Minteh coming in based on reports, if Gakpo were to leave - if I was in charge I'd be bringing in Minteh and keeping Gakpo, at least until next summer.

Hope you all have a great BH Monday, take care.

Diddly out.

31 Aug 2026 11:05:07
A lot of them couldn't make their way out of a paper bag, never mind fight blood and tears. Some of them need a serious reality check.

31 Aug 2026 11:07:40
Cheers, Ned. It is a ridiculous situation how he has been allowed to do this. As you say, we should be getting behind the coach and players now. Hopefully there may be a couple of late signings and AI can get the team firing on all cylinders.

31 Aug 2026 11:09:03
Okaly Dokaly. Well said, Ned.

31 Aug 2026 12:24:12
Ned, thanks for the info. Believe me, we are out to sea without a paddle at this club, currently.

Like I said, all last season, this is what you get when you allow your mates to run your Fortune 500 asset (which a PL club actually is).

These types of shambles would never be tolerated at a Mom & Pop convenience shop down my street, let alone at the biggest club in England.

Thankfully, we can be rid of the final third of the 3 stooges and start again.

31 Aug 2026 13:31:51
I just don't get the full on pessimistic negativity that some fans are showing. We've just signed a 3rd £100m+ player who should electrify the wing (very much to Al's liking). Munoz on rw was great. Fans moaned so much about Gakpo last season and now getting £80m for him is causing tears??? We've signed a number of good players, many of whom have already played this season.

Plus last season's injured players getting up to speed (Isak scoring, Leoni etc).

Sure we'd like a rb, sure we'd like a destroyer dm (even though apparently Al doesn't play with that system).

Seriously peeps... Lighten up!

31 Aug 2026 13:34:23
Hughes worked on bringing Slot to Liverpool when he was still at Bournemouth.

31 Aug 2026 14:06:44
Does Gakpo want to stay though, Ned?

With the amount of abuse he got last season from his own fans and his own personal tragedy in amongst it all, I wouldn't blame him if he wanted a fresh start.

We should never keep hold of players who don't want to be here, no matter who they are.

31 Aug 2026 14:59:42
Cheers, Ned.

Wonder if the sale of 30% of the club contributed to FSG almost turning a blind eye to Hughes and his antics?

31 Aug 2026 10:42:10
According to a few posts on X, it looks like we're signing 18-year-old keeper Lucca Brughmans from KRC Genk for €35M. He won't be joining until next season.

31 Aug 2026 11:03:59
It's not EUR35m, it's around EUR1.5-2m.

Not like twatter users to exaggerate!

31 Aug 2026 11:29:37
Quick Google search told me that Madrid were considering him as a long term replacement for Courtois.

31 Aug 2026 10:33:11
Hang in there ED's we're almost there, just one final push and we can get back to normal for a few months - very much looking forward to the transfer window closing and getting back to normal and just reading about how awfully run we are and how terrible some of our players are.

The thing I'm particularly looking forward to most is not watching us play and seeing AI work with the squad. Post Edwards and Hughes I'm super excited to find out who will be the next figures everyone can get behind blaming for any perceived failures.

Can we do a quick poll to see who we think will be the new hate figures once the usual suspects have left the building? Obviously FSG will likely win but I'm looking forward to seeing who else everyone else wants to get angry about.

31 Aug 2026 11:01:52
I would say get on your high horse, but I see you are a different kind of horse entirely.

31 Aug 2026 11:06:04
It'll be Iraola, not before too long, if the wins don't start rolling in.

31 Aug 2026 11:16:13
I don't eat Mango's, I find them a little too bitter.

31 Aug 2026 11:22:00
@Faith, probably mate, but I'm confident some of our fans will find others, we are exceptional at playing the blame game and expressing our vitriol - sending thoughts and prayers to the new lambs about to be slaughtered in the name of "mummy my football team didn't do a win today and my butts hurt".

31 Aug 2026 11:36:24
Give it a rest, Crazy Horse. Fans have a right to express their frustration without your sanctimony. "Can we do a quick poll to see who the new hate..." - No, we can't, but I can tell you without needing a poll that your post is pointless and inflammatory.

31 Aug 2026 11:50:56
Highly doubt anybody will be turning on the manager, you, perhaps. In fact, I've never seen the fanbase treat any manager even remotely close to how we treated Slot... but no other manager was dumb enough to be calling Ramsey s*** in press conferences and the f***ing off on his jollies every second week.

31 Aug 2026 11:52:12
I'm sending the muckspreader down to Bournemouth today.

31 Aug 2026 12:14:24
Lowe, do you honestly believe people coming on here expressing "their frustrations" is anything other than also pointless and inflammatory? Or do you think the ranty equivalent of going outside and shouting at a lamppost comments are adding value?

Also, by your own logic, I also have an equal right to my opinion - or are the rules now that we all need to agree?

31 Aug 2026 12:28:01
"But no other manager was dumb enough to be calling Ramsey s*** in press conferences and the f***ing off on his jollies every second week."

BJ, not gonna lie, that made me laugh.

As for "Crazy One", Lowel responded to you appropriately.

31 Aug 2026 13:38:16
Can a post be pointless and inflammatory?

31 Aug 2026 10:28:05
This is to the ITK. Is there any slight chance of a midfield reinforcement before tomorrow deadline?

31 Aug 2026 10:27:46
Not gonna lie, signing a goalkeeper was not what I expected at this point in the window, with the amount of work that is still needed in other areas of the squad. Also solidifies my fear that Alisson won't be signing a new contract, and will be leaving at the end of the season. If Van Dijk leaves as well, oh boy, the next Sporting Director is going to have a job and a half on his hands.



Once Barcola signs, we will need an RB, Left Back (either first 11 or rotation), CB, CM (possibly 2), RW, and signings to improve our depth of quality on the bench. That is an awful lot of work.

31 Aug 2026 11:00:13
Alisson and VVD have been poor so far this season.

31 Aug 2026 11:53:44
The real question is who will be captain? Szoboszlai is the only option, but he is lucky to be getting on the pitch atm with his current performances.

31 Aug 2026 12:08:38
B_J - Szoboszlai is no captain. A man who can't even make basic tackles simply cannot be the leader of a team like Liverpool. One of the biggest issues the current squad has is an insufficient number of aggressive b*****ds who yell at and demand more from each other.

31 Aug 2026 12:49:25
Unfortunately, there isn't anyone else once Virg and Ali leave. Gone are the days of Gerrard, Milner or Hendo setting the standards from the middle of the pitch.

31 Aug 2026 08:39:25
Its going to be a long post so buckle up. But how has our squad planning become so, so awful over the past few years. It is absolutely insane.

GK: following Alisson was never going to be easy anyway, but trying to replace him with a goalkeeper who treats the ball like a bomb each time is so dumb.
RB: buying Frimpong, who is not a RB to cover for Bradley when you k ow Bradley will miss a lot of games each season.
CB: still no virgil replacement. I would prefer a left footer for variety too, but I will be satisfied if Araujo shows enough to be made permanent. Him, jacquet, leoni, and a new experienced signing next season should cover us well.
LB: actually the onky position i think where the idea was sound. Kerkez was a team of the year LB and hardly ever misses a game. Tsimikas is a decent enough backup. No one would have thought that Kerkez would struggle so much though, which has put a spanner in the works.
MF: not a singleoption apart from Endo (who is old and not qyute at the level) who has a single defensive instinct in their body. Szoboszlai runs a lot but he simply has no defensive awareness and his tackling is so poor. Also, he can be too conservative in possession. Macca also at his best at 10, and he doesn't have the legs anyway. Gravenberch has one elite skill and is otherwise a fairly average player. He can't tackle either, but somebody needs to make it clear to him that he needs to sit. None of them can progress the ball from deep either through passing. Dom has the tecnhique but lacks the courage in my opinion. All this making Wirtz struggle too. Qhile he himself looks lightweight, it doesn't help when everyone wants to play in the same spaces. Why sign him unless you wanted to replace szoboszlai.
ST: signing both isak and ekitike was a bit strange if both are fit. But then isak has a terrible injury record and ekitike can play from the ft, so i can still understand it.
Wing: which nrings us to wingers. 4 LW and no RW. All the strikers also prefer dropping to the left. So does Wirtz. Isak needs wingers who can put in crosses and cutbacks. None of our current wingers are skilled at that. Gakpo is an inside forward, Rio is also a ball hogging winger who is not ready anyway. Munoz does look exciting though and has pace to burn. I like the idea of Barcola too, and hopefully he can shine. But the decision making and succession planning has been very poor.

All in all it has been quite a rubbishshow since the new management actually began making signings.

31 Aug 2026 10:16:30
Good assessment, thekoparmy.
If Wirtz is going to work and become what we all hope he will, we need to build the team around him.
This requires a striker who can play with his back to goal and play link up football.
Two fast pacey wingers who are prepared to run in behind.
Most importantly, two hard working physical midfielders, who will win the ball and give it to the danger men quickly.


This squad requires new players and a lot of time on the training pitch.
If we do not give Wirtz what he needs to be a success, we may as well sell him and play Szoboszlai as the no 10.
Wirtz is not going to work with the current midfield options.

31 Aug 2026 10:19:16
I think there was a focus on big name exciting talent vs team balance/overall structure.

The physicality was absolutely sucked out of the team. Every player who left pretty much was replaced by a less physical player. On occasion that's fine, as you gain in other areas, but Hughes and the team has done it to such an extent that we are left with a very unphysical team size wise.

To pay for these big name, high profile players and recoup cash, Hughes has shrunk the squad of depth.

Failure to secure contracts has led to players leaving without recouping transfer fees to replenish the squad.

Taking opportunistic transfers has not worked out. It's like focus on the top transfers and then we'll fill out the rest. Everyone that comes in that door must be carefully selected. I'm sure there's a plan. It's not being worked on hard enough, though, and executed well enough.

When we miss on a target, it's very panicky looking from the outside.

Overall, the job Hughes has done. /Edwards/ anyone else involved has been a shambles. Thank God they are leaving.

The good news is that we bought good players in the door even if they don't work well together just yet. We need to add the physicality back into the team through transfers and training. This will get the best out of the big signings that Hughes brought in. All is definitely not lost.

One or two more seasons of Hughes could have brought this club to real dark times. A good DOF should be able to rectify this squad. Especially with Iraola at the helm. I'm more positive than anything right now personally. But we certainly have a rocky patch to get through this season. (Especially early part).

31 Aug 2026 10:19:51
Well said - how we have gone from having that ruthless instinct for good players, good prices and getting it done quickly is unbelievable, Jeff... although still thinks the Diouf, Diau, the new Zidane shades this as worst ever. Let's go again and hope we have a plan come January.

31 Aug 2026 10:32:22
Good post mate. Play Wirtz as the 10 and sit Grav and Trey in as the double pivot, with Grav holding and Trey breaking the lines or passing through, we have seen enough from him to know he has it in his locker. With Barcola on the left offering the pace to make the stretch.

Playing Slobz as RB and Munoz as the RW, which allows the stretch on the RW side as well, pace on both wings which should free up Isak. We still need a CM and another wide player who can play across the line on both sides. Interesting 48 hours.

31 Aug 2026 10:38:17
It's all a bit dramatic. We now have 4 cb's plus Gomez. Grav is decent, he just needs to be told to play more defensively. We are buying the 2 pacey wingers (one of which will be the league's best player) and Wirtz will thrive. Work to do, especially at full back positions, but it's far from a crisis.

31 Aug 2026 10:52:13
Maybe it's the result of the manager not having a big enough say in recruitment?

I'm not a fan of the whole head coach nonsense.
If someone is appointed the role as coach/manager, they must be able to have a say in who gets recruited.

31 Aug 2026 11:45:10
@MolbysMagic, Wirtz worked a treat and was outstanding vs Forest imo with the current midfield options. If we didn't leak 2 bad goals, we would all be singing his praise, mate. And I know his goal was called offside, but he took that goal very well also. If this will be his base form this season, he will have a good one.

31 Aug 2026 12:35:12
"Play Wirtz as the 10 and sit Grav and Trey in as the double pivot,"

Sorry, Sir Charles (nickname for NBA legend Charles Barkley, lol), but this is not the answer. Neither Trey nor Grav have the penetrating passing ability that VVD, Jacquet and Araujo have, let alone Macca who was very good in this area vs Forest.

So, for me, if you want to get the best out of Wirtz like we did in the second half v Forest, you're gonna need a Macca or his profile of player to punch those incisive passes thru the lines to get Wirtz in the game in advanced areas to find his wingers and Isak.



Not sure, Trey, Grav and even Szobo can execute this task as they don't possess these passing qualities.