Liverpool banter 10

25 Oct 2026 19:15:18
I think for me apart from Araujo's undoubted quality is the spirit and determination he's brought into the team / squad. He seems the sort of player who won't tolerate anything less than full commitment and it's rubbed off on others.
The upturn in team spirit compared to last season is without doubt something Iraola has tried to Harness which was shown with his little cuddle with Isak on Tuesday when Wirtz scored and It's something Slot never would do and their was an aloofness about him which seemed to seep into the squad.


Coming from behind against Brentford & Villarreal would not have happened last season and although we've still a lot to work on in terms of a full 90 minute performance this spirit will stand us in good stead going forward. If we can strengthen the midfield in January there is a good young squad ready to challenge big time next season.

25 Oct 2026 19:47:42
Honestly with a bit of luck with injuries i think we can already challenge this season 🙏.

{Ed666's Note - A title challenge this season would be so cool, supplemented with an addition or two in January.

25 Oct 2026 19:59:55
Probably a Uruguayan thing, Suarez and Nunez was the same.

25 Oct 2026 23:06:47
Anyone who's seen them singing their national anthem in the World Cup knows what they're all about.

"sabremos cumplir!".

26 Oct 2026 15:00:43
Ed, we're about to test that out very, ; very soon with the coming couple of games in the PL.

{Ed666's Note - i think Arsenal are for the taking mate. If we can somehow beat them our confidence will be sky high. I said to Ed’s 001 earlier today if we can stay at worst 6 points behind the leaders till January buy a midfielder I wouldn’t rule out a title challenge this season.

25 Oct 2026 15:55:28
Araujo is an absolute monster, I was extremely skeptical about him but he is just a great old-fashioned defender, sign him up now.

25 Oct 2026 16:00:51
MOM performance from him today.

{Ed666's Note - yes

25 Oct 2026 16:05:41
Sign him up, right now, don't even wait until the end of the season.

25 Oct 2026 16:07:32
Gakpo was MOTM apparently 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

{Ed666's Note - don’t get me started

25 Oct 2026 16:16:47
Proper no nonsense old school defender but a great footballing brain as well - uses the ball and reads the game really well.

25 Oct 2026 16:20:06
Yeh I'd have given him MOTM today. Sceptical whether we buy him but performances like today help his cause.

25 Oct 2026 16:22:11
I thought Gakpo was awful again today so greedy it's unreal lazy after a decent start to the season. I was hoping he was going to have a good season but his attitude needs improving because he needs to think of the team rather than himself.

{Ed666's Note - back to his annoying best!

25 Oct 2026 16:34:05
Araujo is incredibly well suited to the Premier League - he's a large, heavy, brave player with an excellent technical foundation. If he keeps playing like this, we would be foolish not to make him a permanent signing next summer, as he is also a very viable contender for the next captain.

{Ed666's Note - I think the captain needs to be a first 11 regular and I don’t think Ronald will be if we sign him next season.

25 Oct 2026 16:43:45
Making a very good case to be VvD replacement.

25 Oct 2026 16:46:57
Whatever about next season, Araujo was pure captain material today and showed a real desire to protect a clean sheet.

{Ed666's Note - reminded me of the days of when we had players like souness, McMahon, Gerard. They would literally fight for the shirt. He displayed unrelenting hunger. Long may it continue

25 Oct 2026 16:49:24
Love araujo brings great guts+ determination to our defence which we have lacked previously. I thought he outstanding and head + shoulders our best player from what i seen as i missed 1st 30mins.
Mighty 3pts I believe we played v well 1st 30mins, thought we not great on ball rest of game and we do lack physicalty+ aggression from midfield up to play arealo style but can't fault our determination at back to keep a clean sheet and get the win.

{Ed666's Note - Our midfield is suspect. I think it will be addressed in January and we can control games better as a result

25 Oct 2026 16:50:01
We've yet to see Araujo at CB. He's done well and is showing the right attitude on the pitch.

{Ed666's Note - I can’t wait to see him at CB. JJ is due a rest and hopefully Ronald can show us what he can do.

25 Oct 2026 16:57:06
I honestly feel that if we had a midfielder with the physicality and mindset of Araujo we would be right up there challenging.
Imagine how much easier it would be for the defence if we had a player physically dominating the opposition, winning tackles and headers in the middle of the pitch.


It would also open up more counter attacks.
I really hope we can get a midfielder to strengthen the midfield and bring out the natural strengths of our other midfielders.

25 Oct 2026 17:03:12
At this rate, I'm glad we didn't go for Kounde. Barca fans lied about Araujo.

25 Oct 2026 17:14:58
Another Hughes disaster class.

25 Oct 2026 17:17:36
Hopefully one of our ITKs can come through with an update, another dominant display from him and can't disagree with the MotM shouts. I don't quite know how Gakpo was awarded it, although I don't think he was as bad as some are making out. Few times he could have made better decisions in the final 3rd, but he generated a few decent chances.

25 Oct 2026 17:26:33
I hope he's happy here because I'd love him to stay.

25 Oct 2026 17:27:55
Agree 100% molby, thinking exactly same thing. A midfielder with an araujo type mindset and size transforms u into a title contending team.

25 Oct 2026 18:08:31
Easily the second best Uruguayan that's ever been at the club behind Suarez and way ahead of third place Coates 😁.

{Ed666's Note - How can you gloss over the chaos that is Darwin Nunez. I loved that guy!!!

25 Oct 2026 18:17:54
How about 4th place, JK? 😜.

25 Oct 2026 18:38:40
Araujo is a cracking addition to the squad.

Old school defender, loves the contest, and plays with pride in the shirt.

In terms of old school defending he reminds me of the most recent example we've had - Nat Phillips - except RA is the deluxe model.

{Ed666's Note - He’s a rich man’s Neil Ruddock!!! 😁

25 Oct 2026 18:40:20
Ed666, absolute monster is/was Araujo today.

Hats off to the boys today in the way they battled together, played and worked for each other.

Brilliant win, indeed.

{Ed666's Note - Ronnie hasn’t even played his favorites position yet..After what that’s guys been through mental health wise it’s so great to see him enjoy his football. What a delightful episode.

25 Oct 2026 19:10:37
I think the team showed some great character, not perfect by any stretch but it was a solid performance against a very very tough opponent! Weather was a menace too which made some for difficult situations. A few positives too from Wirtz and Barcola, particularly in the 1st half. Hard fought 3 points and more than happy with the performance.

{Ed666's Note - Thoroughly agree with all of that..

25 Oct 2026 19:15:21
How sceptical was I. How wrong was I. Fantastic performance! Huge commitment! This could be an absolute masterstroke!

25 Oct 2026 20:14:47
Really good 'heads up' piece of work by the transfer team. Credit where credit's due.

{Ed666's Note - yep agreed

25 Oct 2026 20:30:33
I always did like that Richard Hughes.

25 Oct 2026 21:34:43
I think I'm in love with Big Rom.

26 Oct 2026 06:12:40
Ed666 I was only joking mate. Darwin certainly had his moments and scored and assisted some very good goals when here.

He's definitely currently the 2nd best Uruguayan that's been at the club.

{Ed666's Note - I loved Darwin mate. Especially because naturally he’s a shy and introverted guy and it wasn’t natural for him to show exuberance and excitement he displayed in a Liverpool shirt. He was the personification and embodiment of Carl Jung’s shadow and mask theory. I’ll never forget get he was on the bench injured and he summersaulted over hoardings to hobble over on to the pitch to celebrate a goal. I truly wish he’d had had more fortune in front of goal because I thought he had so much promise as a player. This system IA plays would be great for him. Central striker or in the left.

25 Oct 2026 13:20:09
According to Premier League injuries these are the updated potential return dates.
Ekitike- 2/1/2027
Leoni- 2/1/2027
Bradley- 2/12/2026
Dom- 1/11/2026
Munoz- 25/10/2026(late fitness test)
Frimpong- 22/11/2026.

25 Oct 2026 16:23:10
Leoni I thought was back in the next international break.

{Ed666's Note - Apparently it’s after the next international break now he had a minor setback

25 Oct 2026 17:20:15
I think what Iraola send, Grino, was he should be back in group training during the international break. Premier Injuries (fmrly Physio Room) has gone downhill in the past few years imo, they used to be very reliable.

26 Oct 2026 07:13:33
@Fornax, he was originally slated to join group training in the recent International break but didn't take part because of a "minor setback".

26 Oct 2026 10:35:13
That's what I was referring to, WDW.

25 Oct 2026 09:42:40
Morning all,

I am back home in Bothwell at the moment, if the weather is anything to go by up here I don't see today going ahead.

Just wondering if anyone local to L4 could give a weather update 😂 curious as to whether to get my work out the way before 1400 or not.

Either way hope everyone and their properties etc stays safe.

{Ed025's Note - its very windy here in Liverpool RedQ but dry, its 11 degrees but feels like 1, i cant see why the game wont go ahead mate, it could be a cracking game and a high scoring one hopefully..

25 Oct 2026 10:34:22
Game is so far said to be going ahead.

Will be a windy one but todays performance may blow you away.

{Ed025's Note - it could actually blow Wirtz away Taurus...hes that lightweight..

25 Oct 2026 10:36:06
I'm up by the ground it's a bit windy but dry and bright. Winds dying down. I'd play footy in this weather.

25 Oct 2026 10:58:41
I just farted and someone about 50 yards down the road pulled a face.

25 Oct 2026 11:11:44
I always think Liverpool as a city is usually quite windy anyway

Game will definitely be on. Infact I think it'll suit us, with Brighton somehow being the footballing side. And us being the underdogs 🤣🤷🏻‍♂️.

25 Oct 2026 12:42:45
Thanks all,

Here's to hoping it is Ed but only for the red side of the game. As a youngster we were always encouraged to have a pop from distance in this weather. Hopefully the pros are given the same advice.

I have seen roof tiles and trees scattering the ground up here when driving from the office to home so didn't know how badly hit it would be down south.

Hoping for the best result, see you all soon in the live chat.

25 Oct 2026 14:21:26
Think you'll need to change your name to Jonah Ed025 ;)

25 Oct 2026 18:00:18
Wirtz scored, played well first half too 025
He is getting slightly better after an early season nightmare.

{Ed025's Note - he never scored Hughesy, the attempt he had would have gone out for a throw in mate if it had not deflected in off Gross mate, he was poor yet again and to be fair the result was far better than the performance i would say, or is that just me being a bit bitter?..

25 Oct 2026 18:49:19
@Shughes, Wirtz isn't "getting slightly better". He is an excellent footballer who tends to be about half a second quicker than those around him in terms of football nous.

What's happening is the new coach and new team set up is adapting to make better use of his talent. All things being equal the team will continue along the path of improvement and Wirtz will become more and more influential.

Bobby began to show signs of being the great player he was to become when Jurgen replaced Rodgers. Same thing with FW now that Iraola has taken charge.

{Ed666's Note - I think everyone is willing Wirtz to shine mate and he is showing shoots of improvement game by game which is so good to see.

25 Oct 2026 20:18:24
I'm the same with Michael Carrick, I'm wishing the lad can stay where he is and carry on with what he's doing.

25 Oct 2026 23:52:53
The United game was called off.
Nobody bothered to tell Bournemouth though.
They turned up and had a kick around on the Old Trafford pitch anyway.

24 Oct 2026 18:34:27
Pot luck here, but I'm visiting my daughter in Liverpool uni next week and I've not seen a game at Anfield since I sold programmes in the kop when I went to uni at Liverpool over 20 years ago. If anyone knows somebody who has a ticket and wish to sell for the Chelsea game on Wednesday, i would be extremely greatful. Many thanks, Steve.

24 Oct 2026 19:43:35

must have been a fire drill at emptybridge tonight, ground emptied when spurs scored their first goal and cold palmer sent off for chelshite, he will miss the carabao cup game this wednesday (weather permitting), joao pedro also has pain/ fluid on the knee never played tonight, GK martinez also out, before the sending off alonso had 30% possession for a home team, many times now he parks the bus home and away, three alonso defeats in the PL from 8 games, the no european football midweek advantage is not being used very well, alonso is a "bottler" that's his downfall, he's a bag of nerves, looks like florian was the sole reason leverkusen won the bundesliga not alonso.



"Thank the Lord" we got Andoni Iraola = Paisley 2.0



YNWA Andoni

24 Oct 2026 21:07:26
Make sure you've got a membership with the club and try on the day at the ticket office. It's League Cup so you've probably got a good chance imo.

24 Oct 2026 22:39:30
How can you say Alonso is a bottler 007? He won the league with Leverkusen and their first ever title.
They've been nowhere near since. He was also decent at Madrid and results since he left have proved that.

25 Oct 2026 08:08:16
Jurgenator good luck mate with it being the league cup there's a chance but with it being Chelsea it will have a lot of interest.

Agree with Fornax though about make sure you're member. You'll be able to contact the club on live chat from 0815 tomorrow and it's really efficient and quick.

25 Oct 2026 17:26:29
Been a few years, thanks for the update on process JK. My trips back into the city are work oriented and usually ill timed, so haven't been able to chance it for a while! Best of luck on snagging a ticket OP!

24 Oct 2026 11:37:10
Minteh could be back for Brighton on Sunday I see. Two months to the day more or less since we were linked. Three weeks of which we're taking up with an International break. 7 League games missed. For anyone that thinks he would have been a good signing should we have just bit the bullet ands signed him in the summer?

24 Oct 2026 11:48:19
Wing is one place we have plenty of exciting options already. Two experienced international. Two serious young talents.

24 Oct 2026 12:04:17
I actually agree livered. Only downside is they are all happier coming off the left than the right. I'm sure the club will rectify that next summer.

24 Oct 2026 12:22:43
It'll sound strange but it actually feels like Iraola wants wingers that can play both wings. He's played all 4 wingers (Barcola, Ngumoha, Munoz and Gakpo - I don't count Wirtz as a winger) on both left and right. Maybe it's due to necessity, but it still looks to me like he wants that ability to interchange with his wingers.

24 Oct 2026 13:04:14
If we do sign Minteh or someone similar I suspect that it will be to allow Gakpo to leave. Gakpo has started excellently this season but it would be nice to have at least 1 primarily right-sided winger. It's a tough choice for somebody to make.

24 Oct 2026 13:17:22
Definitely out of necessity ArAy, since he came to us anyway. Yes Shipley I agree. Gakpo is the most likely winger to leave when we sign a RW.

24 Oct 2026 14:01:23
By all accounts the club did try to sigh him mate.

It wasn't his injury that put them off it was the asking price.

24 Oct 2026 14:45:49
Don't think we need him.
I also notice Rayan who was another much talked about RW option in the summer, is not a guaranteed starter at Bournemouth anymore
Came on as a sub yesterday.

24 Oct 2026 14:46:28
I would rather have 1 Rio than 4 Mintehs.

24 Oct 2026 15:33:44
I'd rather Rio myself LiverpoolFC8.Kid is showing the potential it was obvious he had.

24 Oct 2026 16:35:57
Player profile is key here. Minteh adds something we have lacked and something Andoni clearly likes. He is a selfless team player who tracks back and runs for 90 minutes.

He will create space and time for others, which is why, from a personal point of view, this is exactly the profile of player I would like to see in the ranks.

No matter how special Rio becomes, he will never do what Minteh does. We need both types.

24 Oct 2026 16:58:47
He wouldn't have been a good signing, just as Ismailia Sarr wouldn't. Thank goodness Richard Hughes has moved on and we can all just forget about this scattergun nonsense and never consider signing him again.

24 Oct 2026 17:21:15
A month ago after the Fulham game you had posters saying they would sell Rio for £40 million, loan him to a championship team and that he was worse than Rayan, now after 3 good games he's better than 4 Minteh's.

It's all so reactionary, let's just let him develop and stop making statements that he's a world beater or rubbish depending on how he played in the last game.

24 Oct 2026 18:07:09
Actually seen a list earlier of all the players Hughes signed. There were 16 on it and imo there were only three that at this stage you could say were bonafide bad signings(Chiesa, Frimpong and Mama).

24 Oct 2026 18:15:18
Zero end product Florian.
All our wingers are more capable than Minteh.

FatSpanish, that's all you get out of him though, just running, no goals, no assists, excellent work rate, but what does he produce? One for the future if he starts putting up numbers.

I agree 5th element, highly reactionary posters who change their tune on a per-game basis. I couldn't get over the calls to sell Rio at the time, I was absolutely shocked, I thought it was utterly disgraceful carry on to be slating a kid who'd only turned 18 and shown nothing but promise in the little game time he had. You'd have to be blind as a bat or football inept not to recognise the kids potential.

24 Oct 2026 18:43:45
I don't Mind Minteh Chew I think he's a decent player. Good attitude too. Was kinda neutral on whether to sign him or not at the time. Since then Munoz has done well and Gakpo has stayed. Although I do think long term we need someone who is at his best on the right. Something which I think none of our wingers are.

24 Oct 2026 19:30:12
I love the work rate but it's not enough to justify the purchase for me when we have Munoz and Koumas who both give us that exact same energy. If we're spending money on another forward, it has to be for somebody who's going to be a serious goal threat in my opinion.

24 Oct 2026 21:51:36
Flo, I don't think Minteh would have been a good signing of any kind to us. No vision, not end product, nada. I don't need decent players to come in. I need players with big potential at worst and Vic and Rio are of that ilk and are showing it at this point.

In addition, he is nowhere near Gakpo's level who is a proven commodity in the Eredivisie, PL and internationally.
So again, Minteh is and will always be a non starter because he ain't better than those we have currently.

At least for me and at least for now.

24 Oct 2026 22:25:11
I get that Oli, and don't necessarily disagree. And again I am not calling for him to be signed. Just think we have to be careful when judging players, especially very young players like Mintehs numbers in the Premier League. it is by a country mile the strongest league in the world.

Pretty sure he hit double figures for goals in the one season he was in Holland as a teenager which shows the difference. Think as he gets older and if he was at one of the top sides he could end up doing the same in England. which would make him a good good player.

25 Oct 2026 00:01:52
I'd say there's majority that is reactionary, influenced by social media and increased during school holiday time coincident with the transfer window.

There is a hard core of longtime contributors that tend not to be reactionary who are more measured, shall we say, in their views. I don't always agree with everybody but mostly what they say is based on them having watched football, and in particular Liverpool, over a number of years.

Personally I think the reactionary stuff is funny it's reminiscent of pantomime in my mind and, on a more serious note speaks to the short termism and expectation of immediate gratification that comes with the modern social media and the, shall I say, less than informed ' body of 'influencers' .

25 Oct 2026 07:18:17
I'm not sure the club sign players on what posters need.

25 Oct 2026 07:46:57
@Chewy, are you saying not everybody in the team should play with energy? Can't skilful footballers be energetic too?

25 Oct 2026 10:19:52
Definitely didn't say anything like that WDW. What I said was that in my opinion, Minteh simply having high energy/work rate is not excuse enough to sign him, not when we already have 2(/3) young lads there with great potential who already offer that (Rio only offers it going forward at the moment). If we were to spend money on another forward, it should be for somebody who's a serious threat in front of goal. Whilst Munoz, Koumas and Rio all have great potential and I look forward to seeing them develop, we don't need another young forward who's lacking in end product. We lost Diaz and Mo who were both highly productive, and so far, we've only really replaced one of them, I don't see room in the squad for another young forward to develop when we already have 3. If he gets 15+ goal contributions this season, I'll change my tune.

Yes skillfull footballers can be energetic, so long as they have their weetabix.

25 Oct 2026 13:33:17
Rio not starting today is the right choice, in my opinion. Much better to bring him on as a sub at this point in time. We're a pressing team now, in an already fitness orientated league. These aren't the right conditions for a teenage attacker in general. Last 30 mins against a tired FB - CB is best until he develops in stamina and long term fitness.

Or, unless our game model changes under a different coach. His agent and family will want to consider his long term development, while taking into consideration European leagues. where all players have a greater likelihood of winning individual honors. Rio has ambition to be a Ballon D'or winner. And you simply don't get that while playing in the Prem. The nature of the league just won't permit it.

If Rio wants to thrive here with us, his example is Mo/Mane. And that's just not an achievable goal unless you're a physical 'Freak of nature'; word to Klopp.

25 Oct 2026 13:56:32
So his career with us is doomed?

26 Oct 2026 00:01:16
Considering signing a player but not signing him is not a scattergun approach.

26 Oct 2026 01:54:21
I was going to say Rayan had @ good game but then Harry's no spring chicken these days.

24 Oct 2026 10:21:19
One for all to ponder.

Looking back a few windows when we were linked with Gordon.
Who now would have taken him at the £80-90m rumoured instead of £120+ paid for Barcola?

24 Oct 2026 10:25:05
Nope, never.

24 Oct 2026 10:42:59
Not for £8090m!

24 Oct 2026 10:54:08
I'd still rather Barcola, but that's not to say that Gordon has not done well so far.

24 Oct 2026 11:12:14
Barcola over Gordon every single time!! Jeeezuz wept.

24 Oct 2026 11:49:49
Jury is still out on Barcola for me. As it stands, it's a toss up between Gordon and Barcola as to who would've been the better fit. I seem to be the only one with this view.

24 Oct 2026 12:01:01
Gordon. Every day.
Not knocking Barcola as I think he'll come good but I think Gordon would be more consistent and raise his game as it's his home town club.

24 Oct 2026 13:12:41
Gordon looks to have started well and has stepped up a level since leaving Newcastle but you have to wonder how much of that is because he has moved to a 2-team league where you get a lot more time and space.

For me Barcola is a much better player but Gordon has the bonus of being homegrown.

I'm happy with how things panned out.

24 Oct 2026 13:18:33
I like Goerdon. Not sure Barcola will be a better signing.

24 Oct 2026 13:43:25
Between the two, and in that scenario, I probably would go for Gordon to be honest.
Barcola feels like a £30 million player dressed up as a £110/£120 million one.

Over the course of his Liverpool career, I honestly hope the lad makes me eat my words but I just don't see it in him.

24 Oct 2026 14:32:07
I'm not sold on Barcola,

24 Oct 2026 16:13:23
Gordon all day.

24 Oct 2026 17:00:42
It's all about having different styles of player. Gordon is very similar to Victor Munoz, no point having both and Munoz was much better value.

24 Oct 2026 21:57:39
Nope, Yuri. Didn't want him then. And son't want him now.

Why? because back then, he was nowhere near Diaz nor Gakpo's level.

Now, we have two youngsters with huge potential in Vic and Rio doing bits and Gakpo is just levels above him. Even now.

In addition, Barcola needs time as he just got here but it seems you are too impatient to give him time to bed in.

Furthermore, Gordon played 3/4 years in the PL and showed me how limited he was so the comparison with Barcola who just got here is already ludicrous on its face.

24 Oct 2026 22:21:05
OliRed, Gakpo is not "levels" above Gordon. Why, whenever you join a debate, do you have to show such disdain if a poster should happen to have a difference opinion to yours? You really are one of the most annoying posters on here. In my honest opinion, of course.

25 Oct 2026 00:48:02
He was a Liverpool fan as well! He's improved so much, still think Bradley has a higher ceiling though.

25 Oct 2026 07:50:34
Gordon tends to flatter to deceive imho.

Had a good breakthrough season at Everton and then wanted out with a less than spectacular follow up season.

Went to Newcastle and made a good impression but then his form dropped and he wanted out.

0Unsurprisingly his start has been good at Barcelona. Let's see how he is going this time next season.

25 Oct 2026 10:28:40
WDW, was going to say something similar, he's very up and down, he'll have one good season, then 2 crap ones, or he'll perform well in cup ties but not in the league. I agree, I think he was always going to do well in the beginning, new opportunity in a new country with a club he genuinely could only dream of playing for, inspiring stuff for him.

Whether he can continue to up his game will be interesting to see. I had said I though he could be capable f improving were he at a big club (like Liverpool) back when we were interested in him, so it will be interesting to see if he can do it consistently. Might be just the move the lad needed to spur him on, he does have a decent track record in Europe.

26 Oct 2026 00:07:32
The comparison is not ludicrous.
We made an offer for Gordon and bought Barcola to play in the PL so asking who you would prefer is not ludicrous.
Saying we have Munoz, who wasn't even here then, and Ngumoha, who was doing a paper round at the time, when we bid for Gordon is slightly more ludicrous though.

24 Oct 2026 00:52:32
Hi all,

I hate to agree but Virg is not what he was.

But to be fair whoever we sign or promote will not be another Virg, some players are generational.

24 Oct 2026 03:33:01
All players are generational if you think about it 😉.

24 Oct 2026 06:59:16
I don't think it's any great revelation to say that VVD isn't the same player at 35 that he was at 28, but he's still better than most, definitely one of the top five central defenders in the league.

24 Oct 2026 08:38:00
What ScotchVHS said. I'd say top 3 though.

24 Oct 2026 10:08:51
I'd like VVD to stay for another season. Question is if he would accept potentially losing his starting spot next season?

24 Oct 2026 10:37:05
To who though Taurus?

24 Oct 2026 10:58:02
He is on the decline though Florian - it's a gradual decline but at the age he is now it can come very quickly.
We were all sentimental about Mo - keep him or not but it was the right time imo.


Fergie & Pep had no time for sentimental thoughts about great players - when it was their time over they were moved on & their teams which were in transition redeveloped very quickly.

24 Oct 2026 11:07:53
Jury is out on that currently Florian. We need to see more of Araujo at CB before deciding if him and Jacquet could be the partnership going forward.

Regardless of who it will be, the club should be looking at a long term solution for who succeeds Virgil. Even if he extends, we should have our replacement ready before he leaves. I would hope the club has learned their lesson from what has happened with Mo leaving.

24 Oct 2026 11:09:25
I think this IS Virg's decline. What if this is as bad as he gets over the next 3 or 4 years? What if he's lost his pace that he once had and this is as slow as he gets in that period.? People have been planning Virgil's LFC exit for 6 or 7 years on this site. Instead of worrying what he will be just judge him on what he is now. If he's still playing as well at the end of the season you throw a year extension at him because trust me every other team in the league would take him on a free if he is.

For me you say these kind of things about an ageing squaddie who's getting less and less minutes, not someone who starts every game of significance. Every minute of the Premier League last season in fact.

24 Oct 2026 11:31:32
We've seen about as much from Leoni than we have Araujo at CB Taurus. I know he's everyone's new favourite because he "gets us" but this is VIirgil Van Dijk we are talking about here. Virg's mistake for the first goal vs Villarreal gets studied and talked about forensically while everyone forgets Araujo thinking he was prime Roy Keane for the 2nd.

Thats the levels we are talking about here. Obviously Virg is not what he was but he's also more experienced and the leader of that defence.

24 Oct 2026 18:28:45
Plannng his exit for 7 years Florian? We only signed him 8 years ago mate, give it a rest. He made a lot of mistakes last season, individual mistakes, were it not for his partner in crime, Buckaroo, taking all the attention away, I am convinced VVD would have caught a hell of a lot more flack for his performances.

He is declining, that's inarguable. Sure he's still effective, but for how long? The mistakes will not lessen as the decline continues, and there have been numerous times over the last 15 months that I thought he didn't look like his heart's quite in it.

One of the best to ever do it, no doubt, well worth extending his contract, but you have to accept the inevitable eventually. Much like Mo, replacing him is next to impossible, but we have to prepare for the day.

25 Oct 2026 00:13:30
A decline in performance is inevitable due to the aging process. VVD carried the defence for one of Liverpool's best sides in my lifetime when we won everything, based on a solid defence. It's natural that he isn't the same player given the passage of time.

It doesn't mean that he can't contribute. His decline fiesn't make him a bad player, in fact, he is still very good and his influence on younger players around him like Jacquet to his right and, espevially to. kirkez on his left will be of benefit to the club even after he has moved on.

It'd be great if he stayed on for a tear or two but there would be no problem if he chose to leave. He has more than earned the right to make his own choice and to chose whatever he wants to do.

{Ed666's Note - Good post that mate. I can’t disagree with any of it.

25 Oct 2026 14:02:25
Five years then Chewy😂.Certainly since he was 30.

23 Oct 2026 20:58:02
Ed001, would love yoor thoughts Rio's performances last 2 games. The cameo against Brentford and the performance against Vilareal have started to make me think we could have a real player here.

Before people start, I have been impressed with him in the past but it was lot of, waving a foot over the ball and running down blind alleys.

I know I'm only basing my excitement over two games but he obviously looks like he's very coachable, as in he's come across to tbe right and is showing he csn do it there.

I know AI loves a winger and I'm sure he's enjoying working with Rio, do peopls think Andoni is having major impact in his performances?

I love a winger who's first thought is to take his man and beat him.

Rio looks to be adding end product too.

What's your view, Ed001?

{Ed001's Note - one game was far too short an appearance against a team short-handed to give any kind of judgement. Villareal are known for being soft to play against, so again I wouldn't get excited. He needs to perform against a team with 11 men who are tough to play against, but he has shown there is something there to work with now. He got his head up, which is a major improvement.

As for showing he is coachable, he is a kid, of course he is coachable. What is pleasing is that he worked hard tracking back, something that had been missing before. It is baby steps, but that is all we need from him, to make progress.}

24 Oct 2026 10:55:36
Definitely some improvement in his decision making. I think he needs games.

24 Oct 2026 10:06:51
I found it even more encouraging Ed, RE: tracking back, that after he let their LB go for their 2nd goal he started properly sprinting back to help out in defence.

He's going to make mistakes and have lapses in concentration at his age, but he either showed good intelligence to recognise it himself and fix it, or he continues to respond enthusiastically to the Iraola's feedback. Either way I think we've got a player on our hands if he carries on in this mood.

24 Oct 2026 10:45:08
Ed, what will you do regarding midfield? Who will you keep and who will you move on? I don't know what to make of Grav and Macca to be honest.

{Ed001's Note - we need more bite in there. For me as good a season as he is having. Macca is the obvious one to sell, Gravenberch should offer more development potential

24 Oct 2026 18:17:55
Thanks for the reply Ed001, yep it's still very early days but there are positive signs.