Liverpool Banter 3

14 Jun 2026 10:02:51
Bringing Nunez back on a free is a no brainer for me especially considering Ekitike's injury and Isak's injury record.

Surely the higher ups are thinking same.

To think he is still only 26 years. I really hope we get the deal done.

14 Jun 2026 10:51:01
It's ironic you use the term "no brainer" in us trying to get Nunez back.

14 Jun 2026 11:31:47
Great idea until he's through on goal, if he makes it that far without being called offside.

I loved his energy, but as part of a Frankenstein style hybrid, combined with Mo Salah.

14 Jun 2026 11:48:01
It's a no brainer if the attackers we want to go for are out of reach and Nunez would accept wages that make sense for us.

14 Jun 2026 11:54:01
He just didn't suit Slot's style at all, but neither did a lot of the players, tbf.

2 year deal with an understanding that his deal will not be renewed and will be allowed to leave on another free agent.



Unless he does the impossible.

I'd be all for it as well. Miss his energy in the team, we all know he's not the best finisher, but my God he never lacked effort.

14 Jun 2026 11:55:13
I agree, but I doubt very much Edwards does. Hopefully he gets the P45 sooner rather than later.

14 Jun 2026 12:02:52
He's been released from a Saudi club and was only in the league squad for 6 months.

The club are allowed 10 foreign players so clearly they saw him as their 11th best foreign player and are willing to take a 50 mill hit on him.

If he does join, I hope he proves me wrong.

14 Jun 2026 12:19:50
I would love him back. His energy and enthusiasm would be welcome. Not to mention his availability. He's a physical freak in that sense.

Finishing and final action can also improve with age. So, I don't think that part of his game is a complete write off.

I am sure Forlan and Cavani got better at converting with age.

Sometimes you just need a mad man in your squad.

I totally get why many wouldn't want him back though. I guess I am a sucker for a bit of South American mayhem.

14 Jun 2026 12:36:30
What's it got to do with Edwards? I thought Hughes did the signings.

14 Jun 2026 12:50:30
Darwin has his strengths, and he certainly scored some screamers, but I do believe some memories are clouded to think he was a pressing monster. Bobby, Suarez, Torres and Diego could arguably be described as pressing monsters and Darwin now and again chased lost causes and speed and got passed around.



Looking at running stats for his LFC career they are similar to Isaks at Newcastle and Ekitike last season.

It's almost like people believe Darwin was pressing and turning over possession numerous times a game. His actual successful presses were pretty low.

14 Jun 2026 12:51:38
Surely there's other players on a free who can't score?

14 Jun 2026 13:07:54
Good point, well made, Irish.

14 Jun 2026 13:09:30
Totally agree JK23, I really wish people would stop wanting players to come back after they leave it's getting ridiculous now.

A player who failed in the Saudi league and now want him back like he was a great player, he was sold for a reason and that was because he was poor.

14 Jun 2026 13:18:17
Darwin should be looking to join a team where he gets game time. As soon as Ekitike and Isak are fit, he'll be on the bench or out of the squad.
I'd take him back, but I don't think it's in his interests.

14 Jun 2026 13:21:46
Re pressing - he does press. You don't have to make loads of turnovers to be a good presser.

For two of Darwin's three seasons, (22/23 & 24/25), we didn't press at all.

In Klopp's second to last season, the midfield couldn't provide the platform for the press, as the legs had collectively fallen off.

In Slot's first season, he went with a plus one at the back, hollowing out our press entirely.

The season we did press (23/24 - Klopp's final season), he probably should have scored 35 goals instead of the 18 he did score (in addition to 13 assists), given the chances he missed. That is a fair criticism.

14 Jun 2026 13:51:06
So Darwin did press and the evidence for that was in 2 of the 3 seasons he and the team didn't press at all.

Are you a politician, mate?

14 Jun 2026 14:27:41
You can't press effectively if the system isn't set up. You just end up looking like a headless chicken running for no reason, i.e., hollow.

14 Jun 2026 15:21:35
Fly sold, mate. I've done a 180.

You've just described a player who can score 35 goals a season in the toughest league in the world and was only let down by the system one season and the midfield the other.

Crazy to think he's being let go on a free.

14 Jun 2026 15:54:13
Rome1977!, Hughes negotiates the deals, but Edwards has final say on all transfers.

14 Jun 2026 17:46:48
Fair enough, Chewy.

14 Jun 2026 18:51:20
Klopp and Slot both dropped him, so why not let Iraola do the same if he's free and will accept a relatively modest salary?
He's not good enough for us and a free transfer and low wages won't change that.

14 Jun 2026 19:01:15
We can't let Mo Salah walk on a free and sign Darwin Nunez on a free in the same window.

14 Jun 2026 21:18:03
I love him. I'd have him back, shouldn't have been sold. Half of you lot was making excuses for Slot in his first season regarding players saying he didn't trust them? Look what happened when he got players he trusted.

This season our game looks like it's changing to wingers and a striker he may well do better. One thing's for sure, he will do better than Isak.

14 Jun 2026 22:33:53
Of course he would, John.

14 Jun 2026 09:59:07
I know the WC just started but it seems the European leagues are being showed up here.

The past 15 years we have seen players with ego's, ref standards drop, over hyped players and agents contaminating club and country coaches/managers how many games their clients must. Like how hell is Igor Thiago picked over Pedro? How in the hell is Hendo, Fab and Casimeroto name a few picked for the WC. Even Ronaldo and Messi. Like what the hell. Please don't tell me "leadership". That concept doesn't make them run faster or play better. Today's football is not about football.

It's about records, endorsements and image rights. Rather include them on an advisory basis and not for the pitch. There are so many hidden gems bursting at the seams cyring out to be discovered.

European football needs a reset with the players diving, wasting time and dark arts, it has regressed. Take Gabriel for instance, he looked like a kid against Morocco because PGMOL was not there to shieled him. And that's just to name a few.

The 70's Brazil squad will thrash this current squad.

Game is overcoached.

14 Jun 2026 11:34:23
100%. Agree on all of this. Used to love watching Brazil, but now there's nothing like the great teams.

14 Jun 2026 12:07:45
I do agree on Gabriel. I was interested to watch him purely because he plays in a team with 5 CBs who sit very deep most of the time and go back to front very directly. He has loads of protection both from the tactics and personnel at Arsenal, and the woeful refereeing that allows him to get away with blatant cheating.

I suspected that once he plays in a team where he has to play higher and will allow the CBs to get isolated, he would struggle. I was right. He has neither the positional sense nor the pace to cope in that system.



He's a tackler rather than a defender, similar to Romero at Spuds. If the team are deep and tight he will throw himself into things and it looks flashy. As soon as he's asked to track a run or position himself correctly when isolated against a forward he's found wanting. And the diving is just plain embarrassing.

I guess you have to give Arteta credit for setting up in a system that protects him and Saliba and encouraging the diving under minimal contact. It has won them the league after all.

14 Jun 2026 13:14:36
To be fair to Igor Thiago, the man did score 22 goals in the Premier League last season, making him the second top scorer.

14 Jun 2026 13:20:52
I think it would be a tough game between this Brazil side and the one from the 70s.
The 70s side might sneak it, but some of them will struggle to keep up with the pace at their age, and others will be dead by now, so will likely have to play with fewer than 11 on the pitch.

14 Jun 2026 14:07:10
I was thinking the same thing about Brazil...
Could this be the worst Brazil team ever?

Midfield of Casemiro, Bruno G and Paqueta really doesn't strike any sort of fear into anyone.

14 Jun 2026 17:48:28
Brazil 78 and the last few Brazil teams have been garbage. There's no samba spirit to them anymore.

14 Jun 2026 18:44:55
Brazil in the 70s was like the Harlem Globetrotters, now Fabinho is in the middle of the park. He was finished when he left Liverpool, now still gets a game for Brazil.

14 Jun 2026 19:02:36
Brazil 82 - a magical team. Since then it's been more results over aesthetics.

Damn shame.

14 Jun 2026 07:29:14
That Ben Doak lad on the wing for Scotland looks good, perhaps we should sign him!

14 Jun 2026 09:49:52
Front 3 of Chiesa, Nunez and Doak.

At least, it would answer the question of where does Richard Hughes shop?

Temu.

14 Jun 2026 10:02:39
Yeah, because Haiti has PL standard defenders & midfielders. 👌 Let's see how he does v Morocco & Brazil. I predict a big fat nothing. 🔥

14 Jun 2026 10:16:38
Super JK 23. 😃

14 Jun 2026 13:12:47
Think Doak can go past most fullbacks. That's never been in doubt. Wasn't he only tearing Gvardiol a new one a few months back vs Croatia before he got injured. It's just the end product that needed work.

14 Jun 2026 19:02:58
Pleased for the lad, he deserves a break.

14 Jun 2026 19:42:16
Gannon Doak. Pretty cool sounding name as well, all the Scottish commentators were calling him by that.
Kelly Cates, though, kept saying Ben Gannon Doak and it's like, why just call him Gannon like everyone else haha.

14 Jun 2026 00:40:47
Call it World Cup fever, but I really like the look of Ayyoub Bouaddi. Wouldn't look out of place in that PSG side with his speed, composure and coverage in front of the defensive line. Would love a player of that ilk in our midfield.

I know we have been linked with him in the past, but heard very little in recent times.

Now, this is when someone smacks me back to earth and says he is off to Man City for 8 million, or something like that.

14 Jun 2026 00:57:47
Was just about to make a post about MOTD fever, but damn he looks great. Combative but neat and tidy too. Only 18 years old, and he is already so experienced with 2 years of top flight football.

14 Jun 2026 01:15:59
Great player, whoever eventually signs him is signing a Rolls Royce.

14 Jun 2026 06:50:30
Arsenal are favourites to get him.

14 Jun 2026 06:52:13
Brilliant player, clearly one to watch closely this World Cup.

14 Jun 2026 07:37:01
Yeah, got to admit he looked class. Very composed for his age. He is definitely getting snapped up after the World Cup.

14 Jun 2026 08:02:03
Gotta say I enjoyed that game last night. Morocco look some team.

Ali will be disappointed with his decision making for that first goal though.

Also, genuinely didn't see Australia beating Turkey either, so hats off to them.

14 Jun 2026 08:16:54
Watching Turkey was like watching us last season, a team of vast quality on paper, beaten by a team that sucker punched them and wanted it more, with Turkey only turning up the dial when up against it, wasting critical chances, conceding through somebody powering through the middle of the field and taking a shot from distance.

14 Jun 2026 09:42:14
I thought Bouaddi did exactly what everyone has been criticising us for all season. I lost count of the times he had a forward pass on and went sideways or backwards.

He ran around a lot and was busy, I suppose, but didn't progress the ball at all.



Perhaps it could've been the enormity of the occasion and he was being safe. I'll admit I think that's the first time I've ever seen him. Certainly the first time I've paid any attention to him.

14 Jun 2026 09:43:47
International football is notoriously difficult for scouting players for the Premier League.

However, this lad seems to be strong on the ball and has a good engine on him. He should do well.

14 Jun 2026 09:59:00
JK
The 2 CBs didn't help Ali's decision making going AWOL.
Worst Brazil team I've seen ever.

14 Jun 2026 10:21:16
Ayyoub Bouaddi looks to be on Arsenal's radar and has been for quite some time. He was impressive last night, but that Brazil team were very poor, so let's see how he does against a more structured and robust team.

14 Jun 2026 10:24:57
Irish, I agree, mate, but if he stays in his box he gets to use his hands and he's world class one on one.

Last night, he was like a spare part outside of the box, kind of stood there. He could have stopped it, but it would have been his World Cup over.

13 Jun 2026 21:33:01
Manu Kone linked to Arsenal. Shame. I’d liked to have seen him play for us. NewsNow reporting Khephren Thurman linked to use as a replacement for Jones.

13 Jun 2026 23:44:54
Thuram and Wharton for Jones and Macca would be pretty good business imo.

14 Jun 2026 07:31:10
Kone and Wharton, or in fact Kone and Bouaddi, would be good business.

14 Jun 2026 09:15:58
I've liked Kone for a while. When he played in Germany, I wanted us to sign him, Thuram too when he was in France. Hopefully we can get things right this summer and make a real challenge next season.

13 Jun 2026 14:33:59
Ed001 was we not interested in Luka Vuskovic from spurs seems like Brighton and looking to sign him.
Seems very promising team of the year in Germany only 19.
Don't know why spurs would sell him to sign Heck who looks bang average every time I see him.

{Ed001's Note - de Zerbi is not one for developing youth.}

13 Jun 2026 13:35:11
Have just read that Gakpo has asked to leave. Could this be the reason why we are being heavily linked with both Barcola and Diomande?

I’d definitely accept this trade off.

13 Jun 2026 14:34:39
No, it's the other way around, he's asked to leave because we're linked with them. 🤣

No idea if he's actually made the request. As it stands, I'm expecting him to play backup for Isak until Ekitike's fit. Unless he does go, can't imagine it though; he won't get anywhere near the wages he's on elsewhere after this season's performance; he'd be off his rocker to look for a move now, he's on upwards of £250k+ until 2030.

Some shrewd negotiator that Hughes fella is.

13 Jun 2026 15:40:26
The acid test is where you read this.

A number of clickbait sites have had this news for a few days (do a search of "Gakpo" and you'll find the earlier posts).

This could just be a random rumour started a week or so ago that all of the sites/stories are referencing.

I'm with you, I would be delighted with Barcola and Diomande for Salah and Gakpo.

Would set us up nicely. Depending on the cost of Bowen, I could see that too as Chiesa is likely to go.

So we're not blocking Rio from getting more minutes next season as it would be 3 first teamers in and 3 first teamers out.

13 Jun 2026 15:56:30
I'll be honest, I like Gakpo. Slot did not utilise him very well, however I can see that he can easily be upgraded too.
We lack pace on the wings and both Barcola and Diomande would give us that, with Rio being the sub...
Don't think we need Bowen, and doubt he would want to move to be sat on the bench if we signed the other 2.


This team is missing some steel in midfield and pace on the wings... We need to get the signings right for whatever system Iraola wants to play.

13 Jun 2026 16:05:56
Exactly, Zed. These are clickbait media bites, which Gakpo's camp has never addressed, even tho I don't expect his camp to respond, esp. during a WC.

What Gakpo offers (or offered before Slot rendered him useless) is efficiency in front of goal. Whatever it is you may think of him aesthetically (which is strange cos anyone who knew him knows he is not a dribbler or 1 v 1 demon), he scores and assists, end of.

I think he can still do bits with us should he go back to the way he was being deployed, esp. if you have adequate comp., as that brought the best out of him with Diaz at the club.

I do disagree with bringing in Barcola. He is not at the level and is not even better than Gakpo. I will not allow the decrepit rubbish Slot put these players thru as a means to judge them, cos they were great before last season's nonsense.

13 Jun 2026 16:33:18
I could've sworn that Slot was in charge of these players when we won the league. That was obviously all down to the players.

13 Jun 2026 16:45:23
Bayern were in for Gakpo, and they’re a half decent team, so if rumours were correct in Jan, they were willing to pay north of 70 mill. I doubt they would have offered him minimum wage.

Had an awful season last season compared to previous seasons (along with 95% of every other LFC player), but 27 goals and 13 assists in his last 2 seasons in what’s regarded as the toughest league in the world isn’t too shabby.

13 Jun 2026 17:10:48
Don't do it, Rome. Resist. 😁

13 Jun 2026 17:25:59
I can't help it, Florian!! I should get out in the garden. Some posts just reel me in, so I have to bite.

13 Jun 2026 20:04:53
@Rome,
No one said anything about Slot not winning the league, but he predominantly used a lot of similar tactics to Klopp in that year.
As soon as he changed the system/tactics to Slotball, funny how so many of the same players declined.

13 Jun 2026 21:07:16
@Olired, how can you say Barcola is not at the level with Gakpo? You being serious?? Gakpo is nowhere near the level of Barcola, Gakpo is a one trick pony, he should never have played as many games this season, it's only because he's Slot's love child, Rio outperformed him so many times but never got a chance.

13 Jun 2026 21:29:20
Barcola is a lot better than Gakpo.
Barcola is a very good player.

13 Jun 2026 21:41:35
Barcola is hyped up. I've seen him play about 10 times, n he has done nothing. Fast as F, but not much else.

13 Jun 2026 22:44:48
I agree @Strom, he is playing occasionally for a team in a country that is miles better than anybody else and his job is fairly easy in that context. That said, he doesn't stand out.

I think his being seen as what we need might not be the case imo.

13 Jun 2026 22:49:52
Gakpo can be a decent player when he knows he's not a guaranteed starter and has competition.

13 Jun 2026 23:19:24
Wdw, exactly.

14 Jun 2026 07:03:21
Just a guess, but I imagine that if Gakpo was playing for a top team in France, his numbers would be even more impressive than his Prem numbers, which are already very respectable for a wide attacker. People saying Barcola is levels above Gakpo, can you say for certain that he would produce the same output as Gakpo over his Liverpool career?

13 Jun 2026 11:21:45
See some rumors about Branthwaite and some big clubs looking at him.
Weren't we interested in him a while back.or was it just banter talk with Ed25?

{Ed025's Note - hes a very good player JLC but i dont think the bigger clubs will be looking at him due to his injury record mate..

13 Jun 2026 13:52:45
Everton's version of Joe Gomez or Conor Bradley.

13 Jun 2026 15:05:17
Would take Garner tho.

13 Jun 2026 15:57:28
Seems like they are asking for around £70m for an injury prone defender... not worth the risk.

13 Jun 2026 16:07:12
I was going to say the same thing, Ed25. THose long term injuries are becoming a problem and Everton won't ever sell him on a cut price deal due to them. They're going to want top dollar, ijuries be damned.

{Ed025's Note - it’s a shame for the lad Oli but availability is prime asset for any player and that will be his downfall mate..

13 Jun 2026 17:15:18
Garner is at his level. His best attribute is he gets the finger out. I can remember when that used to be a basic essential, now you get lauded for it.

13 Jun 2026 22:46:42
Spot on, @25. Shame for the lad as he looked like he had bags of potential a couple of years back.

13 Jun 2026 01:19:38
Hi folks, haven't been posting regularly in the past season but this site remains buzzing

The loss of Ed02 remains hard as his personality and being a real ITK is sorely missed. A few like carra, Robbo, fields, have stepped up, and it's nice to see the return of ST after what must have been a difficult season in life. And try as Guy might, but it seems s/he is either an imposter or just a great wind up 😂

Some familiar posters like Olired, Davey, MK, Salah are still around, but it seems leekuanyew, harry (or maybe I can't recognise his new name) is gone?

Seeing less of ed25 but hoping he is well as his 'stay away from drugs', 'rose tinted', glasshouses and stones' will never get old

Finally, regardless of who we sign, I am confident we did win a few silverware this coming season. Reason is simple - whenever I loved our kits (and I do like both the home and away ones last season), we do poorly. The new kit in the coming season is not to my liking but I guess that's the price of us achieving the quadruple.

Have a good summer or World Cup whichever is to your liking. And I certainly hope under Iraola, we'll have some good years of intense, high octane, attacking football once again.

{Ed025's Note - great to see you back SG, i hope you are well mate..

13 Jun 2026 12:53:59
Leek got permanently banned, I believe, for saying something pretty bad about Jota, if I remember correctly.

13 Jun 2026 13:37:50
I think Leek is back under another name, still spouting BS, but claiming they're not Leek.

13 Jun 2026 13:43:57
And Harry is still Harry. Still here, always changing names but getting caught the moment he opens his mouth on here.

13 Jun 2026 14:21:04
All good here as well, brother. 👍

13 Jun 2026 14:40:09
Yeah, Leek was banned for making light of Jota's passing, but he still trolls on here under a BTS name.

Harry ran a poll and said he'd leave permanently if everyone voted for it. People did, and he left. But he's still back occasionally under different names. ;)

But, glad to have you back posting again, sgynwa. :)

13 Jun 2026 14:53:39
Welcome back, sgynwa. Hope all is well, mate.

13 Jun 2026 15:52:14
Good to see you here again, sgynwa!! Don't be a stranger.

13 Jun 2026 16:08:04
Welcome back, man. Hope all is well with you, Sgnwa.

13 Jun 2026 16:42:38
Glad to have you back Mr "cat on keyboard user name" 😂

Harry's latest alias is Cafu but I've blocked him so not sure if he is still posting.

I think BTS Leek has been blocked as well.

We have a few new ones too!

Really miss Ed002 as I'm sure loads of people (not least the other Eds) do too.

13 Jun 2026 17:32:47
Good to hear from you, mate.

13 Jun 2026 18:37:17
Great to have you back, Sgynwa!