Liverpool Banter 3

26 Jul 2026 11:37:08
Anyone know of any CB's we are interested in? We know Zabarnyi is the most recent and Ordonez has been looked at in the past but any others?

100% need a strong PL proven CB

26 Jul 2026 13:14:35
We've just brought Leoni and Jaquet for £85m. Brought in Tor Ndaiye, Ndukwe, Adekoya and picked up the highly rated young lad from Celtic. Add in Nallo, who's gone on loan as well, and Virgil. Endo was a CB before moving into midfield, as was Bajcetic.

26 Jul 2026 13:23:18
Why list all those players when two are midfielders, and the rest are youth, and 1 in Jaquet should be ready before the season, and Leoni won't. It's like most of you fans are just content with anyone who has a pulse can play centre back, it's ridiculous.

26 Jul 2026 13:25:40
I would be shocked if we didn't sign one more CB. Joe Gomez is a figment of our imagination at this point.

26 Jul 2026 13:30:52
Keegans Purm, not a single player in that list is currently capable of being a regular starter in the Premier League. From injury to inexperience and lack of quality.

26 Jul 2026 13:55:11
I really think the Zabarnyi on loan with option to buy must be a priority for the club. I have very high hopes for both Jacquet and Leonni. They both, however, are young and coming off the back of injuries.

Gomez cannot be relied upon to stay fit and VVD is again and likely entering his last season, so Zabarnyi would also act as good succession planning whilst improving us for the immediacy.

26 Jul 2026 13:56:57
Yesterday, we played 87mins with our 5th and 6th choice Cb's. Virgil is on holiday, yes, but he's 35.

26 Jul 2026 14:34:56
Keegan'sPerm,
You haven't got a clue, mate. Leoni and Jacquet are kids coming back from long injuries. The other 3 you mentioned are kids, bought to develop in the u21s. One of them hasn't even got a work permit.

Gomez is a waste of space, who is bang average even when ge is fit. We have one fit seniir centre back and he is 35. If we don't sign an experienced centre back before this window closes, we are not getting top 4.

26 Jul 2026 15:29:39
Keegans purm, the phrase barrel and scraping springs to mind.

26 Jul 2026 15:51:17
Rome, I know that, just pointing out the depth. Obviously we need a cb, but Jaquet and Leoni will feature imo for most of the season. Huijsen was inexperienced in the Prem, as well as Zabarnyi, yet had amazing seasons.

26 Jul 2026 16:00:43
Jacquet looks like the next Joe Gomez, not the next VVD, another cardboard cut out!

26 Jul 2026 17:17:48
If Zarbanyi is still an option, I think we definitely should be looking at it very seriously after Gomez's injury this morning.
I love Joe. When he gets a run of games he's very capable in multiple positions, but he simply can't be relied on anymore.

If AI is going to give the kids a chance, that's fine to a point, but we need a senior defender.

26 Jul 2026 17:30:42
If we buy another cb who starts next to Virg? He needs a partner to build understanding with, and pass on his experience, so next season that partner can do the same, or are we just going to start with 2 new cbs? Can't see Jaquet being happy sitting there or any new signing that comes in.

26 Jul 2026 11:27:49
Hi, I know a number of readers don't want Diomande at the club for various reasons, but I'm just wondering, if the club bid 100million euros plus 20million based on achievements over the contract term, would RB accept the offer?
If they did, we would then find out the players real ambitions.
Over to Carra, The Fields etc for their knowledge.

26 Jul 2026 13:01:21
RB might accept it but doubt Diamande would.

26 Jul 2026 13:05:25
I believe we already offered 120 euro and it was rejected.

26 Jul 2026 13:16:08
Leipzig never wanted to sell. They have told every party interested that the ideal scenario is him being brought and loaned back, which could see a deal for less than the initial £85m. No one is doing that, so they want a Bundesliga record for him.

26 Jul 2026 13:32:09
Pretty sure we already made an offer very close to that. Real are at the table now, so forget about it. Romano reported yesterday that Diomande has closed doors to English clubs.

26 Jul 2026 14:14:07
Honestly, Diomande and his entourage are a bin fire. Walk away from it. If there's any truth that Barcola is refusing to sign a new contract, make an offer and get that done.

26 Jul 2026 14:16:26
Clemence2, I am pretty sure personal terms were agreed with Diomande a while back, I don't think that would be the issue. The problem is his agency, and the fact RBL don't want to sell, so you cannot blame them for dragging their heels.

We knew this before prioritising him, so the powers that be clearly think he is worth it. Whether he signs or not, let's hope the risk works out.

26 Jul 2026 11:04:01
I’d like us to sign John Stones.

26 Jul 2026 12:40:21
Stones is just as injury prone as Gomez!

Let the blue half of Merseyside take him back.

26 Jul 2026 12:42:10
Plenty of experience and quality, but also some concerns on his injury record. Missed 24 games last season with various muscle niggles...

26 Jul 2026 12:44:06
So JG has a mate in the treatment room on £200k per week? I don't think he's played more than 20 games a season for years. He's a good player and, if he would sign a pay as you play deal, then yeah, but he won't.

26 Jul 2026 12:49:29
Me too actually.

26 Jul 2026 14:14:40
He's older and as injury prone as Gomez. Hard pass.

26 Jul 2026 17:28:10
I like the idea of an experienced CB, maybe not John Stones though, we need someone to help VVD n let the youngsters bed in for at least a year or two.

26 Jul 2026 10:43:48
It would be more sensible for the club to just assume Gomez is injured 100% of the time and ensure the squad is planned and built without him in mind.

Then when he is available, it’s a nice little bonus. Can’t help but feel for the lad. He never gave up and always gave it his all despite all the setbacks and for that we love him. But we need some reinforcements now.

That back line is reminding me of 2020/21 already. We will either need to bring in some solid reinforcements or just ride our luck all season.
Relying on an aging VVD, 2 CBs who have just come back from lengthy injuries and some kids is worrying me.

The fact the Right back position also looks incredibly shaky just compounds the issues as well. Let’s hope the new conditioning coach is a lot more competent than Slot's man, and we start to see some improvement in availability and less injuries going forward.

Having said all that, I can’t wait for the new season to start now.
I can’t imagine we will win the league and totally see this one as a transition year but I reckon the football is going to be really fun to watch again and after Slot ball boring me to death, I’ll take entertainment again any day.

26 Jul 2026 13:26:56
Yep, that is a decision that should have been taken at least 3 years ago.

26 Jul 2026 13:34:02
He should have been moved on by now, my sympathy only goes so far, I don't blame the lad, the club has been irresponsible in keeping him on despite the fact that he's made of wet cardboard.

26 Jul 2026 10:36:46
Hi all!

A quick perspective on last night's friendly. Firstly, I thought it was great to see us pressing and playing on the front foot. Iraola's fingerprints were all over the performance and it’s great to see his style already in evidence. Similarly to Klopp's first game, when you could see what he wanted from the first kick of a ball, I got that last night.

Yes, there were a few issues to iron out and I’m sure Iraola will correct them in good time. But I thought the young players in particular seized their chances and I hope some get to stay and get minutes. In particular, McConnell and Nyoni, I thought, controlled the midfield well and the young centre back pairing were pretty solid.

Our need for reinforcements is pretty clear but I’m not panicking about it. The club will be aware and I trust them to sort it. As fans, we need to stop trying to spend the club's money and trust the club will do it properly themselves. I’m fairly sure they’re more qualified than we are and know what they’re doing.

I’m sure a RB will be on the list and potentially another CB. I also trust they will sort the wing positions. So stop panicking about it.

Great first outing of the Iraola era and we still have some big hitters ready to return ahead of the next friendly. Onwards and upwards!

26 Jul 2026 11:53:03
The fans that are panicking about transfers will have zero bearing on the club.

The fans that aren't panicking about transfers will also have zero bearing on the club.

If fans want to be glass half full or half empty, let them.

It's all an opinions game.

Cheers for the game feedback, though, Rick, didn't see it myself, so enjoying reading up on it today from posters.

26 Jul 2026 12:02:42
It was an enjoyable game to watch, JK. First time I have said that about Liverpool game in a long time.

26 Jul 2026 12:03:57
I'm still happy the transfer we got right was Slot gone, Iraola in.
The football will be so much better to watch win, lose, or draw.
Personally I'm excited for the new season so we can forget that wretched season last time out.

26 Jul 2026 12:12:19
Agree, Rick. The two very young centre halves acquitted themselves well. I thought Nyoni was very good and McConnell was solid. Like the look of Kumas and Morrison. Thought Rio and Harvey looked leggy, which is probably a good thing at this early stage.

Given the injury to JoGo and the timeline for the recovery of Lionni, we are short at the back. Overall, a good work out with a promising second half albeit against a second stroking Sunderland after the break.

26 Jul 2026 13:05:42
I actually think a quality Right Back is an absolute must for this team. I'd rather we spent big there than seemingly chasing players for the 'glory' forward positions. We have lots of attacking players, yet all we have for RB are Bradley, who has availability issues (and who I don't really rate), and Frimpong, who really isn't a RB.



I don't know who is available, but go and buy the best one we can and start with a strong base.

26 Jul 2026 13:30:57
A good run out on a bit of a stodgy surface.

Nyoni, Ndukwe, Ndiaye and Koumas stood out.

Morrison, Wright, Chambers, Ramsey, Szobo, Kerkez and Chiesa did ok.

Marma, Frimpong, Tsimikas, Curtis, Elliott, Rio and McConnell were underwhelming.

While I am sure things will improve as the preseason goes on, Marma, Frimpong and Curtis performances were a little concerning.

26 Jul 2026 13:37:50
Wingers cost 100+. You'll get a very good RB for half of that. There's no issue with getting both. Buying a 100m+ winger will not affect our ability to secure a RB. What will affect it is whether or not the club is stupid enough to think continuing with Frimpong and Bradley is a bright idea.

26 Jul 2026 17:35:53
It's easy saying get a rb, but name one?

26 Jul 2026 09:59:07
I know Klopp or Slot didn’t fancy Ramsay but whenever I’ve seen him play he seems more than capable what am I missing?

26 Jul 2026 11:48:54
I mean he's only played a handful of minutes and the coaches would see him a lot more than we do.

I tend to agree tho, in the limited minutes I have seen him play, he hasn't looked like a lot of hope.

So who knows really!?

26 Jul 2026 13:32:09
Maybe he's like Chiesa that way - terrible trainer, but decent in game?

I agree that what little pitch time I have seen, which is very little, he's looked at home.

26 Jul 2026 17:36:59
He looked better than Frimpong last night.

26 Jul 2026 18:49:12
SJ, definitely better than Frimpong.

26 Jul 2026 08:58:20
Unfortunately, we absolutely cannot rely on Gomez anymore, which is such a shame due to his temperament and versatility. I would go all out on a top class CB and RB asap if I were Iraola, more than a CM.

As (I believe) Carra and The Fields have stated, I don't think we'll be going for a CM unless one leaves.

Nyoni needs to be getting more minutes, looks like he's bulked up and could be a good option in a double pivot.
With that said, we need to spend any money we have on CB/RB/RW and possibly a CF.

Kounde, Ordonez, Arnau Martinez, Ben White (please God no) can all play CB & RB if we go that route.

26 Jul 2026 11:58:40
Gotta feel for Joe. Breaking down 7 minutes into the first pre-season game of the season after having the summer off doesn't make good reading.

26 Jul 2026 07:08:06
VVD is the only Senior Cb we have.

If that is not negligent I don’t know what is.

26 Jul 2026 08:10:19
Does Joe Gomez not exist anymore?

26 Jul 2026 08:14:44
Joe Gomez exist?
Yeah, you'll find him in the medical room. It's his home away from home.

26 Jul 2026 08:17:16
Don't you just love it when a poster criticises without knowing the inner thoughts, dealings, and considerations of the squad? Criticising what you know little about is not banter imo.

Last night I watched 2 18-year-olds looking assured, confident and incredibly confident on the ball, and that without a significant level of experience in front of them. Also without the presence of the best GK in the world.

I am not saying they are ready for the Prem, but they are half a dozen down in the picking order, and to look so assured is terrific.



They are also older than Rio, who everyone last season was calling to start. We must remember that. Would we have called him experienced?! There is only one way of becoming experienced.

No, I think our club and management know a lot more than you and I about what we need, let's let them deal with that and enjoy our team meantime. No negligence!!!

26 Jul 2026 08:18:08
Gomez doesn't exist, he's injured again. Keeping him would be criminal.

26 Jul 2026 08:25:11
Gomez should retire on medical grounds.

26 Jul 2026 08:31:07
Must agree with you, Metro, for kids they held their heads high.

26 Jul 2026 08:41:43
We didn't pay a combined total of 90m for both Jacquet and Leoni to play for the reserves. They were starters for the senior team prior to moving to us, and I'd imagine them to be the senior CBs in ours too.

26 Jul 2026 08:43:13
Great post, Metro. We have 6 CB's anyway. OP is just being dramatic. Virgil, Gomez, Leoni, Jacquet, Ndiaye and Ndukwe.

Virgil and Gomez are as senior as you get. Jacquet and Leoni cost £95m and will not be playing academy football. Ndukwe and Ndiaye will be training with the first team regularly.

Gomez's injury record is the main concern. He will be 4th choice CB anyway in my opinion, but due to his fragility, we need to take an idea from the Arsenal playbook (it made me sick to type it).

They know you can't stockpile loads of CB's without impacting squad harmony in terms of shared game time, so what they did was sign versatile players like Hincapie and Timber who play LB or RB but can cover at CB to a high standard when needed. Jules Kounde is a match made in heaven and I hope we waste no time in sorting a deal out when he's back from his holidays. He could be first choice RB, but step into CB if we were desperate.

26 Jul 2026 08:58:20
Yep, MK, I'd take the 6 CBs you mention, any day over Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Timber, Calafiori, Mosquera.

26 Jul 2026 09:00:16
Gotta be honest, our defensive options currently are a little risky for this season.

Last season:

Gomez started 16 games and missed 8 through injury.

Leoni started 1 game, missed 48 games, and has only ever started 14 senior games in his career.

Jacquet started 21, missed 13, only ever started 24 senior games.



Bradley started 13, missed 33.

Frimpong started 23, missed 20.

Tsimikas started 11 games on loan.

And then the Rolls Royce of standards, Vvd started 55, missed through injury 0.

Keepers.

Alison started 35, injured 20.

Mamardashvili started 20, injured 2.

26 Jul 2026 09:01:09
Yep.

And, for me at least, we are in no worst position than last 2 years at CB.

Whilst "senior" based on age and experience, I am far from a Konate fan, indeed have an oak tree on hole 6 of my golf course makes more timely interceptions - hate that bloody tree! His only contribution to France in the WC demonstrated very well my view.



Be nice to have another "experienced name" but not just for the sake of it. Let the bosses decide!

26 Jul 2026 09:13:03
Rome, thanks for proving my point accidentally. Hincapie and Calafiori are LBs and Timber is a RB. This is literally my point. They have full backs who can cover CB. It's what we should be doing. Man City do it too with Ake, Gvardiol etc.

It's an excellent method of securing CB depth without feeling obliged to rotate.

It is stupid to rotate CBs and therefore it's hard to get good ones to be back ups. But if you have full backs who can deputise, then you ensure you have high level cover who can pick up plenty of minutes in their full back roles.

Cheers pal, glad we're on the same page even if you didn't realise it.

26 Jul 2026 09:23:22
But Postklopp has a point in a way. Backing up what MK has said - Arsenal are so strong at the back as they've players who can cover multiple positions at CH & RB!
Gomez is our only squad player who can cover at RB & CH to a decent standard when he's fit, which is never!
Should have been shipped out long ago and replaced, and yes it is negligent imo not strengthening the RB position - cost us last season and will do this if we don't address it.

26 Jul 2026 09:28:32
Also. Frimpong is nowhere near standard for us. He is so poor.

26 Jul 2026 09:34:10
I fully expected you to get back with that reply, MK. I appreciate that Timber, Calafiori, and Hincapie are versatile defenders and the sort we should be looking for. I'm with you in wanting a player like Kounde.

It's the 6 that currently make up our CBs that I don't share your confidence in. I'll say it again, Gomez is a complete waste of space.

Leoni is still recovering from injury. None of us has the first clue as regards Ndiaye and Ndukwe. If we are starting either of them in the PL or CL, we are struggling. We all wait to see if Jacquet is up to it, and Virg showed last season that age is catching up with him.

It's an area that desperately needs addressing.

26 Jul 2026 09:52:20
Get Joel Ordonez as full and center back cover.

26 Jul 2026 09:54:51
I couldn't resist, Rome!

I do genuinely think it's a bad idea to rotate CBs though. Arsenal effectively have Saliba, Gabriel and Mosquera in terms of specialist CBs. The rest are versatile full backs.

We have Virgil, Jacquet and Leoni as the dedicated CBs. Gomez is a versatile defender who can play RB and CB, but he's injured a lot.

I'd argue we should be looking to sign a RB who can play CB (Kounde), and maybe you could even make an argument to replace Tsimikas with a LB who can play CB.

I just don't want us rotating CBs. GK and the 2 CBs should be a settled trio for every league and Champions League game. Alisson, Jacquet, and Virgil are the ones in my opinion.

26 Jul 2026 10:07:53
Negligent?

JFC, lads, there are 5 weeks to go in the window. You can talk about "negligence" on the 1st of September.

26 Jul 2026 10:10:44
I 100% agree with your last paragraph, MK.

26 Jul 2026 10:11:27
Jacquet is a starter.

26 Jul 2026 10:15:06
What if Iraola doesn't want fullbacks that are more like centre halves than modern day fullbacks?

26 Jul 2026 10:22:05
That's also a good point, Rigsby.

26 Jul 2026 10:28:16
VVD has been carrying us for years, hopefully he can do it again and help Jacquet bed in.

Our lack of depth there is shockingly bad. We've managed because of VVD's amazing injury record.

To compare us with Arsenal defensively is pointless, as their defensive depth is on a different level to ours.

They also have Rice in midfield to shield a defence, which helps massively if they need to chop and change at centre back.

26 Jul 2026 10:32:28
LFC require a first team squad CB. One who is able to play beside VVD currently. The young boys are not PL ready yet. Leoni and Jacquet are not ready physically. Ignore Joe Gomez. LFC also, and more importantly, require a first team ready RB.

The RBs we have are just not good enough, nor available. 1 specific player for each position. Zabyarni seems like a no brainer, imo, for the CB role.

26 Jul 2026 10:32:59
Speaking sense here, MKS. Jacquet and Leoni are gonna play a lot this season, and as much as I think we should get a CB in this season, it should be one who will be ready to replace VVD going into 27/28. Easier said than done, of course. Hopefully, that can happen, regardless.

Jacquet will be the starter going into the season, imo, so let's wait and see where that goes.

Also, Iraola may just make us a lot harder to score on, which will also help the team defensively with the press, or with us being compact out of possession when the oppo. has the ball, unlike we were last season when the oppo. would just literally walk thru us with our guys just standing there admiring their aura.

A more wholistic approach is what I would propose this early on.

26 Jul 2026 10:33:11
@OP, Going early on the hysteria front. Let's see how things pan out over the course of the window. We have three starting CBs, I think - VVD, Leoni and Jacquet. We also have Joe as back-up to CB / RB in the squad, and we have a couple of the young lads we signed at Christmas who seem to be making a good impression in pre-season to date.

We need an experienced CB and a RB, although Ramsay showed promising signs. Sorry if my glass is half full.

26 Jul 2026 10:34:40
Calafiori and Hincapie were primarily CB at their previous clubs. They aren't versatile fullbacks, more CB converted to fullbacks to accommodate the way Arsenal play.

26 Jul 2026 10:41:39
You know who can play CB and RB. Jarrell Quansah and we sold him.

26 Jul 2026 10:42:14
I'll be here backing the underdog players all day long. I'll back the players (and coaches!) who get all the stick until their time finally comes to an end.

But I think there is a big difference between supporting an academy player to fill in versus relying on them to carry the team.

We are one VVD injury away from the complete unknown of Jacquet, Leoni, and then the real kids.

This is the situation right now.

In an ideal world, Jacquet and Leoni can step into the first team and just focus on their football and adjusting to England / Prem.

Same for the two new academy lads.

But as above, one long term injury for VVD and then they will have the pressure, expectation, and leadership pressures thrust onto them.

They may step up. They also may not. It is a very risky game to play "if" this is the plan.

I don't think it is the plan, at least I hope it isn't.

It would be negligent to end the transfer window with this current CB group in tow.

26 Jul 2026 09:20:10
Metro red, you're hyping up kids in a summer friendly in American heat it's nothing but a warm up!

LFC have one fit cb.

People done this a few seasons ago for hyping up Quansah he'd a couple of bad games was hauled off and then the rats came out calling and saying horrid things!

26 Jul 2026 10:48:51
Agreed, Irish Rover. If we don't sign a dedicated top level RB, we will not be in the mix for titles. Shoehorning of players into positions is not necessary. We have money and are a hugely attractive football club. We should target and employ the very best available players that want to play for LFC.

26 Jul 2026 10:51:34
I think we need another cb regardless of our options.

Vvd 35.
Leoni and Jaquet are young and need to be nursed in, especially after their injuries and lack of match fitness.
Gomez done to death, he's been crocked for about 6/7 years now and body can't handle it, not saying he's not a good lad or decent player, but to go into the season with those 4 senior lads is asking for trouble.


imo.

Loan with obligation of Zabarnyi seems like a decent option this year and brings another experienced cb in with prem experience and who has also worked with the coach.

No brainer.

26 Jul 2026 10:07:32
To metro red, I know way more than you.

26 Jul 2026 10:59:25
Let's hope Vvd plans a lot better than he did last season, the worry is his age is catching up with him. He needs to be at his very very best if the club decides to start the season with the current cb options.

26 Jul 2026 11:00:25
Jacquet is not a starter, Ron K.
It's not a main though. A snack, a side or a light lunch but not a starter.

26 Jul 2026 11:01:58
I reckon this is why getting Senesi on a free would have been a no brainer.

I think we missed a trick there.

26 Jul 2026 11:06:46
If Jacquet & Gomez are not ready, injured, or both, then to partner VvD we'd have only Leoni.
I'll put it like The Big O would put it:
Only Leoni
Know why, I cry
Only Leoni....

26 Jul 2026 11:19:42
A 35 Yr old VVD coming off the back of playing every game last season and every game possible at a WC, Leoni is a kid coming back after missing an entire season, ACL injury and surgery. Jacket is a kid who's coming back after missing half a season, shoulder surgery, and missed last night because of a precaution, so obviously not fit yet. Gomez lasted 7 mins before the old Gomez curse set in.

Also, he's our cover for 2 injury prone Rb (one of which isn't really a RB), and LB if needed. And now we are throwing 2 more kids into the group, who, whilst looking half decent in a friendly, aren't there yet. Out of that group 2 have prem experience, 3 are under 20, one is injury prone and hasn't put a run of games together in about 4 yrs, 2 are coming back off surgery and missing big chunks of seasons, and one is 35.....and some people think we'll be fine.

Brilliant.....but let's say, by some miracle, we are fine, and the kids who have no prem experience turn into prime Maldini and Beckenbauer, we still haven't addressed the fact we don't have a number 6 (don't say Grav, he can do a job but isn't a 6), and the fact Macca can't cope with the prem anymore. We still don't have a Rw, unless the plan is to play Szobo in Mf, Rw, Rb, tea lady and groundsman.

We still don't have cover for Bradley's annual 20 games missed a season. We're still relying on Isak playing 2 games a week, every week, because our other Fw, guess what, injured until next year, even then we don't know what he'll come back like. This club is a shambles behind the scenes, we don't even look like we're moving for players, all the while doors are closing on players we "monitoring" and everyone around us strengthens.

26 Jul 2026 11:41:01
Ah, so Ndukwe can't get a work permit according to Pearce, he's going out on loan. So scratch him off the "CB saviour" list..... Endo can play CB, can't he.

26 Jul 2026 11:42:24
We really should not be relying on Gomez. He's far too fragile. If we end up having to rely on kids due to injuries, it's going to get pretty rough, as our non existent midfield won't offer the sort of protection that Phillips & Williams benefited from in Fabinho, Henderson et al.

As it stands, we're very weak in the two most crucial areas of the pitch, in both centre midfield & defence, with 5 weeks to go. I'm not entirely confident or convinced that Hughes is going to adequately address it, given the rumours that he's already lining up deals for his new employer...

26 Jul 2026 12:18:40
Hold on a minute. Why is everyone talking about Leoni. Iraola has already stated he isn't going to be available for months.

He is not currently an option for CB until at least November.

Jacquet has yet to kick a ball for us and has been withdrawn "as a precaution" until the last game in the US. This doesn't fill me with confidence either.



As for Captain Quaver... he lasted 8 minutes, which is standard. Joe cannot play 90 minutes once in a row, let alone twice a week!

So realistically, we are going to be relying on Ndukwe and Ndiaye at some point in the first 10 games of the season because VvD and JJ/JG are not playing 100% of those games.

26 Jul 2026 12:25:50
Agreed, Dhfc.

26 Jul 2026 13:39:26
As good as all these CB kids might be, if we want to win silverware this season, we cannot be entering it with 35yo Virgil + Joe Gomez' hologram. We need one more senior pro.

Any one of Ordonez, Zabarnyi or Huijsen would do nicely.



Don't see the fuss about Kounde. He used to be a good player but struggles with muscle injuries these days. He's missed 40+ days of the season in 3 of the last 4 seasons.

26 Jul 2026 13:41:00
We need a proper CB and RB. Not a go-between. We need somebody who can seamlessly take the reins from VvD. Jacuet and Leoni are 19 and 21, that's far too young to be handed the keys to the back line. If we do not get in a proper senior CB now, there will be issues down the line, I guarantee it.

26 Jul 2026 19:02:41
Postklopp the knowledge bean. 😉💪

JDR, I am not hyping up anyone.

My point is very simple. The club will deal with it in a much better way than any of us. Talk of negligence is lack of intelligence.

26 Jul 2026 01:01:23
Watching the second half tonight, I felt that Nyoni was very impressive (I know Ed001 didn't seem a fan).

Seemed like he was in a similar role to Grav in Slots 1st, do we think he's got a shot in the squad as I think he's got something, not enough to start but as a squad option it's clear to see he has it (in my opinion)

26 Jul 2026 07:35:20
To be fair, young players can take huge jumps at Trey's age. It looked a very good game from him in the highlights. Nothing incredible or anything, but a very good game.

He might have looked even better live.

Really hope he and Lewis Koumas, who also looked impressive, can build on that for the coming weeks, months, years.

Needless to say, good performance in a preseason friendly does not mean the world, but at the end of the day, it's the first chance, and I would say Trey and Lewis took it from the looks of things. That's all you can ask. Now let's see what they do with the second chance.

26 Jul 2026 07:44:33
Sod the players.

What was the half time interval show like, and did they get their water breaks?

26 Jul 2026 08:33:59
Nyoni has always looked a very good player when played in the deeper midfield role. I thought he was impressive there last preseason, but then didn't get many chances in that role during the season. I'm hoping he can kick on this season.

26 Jul 2026 08:50:04
Nyoni is going to be quality. I said it months ago. If Gravenberch doesn't up his game, he'll lose his place this season. I hope that showing last night puts any loan talk to bed. Nyoni was better than Jones and McConnell combined. We basically went to a 4-1-3-2 in the second half, and Nyoni was a 1 man double pivot who took complete control.

Age is just a number, and Nyoni is good enough so he is old enough.

Just look at him last night. Won multiple tackles, made blocks, made interceptions, fizzed his passes through the lines or out wide, slowed the tempo when it was needed, sped up the tempo when it was needed, always looked like he has loads of time on the ball etc.

Absolute class. If he was a new signing we'd paid £100m for, people would be waxing lyrical about him today. He could be our own Bouaddi if we give him the chance.

26 Jul 2026 09:07:22
In the second half we played against Sunderland's reserves.

26 Jul 2026 09:28:13
I think Nyoni is an incredibly promising young midfielder myself, every time I've seen him, he's calm, composed, rarely gives the ball away, and doesn't look out of place, to be fair to him.

I think he has a bright bright future ahead of him.

26 Jul 2026 10:06:44
Gravenberch won't be losing his place to Nyoni. The hyperbole that some posters say about young players who haven't even played 90 minutes of PL football is laughable.
The same nonsense was bandied about when Baj played about 30 minutes in the PL as a defensive midfielder. 🙄

26 Jul 2026 10:18:40
I agree, Irish.
That's some build up by MK Scouser about Nyoni and it happened with Bajcetic.
Let's hope it's more justified with Nyoni.

26 Jul 2026 10:35:02
@Red-W, We struggled against sides like Sunderland's reserves last season.

26 Jul 2026 10:35:05
Nah, MKS. Nyoni is gonna have to wait his turn and earn his spot. He won't be overtaking Grav anytime soon, mate.

Now in isolation does Grav need to up his game? Absolutely, but that can be applied to every single player from last season.

26 Jul 2026 11:31:41
Tbf, for a while it genuinely looked Baj will be a starter for us. Even Salah said he was our best player in those 1.5 months he was in the team. It's very unfortunate that his body has just not supported him since, but Bajcetic definitely had the quality to be a starter for us had he continued in that vein.

Let's see how he comes back now. On the other hand, I also like Nyoni, but it's better not to place unreasonable expectations on him yet. If he is good in training, Iraola will give him chances.

26 Jul 2026 12:02:51
Maybe if Nyoni is on the bench n plays the last 15 mins in most games, we might be able to see the progression to be a starter. At the moment, Grav plays, but another season like his last one won't do, so maybe train up Nyoni for that spot if he does well in these 15 min spots.

26 Jul 2026 12:23:31
Nyoni was probably player of the second half last night. Don't go off the highlights. 99% pass rate. Missed one pass. Hardly ever passed the ball sideways or backwards. One-two touch football. Strong on the ball and incisive running.

26 Jul 2026 12:27:29
Agreed, Irish and Oli. Well said.

26 Jul 2026 12:51:58
Sorry, Irish, but Bajetic didn't play just 30 mins in the EPL. That's a lazy comment.

I recall him being our standout player in the 5-2 defeat against Real Madrid in the CL.

Third youngest player to score for Liverpool, behind Owen, and second youngest Spaniard to score in the EPL, behind Fabregas, but growth-related injuries have broken him of late.



Just as well we didn't throw Gerrard in the bin when he suffered similar injuries. And no, I am not comparing Bajetic to one of the most complete midfielders of all time.

Although they do both appear to possess unlikeable traits off-field.

26 Jul 2026 13:41:14
Nyoni throwing in the most purposeful midfield performance I have seen in a long time.

Nice one, Trey lad.

26 Jul 2026 09:36:40
Me and Ed01 don't agree on everything, but we do on Nyoni. He's nowhere near ready for the first team. I'd send him out on loan.