Liverpool Banter 4

07 Jun 2026 14:04:17
Does anyone think these transfer fees have just got to insane levels where slightly above average players are being touted at £100m players. When the likes of Wharton, Diomande, Barcola etc are costing this much and are largely unproven we really need to question what is happening.

£100m should be getting you proven, elite footballers not potential, no wonder players are running down there contracts because they want in on this gravy train!

07 Jun 2026 14:45:11
It's what is to be expected with the amount of money in the game and with those who would command the most rarely being sold. The likes of Figo, Zidane, Zlatan, (fat) Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo etc regularly changing clubs for top fees are gone, but the money is still there to be spent.

07 Jun 2026 17:05:12
Yeah, but we say the same thing every 5 or 6 years really; football inflation happens at 3x the rate of economic inflation, so the market always seems insanely disproportionate. Won't be long now before it'll cost you £200m for a decent LB.

07 Jun 2026 19:04:53
It's hard to tell if this is a good or bad thing, there is a gulf in terms of revenue between the top clubs and rest of league so maybe it's no harm in terms of wealth distribution and sustainability for the non top 6 clubs to be able to recoup these larger transfer fees in order to keep up? Ultimately, Chewy is right that inflation is multiplied in football, but it's risky business investing figures we are being quoted for the likes of Diomande and, to a lesser extent, what we paid for Jacquet.

Great up and coming talents, but could easily be the next Jordan Ibe.

07 Jun 2026 19:09:27
What do you class as unproven? Barcola has won 2 Champions Leagues and domestic leagues, and played for France. Wharton has an FA Cup, a Conference League, and played for England.

07 Jun 2026 12:02:45
If I was one of the players who wasn't on international duty, I would be busting my ass to impress Iraola. There's clearly opportunity to make a claim in the team.

07 Jun 2026 13:29:48
Chiesa
Rio
Dom
Frimpong
Nyoni
Jones
Bajcetic
Kerkez
Ramsay
Leoni
Jaquet
Gomez
Mama
Elliot
Those are the current first-team squad not at the World Cup.
Add in the youth players, he has a lot of talent to look at.
Add in the talented youth.

07 Jun 2026 13:46:35
Agree, though I think Marma needs to be sold. He isn't Liverpool keeper for me.

07 Jun 2026 14:06:34
Iraola done well working with Kepa and Petrovic. How's about our team pass it to his left foot? Alisson missed around 40 games last two seasons, so Mama will get games.

07 Jun 2026 14:09:12
Agree, Max, but in reality they won't have a real choice to make.
Either they bust their ass or Iraola will do it for them. 😁

07 Jun 2026 14:11:37
Iraola likes to play with a high back line, just like Klopp. So you need a really good sweeper/keeper good with his feet. Luckily we have Alisson still, so that's fine. But with his injury record we have to count on the 2nd GK. And Mamardshvilli isn't it when it keeps to sweeping and kicking.

07 Jun 2026 14:17:33
ArAy1969, hence why many people question why he was signed in the first place.

07 Jun 2026 14:47:21
Not so easy to pass a ball onto a player's specific foot when you're under any sort of pressure.

07 Jun 2026 16:27:08
It should be for elite footballers, Irish.

07 Jun 2026 17:37:26
But you also have elite footballers putting you under pressure.

07 Jun 2026 20:04:33
When does pre-season training start?

07 Jun 2026 22:01:54
No official date yet, WDW, but usually early July.

08 Jun 2026 11:58:03
Thanks.

07 Jun 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Wingers linked Vs Salah from 24/25. Diomande and Godts stats very impressive

Click picture for larger image

07 Jun 2026 12:07:20
Godts has had a ridiculous season, pretty sure ed001 is a fan too?

07 Jun 2026 13:52:58
It's not really comparing apples with apples, though. Playing in the PL is much harder than the Dutch league, so your stats could be off the charts in a poor league.

07 Jun 2026 14:08:49
Brommers, you are correct, that's why you watch the players as well as stats.

07 Jun 2026 19:09:46
I don't believe in Godts.

07 Jun 2026 11:04:26
Congrats to Rio on winning MOTM for his England Debut today. Completed the most dribbles (3), won the most duels (6)

- 92% passes completed (24/26)
- 2 tackles won
- 40 touches in 45 minutes

Now where are the people who said to sell him? : )

07 Jun 2026 11:17:45
He was best player by a mile and should be in the full England squad.

{Ed025's Note - slightly better than the rest of that poor bunch for me Liver..

07 Jun 2026 11:30:11
Liver_La, at the same time I'm very happy he's not. At his age, it's a huge step up from playing the equivalent of just 11 games all season; it would be a huge potential injury concern.

07 Jun 2026 11:36:17
That's exactly why a good loan to a good team is essential for both him and the club. He'd be a starter and get the opportunity to prove himself further.

07 Jun 2026 11:48:03
I think 25 to 30 games a year with us, with an able deputy to take some of the pressure off him, would be far more beneficial to his development. Plus we'd have to go and buy another player to take his role in the squad.

Just doesn't make sense to me. Gakpo could be ideal for this with a new manager and system in place. Might also bring the best out of him.

07 Jun 2026 12:25:53
Didn't see the game but I'm sure the mighty New Zealand football team would really have tested his credentials.

07 Jun 2026 12:54:38
Aren't NZ also the lowest ranked team in the World Cup, JK?

And if Rio was MOTM against the mighty NZ, it's saying a lot more of the other players than what it does of Rio.

07 Jun 2026 12:59:43
Have been saying to sell him?

Yee, JK - NZ were very passive and didn't try to press.

We all love Rip, don't we? I don't think we need to use these cameos as evidence of the obvious talent he has. Nor do others need to use any "poor" performance as evidence of the obvious development he still has to go.

07 Jun 2026 13:16:30
Pre World Cup friendly.

If anyone is surprised both teams used it as that, then good on them.

I'd like to have heard players were putting their bodies on the line in what was a meaningless game.

07 Jun 2026 13:54:18
Pitch was shocking too. Rio was out there to impress. The others were out there for fitness and not to get injured.

07 Jun 2026 10:46:09
On the whole Rio thing. "if" there is any truth that he'd negotiated with and wanted the Bayern move we won't be keeping him long. If he doesn't realise that at 17 years of age he's making his England debut and that we left a gaping hole to leave him a pathway then there's nothing we can do. The club can say he's not for sale but if he doesn't realise how great this move has gone you're fighting a losing battle.

We have to remember he left Chelsea where he was since a child to come to us. If this isn't just a play by his agent for more money or more minutes (now that he's an international) then he will go.

We can't expect loyalty out of someone who's here a year as much as I would like him to stay. And if he does go as much as he would be 2nd choice to Diaz he would get loads of Bundesliga starts because Bayern are so dominant.

07 Jun 2026 11:36:49
I don't believe the rumour at all tbh, he's broken into a side that won the Premier League last season, a side that currently has poor stock at LW, there's a very clear progression path for him. Not only is the Bundesliga a step down, but he'd be directly competing with a hugely in-form Diaz.

Agents will entertain almost any offer as it helps raise their clients' value and visibility, but I don't think Rio is stupid enough to ignore all of the above.

07 Jun 2026 11:47:03
Our players increasingly seem very unsettled. We seem to have more contract struggles than other top clubs. It may be a reflection of a poor player culture at the club, or it may be a reflection of our pay structure and contract negotiation approach.

A lot of our players are constantly linked with moves away, you don't hear the same noise with any other top 5 club other than Villa who are struggling to retain players at the moment.



You'd think Rio would view his time and progress with us positively, and this was just a contract play. If he does end up going it would be a shame at this stage before he's even really got going.

07 Jun 2026 11:49:39
Look at how many things Ornstein has gotten wrong re LFC for some time now.
He is used as a bum steerer and has no idea what is going on, although that doesn't mean it's not true re Rio.

If so, it's tapping up and just shows how impatient young players can be these days.



I get it though, if anyone had a fat contract on the table, which would be life changing, most would be tempted.

The fact that he now only has 2 years left needs putting to the test ASAP.

07 Jun 2026 11:49:57
No way should Rio be in the full England squad. Hyperbole.

07 Jun 2026 12:06:19
Ornstein simply reports what he is told by the club, doesn't mean that he's got things 'wrong'. I'd say he's probably the most reliable journalist out there, when he reports things, it's not clickbait, at least.

07 Jun 2026 12:17:08
I agree on Ornstein, just another mouthpiece.

I remember when he reported Alonso was interested in talking to Chelsea. Look how that turned out.

Oh hang on a second.

07 Jun 2026 12:24:46
Did Rio negotiate or was it his agent? But if he was open to leave a club like Liverpool, who will do all they can to help him in his career without loads of pressure, then he is a young immature dafty. A proper agent would look after his player interests n see where its best for his player instead of lining his pockets.

07 Jun 2026 12:52:16
I think Ornstein's a sound journalist.

07 Jun 2026 14:05:23
I think Bayern are just annoyed at us for Wirtz choosing us over them, while also looking like we'll beat them to Diomande and Eichorn if the rumours are true.

07 Jun 2026 14:20:38
I agree, Chewy. Too many "ifs" and "buts" here and there on this topic.

Hence, to me, there is nothing to see here.

07 Jun 2026 14:24:30
@Overkill, social media says the players are unsettled. The players themselves haven't said anything in public.

07 Jun 2026 11:00:11
{Ed's Note - Davey Sulls has posted a new article entitled, Iraola Expectations and Liverpool Squad Priorities

07 Jun 2026 12:48:31
Minor correction. I do hope to win the league next season. I just don't expect it. 😃

07 Jun 2026 13:04:44
League's the lowest quality it's been in a generation, with the right signings, I'm quietly confident we could surprise a few people. Last season's purchases will be more accustomed, and I think they suit Iraola's style.

07 Jun 2026 13:25:41
Davey Woodmans out of contract, buddy. Be good for the club to give him a one year deal again.

07 Jun 2026 14:20:44
Nice one, Davey.

The fitness question will be about how far the base has dropped. It's been mentioned here over the years that a fitness base for high intensity can take multiple seasons to build up. I would hope our base is not that far gone and that a good pre-season can get us a decent leg of the way there.



In terms of keeping the likes of Gakpo etc around, I think the suits might think differently. They seem keen on an almost full turnover of Klopp's final group.

07 Jun 2026 17:34:57
Superb analysis there, Davey. Much appreciated!

If Iraola lets the dogs off the leash, I think so many players will benefit: Kerkez, Frimpong, Gakpo to name a few.

08 Jun 2026 07:33:42
Frimpong???? Sunday league player. If even.

07 Jun 2026 10:49:24
I reckon the Real Madrid 150 million bid Mr Perez is on about is Diomande.

07 Jun 2026 11:03:51
Isn't it about Olise?

07 Jun 2026 11:36:02
It's already been stated widely that it's Olise. Also why would they pay 150 for Diomande when he's available for around 100? Not sure overpaying for a young prospect (one who is not yet a galactico) is a good way to appeal to the Real fans when your rival is promising Haaland.

07 Jun 2026 11:39:21
When was the last time you paid 150% of a bill?

07 Jun 2026 11:49:55
KK or Olise.

07 Jun 2026 11:49:58
I read it was Kvaratschelia. Makes sense.

07 Jun 2026 12:58:20
Kvaratschelia, he's already denied it's Olise.

07 Jun 2026 14:22:04
Then Bayern can use that money when they sell Olise, to get Rio.

07 Jun 2026 20:15:00
I love the quality of the fantasists standing for election - 'When I win we will have (insert name here) and buy KK, Haaland, Olisse etc, etc, etc and they have their AI generated images and their unbridled sense of entitlement.

Basically, they just lie and make stuff up, and equally entitled idiots buy into it and actually believe them. I hope Perez is re-elected, he seems to be doing a bang up job in causing massive damage from within.

07 Jun 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, Midfielders linked against Gravenberch from this season

Click picture for larger image

07 Jun 2026 10:44:22
Stats indicate Sangare would be the one to suit a deeper lying midfielder, him and Grav deep, Szob further forward, and Wirtz on the left seems a decent midfield set up.

07 Jun 2026 10:53:10
Superimpose Szob too on this, and then we can find the player who helps fill the chart the best. xD

07 Jun 2026 10:54:02
Yes, absolutely. I don't like going by stats, but "possession won" levels by Sangare are what we need in the middle.

07 Jun 2026 14:23:09
Wirtz should be nowhere near any flank, right or left. He should be where we signed him to be as in, in the no. 10 role.

07 Jun 2026 09:54:54
Excuse my ignorance, but if it's a case that Iraola wants to assess his current squad, will he not have to wait until everyone is back from the World Cup before decisions are made with regards to ins and outs? If that was the case, it would be late July before we'd make a move in the market, which doesn't leave much time to integrate new players into a new system.

Or do we think a list of targets are already at hand and are hopefully acquired by the time everyone is due back for training on the 7th (World Cup players still in the competition aside).

07 Jun 2026 10:19:59
I very much doubt we will wait until late July to start doing deals. If anything, at this point, the most important thing is to replace the players who have already left. We should only consider selling players who are desperate to leave, or if we get good offers for ones that we can replace and/or don't fit the system.

It makes sense for him to want to keep fringe players, maybe like Elliott, though, to see if he can work with them.

07 Jun 2026 10:23:45
We also need to consider selling injury prone players.

07 Jun 2026 10:24:49
@Not, why would he/we need to wait? Preseason starts whenever it starts, hence the assessment of players in general starts from that moment, if not before, depending on who is still available for the start of preseason.

Also, "Doni" can always go back and watch videos and games from last season or even the season before to get a good view of player performances when things were going well (title season) and when things weren't (last season). I don't see the issue personally.

Regarding players targeted, pretty sure the club had and continues to do its due diligence on players regardless of whether Slot was sacked or "Doni" got hired.

The wheels keep turning regardless.

For ex., Iraola wanted Diomande while at B'Mouth after a trial but the deal couldn't be done, I read on here. We are more than in for Diomande right now so whether Slot (who also wanted Diomande) is sacked or Iraola (who also wanted him at B'Mouth) is hired, nothing changed. Respectfully, I don't see the issue.

07 Jun 2026 10:53:30
Doesn't every new manager at every club say they are going to assess all players.

07 Jun 2026 10:58:05
He's been around in the league for 3 years, and played LFC at least twice a year. He's probably studied most LFC players before facing them. Not ideal to have many available after the World Cup, but it's not such an obstacle either.

07 Jun 2026 11:07:53
I don't think it's a case of him assessing main transfer targets etc. I think he's having a look at the fringe players and young lads to see who he wants in the first team and who he wants out on loan.

07 Jun 2026 11:15:47
My guess is that you're basing this post off the recent claim that the club would wait for Iraola to assess everyone before decisions were made on transfers, which is complete nonsense. First of all, the framework hasn't changed. Iraola was signed as a head coach, not a manager. Edwards still has all the power, and any talk of Iraola having power on transfers is purely PR. When it comes to potential outgoings, the players themselves will decide whether they want to leave or not.

I'm sure Iraola will want to speak to those he sees in his future plans asap, but the club will have already sounded out those who may leave, and ultimately it's the players' choice. Not to mention that the recruitment team would have been deciding on a shortlist of targets all season long, so yes, a list of targets is very much at hand and has been for some time.

07 Jun 2026 11:45:17
What's everyone's thoughts on Morgan Gibbs White, scores goals and assists, runs his heart out, and seems just what we need to drive this forward....

07 Jun 2026 11:57:13
Gibbs White does put up numbers in a struggling side, which is impressive in itself, and he's pretty versatile too. I wouldn't say no, but where does he fit in, who's place is he taking? I know Macca might be on his way, but we need a battle axe for the midfield, not another AM.

He would be a good replacement for Jones in a sense, but I can't see him making a move to play off the bench.

07 Jun 2026 12:32:57
Iraola said he's looking at everybody, esp the players who won't be at the World Cup because they'll be playing most of the pre-season games, but unlike Slot, who wouldn't hardly look at them, this manager will if they impress.

07 Jun 2026 14:01:03
Forrest quoted Man City 100 million £ last season, so he won't be cheap! (MGW)

07 Jun 2026 15:55:39
Appreciate everyone's response. I guess I'm just hopeful that Iraola will root out the dross that have been robbing a wage from the club over the last 18 months, and will be happy to tell the powers that be to wield the axe where needed, and they will get the suitable replacements in.