Liverpool Banter 4

20 Jun 2026 14:02:03
Not LFC related but Bowen is in talks with Bournemouth.

20 Jun 2026 14:16:47
Rayan to Liverpool confirmed then. Cheers, mate!

20 Jun 2026 15:43:36
Rayan-field for me also, 20 on the 03 August 2026 natural left footer, six foot two inches tall, physically built like a monster, Premier League proven 5 goals and 2 assists in 15 PL games (Wirtz got 5 goals and 3 assists in 31 PL games last season).

Ye won't get in an Ancelotti World Cup/Iraola Squad if you can't play elite football at the highest level, has the world at his feet and the prime years of his career to come also.



Concerning Ancelotti, a foreign coach has never won the World Cup? In every WC tournament since its inception in 1930, the head coach/manager has always had the same nationality as the team that won the World Cup Final.

Del Bosque, one of Andoni's mentors, is the only manager/coach to ever win the World Cup, European Championships, European Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

VVD versus Isak tonight 18:00 BBC One.

20 Jun 2026 09:19:09
Morning,

Not itk.

However, putting 2+2 together from some reporters, I think the plan is for Diomande & Barcola with Gakpo leaving this summer.

Romano keeps alluding to the fact that we are chasing Barcola still, however it’s said as a separate note to Diomande. Combining this with Ben Jacobs/Alex Crook who are Hughes’ mates saying that we aren’t shopping Gakpo but ‘would sell for the right deal’ is very Diaz from last year.



Definitely not one that would be done before PSG sign a replacement and could be completely wrong. Just think there is more to what is being said.

20 Jun 2026 10:25:45
Sorry, mate, I don't see both. We want Diomande for the right wing, with Frimpong as cover, and even Harvey Elliott. Left wing would be Munoz (who can also play right) and Rio. Also, Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike can play on the left.

20 Jun 2026 11:03:35
If we Diomande follows Munoz, and Gakpo does go, I would be surprised if it is Barcola we go for, but rather someone who can play centrally. Someone who can play a false9 would be a nice touch to our front line options.

Who is the next Bobby Firmino in world football?

20 Jun 2026 11:10:30
Darwin on a free solves the centre forward crisis.

Isak as back up to Darwin makes sense.

20 Jun 2026 11:14:01
I don't see why it's not feasible. Diomande replaces Salah, Munoz replaces Chiesa, Barcola replaces Gakpo.

LW - Barcola, Ngumoha
St - Isak, Ekitike
RW - Diomande, Munoz.

20 Jun 2026 11:29:14
JK, you know that ain't gonna happen. If, and it's a big if, Isak stays fit, then he will likely be a starter. Maybe the other way round, I quite like the idea of DN coming back, especially on a free, gives options from the bench.

20 Jun 2026 12:07:09
I think signing 3 wingers in front of Rio would be a problem we don't need to be creating. Rio should be getting about 15-20 starts next season. Having Barcola, Diomande and Munoz ahead of him would block that.



A creative central solution to cover while Hugo recovers would make a lot more sense if Gakpo is sold. If Gakpo stays, then he can be that guy.

20 Jun 2026 12:15:15
Darwin does not solve the CF issue since he misses 9/10 chances.
There are better, leftfield options out there.

20 Jun 2026 12:31:46
I think it would be interesting to see Darwin in a false 9 role. His link up play is better than his finishing. He can be quite useful when dropping deep.

20 Jun 2026 12:32:35
Bazzinga, There's no chance we went from pursuing Barcola to settling for Munoz inside 4 days of the window opening; the levels are miles apart. Munoz is not being brought in as a starter.

20 Jun 2026 12:55:25
How about Lewandowski to cover? He's on a free too.

20 Jun 2026 12:57:01
I also think Munoz will be used just like Jota was, as he too can play multiple positions.

20 Jun 2026 13:00:23
Barcola is the backstop for Diomande. Given that PSG are the only real competition for the Diomande signing, the Barcola backstop is elegant.

I would be gobsmacked if we are looking to sign both after signing Munoz. And yes, I was gobsmacked we signed Isak and Ekitike last summer.

Don't forget that the Rio contract negotiations are due. Signing three wingers would make that very difficult.

20 Jun 2026 13:04:27
I'd probably make Darwin captain and put him on penalties, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks, and team talks.

20 Jun 2026 13:32:13
Nunez for player manager!

20 Jun 2026 13:34:12
FlyPelicanFly, I don't see an issue. Bringing in 3 gives us 4 wingers (I expect Gakpo to either cover Ekitike or move on), 2 each side, meaning there's just 1 senior player ahead of Rio. Also necessary for playing Iraola's style if we want to be challenging on all fronts. We were extraordinarily lucky that Mo was as good, fit and resilient as he was; that's not going to happen again. We need 4 wingers.

As much as I like the kid, Rio is not remotely ready to shoulder the responsibility of being a full-time starter; there's massive holes in his game still. No doubt we need a senior player ahead of him to allow him the time he needs to grow, and also somebody to learn from.

Diomande predominantly plays RW, Barcola LW. I don't see Barcola as a backstop, but as a possible replacement for Gakpo.

20 Jun 2026 13:50:09
Chewy, don't underestimate the playing expectations of the elite kids. Whether we think it is right or wrong, it is a reality.

Rio and his reps will be expecting him to start between 15-20 games next season, and that is not likely with 3 other first choice wingers to compete with.



Add to that the contract renegotiation, and it would be effectively a signal for him to seek first team opportunities elsewhere.

20 Jun 2026 14:15:45
Fly, You're phrasing and acting like there are 4 wingers fighting for 1 position, that's simply not the case. We will need 4 wingers, 2 each side, to play Iraola's style whilst challenging on all fronts, we know that, it's inarguable. It doesn't matter what Rio's team expects, the kid can't play beyond his capabilities. While he's a promising young talent, he's not a full-time starter, again, that's a pretty widely agreed-upon fact. 15 or so starts, as you suggested, in a 50+ game season is completely reasonable and wouldn't be affected by having 4 wingers, they're not all challenging for one position.

Iraola is not going to play one of them on both sides, ahead of Rio at every opportunity, which, even though you don't realise it, is what you're inadvertently suggesting. Think about it.

Munoz is clearly not first choice, he's had 1 season in La Liga with a club that barely escaped relegation, and he didn't even break double figures for G/A. Just 8. There's absolutely no chance we're bringing in a player like that to play first fiddle.

20 Jun 2026 14:23:42
I'm loving it, @JK 😀 Surely we put him on a two-year contract, let it run down, and then he can be off to RM?

20 Jun 2026 14:26:23
I'm with Chewy here. Rio would get a good amount of starts even with 4 wingers, and that's without unforeseen injuries. If Gakpo goes, I'd be worried if we only had 3 wingers, especially as one of the wingers will probably be deputising as striker while Ekitike is out. With the potential of around 60 games this season, we need more than 3.

20 Jun 2026 15:03:28
Stop with Nunez back stuff. He bombed in the Saudi league for God's sake. Let's see what Adoni wants, and it's been debunked that we enquired anyway.

20 Jun 2026 15:23:36
It's hard to read in the comments, but it's all sarcasm, Fatwallet.

20 Jun 2026 15:33:39
Maybe Munoz, being able to play across the front three, is the Isak backup/Ekitike part season replacement, then he'll move out wide left and replace Gakpo as the rotational competition for Rio from next summer.

20 Jun 2026 15:40:34
Lofty1979, no chance.

20 Jun 2026 17:01:28
Darwin Nunez. That is all.

20 Jun 2026 08:53:31
I would say that any four of the following based on specific needs would constitute a good window.

Diamonde (a matter of time I think)
Sadiki
Kone
Scott
Palestra
Kayode
Ordonez
Barcola
Gertruida
Ayari

This is also based on Allisson and VVD staying for one more season.

20 Jun 2026 09:18:36
Hasn't Kone just broken his leg! Unless that's a different player.

20 Jun 2026 10:28:19
Long thing, different Kone. The one mentioned by Hughes is the France Kone.

20 Jun 2026 11:21:22
Thanks for clarifying, KP. Manu Kone indeed.
I actually think we need more than four to improve the squad overall and add depth, but I feel FSG won't commit to more than four.
I personally think now is the time for major change, out with the old, in with the new !!!

20 Jun 2026 14:34:06
Marmadashvili

Frimpong
Jacquet
Leoni
Kerkez

??
??

Ekitike
Wirtz
Munoz

Isak

All 9 signed post Jurgen. You could add Chiesa too.

I think the 'in with the new is actually well underway.

20 Jun 2026 01:41:23
Fleet of foot, that Munoz

20 Jun 2026 07:41:04
Hi eds1
Do you know if we have got any back room staff that Iraola wants in yet.?

{Ed001's Note - I don't, sorry. I do expect some of them to be announced in the next week, they want it pretty much done ahead of pre-season.}

20 Jun 2026 08:08:59
I thought we bought in a couple of guys from his team and rumours of Thiago also joining the coaching team.
My concern is around guys whose job is to keep players fit, physio and all. We need to get practical guys and get rid of the harpoon that sits there right now.

20 Jun 2026 08:27:29
They announced the departures of staff the other week which included Ruben Peetera, the "de-conditioning" coach... We will be alright.

20 Jun 2026 08:45:24
Thiago, Tommy Elphick and De Torre all joining prior to pre-season, some from next week, I believe.
Thiago was the guy Carra said he's excited about, I think.

20 Jun 2026 08:50:54
Would be great if Milner is involved somewhere.

20 Jun 2026 10:17:58
Lol, Man of Todd!!..de-conditioning coach!!! 🤣 💥 🫵

20 Jun 2026 10:23:38
It would, Taurus, if Milly fits the bill and if Iraola wants him. A fantastic player and individual, but I have zero idea in what he would bring to the backroom coaching staff.

Can he coach is the first question, how good is he would be the second, would he fit in Iraola's plan is the last. Perhaps. Perhaps not. It'd be magnificent if so, but sentiment can blur reality.

20 Jun 2026 11:01:27
Guess it depends on the position Shankly and what he wants. Maybe some role with the youth for now. Kind of like how Stevie got involved a few years back.

I just think it's good to have these people in our setup who really understand what it means to be Liverpool.

20 Jun 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Rangers Pre-Season Matters This Year

19 Jun 2026 21:48:03
The thing with Diomande is not it's mine or your money, so let's not worry about it. We have to replace someone who has been outstanding for so many years and if the club sees that in Diomande then I'm all in.

19 Jun 2026 22:29:11.
Whose money is it then?

All the money in the game, directly or indirectly, comes from the fans.

• TV subs are the biggest one.
• TV advertising is another, and they pay that money because they feel the advertising influences the spending habits of the fans.



A very small percentage of the money in the game comes from the super rich benefactors who may or may not be involved in something called 'sports washing'.

19 Jun 2026 23:19:24
Nestle makes chocolates and a big variety of dairy products. They have customers globally. The customers fund Nestle through their purchases. Are you saying the customers should have a say in what their products taste like, look like?

20 Jun 2026 00:01:57
Or more importantly, should we have a say in where Nestle source their ingredients and how much they pay?

Ron, we do provide the funding, directly and indirectly, to the club. But it's not up to us how they choose to spend it.



If the club decide to buy one superstar and 5 other players from lower leagues, I don't really care. I just want success on the pitch and for us not to breach any rules that affect results (obvs, as we're not Citeh).

{Ed001's Note - yes, we should have a say, then they wouldn't be stealing water from drought areas, causing more of a drought. Then selling that water they stole back to those people they stole it from, as bottled water at a massive mark up. Just for an example, people should be able to say no, you can't do that. There needs to be some oversight always.}

20 Jun 2026 00:50:16
It's got to come from somewhere.
5 - 10% on season tickets, a fiver on all things in the club shop, you pay your hard earned, but it's not enough to have a say on business.
It's their business that they're not involved with, out of the goodness of their hearts.


It's a long term venture in which they'll want 2x, 3x, 4x their initial investment, but out of the goodness of their heart let us support!

20 Jun 2026 01:03:55
Let's get a bit of perspective, Hoof It. Liverpool season ticket prices, when reported in the Echo (from their own data unit) rose by 0.4% over the previous 10 years (from 2014-15 to 2023-24) and then rose by 2% in 2024-25. So, not sure where you get 5-10% per season from??

For context, in the same time period, Everton went up 25% and Man City by over 40%.



And to your point about not having a say in how the money is spent in terms of players, you're damn right! We should definitely have a voice, through fan groups, but it's absolutely right that your fiver doesn't give you a say on how it's spent. That's life.

20 Jun 2026 01:22:39
My apologies.
My 5 - 10% was a generic way of saying prices will be increasing. Absolutely no way factual.
All I am saying is whatever their outlay is, it's not from their goodness and they'll want a return on that investment.

20 Jun 2026 01:39:32
ArAy 1969, Well Nestle's customers do have a say in what the products taste like because if they taste rank then no-one will buy them and the business will fold.

What I'm saying is, it's nonsense to say "it's not our money". It absolutely is money from fans that supports this business.

The more money they spend on transfer fees/wages/agent fees, then the more prices will increase - whether it be TV packages, merchandise or ticket prices.

I'm not advocating for having a say in how it's spent, just that it is the fans who pay ultimately.

20 Jun 2026 04:01:48
@Ron, it's simple - stop putting money into the club. It isn't compulsory to give money to football clubs. Nobody is making you do it. But in contributing to revenues you are acknowledging that the money you bring to the club is used in a way that the owners of the business see fit.

That's as far as your, mine, our contribution goes. It would be different if we were shareholders but we aren't.

20 Jun 2026 06:40:06
In the last 30 years, Liverpool season tickets have increased by over 300% (£220-£260 to £700-£900+), and match day tickets (£15-£20 to £39-£65).

20 Jun 2026 07:37:19
You've just got me wrong.

It's the phrase "it's not our money" or the notion that it's not the fans who are paying.

The fans do pay for players' wages and transfers.

I'm not complaining about it, I'm just stating the reality - it is our money.

20 Jun 2026 07:47:49
Is this really a conversation? It stopped being your money the second you spent it. None of us have any say in how it is used after that, because it's not ours.

{Ed001's Note - of course we have a say, we can stop spending it if we don't like what is done with it.}

20 Jun 2026 07:56:38
Let me start off by saying I want to be wrong about this fella.

There's a bit of hypocrisy going on here, folks. There are ample occasions where people lose their minds about what wages x player is being offered, people leaving on a free etc.

But when it's a shiny new thing that is the latest trendy player, all of a sudden it's "don't worry about finances".

This kid has had 1 season at a good standard of football and has done nowhere near enough to warrant £100mil fee.

Be honest with yourselves about this. Nobody had ever heard of him before this last season.

When people don't fancy a certain attacker, the argument is how poor the defending is in the Bundesliga?

Don't give me "it's the market" b******* either, because it's clearly not. We are being milked and there's no margin for error with this transfer and money involved.

20 Jun 2026 06:46:42
A few thoughts.

A player like Diomande is worth however much someone is willing to pay for him or her. That is one of the most fundamental principles of any market, whether we are talking about football, business, art, or any other industry. Value is not determined solely by statistics, opinions, or what people think something should cost. Instead, value is ultimately determined by what a buyer is prepared to spend and what a seller is prepared to accept. In football, this reality often creates debate among supporters, pundits, and commentators, particularly when transfer fees reach levels that appear excessive or difficult to justify on the surface eg Anthony Gordon to Barca in my humble opinion.
Every transfer window seems to bring renewed discussion about whether a particular player is "worth" the amount being paid. Some supporters look at a transfer fee and immediately compare it to the player's recent performances, goals scored, assists provided, or appearances made. Others compare the fee to previous transfers and question how the market has evolved. Yet football clubs are not making these decisions based purely on public perception. They are making them based on a wide range of moneyball factors including current market conditions, future potential, commercial value, squad requirements, contractual situations, and long-term strategic planning.
The reality is that a player's worth is rarely a simple calculation. Clubs employ teams of analysts, scouts, sporting directors, financial experts, and recruitment specialists who spend countless hours assessing whether a transfer represents good value. They consider not only what a player can contribute immediately, but also how they may develop over time, how they fit into a manager's system, and what value they may retain in the future. While supporters naturally focus on what happens on the pitch, clubs are often looking at a much bigger picture. Diomande is also about potential.
As fans, to take Ron. Keague it is perfectly reasonable and valid to have opinions about transfer fees and recruitment decisions. Football thrives on debate, and differing views are part of what makes supporting a club so engaging. Some transfers that appear expensive ultimately prove to be bargains like Alisson, while others that initially seem like excellent deals lik Keita fail to deliver the expected return. Hindsight often shapes how we view these decisions, but at the time they are made there are always risks involved. No club can guarantee success with every signing, regardless of the amount spent.
It is also important to remember that the financial realities of modern football are very different from those experienced by ordinary supporters. The sums involved in transfers can seem staggering when compared to everyday life. Millions of pounds changing hands for a single player naturally attracts attention and scrutiny. However, these decisions are made within the context of an industry that generates enormous revenues through broadcasting agreements, sponsorships, commercial partnerships, ticket sales, and global fan engagement. While the figures may appear extraordinary to the average person, they are part of the economic landscape in which modern football operates.
Ultimately, it is not our hard-earned money being spent directly. As supporters, we invest emotionally in our clubs, and many of us also contribute financially through tickets, merchandise, subscriptions, and travel. That investment gives us every right to care deeply about the direction of the club and the decisions being made. At the same time, we are not the ones tasked with balancing budgets, negotiating contracts, assessing risk, or planning for future seasons. Those responsibilities belong to the people appointed to run the club.
Because of that, there has to be an element of trust. Trust does not mean blind acceptance of every decision, nor does it mean supporters should never question the club's actions. Healthy scrutiny and discussion are part of football culture. However, there is a difference between questioning a decision and assuming incompetence before the outcome is known. Most clubs, regardless of size, are attempting to make decisions they believe will improve the team and strengthen their position in the future.
When a club decides to spend a significant amount on a player, it is usually because they believe the potential rewards outweigh the risks. They may see qualities that are not immediately obvious to supporters. They may have identified a specific need within the squad that the player can address. They may believe the player has the ability to improve considerably under the right coaching and environment. Whatever the reasoning, the decision is typically based on far more information than is available to the public.
Supporters should also recognise that transfer fees often reflect circumstances beyond pure footballing ability. Contract length, competition from rival clubs, market demand, age profile, nationality, commercial appeal, and timing can all influence a player's price. A fee that appears inflated may simply reflect the realities of a competitive marketplace where clubs are fighting for the same talent.
At the end of the day, football is about more than balance sheets and transfer fees. What matters most is whether players contribute to the success and progress of the team. A signing that helps deliver trophies, qualification for major competitions, or long-term improvement can quickly change perceptions about value. Equally, a player signed for a modest fee can become a club legend, while an expensive acquisition may struggle to meet expectations.
A player is therefore worth whatever someone is willing to pay for him or her. That is how markets work, regardless of whether everyone agrees with the price. As supporters, we can analyse, debate, and speculate, but we should also recognise that those making the decisions have access to information and expertise that we do not. It is not our hard-earned money on the negotiating table, but our hopes, ambitions, and loyalty are invested in the club. For that reason, we place our faith in the people responsible for guiding it, trusting that they will make the best decisions they can for the benefit of the team, the supporters, and the future of the club as a whole.

20 Jun 2026 08:12:45
Rola, congratulations on breaking the site's biggest ever comment record, mate.

Giving me Beckers Peckers vibes and I didn't even read it. 🤣

20 Jun 2026 09:01:51
The numbers are so abnormal to the everyday person, we can't easily assess the rights and wrongs and value of the business we do.

The only way, really, is relativity to other business done by top 6 clubs, Bayern, PSG, RM, Barca and AM.

That's the market, and Diomande, as an example, looks relatively high given his age and experience, but maybe he's just the latest benchmark.

20 Jun 2026 09:03:39
Thought Shappy swapped teams there with that post...

20 Jun 2026 09:33:51
Wow, that was a long post. Got to be honest, I never bothered reading it.

20 Jun 2026 10:26:19
Poor old RedCola!!. 🤣🤣 I didn't read it either, but the comments after are great craic!!!. 🤣🤣 💥💥

20 Jun 2026 11:44:11
Thankfully, it was only a few thoughts...

20 Jun 2026 12:43:08
Yes ed, but I think you've misread my message. Of course we can stop giving the club money if we don't like what's being done with it, but what I said is once we ALREADY HAVE given it to the club, then it's not up to us. It is categorically not our money at that point.

{Ed001's Note - I didn't miss it, I think you are missing the point, they need that income to keep coming in, so they still have to behave in a manner that keeps us onside. So we do still have power over it.}

20 Jun 2026 13:30:32
It is literally the fans money, all of it, FSG doesn't invest their own money; when they have invested, it's been through loans or equity share. If it wasn't for the fans spending money, the club wouldn't have a penny - TV deals, ticket sales, merch, even participation fees and prize money... pretty much all of it is generated by the fans, of course they should have a say.



ArAy1969, are you having a laugh? You do realise that something called 'product testing' and 'market research' exist, right? Not to mention that customer backlash plays a huge role in how companies produce their products. There are countless examples of companies who had to revert to old methods/recipes because of the public backlash after they altered their production methods.

20 Jun 2026 13:08:53
Two different conversations I think Ed. I'll leave it there.

19 Jun 2026 20:44:54
What is Poch wearing? He looks like he has just slid out from underneath your car after checking your chassis.

19 Jun 2026 21:25:46
It's a tactic to distract the Aussies with his best Russel Crowe impersonation?

19 Jun 2026 21:25:49
Poch may not look good, but this is easily the best the US team has ever looked in my lifetime.

19 Jun 2026 21:43:11
Not saying a lot there, Dbav.

19 Jun 2026 21:50:31
I'm almost for it. I got USA in the sweepstake at work.

20 Jun 2026 09:12:30
The US will be quite hard to beat as their work rate is excellent, they're pacey and physical, a number of talented players, and they're well drilled tactically.

They've progressed a lot as a nation, and a few of the African teams are now looking the part as well. It's quite an open tournament, although France are still the best team.

20 Jun 2026 10:27:39
I got Turkey. Already turned out to be a turkey. 🦃🦃

20 Jun 2026 14:41:42
Will there be a pre-match military parade if America get to the Final?

20 Jun 2026 16:20:13
He looks like Russell Crowe!

19 Jun 2026 20:02:10
You would think with all the money FIFA is raking in they could afford an extra chair for the VAR room. There is always one poor bugger standing up at the back.