Liverpool Banter 4

18 Jun 2026 14:56:35
I was heartened by the warm welcome of fellow posters the other day, really appreciate all of you

Given I'm Asian and with the WC ongoing, I just wonder from fellow Eds and posters, who is the best Asian player you've seen in the PL?

Personally, it was hands down Park Ji Sung - stamina, skills, quick, game intelligence, discipline and versatile. He had everything in the locker and was a proven and consistent winner.

Son Heung-Min would be next, and I often wonder how we would be if we had him instead of Firmino (not that one was better than the other, they would have offered different things and I note at one point we were choosing between the two), or how it would be if we had both! Alas, he was with spurs in the entire PL journey and didn't taste as much success as he probably should have.

I really hoped that Minamino and Endo would be great with us. Both did well, but perhaps wasn't as pivotal as Park or Son per say for their respective teams.

{Ed001's Note - Son for me, but that is because I like him as a person as well, whereas Park was a bit of a dick by all accounts.}

18 Jun 2026 15:58:36
Son given who the other guy played for.

Outside of the Premier League, Nakata all day long!

{Ed001's Note - when Nakata signed for AS Roma, they produced a polo shirt with his name on it and the sales paid for the transfer fee on its own.}

18 Jun 2026 16:02:26
Has to be Sonny, incredible footballer and top lad, would have loved for him to have been a Liverpool player. I loved Kagawa as a player at BVB, of course, it was harder to like him as a United player and he made a bit less of an impression there.

Okazaki was more than decent, too. Early days still, and he's not perfect, but I like watching Khusanov a lot.

18 Jun 2026 16:02:44
I always wonder how Keisuke Honda would have done in PL. We were linked with him a couple of times, and I remember getting excited with the prospect of him joining us. Had a wicket left foot too.

18 Jun 2026 16:05:26
Surely there is no comparison between Park Ji-Sung and Son simply on their abilities and performances. It was not Son's fault he was at Spurs, he did whatever he could to drag them up. There's no way Park Ji-Sung was a better player than Son.

18 Jun 2026 16:10:29
Red_Riding_Hood, Keisuke had a great engine too.

God, it's been over 10 years since I last cracked that joke!

18 Jun 2026 16:27:33
Park Ji Sung was the first name that came to mind. He was the first real Asian superstar playing the PL when I was growing up. But I think Son is a better player. Park is mainly known for his endless stamina, but Son is just a more complete footballer for me.

18 Jun 2026 16:38:11
I thought Son was a brilliant player and he seemed a nice bloke as well.

18 Jun 2026 16:42:22
Son.

I desperately wanted him at LFC, loved his style and attitude, but can't complain because we had an excellent Mane on the left.

Son and Alexis Sanchez are 2 players I really wanted when we were linked.

18 Jun 2026 16:47:38
I remembered how desperately I wanted us to sign Keisuke Honda. I got so excited when we were linked with him years back. But Son is probably the best out of them all. Park is more of a utility player, but Son is like one of the main stars in the Spurs team.

18 Jun 2026 16:48:54
Son. I personally thought that him leaving Spurs had a bigger negative impact on them than Kane leaving.

18 Jun 2026 16:48:56
Am I right in thinking Liverpool were deciding between Son and Firmino at the time, and decided to go with Firmino?

My word, what those two could have done together. I could be completely wrong, and it wasn't one or the other, but I seem to remember that being the case.

18 Jun 2026 17:11:31
What about Shinji Kagawa? He did very well with Dortmund under Klopp, before he joined ManU. Which basically ruined him.

18 Jun 2026 17:12:05
Who was the lad at Celtic who used to score crazy free kicks? Can't remember his name, but always thought he would have been great in the Premiership.

18 Jun 2026 17:12:46
Mango, I've heard that too. If we'd got Son, we wouldn't have signed Benteke.

But if that had happened, Rogers may have stayed on longer and we may not have got Klopp.

The world moves in mysterious ways!

18 Jun 2026 17:04:35
Oh wow, was Park a dick Ed mate? didn't know that and the little I saw of him, he looked like a decent chap

{Ed001's Note - he was known for ignoring people asking for autographs etc. Not like Stevie (who used bodyguards to pretend he had somewhere else to be so he couldn't stop long) G, who used to at least sign a few, Park would literally just ignore them totally. Every United fan I know would moan about him blanking them.}

18 Jun 2026 18:10:58
Charlie, that was Shuksuke Nakamura that played with Celtic. Was a superstar up here, I actually thought he did end up playing in the EPL, but I could be wrong.

18 Jun 2026 19:56:55
Has to be Son, although I would Youssi Benayoun would be a pretty close runner up.

18 Jun 2026 20:18:01
Can remember when Son was playing at Anfield... There was a corner and someone shouted from the Kop, 'throw us another pie in the fat'...

18 Jun 2026 21:08:54
Rugby, yes mate, that was him. Once watched him score an impossible goal against St Mirren, I was sitting directly behind him. It was one of his special free kicks. He didn't play in the Premiership, unfortunately.

18 Jun 2026 21:17:11
True that about Son based on what many shared, just that he didn't quite win as much for me.

Then again, I am reminded that my own question was about the best player, and, football being a team sport, unfortunately, some of the best and most talented players were just never in teams good enough to win much.



Also liked the various names mentioned. I did like Youssi Benayoun. Honda would have been interesting, but yes, Nakata in the 90s and early 2000s was quite something, though he only had a very brief spell in England towards the end of his career.

18 Jun 2026 22:02:01
A dose of nostalgia seeing Nakata's name. I remember watching Football Italia on Channel 4 as a kid with the likes of Nakata standing out, which is some feat given the quality of the league at the time.

19 Jun 2026 09:11:15
Kazuyoshi Miura was the first Asian player I ever heard of in the 90's. He actually played in the Brazilian League for Santos, Pele's team.

A living monument in Japanese football and a true pioneer.

As of a couple of years ago, "Kazu" was still playing in his early 50's in the J-League second division.

Legend.

18 Jun 2026 14:56:20
Hearing from a mate in Newcastle that the rumour doing the rounds up there is that they were essentially haggling to get the price dropped by like 2mil euros. He said the fans are fuming about this as they all thought it was a done deal.

He personally isn’t bothered that it was us again but more that the fans are losing patience with the board. Seems like a cock up like.

18 Jun 2026 16:12:57
One article I read (clickbait, tho) seemed to confirm that Newcastle offered just below the buy out clause, which seems a bit daft.

Also, RM would have preferred Newcastle, as they were going to maintain some sell-on clause for RM, whereas all that we (apparently) have offered to sweeten the deal is to offer RM first refusal if and when we sell him.

But we set the price, it's not fixed.

TBF, RM do owe us for the way they snuck TAA and Konate away on frees (or close to free in the case of TAA and what his worth has been).

18 Jun 2026 17:21:20
Zed, you know that once a contractual obligation is over, all bets are off, neither team or the player owes anything to either one. So nobody really "owes anything" to either one. Yes, they snuck both players away from us but it was both players colluding with Real to get that outcome. That's how the cookie crumbles; can't do much about it.

"All players are transient employees," in the words of a wise man.

And after over a 100 years' existence, if a club's management can't figure out that a player is stalling and is just buying time, then what are they there for? This is not amateur sports. Sell the guy and move on.

18 Jun 2026 22:07:49
ArAy, RM have an option to buy him back.

The pressures/obligations they were applying to us and Newcastle were to stop RM buying him back and jacking his price.

I am very aware of how contractual obligations work. 👍

18 Jun 2026 22:52:36
Zed, I was referring purely to the TAA and Konate situations. Not the Munoz kid as I had never heard of him before we bought him.

18 Jun 2026 14:43:15
Hi Ed,
Do you think Frimpong might be moved on or loaned under Iraola? He is not the best defensively and seeing how we are shopping for wingers, not sure he is fancied.

I think he was not the best buys, and should be let go if we get a suitable offer.

Cheers!

{Ed001's Note - I expect him to stay for now. Iraola might well love his attacking intent.}

18 Jun 2026 16:15:23
Attacking intent? Never seen it with Frimpo.

{Ed001's Note - then you have no idea what you are talking about.}

18 Jun 2026 17:14:54
I think he will do well in the new set up, as long as he can stay fit. Pace to burn, and we will need good options with Iraola's crazy football.

18 Jun 2026 17:22:35
😂😂😂. Comedy gold.

18 Jun 2026 17:14:49
I don't know whether it's because I haven't taken my medication for a few days, but I'm getting Harry vibes from Thirstforwirtz AND Jovanaldinho10

Is he back to spamming us again?

If you like chatting to yourself, Harry, go take your alter egos to the Man City site, you'll get plenty of airtime there.

18 Jun 2026 18:32:36
Tons of pace and really likes to get forward, I think he'll flourish under the new regime.

18 Jun 2026 19:56:58
I doubt it. He's not a good football player. imo. Perhaps I'll be proven incorrect, but I doubt that too.

18 Jun 2026 20:23:07
I had and still have high hopes for Frimpong. Very much hoping the new set up will make the most of his qualities.
Imagine having one of the fastest players in the world in your squad and not utilising it!

19 Jun 2026 09:13:14
Thirstforwirtz, I propose you take the rest of the year off with that burn.

18 Jun 2026 14:07:31
After watching one video, I will dare to say that Munoz's play is somewhat Suarez-esque.

18 Jun 2026 14:27:22
Easy, tiger. 😂 Hope you'll be saying that in 12 months time, but let's not get ahead of ourselves from YouTube videos.

18 Jun 2026 14:36:47
I think he is more Jota esque, but with more pace.

18 Jun 2026 14:51:34
Reminds me of Iker Muniain, who at one point I would have loved for us to sign. Never did quite hit the heights he should have though.

18 Jun 2026 14:45:04
Is there video of him biting somebody?

18 Jun 2026 15:45:13
Well he's deffo faster than Gak-slow, the new "Mane"-z and when Gakpoo goes for far more money an absolute steal at these prices!

Rayan to replace Salah next PL proven?

18 Jun 2026 16:15:06
I've watched 1.5 YT videos, so I believe I am far more qualified to offer an opinion than Adam, at least 50% more qualified.

The one thing that epitomises Munoz is Pace! And lots of it!

18 Jun 2026 17:24:21
I only watched a few videos, but he looks like a two-footed Doku to me. The speed and the dribbling. Don't know about the finishing.

18 Jun 2026 18:34:15
All this talk about Mane and seeing him the other night makes me pine for the times we had him, Bobby & Mo up front. 🥹

18 Jun 2026 20:17:41
It seems he reminds everyone of someone completely different.

I may watch a second video tomorrow to further enlighten you all. 😆

18 Jun 2026 13:57:15
I might get ridiculed but Munoz looks like Jota.
It can't just be me.

18 Jun 2026 14:13:14
He looks like Jota and Torres had a kid.

18 Jun 2026 14:32:31
Jota and Bellamy.

18 Jun 2026 13:53:55
Have Newcastle considered buying some anti virus software by now? Edward’s and Hughes must be snooping on their emails.

18 Jun 2026 14:59:16
Isak probably still in the group chat.

18 Jun 2026 13:37:13
Now that's the kind of signing we all love. Now let's move Gackpo and Jones and get an unknown DM and RB.

18 Jun 2026 12:33:59
Ed001 with the two wide players looking like sorted I know there is a big outcry for a new midfielder as well.
Do you think if Iraola can get a tune out of Gravenberch a midfield 3 of him Wirtz and szoboszlai is good enough or do you think we need a better number6.


Right back is my biggest concern after the wide forwards are sorted Ed am just not sold on Bradley or Frimpong don't think they are better defensively than Trent without Trent's passing range.

{Ed001's Note - I think we need a bit of bite personally, but Iraola might be able to make it work anyway. We defo need a right-back.}

18 Jun 2026 15:52:40
You really want Suarez back Ed1? He liked a bit of bite.

{Ed001's Note - not that kind of bite!}

18 Jun 2026 10:57:47
Might have got buried in beneath Munoz news. But did anyone read the letter Yan Diomande wrote to his sister titled Dear Roxanne?

Fair warning it is quite emotionally heavy and brought me to tears to be perfectly up front. But honestly just wow and is the type of thing that I think a lot of the world myself included need in the shape of perspective.

Because wow sometimes I think I have had a tough day or week or year even and it can be very easy to become self invested and back yourself up on how tough things have been.



But you read something as raw and hard hitting as that and it can't help but shift your perspective.

So honestly this is a message for those interested I would strongly recommend reading but also just to try make the world a more positive place. There is enough negativity and negative things in the world that when it comes to football and players and signings etc we probably don't need as much negativity as we have.

18 Jun 2026 11:55:10
The kind of guy we want at the club.

18 Jun 2026 12:05:34
This is why it is very important to remind ourselves footballers are people, first and foremost. Human beings who go through the exact same things, trials and tribulations, that we as fans do. We should remember that professional football is what these guys/gals do. It is most def not their lives.

There are many of us who are going through what Diomande and his sister are going through so we need to be careful and not allow criticism of their professional shortcomings on the pitch, to filter into their personal lives.

It is unacceptable, imo.

Whether Yan will see this or not and whether he signs for us or not, we are behind him and support him, his sister and their whole family. Be strong and courageous, and all will be fine.

YNWA!

18 Jun 2026 12:38:18
Just read it. Wow. Powerful, and it's very true what someone posted above... We have no idea what is happening in a player's life away from the pitch. Death of a father, death of a sister, partner seriously ill, child ill, etc etc.


This guy, for someone still so young, sounds very mature and a credit to how he has been raised.
If he signs for us, he'll be an asset both on and off the field. If he doesn't, I'll make sure I keep following his progress and wish him well.

18 Jun 2026 12:42:43
Hits in the feelings. Having lost my mother a few months ago, my sister is by far the closest family member I have and we helped each other get through the hardest times together.

Either way, if he comes to Liverpool or not, I want that guy to succeed.

To find the peace he is looking for.

And yeah, I would love to have the guy at Liverpool, even more so after reading the letter. Not just someone with hunger to prove something, but at the same time humble to still know what really matters at the end of the day.

18 Jun 2026 12:59:00
I'd like to add here that about half of all the players I've ever worked with have serious life issues, which they do their best to keep quiet and under control.

It makes me feel very sad when I see people giving players abuse for a bad performance, etc., when the vast majority of fans have no idea what might have caused that performance outside of football.



They're people too, and we should all do well to remember it. Being highly paid doesn't stop you feeling stressed or upset when your partner leaves, or your parent dies, or, for one particular occurrence - one parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer's the same day the other is killed by an errant driver, and they're both in a different country on the other side of the world.

18 Jun 2026 13:14:39
Let's hope Yan Diomande finds a place he can call home and feel loved here in Liverpool.

18 Jun 2026 13:24:14
Read it.

Cried.

Feel for the lad, how awful.

Inspired by his words.

Come here, Yan, and make a home.

18 Jun 2026 13:34:42
Oh wow.
Captain Cynical me but this - no words 😢 ❤️

The story (not taken his sister into account) of overcoming adversity reminded me of Mane a lot.

Sign this guy immediately - he is Exactly what we need.

18 Jun 2026 13:35:39
Konate will play most games for Jm. Don't worry about it. He has moved on from the greatest club on the planet; everything else is downhill.

No other club in the world can offer what the fans of LFC do to their players. It's not just a club, it's a home and a family, and we look after our own.

18 Jun 2026 14:01:39
What do Liverpool fans offer to their players that no other fans offer in the world?

18 Jun 2026 14:10:31
Do you not remember the love we all showed Arne Slot after the bad season we had, JK?
Bozo? Clown? Vile rat?
That sort of thing?

18 Jun 2026 15:06:33
I had this debate with a mate the other day. He is a Villa fan and has followed them home and away all of his life (he's 38) and only missed 9 months of a season once whilst on operational tour in Helmand Province. He was based in Plymouth for 7 years but saved his money and still traveled to every home game and whatever away game he could get tickets for.



He even traveled out to witness them win their first trophy in his lifetime when they won the Europa last month.

Despite all of this, I told him that every Liverpool fan worldwide is a better fan than him, as we are the greatest fans in the world.

He really couldn't argue against it.

18 Jun 2026 15:53:38
Is he a Royal Marine, JK?

18 Jun 2026 17:08:57
Was a Royal, mate, yes.

18 Jun 2026 23:44:47
JK, I only ask because I had a mate that was in the Marines based in Plymouth (among other places) that was killed in Helmand Province in 2010. The WC was on then, in South Africa, and I still miss him. He was the best company ever and he was a Wigan Athletic fan.
I had a pint with a Villa fan tonight funnily enough and he's a great bloke too.


I don't get too involved in this tribalism. I'm good friends with lots of United and Everton fans.
I've got nothing but respect for what your mate, and yourself, does/do because I haven't got the time, money or inclination these days.
It used to be £2.50 and pay on the day when I stood on the Kop.