Liverpool banter 7

16 Oct 2026 15:09:03
James Pearce's article today confirms that Pedro Marques will get a prominent role alongside Julian Ward. I am pretty happy about that, as he's very highly rated. Marques has been pivotal for some of the elite talent we have signed in the last 12 months.

It's also interesting that we are seeking strategic partnerships with clubs to give young talent first-team experience as an alternative to the multi-club model, which they deem too risky and complicated. I assume they already have something lined up; otherwise, they wouldn't say it.

And no "Bad News Pearce" article is complete without mentioning that the January transfer window is expected to be quiet unless an opportunity arises :)

16 Oct 2026 17:46:02
Very good news. Marques is the more important of the two for me.

16 Oct 2026 19:00:19
Has anyone heard who primary scouted and was pivotal in signing Jacquet for the club?

16 Oct 2026 20:08:44
Barry Hunter most likely.

16 Oct 2026 10:41:28
Thiago seems to be hanging around the club, doing interviews for the website. any chance of him taking a job here? 🤔🤔.

16 Oct 2026 11:11:09
Yes, in midfield.

16 Oct 2026 11:11:46
At 35, he could do a job in midfield if he's past his injury issues. ;)

16 Oct 2026 11:21:23
Proves he's a better coach than any of the ones we have at the club already and maybe he can get his foot in the door.

16 Oct 2026 11:52:40
It sounds like getting a UK visa is the main blocker. He hasn't completed his coaching badges yet and he would need those to get a visa.

16 Oct 2026 12:18:32
Thiagos issue is he flew into the country with a passport.

16 Oct 2026 13:27:16
He's just still injured like usual.

16 Oct 2026 14:29:12
JK23 🤣 Ain't that the truth.

16 Oct 2026 17:52:28
We didn't get it for long, or very consistently at any point, but when he was on the ball it was a pure joy to watch. One of the best players we've had in the modern era, although I doubt he will appear in any top 10 lists.

He seems to genuinely love the club, so assuming he's actually a half decent coach I'd be happy very happy to see him back.

16 Oct 2026 20:12:44
I'll always have that masterclass he put on against Rangnick's Man United at Anfield and THAT goal against Porto to remember. A real shame about his injuries. Sounds like he loved the city. Would love to him back at the club one day.

16 Oct 2026 10:23:32
Just seen a video of Semenyo hitting a speed of 35.74km/ph. The second fastest of the season. Video also shows Virgil staying with him, tackling and then coming away with the ball. The man has lost some pace but this just shows how fast the man actually was in his peak.

His slowing down has only brought him back to the quickest of the slow coaches in this league. Can still do another 3 or 4 years in this league if he's looked after. Still the best LCB in the league.

16 Oct 2026 11:10:16
Whilst I don't think he is close to the imperious, one-man back four that he was at his peak, I think it's notable that having a serious, high quality centre half partner alongside him this season and at least one full back who is defensively oriented has helped. He looks again like a high quality Premier League centre half again.

The clip you're referring to shows him pretty much matching one of the fastest wingers in the league stride for stride despite being 9 years older. And in the same match - prior to the red card - he was snuffing out Haaland and winning pretty much every aerial contest.

If the Jacquet/ van Dijk partnership works well all season, I could see some sense in a one year extension.

So many clowns in those pointless "GOAT" debates try to rank van Dijk below the likes of Vidic, Kompany, Ferdinand, Terry, etc because they all won more league titles. It's a kind of irrelevant metric when you're talking about individual players. Terry and Vidic were good old fashioned "stoppers", the type who fly into sliding tackles and last ditch blocks.

Ferdinand was hugely over-rated, constantly exposed when up against the best strikers and was fortunate to play in very good Manchester United teams where the back four didn't often come under huge pressure. Kompany didn't belong in this conversation in the first place and certainly doesn't now, as he can't even claim the trophy county anymore. van Dijk has been at a different level to all of these players.

16 Oct 2026 11:26:13
It's when people put him behind Vidic and Kompany that I have to laugh. Terry and to a lesser extent Ferdinand were in fairness top class. For me Rio or Vidic weren't even Utd's best CB of the Prem era, Stam was.

16 Oct 2026 12:02:39
He's the best around and deserves a new deal.

And after he finishes he will be the GOAT. You will be hard pushed to ever see anything like him again in our lifetimes unless he's cloned in a lab. Availability, aerial prowess at both ends, speed, power, passing range and technical skills and a winning mentality. A genuine freak of nature in the sport.

The only criticism you could ever lay at his door is that he is so much better than everyone else he can be caught off-guard on extremely rare occasions.

16 Oct 2026 12:30:37
I have been saying this for ages, but I will say it again. His 2018-pre Covid run is the most dominant I have ever seen in my life, and its not even close. I know its not talked about among the other achievements but we conceded only 22 goals in 2018-19 season, which is insane given our play style. And a large part of it was down to VVD.

His aura at his peak was unmatched. The Lautaro Martinez stopped run is something I will never forget. I don't usually like GOAT comparison because of the difference of play styles in different eras, but he is undoubtedly the best centre back of the last 25 years, by a mile. To add to that he has a goal tally many midfielders would be proud to have.

16 Oct 2026 12:46:15
Well said Koparmy. Fantastic player. A shoe in on the best eleven.

16 Oct 2026 12:57:26
VVD was step for step with Leroy Sane (7 years ago) at Anfield in the 0-0 draw where Mahrez missed a pen.

And with Adama Traore 5 years ago away at Wolves.

For a guy that big and tall, he was an absolute speed demon in his prime, imo.

{Ed025's Note - for me he is not as quick as you all think Oli, but his reading of the game and positional sense is exceptional which makes him hard to beat even up against speedy forwards mate..

16 Oct 2026 13:22:26
All the best cbs ed25 have that ability don't they? Read the game superbly. I remember paul mcgrath playing for ireland + villafor years with bad knees ( couldn't train much), shoulder problems, also had an alcohol problem and was still the best player on field game in game out due to his reading of the game.

{Ed025's Note - yeah Digger he was a great player, again not blessed with great speed but had a great footballing brain, for me speed is overrated and players like Molby proved that mate, what a player he was..

16 Oct 2026 13:59:57
Remember that one season where VVD was clocked as the fastest on a run, for the entire season?

For me, VVD has been the best ever since the beginning of the EPL. And of course, "there can be no doubt about that". 😂

(Okay, Jaap Stam comes close; what a gruesome monster).

16 Oct 2026 14:11:36
VVD and Becker are the 2 players who moved the needle for us. We weren't winning anything until those 2 signed.

16 Oct 2026 14:23:27
Semenyo also needs to be that quick so he can chase his own first touch.

16 Oct 2026 15:05:09
Ron, I believe Fabinho was also the missing piece of the puzzle. Both he and Allison joined us in the 2018 window and we started playing our best after that.

16 Oct 2026 18:16:15
Good point Drac.
For me, our midfield wasn't terrible before Fabinho joined but our keeper and our central defence were truly terrible before Becker and Van Dijk. Just my view but Fabinho was certainly influential.

16 Oct 2026 10:16:07
Looking forward to game tomorrow and hopefully we continue good form from midweek. I remember last season we played frankfurt away and beat them 5-1 and we all thought we had turned the corner but I'm pretty sure our next game was brentford away and we v poor and beat well.

Good test for us and interesting to see can we build on a good performance and get a bit better performance in following game. It will be a marker for us.
Forwards played much better and looked confident midweek bit they need to build on that.

16 Oct 2026 10:25:23
Big game tomorrow before our next three all at Anfield. Three points and then big players returning and could hopefully be the start of a good run.

16 Oct 2026 11:19:47
I think its a must win.

Yes Its only 6 games in but so far the team have only won 2 games and picked up all their points from 10th place teams and lower.

Brentford are undefeated in the league this season and sat in 4th so a win here leapfrogs them and properly sets a marker in the sand after last weeks loss.

16 Oct 2026 12:58:25
In the PL, we're going to need to start winning games consistently.

Hopefully, it starts tmrw, which will be a very tough match, indeed.

15 Oct 2026 20:28:05
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt - a Fifa vice-president, has said in regards to the hunt to find a candidate to standa against Infantino as FIFA president, that "This is somebody first and foremost who puts football first right at the heart of everything that they do. Secondly, it has to be somebody who unites the world. Thirdly, somebody who needs to have the courage to bring about reforms."

I think we can all agree that person is Mr Jurgen Norbert Klopp. Just a shame that Germany already snapped him up.

15 Oct 2026 21:34:30
He certainly would be ideal, but I can't see him being interested in that sort of a role.

15 Oct 2026 23:42:32
Someone with a ounce of integrity, and a love of the game over money would be nice. Maybe I'm expecting too much though.

15 Oct 2026 23:48:32
Sounds like a job for Bob Geldof.

16 Oct 2026 01:21:59
You think he went grey at Liverpool? , wait until he has to deal with r u m p : )

16 Oct 2026 08:03:12
Isn't it Wenger?

16 Oct 2026 09:06:23
I'd apply, as I have some integrity.
But that would make me an unsuitable candidate.
So I won't.

16 Oct 2026 10:01:42
Agree with JK although I think it will harm the game because he just can't stop wanting to reinvent the wheel.
He's always meddling.

16 Oct 2026 10:18:11
I agree Ron, I saw that "daylight" offside rule on trial in a couple of Canadian games, and it's an absolute joke. I'm sick to the teeth of unnecessary rule changes and reinterpretations; it's ruining the game.

16 Oct 2026 10:35:11
Ron, I'm not sure on what all his ideas are but the offside one i'm all for. Football is first and foremost an entertainment sport and anything that favours the attacking team in games will always get my vote.

16 Oct 2026 12:59:30
Klopp want's nothing to do with all that political schtick in such a corrupt organization, imo.

16 Oct 2026 14:07:30
The job requires someone with a politician's mind. Smoke filled rooms, secret deals, under the table handoffs, lying publicly in every way at every press conference and adding to personal net worth in every way possible.

Klopp would see this a mile away and run off faster than you could say "roadrunner".

15 Oct 2026 18:16:40
Has anyone the same view on the Liverpool FC actual website. It's proper carp whereas it used to be quite good.

15 Oct 2026 18:33:51
Something fishy about it ok.

15 Oct 2026 18:45:17
That's bait!

15 Oct 2026 19:21:27
No need to be so Koi about it Coulred.

15 Oct 2026 19:32:44
It says tonight Giovanni Leoni has had a setback for his return? that's a blow for him and the club.

He was injured on 24 September 2025.

15 Oct 2026 19:32:46
It needs improvement to put it back on it's perch.

15 Oct 2026 20:11:44
Agree. It really has started to Flounder.

15 Oct 2026 20:17:25
007, In the Brentford press conference, Iraola stated Leoni was meant to train with the team for the first time during the international break (just gone) but that his recovery has been set back by a month. No reason was given, but he did make it clear that it was a delay as opposed to an (additional) setback and spoke about how the injury was complex and that Leoni has to feel confident in his rehab.

He also said he should be back training with the team for the next international break. So thankfully it seems like the goalposts have been shifted under review to ensure he's going to be 100% coming back. disappointing for the lad but better safe than sorry.

15 Oct 2026 20:18:28
It's looking for its Sole.

15 Oct 2026 20:22:55
"Thank You" - suarez7.

15 Oct 2026 20:35:54
It's dreadful and seems to be stuck on an old page too. Keeps loading all the Man City game stuff rather than the more recent. Very odd someone's getting the bullet.

16 Oct 2026 09:35:25
On Leoni.
Just thinking could the delay be more a mental issue rather than a physical one? He will need to be 100% happy that he is in the best shape to return.

16 Oct 2026 09:41:33
It's not the best plaice for news.

16 Oct 2026 09:42:55
What a load of Mackerel the site is.

16 Oct 2026 14:09:21
I only bother with it on match days, one hour before kickoff, to see who is in the lineup. So far, they haven't screwed that up, once.

15 Oct 2026 16:57:17
VVD is finished and Celtic are looking for a CB.

15 Oct 2026 18:08:16
From best center back and LFC captain to Celtic.???

No offense, but you reckon that the Scottish league is his next move?

15 Oct 2026 19:29:17
WD's back with his pearls of wisdom😂.

15 Oct 2026 20:18:11
Non-starter that.

15 Oct 2026 20:28:49
This is like brushing your teeth in the morning on a rainy day, then blaming that for the rain.

16 Oct 2026 00:24:46
You what mate?!

16 Oct 2026 13:00:37
What is this?

16 Oct 2026 14:08:19
This is another Harry-alt. Seems he's back and he's brought his 'friends'.

16 Oct 2026 14:13:02
Oli, it's someone trying to compete with Harry.

16 Oct 2026 14:47:43
Ah, so it is him, after all.

15 Oct 2026 11:23:21
Hi Ed001,

I know you don't write reviews for non PL matches, but any chance you can sum up yesterdays match in one or two lines? That is if you caught it!

All good if not mate.

{Ed001's Note - excellent performance, where they outworked and outclassed the opposition. The key was that they worked so hard to ensure they were able to show their class.}

15 Oct 2026 11:53:45
Cheers Ed, much appreciated! Think we can actually call this one "a quick Liverpool perspective" ;)

{Ed001's Note - yeah, that is the aim when I start doing the reviews, but I always end up adding more and more!}

15 Oct 2026 13:23:47
Maybe the team has stepped up a gear with the hard work. Even though Man City didn't go in our favour most of the team certainly put some real effort into that one until the red anyway.

15 Oct 2026 13:29:53
It's a welcome change to last season Mikey. It felt like the team were not fit enough to put any effort in apart from 15 minutes a match.

It's good progress and it's only October. Does fill me with optimism for the future.

15 Oct 2026 13:04:37
Ageee Ed001 obviously the opposition was a level below however we didn't let the breathe once during the game and then pressing from everywhere was on point. Was a nod back to Klopp and how i didn't matter which opposition we played the players were expected to work hard first.

15 Oct 2026 13:37:50
Ed, I like that the team seems to have some pride about them.

Like a bunch of lads that had something to to prove and determined to wipe that taste of frustration from Sun. out their mouths.

15 Oct 2026 14:44:29
Ed001, "show their class"

that reminds me of a Coleman-Balls. I think he was referring to Seb Coe when he said "He's just opened his legs and shown his class"

Classic!

{Ed001's Note - that was in the days when commentators had personality, now we just have morons.}

15 Oct 2026 15:08:54
I would also like to raise you a Johnners one after Agnew commentated on Ian Botham clipping a bail whilst attempting a pull shot, saying he couldn't quite get his leg over!

"Oh Aggers, stop it!".

{Ed001's Note - I have no idea what any of this means.}

15 Oct 2026 15:22:54
Remember that we'll, Zedd.

Along with "The bowler's Holding the batsman's Willey".

15 Oct 2026 15:24:27
Fair enough Ed001. If interested, look for Botham Leg Over Incident on YouTube!

{Ed001's Note - I am probably not interested if it is cricket, like I am guessing.}

15 Oct 2026 19:27:39
Ally McCoist on discussing Connor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate.

"Bradley must feel so much better with the big man inside him"

No wonder Bradley is always injured!

15 Oct 2026 21:55:06
@riostepover I thought I'd imagined him saying that because every time I ask someone, no one else seems to remember it, made up I've had it confirmed 👍🏼.

15 Oct 2026 23:48:03
He's pulling him off! The Spanish manager is pulling his captain off

George Hamilton.

15 Oct 2026 23:58:38
Ted Lowe (snooker commentator for those born in the current millennium) commentating on a match involving Fred Davis, who was in his late 60's at the time, and who was stretching to play a difficult shot. Ted Lowe said "He's too old to get his leg over these days so will use his left hand instead". True dat.

I think David Coleman was talking about the Brazilian Rivelino for the 'opening his legs' comment.

16 Oct 2026 08:24:30
The open legs quote was Alberto Juantorena (spelling) I think was 800 metre Olympic final in the 70's if memory serves.

16 Oct 2026 14:10:07
That's the one, Avi! I obviously didn't hear it live (as I was barely born then!) but did catch it later on!

16 Oct 2026 23:59:59
Yep, good call @Avit 👍.

15 Oct 2026 11:28:21
Came to check how many posts were lauding our CL performance. Wasn't disappointed.

Just a reminder we will be trash again on the weekend so y'all keep your hands outside your pants please.

15 Oct 2026 11:33:10
I hope you bet your house on these incredible tips mate, I know I will now because you said so. Thanks for all the winnings 🙏.

15 Oct 2026 12:01:15
Ooooh, a fun sponge.

15 Oct 2026 12:22:36
Bloody hell, who sh*t in your corn flakes?!

15 Oct 2026 12:55:26
This guy makes Lawro look like Ainsley Harriet!

15 Oct 2026 13:00:02
Thanks for that mate. I'm depressed now.

15 Oct 2026 13:39:55
"Just a reminder we will be trash again on the weekend so yall keep your hands outside your pants please."


And should we not be trash at the weekend, what are you going to do?

Trust me should that happen, we will be there.

15 Oct 2026 14:19:02
Harry, is that you?

15 Oct 2026 14:59:19
If it is Harry, he must of enjoyed Sunday's game. Big Man City fan (At the moment)

15 Oct 2026 15:24:15
It certainly sounds like it is him.

15 Oct 2026 15:40:11
If it's Harry then, that is username 1, 651, perhaps?

15 Oct 2026 19:11:43

If we end up winning the CL, then I don't give a s*** about the league form.