Liverpool banter 8

15 Oct 2026 10:47:56
I would like to see us not spend any more money on a right winger. We basically have 4 very good wingers now. I know the majority of them prefer playing from the left but in Rio and Munoz we have 2 very young players that if coached can easily play on the right. We can rotate them and yes they are raw but won't get better by sitting on the bench. Would much prefer us spend our money on strengthening the midfield with a good number 6 and getting in a decent right back as I like Bradley but we know he is always going to struggle with injuries.

Also we need to get someone that is going to push Kerkez but I still think he's not that bad. We have some good centre half options now and have to hope Ekitike comes back fit and strong and of course we need Flo to really start stamping his authority on games but I don't believe we are too far away from having a good young team that will hopefully grow and develop.

15 Oct 2026 11:23:51
Might be an unpopular opinion but I'm still not 100% sold on Bradley.

In the 3 seasons he's been with the first team he's only started 4 CL matches and 29 PL games so its still a really low bar of evidence to suggest he is the answer. This isn't me saying he's a bad player but his biggest performance for Liverpool was based around a tackle he put on Mbappe in a CL league phase game.

In the 3 seasons more worringly he's had 7 seperate injuries and missed (apparently) 35-40 weeks through injury.

15 Oct 2026 11:31:46
I'm with you on Bradley Jk I think he is a good back up but nowhere near good enough for first choice.
He offer nothing going forward apart from a lot of running.
Defensively I don't see a much better defender than Trent.

15 Oct 2026 11:55:32
It's not unpopular with me JK. Agreed Grino. He's too rash. He's a yellow card candidate in every match. We just need to buy 2 good solid and reliable full backs who are well able to defend above any other attribute.

15 Oct 2026 12:04:13
I already be putting all my eggs in the Bradley basket. Fact is we need two good options in every position, so regardless how good he is when he returns we need another rb.

15 Oct 2026 12:26:01
I am totally sold on the Daniel Banjaqui kid from Benfica. He should be our future RB. Pay whatever it takes to secure him, Julian.

As for the right wing - I was impressed with Rio and Munoz there over the last couple of games. However, every department in your squad should have a left footer in it. As it stands, we have no left-footed midfielders or forwards.

15 Oct 2026 12:30:51
We have plenty of money; we can afford a RW and a DM, I wouldn't worry about it.

Bradley might not be amazing going forward, but he's much better defensively than Trent, a lot of people forgot how Conor absolutely bullied Vini Jr for 87 minutes.

The same Vini Jr who Trent so easily lost track of, costing us the UCL final.

15 Oct 2026 12:50:16
Not unpopular with me JK. I've said many times on here that I wasn't a big fan of his. He's still young and hopefully he comes good, if he can stay fit.

Besides, I'm getting fed up of slagging Wirtz off, so could do with turning my attentions to someone else. Sooner he's back the better!

15 Oct 2026 13:41:31
Honestly I think Araújo has nailed right back so far and aside from when he physically can't play he should be the starting right back. I was a skeptic of araujo when we signed him but so far he's proving me wrong.

Even when fully fit Bradley never really looked like a good defender to me, he was slightly better than Trent defensively but significantly worse going forward. I'd put him significantly worse than araujo at defending and not really any advantage going forward.

15 Oct 2026 15:34:27
A Midfielder and right back and that squad is complete. Looking forward to who will come in and how far aa can take the squad.

15 Oct 2026 15:46:26
Bradley isn't a good defender for me imo. He's always out of position and constantly chasing back and having to make lunging tackles that look good for cameras. He does put in a lot of effort though and never gives up lost causes.

15 Oct 2026 16:05:49
I think Bradley is good enough, when fit. Thats the problem with him. Spends far too much time injured. But when he has played I've seen enough to think that apart from the odd rash tackle and silly booking he can become a top option there.

{Ed025's Note - as they say FM, the best ability a player can have is Availability mate..

15 Oct 2026 16:57:03
Nah, that's not true, Ed25. You can be e extremely fit and available for selcetion but if you offer next to nothing or are underacheiving in your performances, your availability won't matter.

Prime example? Darwin Nunez. He was almost never injured and hence, availability was there and ready to play. Did anyone say make that comment about him? I didn't see it. Did you?

So if neither of us saw anyone say that about Darwin then, no. Availability is not the best ability. You still have to be able to perform consistently, something Darwin wasn't doing in terms of scoring goals. Context matters here.

Just my take.

{Ed025's Note - if you are not available then you are not worth a carrot Oli. So on this one you are totally wrong mate. It does not happen very often but you are well off the mark..

15 Oct 2026 18:00:31
A midfielder and a RB doesn't make the squad complete I'm sorry to say Ecogsi. We require 2 midfield players, a RB a LB and a RW.

16 Oct 2026 00:14:59
Although he was very frustrating, Darwins 62 G/A in 143 games in not that bad, let alone any he provided for other by just creating space for them to operate in. Mo himself has always praised him and it is no surprise after Darwin left Mo;s own form nosedived as the other strikers was not creating the space for him to operate at his best.

And no matter whatever else anyone thought of him, if half our team had his hunger and drive, we would be in a lot better position in the league.

16 Oct 2026 06:35:19
You can't doubt Darwin's world class ability to create space.

In the title winning season and Salahs best season the space Darwin created on the pitch was because he was sat on the bench for 70% of the PL season.

15 Oct 2026 08:15:40
I don't know if anyone else feels the same but I must say Kuomas assist last night was very Bobby-esque.

Quick feet in a tight space, cheeky bit of skill. and then a lay off for someone else to score.

Although 2 offside goals I like he was confident enough to hit with his left for the first one and a nice tidy finish with the right for the 2nd.

I just hope he continues this trajectory and he will be a baller.

And Nyoni has to be pushing for a starter role, or at least increased minutes.

15 Oct 2026 08:19:52
With Grav suspended I suspect Trey will
Play V Brentford.

15 Oct 2026 08:20:43
Jesus. People weren't happy with Kuryt comparisons don't compare him to the golden boy Bobby😂.

15 Oct 2026 08:40:11
Great composure from the lad to slot it home with each of the three goal scoring opportunities that he had, especially to hold his nerve and finally get on the scoresheet after being denied the previous two.

Not sure about the Kuyt, Jota and Bobby comparisons at all yet, but the boy is no scrub in terms of ability and you can see what Iraola sees in him.

15 Oct 2026 09:15:03
Credit to the lad he's living every young Liverpool fans dream. Great feet and composure for the assist last night.

Deserves another crack at the PL this weekend.

15 Oct 2026 09:16:31
Imagine he had got the hat-trick, what a night that would have been.

15 Oct 2026 09:36:57
I was so pleased for Koumas when he got his goal. 100% deserved.

I am chuckling to myself though about people saying he was unlucky with the offsides and could have had a hat-trick. He was unlucky but a couple of years ago Darwin would have been getting annihilated for having 2 disallowed for being offside.

A lot of positives from last night. Only concern for me was how bad the defence looked immediately after we brought the captain on!

15 Oct 2026 09:41:16
Difference is Shipley Nunez gets trashed because of the price tag he came with. Koumas is a kid who came through the academy.

15 Oct 2026 10:37:55
JK's offsides were tight calls whereas Darwin was often several yards offside 😂.

15 Oct 2026 11:32:02
That's my point @Kloppers. It's unfair to criticise a player just because of what the club chose to spend on them. Be angry at the club by all means but it's not the players fault that they spent that money.

15 Oct 2026 13:12:44
Darwinny lad was in Birkenhead half the time!

15 Oct 2026 14:09:08
Fully agree, Shipley. "Oh, for what we ppaid for.". Miss me with that schstick. The players do not go around demanding big fees to be spent on them.

The club is the one that felt they were worth it and made the investment. If you're mad, go whinge at the club.

Leave the players alone. They have enuff issues tying to function while being ripped to pieces for something they have no hand in deciding, for starters.

15 Oct 2026 14:36:02
First Kuyt, now Firmino. They'll be comparing him to Kenny Dalglish next.

15 Oct 2026 15:41:46
Fifth, i'm surprised they haven't compared him to Sadio at this point.

15 Oct 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 6 - Quick Round Up

15 Oct 2026 14:48:56
Absolutely brilliant comments Ed but careful the FA may fine you for those sort of Ref comments!

{Ed001's Note - I was being careful, I would have liked to say a lot more!}

15 Oct 2026 01:44:47
Trying to continue the positivity on here, I refuse to believe that conceding three goals was anything other than a psy-op performed by vvd to help boost the confidence of the two new CBs who kept a clean sheet for 64 min. Excellent job by our Capitan to help those two integrate into the squad!

15 Oct 2026 06:13:40
Still early days in Ai's reign so plenty of time for him to continue to lay his marker.

Hopefully start seeing some wins in the PL firstly with a difficult tie coming up away to Brentford.

15 Oct 2026 06:56:03
I second this snugglepool, and I also think the mission was more complex. Power play from VBD to ensure we pay the money for Big Ron to stay permanently.

15 Oct 2026 09:17:22
haha love it.

15 Oct 2026 10:18:37
Same here, Chewy. Really happy for Ronnie, tho. That will only help his confidence.

Same fopr Koumas and Barcola being off the mark for the season.

15 Oct 2026 00:41:03
Going to risk an unpopular opinion, but I think we're only a defensive midfielder and a bit of patience away from a really solid squad that can compete for multiple trophies.
I know people want a full back or two, but I actually think Frimpong/Bradley/Araujo and Kerkez/Kostas are nowhere near as bad options as some are making out, and once we get some players back from injury we're pretty strong across the park.


Might need this season to fully implement AI's tactics, plus a transfer window or two, but I have full confidence we'll be right back up there by next season at the latest.

15 Oct 2026 01:12:21
Love it RedChester!
Positivity abound.

15 Oct 2026 01:24:15
Your positivity seems endless Chester
Unfortunately we live in a world we're reality often comes to put us in our place and the truth is, only Araujo is anywhere near good enough for the Liverpool first team.
Progressive playing all action midfielder is what we need, Stevie G would light up this team.

15 Oct 2026 06:19:07
Surely Ali is worth a start?

15 Oct 2026 07:23:46
I agree Chester that a top midfielder with defensive nous would bring us on leaps and bounds as a team. Although I do think we need to strengthen at full back. Better Competition for kerkez on left and a starter at rb. Our forward players I think need to be let settle now and hopefully they start to gel.

15 Oct 2026 07:59:46
If fit Bradley is well good enough.

15 Oct 2026 08:04:46
Did anyone make out that Araujo was a bad option? Personally I reckon he's been pretty decent so far and would be more than happy take him permanently.

15 Oct 2026 08:22:44
I agree to an extent. That extent is when you compare our squad to Arsenals options. Currently after first 11 not even close.

I'd say 3-4 top class squad players away but not impossible in two windows.

15 Oct 2026 09:26:02
I like the positivity, and you're right in part but we still need a few players to be capable of competing consistently on all fronts. Iraola's a very good manager, but I can't see him working miracles the way Klopp did.

Fully agree on the patience part, though. The squad has had to do immense work to increase their fitness and adapt to Iraola's style. We have seen the early signs of those improvements, but it will still take time and of course once Ekitike, Leoni and Bradley are back, we'll be in a much stronger position.

15 Oct 2026 10:13:16
I do agree flo bradley is good enough to be our 1st choice rb but I think ' if fit' is the problem. Before his big injury he already struggled to put 4/5 games in a row, after such a long lay off generally players pick up niggles when they come back. It's hard to see him being able to put a run of games together.

15 Oct 2026 10:25:50
Indeed, Chester. We have a pretty talented squad in the defence and in attack (even tho, the comms. and understanding among the attackers still needs work), we just need to sort the midfield out with a player who can go both ways offensively and defensively, as Digger said. That would really help this team.

I know Wirtz and Barcola are trying to keep their heads above water and both (esp. Wirtz) need to really up their game and show improvements but they are very talented players BUT really need to start showing it esp. again, Wirtz.

Iraola is doing a fine job with the hand he was dealt and getting good performances out of a decent amount of the squad. We just have to keep working hard and trying to improve individually, collectively and even, coaching wise.

It's going to be a slow burner of a season, as I have said in the past.

14 Oct 2026 21:49:51
Referee has been fantastic in the PSG game. Side note how does Aly mcmoist get work? He's awful and doesn't know the game at all.

15 Oct 2026 00:33:49
You answered your own question there Jerry.

15 Oct 2026 05:48:34
It's just gibberesh.

15 Oct 2026 06:43:17
I actually don't mind McCoist but do think too much of any pundit isn't a good thing. Can get tedious listening to the same voice on everything.

You would think after over 700 professional appearances he would know the game at all.

15 Oct 2026 07:58:48
I think McCoist is pretty good personally. The irony is the OP saying he doesn't know the game at all when he's played it at a good level for 20 years, meanwhile the OP is typing his thoughts on a forum.

15 Oct 2026 08:03:17
Don't mind McCoist usually but McCoist getting his ego fed by that unbearable cabbage fletch is unbearable. doesn't help they seem to be on the wind up towards Pool fans as well every game.

15 Oct 2026 08:36:52
With you there regards Fletch, Florian!

Oh for the days of a Coleman or Moore.

15 Oct 2026 10:28:54
Sailor, that ref 's perf. put the PL refs to shame at every level. The guy ran a clinic on how to officiate a game of the highest level without having to do too much or make himself be the star with hand movements and gestures.

He just reffed the game, applied the rules based on his discretion and the game flowed swimmingly.

The PL refs could lean a thing or two from these CL refs. But we all know they won't.

15 Oct 2026 11:21:00
To be fair @Bristol, Coleman talked complete gibberish most of the time, although he was unintentionally very funny (Coleman balls and the like).

14 Oct 2026 20:14:22
Good performance from Wirtz this evening. Just played the simple passes and his touch was better so he could carry the ball to create a chance or two.
Regardless of how the rest of the team is playing if he can just look after his own performance and do the basics of passing and controlling the ball he'll create chances for the rest of the team. Just keep it simple like David Sliva used to do and pick the right option will lead to more goals for the team.


Araujo and Jacqet look a really solid pairing but the full backs are still an issue and really need to be sorted in January. Just shows how good Araujo and Jacqet were playing and covering the fullbacks that once they went off the replacement CB's got completely exposed.
Good to see Nyoni and Nguhmoa get a game with Chambers coming on as well.

14 Oct 2026 20:25:41
Andoni started with a team tonight that none of the starting eleven have scored a goal in any competition this season?

YNWA Andoni.

14 Oct 2026 20:50:57
I thought Tsimikas was good today. Gives us a good set piece option. Frimpong was awful.

14 Oct 2026 20:59:43
Played awfully, but managed a goal and assist? We looked really good today despite some instability when JG and VVD came on. I can see why AI changed the CBs, but both at once was always asking for trouble. Took the whole defence time to settle.

14 Oct 2026 21:18:38
Disastrous from the back line after the change, terrible decision, I would have taken off Frimpong and Tsimikas not the other 2, it all fell apart after that, VVD was useless, they completely switched off.

Hopefully that's the confidence booster a few of them need to start delivering in bigger games, particularly Barcola. disappointed Wirtz didn't get on the score sheet he could have done with it. Absolutely delighted for Koumas.

14 Oct 2026 21:24:14
Only beat what's in front of you. Good performance and good result. 100% record in the CL where realistically dropping points isn't really that big of a deal at this stage.

Back to the league this weekend where 3 points is a must having already dropped 50% of the available points this season and being closer to the bottom of the league than the top.

14 Oct 2026 21:24:38
Frimpong and Tsimikas are not the ones who need to have their game time managed chewy. Jacquet missed the last game with France due to load/hamstring and Araujo is playing a lot of football at RB.

14 Oct 2026 21:42:50
It wasn't a terrible decision because we still won the game and gave Araujo and Jacquet a rest.

14 Oct 2026 22:27:31
Never thought I'd be saying this

Jeremy Jacquet is our best player.

14 Oct 2026 22:39:10
I'm a bit obtuse and failed my advanced UEFA Badges, so I apologies in advance to all the lads who have them and particularly those who specialise in spotting deficiencies but I thought it was an enjoyable game of football.

15 Oct 2026 00:41:12
Like dropping the Computer difficulty level on a video game. but you still have to turn up and do the job. So many times we've not been clinical against lighter opponents in Europe, so was good to bang away 6 goals.

Yes, good from Wirtz and just hoping he takes some of that confidence into the Prem.

15 Oct 2026 08:06:09
Thought Wirtz did well. People will say only LASK but you can only beat who's in front of ye. Hopefully now he can repeat that on Saturday.

{Ed078's Note - I said toward the end of last season that I wasn't worried about Wirtz. I was worried that his talents would be wasted by the system and his teammates inability to know how to make the most of what he brings.

15 Oct 2026 08:29:31
I've been a critic Ed. But more performances like that I'll be more than happy with him. Good confidence booster for him.

{Ed078's Note - I hope so. I also hope those around him know how to accommodate his obvious talents.

15 Oct 2026 09:13:46
There was a good analysis on YouTube ed078 (can't remember who) but basically saying a big reason for Wirtz failings is his teammates. Players running into his space or making runs that stifle his passing opportunities and they did comparisons to his time at Leverkusen, which highlighted at Bayern how his teammates would make unselfish runs to give him space.


Having said that he does also need to do better but it is hard for him when his team mates occupy his space or run into blind allays.

{Ed078's Note - sounds about right.

15 Oct 2026 09:44:40
There is a clear and obvious disconnect Ed, I hope Iraola can shine some light on it. In fairness to Wirtz, it's almost as if he's joined the team again this season, as he's basically playing with a whole new front line, Barcola and Munoz are only in the door, and he hardly played with Isak last season.

I feel like Ekitike is actually the most intelligent, well-rounded footballer out of our forward options and best suited to linking up with Wirtz, real shame abt the injury. I also think Barcola and Wirtz will begin to link up well, as he does provide dangerous runs in behind and is that bit more dynamic than Isak.

{Ed078's Note - agree

15 Oct 2026 10:37:06
"Regardless of how the rest of the team is playing if he can just look after his own performance and do the basics of passing and controlling the ball he'll create chances for the rest of the team."

Preaching to the choir on this one, @Mayo (and I put you on my fries each time, man). This is all I want Wirtz to do now. Focus on himself and the things he can control. Do the basics, get those right and the rest will come. That is how you build confidence and hopefully, get your mojo back because the kid is just too talented to just fade away. I ain't having it.

Hopefully, this perf. can help him.


Ed78, I was like you and wasn't worried about Wirtz after last season. Now in the last couple of games, I really started to worry because he seemed like his confidence was shot to bits and was having a hard time doing even the basics right. The City game rang the alarm even louder for me.

Hopefully, he can take some confidence from this game and go back to just getting the things he can control as well as the basics right in the next game.

{Ed078's Note - fair points. I think the focus on misplaced passes needs to take into account the type of passes he's trying to play, where on the field he attempts them, and the role the receiver also plays.

14 Oct 2026 19:17:44
Made up for Koumas. Great confidence boost for the whole team. You can only beat what's put in front of you. Just need PSG to destroy City.

14 Oct 2026 19:29:39
Really enjoyed seeing how the other players have reacted when the goals went in, look delighted for each other getting their first goals.

Especially enjoyed Barcola when Koumas scored.

14 Oct 2026 20:46:08
I don't rate koumas at all but he absolutely deserved his goal tonight and for his contributions to the squad this season, I was very pleased for him, the guy tries hard and keeps going and kudos for that.

14 Oct 2026 21:12:29
If Koumas can maintain this energy and enthusiasm then I think he could be an asset to this team for many years to come. I'm not sure if he can become a truly special player technically, but he has shows so much fight every time he pulls on the shirt.

It's like one of us fans contributing on the pitch, something that is a common feature of virtually all successful Liverpool teams.

14 Oct 2026 21:51:30
Koumas reminds me a bit of Dirk Kuyt but I think he's better.
Hard worker, never gives up.
You need players like that in the squad.

14 Oct 2026 21:59:34
I mean it with the utmost respect, but there's something of Jota about him. He's a proper fighter.

14 Oct 2026 22:24:40
Koumas is not as good as Kuyt, Ron. Even playing as right midfield, Kuyt got more goals than Koumas will ever get playing as a striker. Both are / were hard workers, but I think Kuyt was more technical.

14 Oct 2026 22:46:52
Yo beat me to it @Ron, there's some5hing about the young lad that reminds me of Kurt. Same work ethic and I think he has a bright future ahead of him at the club - AI certainly seems to have faith in him.

I think the difference between Kuyt and Koumas is that Dirk was 26 when he joined us and was a seasoned international. Lewis is 21 and is still developing. It will be interesting to compare them when Lewis is 26 and has had, hopefully, five good years playing for us in 5he PL and CL.

14 Oct 2026 23:27:07
Koumas technically had a hat trick *wink*

ps I though Nyoni was solid as well.

14 Oct 2026 23:50:09
Koumas, who has scored 13 professional goals is better than Kuyt, who scored over 300 goals? Incredible.

14 Oct 2026 22:54:18
Kemlyn, how do know the amount of goals Koumas will have at the end his LFC career? Just curious, you seem to know something.

15 Oct 2026 00:38:07
5th element, Koumas is 21 years old.
Better as in I think he has better ball skills.
Will he score as many goals? No-one knows, but that doesn't mean he's not as good a player.

15 Oct 2026 00:42:04
The Welsh Kuyt?

15 Oct 2026 04:13:18
Why is it necessary to slag the kid off? He has played a handful of games for us and has shown up well. The point made was that he has similarities to Kuyt. Not that he is better or worse. Let the lad develop.

15 Oct 2026 08:03:21
Personally I don't think Koumas will get a look in when all our forwards are fit. Actually I think he will be loaned out, maybe even sold. We shall see 🤷‍♂️.

{Ed078's Note - I'd be shocked if he was loaned out in January.

15 Oct 2026 08:14:25
Kurt Kurt was an established 26/27 year old in his Prime when he joined us. Koumas is a kid just turned 21 learning the game. May or may never make it with us but he is helping us at the moment and doing a fine job.

At the very least what he is doing at the moment will get him a decent move to a good club and probably bring us in £30m. I'd much prefer him to carve out a long term career with us though, as hard as that will be.

15 Oct 2026 10:40:28
Why are we comparing a youngster who is living his dream in real time to a proven international player and cult hero at LFC?

These comparisons are just insane.

Do people know that there is a world where Koumas can live his dream playing for the club he supports without having to compare him to anyone, let alone a huge cult hero like Dirk Kuyt (don't know who Kurt is, btw)?

15 Oct 2026 11:27:17
@Oli, Kurt is the product of that damn nuisance 'autocorrect'. It caught me out too 🤨🙂.

15 Oct 2026 14:36:48
If you think I was slagging Koumas off then you don't know what slagging off means.

14 Oct 2026 19:10:42
Barcola, 3 goals in his first 7 games. Brilliant start to his Liverpool career ;)

14 Oct 2026 19:59:26
That is his first ever hat trick in competitive football, more match balls to come hopefully.

Bayern conceded 3 goals to the Vikings with their first team, yet I suppose we will be vilified for conceding 3 with our B team!

YNWA Andoni.

15 Oct 2026 10:40:57
Mr. Bond, that has already happened.