Liverpool banter 9

02 Sep 2026 07:21:47
Wondering if Wirtz could occasionally be played up top in place of Isak - false 9 like Firmino?

Lets you get more legs in the midfield…

Take Dom out the congestion in the final third to create space for Wirtz to get on the ball. Wirtz also presses better than Isak and could become the new press-trigger.



Really think Dom’s willing running and excellent delivery is wasted in midfield, we’d see much more of both if he plays RB.

Alison
Dom. Jacquet. Virg. Kerkez
Nyoni
Grav Macca
Munoz. Wirtz. Barcola.

02 Sep 2026 10:29:27
We’ve spent all summer chasing wingers to feed a number 9. Reverting back to a false 9 setup would be ridiculous.

The days of Bobby as a false 9 with 2 wide forwards cutting in to score are well gone. We all miss it but we need to move on.

02 Sep 2026 10:30:08
To be honest it doesn’t look like a bad team although I’d rather have a RB and not Dom but maybe needs must in the short term. It doesn’t send out great smoke signals to Isak tho, £113 million player benched already.

Seems a bit like Nunez only benched a lot earlier in his Liverpool career. Would that front 3 produce enough goals? As there’s nothing in their past career to suggest so but who knows. 🤷‍♂️

02 Sep 2026 11:48:29
Flo is not a false 9 so no, I don't want him there. We signed 2 no. 9s so he can feed them.

Wirtz plays the 10 role and that's it, for me.

And anyone thinking just any player (even Wirtz) can come in and play the "Firmino" role is gonna be waiting a really long time.



Bobby is a unicorn of a player, possessing skills, game intelligence and the ability to play that false 9 position that I am yet to see any other player in that role possess.

02 Sep 2026 06:54:01
Can someone explain to me other than "securing the future", the club spunking another 30 mill to sign an 18 year old GK who we don't need today instead of a midfielder or a proper right back?

02 Sep 2026 12:21:43
Imo, I think a new GK would be needed sooner rather than later, so I don't mind that transfer. Alisson's contract would be ending in the summer and he has increasing injury concerns.

Mamar isn't going to cut it and Woodman isn't a title winning keeper. Jaros would have been my bet to succeed Alisson, but it remains to be seen how he'd recover from his ACL injury.

02 Sep 2026 05:24:20
Looking into Ekitike's injury and recovery. Interestingly the NHS website has a lot of information about healing, recovery and what happens. It says to return to sport can be 4-12 months. 2-3 months to heal depending on severity. It's then all about the person's strength and fitness. Premier League injuries has him back for October, which is around 8 months. So I'd say if he's back then, expect him fully fit by new year.



Bradley is more complicated with a damaged knee bone as well as torn ligaments. I'd reckon he's back until the new year as well. Even Iraola said in July he's months away from a return.

On a side note Leoni has posted saying he should be back this month which is great news. Gomez expected to be fit for this week as well as Chiesa.

02 Sep 2026 10:11:20
I wouldn’t really take the NHS website as pertinent to elite sporting activity. It is aimed at the general population doing regular activities. The strain a Premier League footballer places on his knees with the stopping and starting and twisting and turning is extreme.

So it takes much longer to get back to the point they can perform at that level. Not to mention getting back to match fitness after months of not playing. Hence 9 months is more likely to be the norm, whereas for most people it will be half that.

02 Sep 2026 10:22:46
So as the Website said then and I mentioned 4-12 months recovery.

02 Sep 2026 10:24:06
Every individual will have a different recovery profile, so it’s important to minimise expectations about his return.
I’m satisfied he’ll have an elite recovery programme, but there are still no guarantees.
He’s young, he seems determined, so I think he’ll have a good chance.

02 Sep 2026 11:57:04
Big, I propose you take all that information with a pinch of salt cos we are dealing with high level athletes here, not regular people like me or you. There's levels to this, my man.

For ex., I ruptured my patella tendon on my left knee and broke the knee cap. Essentially, the type of injury R9 had but his was worse.
Went into surgery 5 days after and was in a brace for about 6 weeks. Then, went into rehab for another few months and then, started doing my own rehab in the gym, based on the recommendations of my rehab specialist for a few months.



You know what? That knee still hurts till this day (and my other knee suffers, as a result) hence I've been wearing knee sleeves on my runs for the past 15 years and counting. What I am trying to say is that an Achilles tear is nothing to play with and if you follow the NFL, such injuries take a full year for the players to come back and who knows what they will be like. Same for Eki.

So pls, let's let him heal properly and not rush things.

02 Sep 2026 08:05:55
Ed001 I know you have a 1, 000 jobs, would be interested in a short write up or your views on the transfer window both inside and outside and outs.

Also, do you know AI plans for Koumas. To me from a defensive and workout pov he looks ready to play a part but when it comes to that bit of quality to finish a move or create something he is lacking. Do you think he will be used as cf cover or rw?

{Ed001's Note - I usually do a transfer window round up anyway mate, so you are not adding to my workload. Seamus and I are hoping to do a pod about it as well at some point today.

I expect Koumas to be cover, come on a fair bit as sub, play cup matches and, if he impresses enough, get a game or two in the Prem as well.}

02 Sep 2026 11:58:00
I said it. Ed01 is on the case.

Looking forward to it, mate.

02 Sep 2026 07:57:30
Nice write up ed001

{Ed001's Note - thank you.}

02 Sep 2026
New image uploaded to the
Liverpool Player Sightings page entitled, STC doing everything he can to get deals over the line on transfer deadline day.

Click picture for larger image

02 Sep 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 2 - Quick Round Up

02 Sep 2026 09:22:48
Thanks ED01. I like reading those.

{Ed001's Note - you're welcome mate.}

02 Sep 2026 12:04:45
Very well done, Ed. As for foul throws, as a kid, we were coached on foul throws in training because in games, the refs would look out for such things.

Alas, not sure if the refs know what a foul throw looks like. The players? Not a sniff.

Oh and if you are looking for one of the biggest culprits for foul throws, let me introduce you to Nathaniel Clyne. Never seen the guy execute a proper throw-in in all my years watching him.

{Ed001's Note - I would have them crack down on it, it should be a basic requirement to play the game knowing how to take a throw in. We all knew how to do it as kids, it is not exactly difficult!}

02 Sep 2026 03:21:49
Can we start talking about which free agents are available to sign...?

Lol

On the realz tho I'm most looking forward to The Fields expose on the inner workings (or failings) of the Hughes empire :D

Popcorn ready

02 Sep 2026 08:34:10
Who cares though, Faith. Nothing said will get us a RB, RW and a MF.

02 Sep 2026 08:39:51
I’m more interested in the actual game of football on Friday night.

02 Sep 2026 08:41:59
We just need to put trust and faith in Iraola. Most people were saying, on here, he'd get the best out of players. He's working with a squad that should've walked the league last year - according to many on here - so exciting times ahead.

02 Sep 2026 09:03:40
Far what a bunch of killjoys lol.

02 Sep 2026 09:06:47
I'm looking forward to what The Fields has to say too.

02 Sep 2026 09:14:23
I have faith that Iraola is going to win the big trophies with us. Not this season, unfortunately, after that debacle of a transfer window. Perhaps next year, under new guidance, we'll prove more effective in securing the first-team players that we know we need. Iraola has been let down, as has the squad and supporters.

We required 5. We got 1. Whatever way you look at it, that's not good enough. However, we have who we have and hopefully everyone will stay fit and start firing under Iraola's tutelage. We'll make the CL places, but we won't be challenging for the title. Enjoy the season ahead, lads!!!

02 Sep 2026 09:29:28
Exactly, Andoni might uncover a hidden gem in the youth ranks, or get the best out of someone we didn't expect. I know it's think, but let's face it, if we have a bit of luck with injuries this year (which we haven't in recent times), we still should be well able to compete.



Better football, improving as the season goes on, will do for me this year. Top 4 and a cup win would suffice with that, but secretly hoping Isak and Wirtz explode and we put it up to those awful boring gunners somehow!

02 Sep 2026 12:06:00
Faith, they are free agents for a reason. That being said, I'll get the butter for the popcorn.

02 Sep 2026 21:38:04
Oli - Saw someone post about Gini going on a free to Chelsea. Missed opportunity for us to finally secure our Gini replacement :D

Rome - That's a great shout that. If we just went off most of last season's narrative, a new coach would come in and wipe the floor with last year's squad.

We have much of the same gaps in the squad so let's see the magic!

02 Sep 2026 01:25:52
With Hughes & Edwards now gone, the club and fans can relax and enjoy seeing Andoni work his magic on the current squad.
I think we are in for a tough season but there will be high points too, I’m sure.
Munoz and Barcola will both do well for the club.
Best thing FSG and the new consortium can do now is bring in an organised, fresh recruitment team with a proven record of talent spotting and acquisition.


RB was a terrible mistake in my opinion. I’m open minded about Iraola gaining some improvement with Kerkez, I guess.
I think we signed Alisson's successor yesterday, so that’s promising. Next summer will be no easier; we will be replacing the great VVD and a RB for definite, and likely overhauling the midfield too. Depending on Ekitike's recovery, we are likely to be looking for a striker too (Marmoush was the way to go).

{Ed666's Note - of we’d have signed a Marmoush we’d if had Isak, Ekitike & Marmoush and that’s never gonna happen. You would of had unhappy players not playing

02 Sep 2026 02:37:52
Ekitike won’t recover this season though 666 no way.
So if Isak is out at any time we are as weak as a baby lamb.

{Ed666's Note - I get your point mate but Ek will be back by Xmas/new year not sure in what capacity then you will have 3 strikers and a massive salary outlay

02 Sep 2026 03:36:35
I think Marmoush can also play on the right. I recall him playing there for City previously before they brought in Semenyo. So there's definitely space for him if he had joined us.

02 Sep 2026 06:44:44
Not sure why posters are confident the club would be looking to sign a RB in the next window? We have two in the books. And isn't Irola supposed to improve all the players, which include Frimpong and Bradley too.

02 Sep 2026 07:16:59
It will be interesting to see how much Iraola actually does improve some of our players. In some cases, I think he could be flogging a dead horse.

02 Sep 2026 07:55:45
Marmoush is crap though.

02 Sep 2026 08:08:08
We don’t even know yet if Iraola is the real deal, or just someone who can nurture talent and play open football at a small club with limited expectations.

We’ve taken a massive risk as a club in taking on the Bournemouth SD, and then almost the entirety of their coaching and back room. All of them on very short contracts. How can you build us into something sustainable in 12-18 months before moving on, or at least with the possibility of moving on being ever present?

It’s like RM taking Celta Vigo, or PSG taking the set up from Lens.

Just wouldn’t happen the way it has with us.

I think it tells us everything about the mentality of FSG as owners, and what they really want
us to be. It also says something about how the fans' voice has been lost somewhere along the line. Are we just a sell to buy investment vehicle for a hedge fund? Let's hope not.

02 Sep 2026 08:39:24
Of course we are just a buy to sell investment for a hedge fund. 😂 That's not a knock at FSG. They have done a good job as owners, but an investment is all we ever were.

02 Sep 2026 08:48:53
Finally, transfer season over.
Gakpo is staying. Wirtz, Isak, Frimpong and Kerkez hopefully show us their true levels and shut us fans up.
Looking forward to getting behind the team and winning some trophies.

02 Sep 2026 08:57:42
We are of course Florian, just a shame for all the fans thinking the owners are pursuing glory on the pitch and here to build a dynasty.

If they were here for the very long term and the best way to create value was to plug all the squad gaps and make us invincible, they would, but they know you can finish fifth and still build value and wealth at much lower investment risk.



If occasionally you stumble on a magic formula like Jurgen and Ian Graham, then happy days, you get both. But for the most part we get a sprinkling of silverware every so often, but fantastic financial returns.

02 Sep 2026 09:28:00
Marmoush would also be the 2nd highest earner at the club unless he took a pay cut... Do you think he's worth that?

02 Sep 2026 09:29:58
Why would we want Marmoush? He is bang average, shots from about 40 yards all the time and once or twice a season one goes in and his YouTube reel makes him look like a worldie.


He is 28 this season so there would be no selling fee, so for the price Spurs paid for him I would have trouble finding a worse forward to waste money on.

02 Sep 2026 09:44:27
@Starman. I can't be bothered about explaining where we were when FSG bought us out from H & G and going on to improve Anfield, build AXA, buy Melwood back for the women's team win the PL and CL and WCC and build our best team in decades.

02 Sep 2026 10:14:53
I know where we were, Wanderer. I know the infrastructure has been improved. They’ve been good business owners, slightly less good in terms of stewardship of the football side.

I’ve supported us for over forty years and seen the ups and downs. For much of the time we’ve been quite poorly run, often the opposition were just better run and better coached than us, but occasionally it all comes together in a brilliant team.



I’ve had the pleasure of the late 80s team, and Jurgen’s team, but also know that the successes can slip away if you don’t make the right footballing decisions. Let’s hope this current crop can do better, and quickly, before Arsenal or City start to dominate silverware for the rest of this decade.