It's definitely the home grown element as we're potentially losing two in the same position in Gomez and Quansah. For the record, Ballotelli was probably the one player I tried question wtf the club were thinking. Stands against everything I believe a player should be, truly hated that signing (and I hate to use the word hate too)
Unless we're signing an existing PL player or one who's played previously in the PL, I rarely know any of the names we're linked with anyway. With Balotelli I hadn't paid any attention to him at city and was just open to see how he would get on here. Two things about him stand out more for me than how he played or fitted into the team. 1. he's the only player that I can remember who got a song at his first game and 2. I remember feeling a bit sad seeing a picture of him and his brother as small children who were given up for adoption. I'm soppy like that and I sometimes find it hard to put a player's poor start in life aside. Suarez was another one. Although he wasn't in the same bracket as Balotelli in any way, reading about him playing barefoot as a child, got to me and when he did the biting thing, I thought, that's the child still in him doing what he did with 5 brothers (?) out of frustration.
I can't stand lazy buggers. Ballotelli had the talent but couldn't be arsed to move, he just stood about waiting for his chance to score or take the penalties. Berbatov is another; fantastic player when on the ball, but lazy as **** off it. I've no time for passengers
Very fair comments. You can see how I would be a terrible football manager. "Right lads, tell me about your poor childhoods and then I will pick the team"
Hm I don’t think it’s lazy. Sometimes just their style. I don’t think berbatov was lazy, just a strength of his wasn’t in his speed and movement so played to other strengths. Balotelli was a funny one as if you’re looking to build a number 9 you look at physicality / height / speed and he had all that. I remember before we signed him when he was playing for Italy at the euros or World Cup he absolutely destroyed England as a central 9 and he seemed like if he got settled he could lift off. But clearly he had attitude issues which held him back. Was a gamble that didn’t pay off on that one.
Wirtz medical done and will be officially announced shortly. Huge fee obviously but with Quansah going the other way wonder if that was worked on at same time as been quick turnaround and both clubs bumping the values slightly to help with psr calculations. Nice getting the business done super early and teams getting nice rest while 2 rivals are sweating it out over in America and arsenal still bickering over Sesko or gyokeres internally Mamadashvilli Frimpong Wirtz Kerkez Guehi? And a new CF to come before pre season?
Ornstein - Liverpool reach agreement with Bournemouth to sign Milos Kerkez - around £40m ..... to undergo medical next week
Press saying Kerkez signing will bring Liverpool summer spend to a whopping £185 million. Like the amount Pep spent in 10 days in December LOL
Liverpool plot audacious bid for Alexander Isak Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been unequivocal in his desire to keep Isak, stating: “Alex is under contract, we love him to bits, and we want him to stay.” “We want him to keep scoring goals for Newcastle for many years. That’s my plan.” Howe has urged the Newcastle board to reject any offers, emphasizing Isak’s centrality to their long-term ambitions. #1. Liverpool considering record-destroying Alexander Isak bid as Newcastle star says YES to Anfield switch Alexander Isak: Liverpool consider record-destroying bid as Newcastle star says YES to Anfield switch
Pretty good (for us at least) that he has hung around so long willing to be on the bench, good versatile backup for many positions. Hard to think he's 28... (it feels like he should be a youth still waiting for his big-break) hard to believe he has stayed until 28 with no breakthrough to the first XI. In all honesty- he's not good enough for that... but he's definitely good enough to be a back up and he's the kind of positions-spanning backup you need.
Hee was first choice CB at one stage but iirc got injured and has never got back to being first choice
Leeds United like to sign Joe Gomez. https://www.rousingthekop.com/2025/...in-signing-exceptional-player-from-liverpool/
I've got no inside information on this one but is anyone thinking the announcement is imminent? Usually done on the hour.
He passed his medical this morning, not sure what is holding up the process. I expected it to be completed this afternoon
No way are we coughing up for Isak after spending big on Wirtz. The issue is who is the best option outside of Isak for us? I do see us buying 5 players now. 1 is done, 2 are nearly there and it’s looks like a CB and a #9 will be inbound this summer. So far, nobody can complain about Edwards, Hughes or FSG this summer, quite the opposite.
