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Crossover vs Liverpool - Damage control for the blues this weekend?
16 Plays22 days ago
Episode 51, Daily Manchester City - The City boys join Daily Liverpool to break down the big fixture in the premier league this weekend as Pep's men head to Anfield.
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Transcript
Introduction and Neutrality Discussion
00:00:06
Speaker
sports podcast network Hello and welcome to the Liverpool and Manchester City crossover episode here on the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Louis Easton today putting on my daily English Premier League hat to remove my Liverpool bias as the host of today. However,
00:00:27
Speaker
A little bit biased. Maybe let's treat it as a David Koot situation. Meant to be neutral but slightly leaning to one side. ah Joining me today are Lewis and Keelan from the Manchester City Daily
Hosts' Introductions and Fixture Discussion
00:00:38
Speaker
Podcast. How are you doing boys? You alright? Yeah, I'm the best is a best as I can be considering the circumstances over in Manchester anyway. Yeah, how are you?
00:00:49
Speaker
I'm not bad. see You've still got your city shirt on, so it does seem like you are ah what is known as a true Manchester City fan. Not many of those around. Keelan, how are you doing? Lewis, I'm good, mate. Thanks. I'm not going to repeat the stuff we discussed in our episode last night, but we were we're alive today and we showed up, so we're making the best of it. Good for you, mate. And joining me from the Liverpool podcast, Tom Goward, how are you doing, mate?
00:01:15
Speaker
Yeah, I'm good. I think I'm better than the city boys here. Obviously, we've got a big game tonight against Madrid. So maybe ask me in a few hours how I'm feeling, but all good. Yeah, just a quick disclaimer. This is recorded at just before four o'clock in the afternoon on a Wednesday. So well before the Liverpool versus ah Real Madrid game. So we could talk about some players here that might be injured tonight. Carl, how are you doing? I'm OK. And as my own disclaimer, I'd like to say that we're recording this after 5.30 in case of my boss listens.
00:01:46
Speaker
Alright, we won't mention, ah shall like shall I cut you from the title and the description then? No, with that's okay. All right, so this is a huge fixture. It goes without saying, Liverpool versus Manchester City. um Obviously, the Manchester City boys might be a little bit nervous, you know, not in the best run of form at the moment.
Significance of Liverpool vs Man City Rivalry
00:02:07
Speaker
However, when you think of this fixture, Keelan, I'll come to you first. What do you think of what sticks out to you in the history between Liverpool and Manchester City?
00:02:15
Speaker
Oh listen, it's a fixture I absolutely love, you know, obviously in sort of years gone by it hasn't been maybe the most competitive fixture but I think in the last few years it's a fixture that's come to define the Premier League in sort of the way that Liverpool Man United may be used to or Man United Arsenal. I do think in recent years this has been the catalyst fixture for a league and It's given us some of the best games of football that I think any of us have ever seen. It's given us one of the greatest managerial rivalries we've ever seen. You know, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, two managers who've pushed each other to such ridiculous heights of success that I think you might not see that standard ever again.
00:02:57
Speaker
and you know There's a lot of games to remember, a lot of controversial moments, but all in all, it's a brilliant, brilliant fixture and it's one that I always circle on the calendar because you're going to get something spectacular either way. ah Is there any particular moment that sticks out to you from ah the history of this fixture, though, that you probably need to reminisce at the moment, respectfully?
Memorable Matches and Rivalry Evolution
00:03:20
Speaker
No, you're you're not wrong, to be fair. um I think from a Manchester City point of view, the one that sticks out for me is 2019, that massive, massive game at the Etihad that basically decided the Premier League title. Obviously, we have John Stones' clearance, something like half a millimetre, prevents a goal that maybe Liverpool go on and win the game.
00:03:41
Speaker
You know I think of Sergio Aguero's opening goal like from an impossible angle I remember the Eddie had rocking and then Leroy Sani scores that incredible winner and we go on to win that game and then that's really when the momentum swings and like I said there's a lot of games I remember but that one's particularly fun for me.
00:04:01
Speaker
I mean, it was just an incredible match of football. I know there's Liverpool really i know liverpoolre on the losing side, but you just yeah it was just nonstop start to finish and the interplay as well. You know, I don't think we will. We have seen a match like it since Lewis. I'll come to you. Is there any particular moment that sticks out to you or are you with Keelan? Is that the first thing you think of? Yeah, that's definitely the first thing I think of with obviously Leroy Senate goal coming in from the left and then off the post.
00:04:30
Speaker
so obviously winners the league by one point was it 98 to 97 points which is obviously a a ridiculous season and I would have I would have loved to I would love to say that that's going to happen again this year the two was raised between city and Liverpool but obviously I don't think that based on recent form is going to go that way. You never know, it is Pep Guardiola, it is Manchester City, obviously four in a row, you never know what could happen. ah In terms of another memory, I do remember beating you 4-1 at Anfield 2021 when Phil Foden scored that that nice team goal, but apart from that, that is just hit a bar rattle the main the main core memory out of the fixture, definitely.
00:05:10
Speaker
Co, I'll come to you now. You want to get in the conversation, obviously. What was it you were just saying? That 4-1 game, Foden and that game was ridiculous. Yeah, it was just unbelievable. The goal was incredible. Absolutely incredible. The thing is, we don't talk about it because that season never existed because Everton beat us at Anfield, but they didn't beat us in front of a crowd, so it doesn't count. So we try and forget the whole COVID season. We're quite keen on the COVID season.
00:05:39
Speaker
Yeah, we we we didn't mind that one. But yeah, God, that that should we just yeah, that didn't happen. ah Tom, I'll come to you as well. Now, is there a particular moment that sticks out but um or something you'd like to say on the rivalry itself?
00:05:54
Speaker
Again, it sticks
Rivalry Dynamics: Liverpool vs Man City vs Traditional Rivals
00:05:55
Speaker
out, it was probably the Champions League game, I think it was 17-18. Salah scored, Mane was through, got fouled, or I say fouled, was brought down and Salah picked up the ball and just dinked over and went straight to the fans. That game sticks out, but we've had some good games over the years and um you know like you said at the start that the it's two managers two great managers have gone at it for the last six seven years in some in some great games both City playing well Liverpool playing well we've seen some draws as well so um no I like it it's the game that makes me the most nervous when we play City in the season. I think I've made the point ah sorry Carl go on. I've got to say about about this game is I've taken my girlfriend to something like 10 games now something like that she can't remember any of them at all
00:06:40
Speaker
and I took her to the 1-0 that Anfielders said that Alice went to Salah goal and we're hanging on for about the last 10 minutes or something like that. I'll never forget she's got no interest at all but she turned to me and said, how do you do this every week? My heart is all over the place. I said, well, it's not like that every week. This isn't boring for her. Joao Cancello's last ever match for Man City I believe as well that weekend. Thank you. And God. Yeah. Really? Wow. Anyway, so... We'll talk more about the sort of rivalry in a bit more depth now. I've made the point to before, this is my personal opinion, that in 2018, 2019, when Citi beat us by one point, I thought that those are the two best teams in the history of the Premier League, you know, invincibles, whatever, but to be separated
00:07:24
Speaker
by 1.9897 and Liverpool only lost once all season and it was against Manchester City as well. it's just it's It was really frustrating. um But I think it's fair to say for all of us, we care more about this fixture now than beating Manchester United. I don't see them in the picture at all.
00:07:45
Speaker
I definitely think that the the Liverpool Ravelries, it means more to me now, especially with United's horrid last decade or
Liverpool's Season Under Arne Slot
00:07:54
Speaker
so. I mean, yeah, I do think that even this season, it's still it still means more. And I'll be playing United in a couple of weeks and they'll be with Roman Amarin now and they'll be confident going into that game, especially if they win tonight in the Europa League or give them a boost with the first win under their new manager. but i mean At the end of the day, they're not going to be challenging for the title this season. They're not in the Champions League. they To me, a smaller club than Liverpool. And yeah, i would I would much rather watch and I get a lot more nervous and excited to play Liverpool every time we do. And ah just coming to you again on the Liverpool team of today, ah before this season, would you have expected all of this from Anna Slott, a new manager coming in and just taking it by storm?
00:08:41
Speaker
I mean we saw it with Klopp, we saw how well Klopp adapted to the Premier League, I think Liverpool is obviously is quite a well run club now, I do think that it's not a massive shock to me but definitely not, I thought of this at the start of the season it would be a two horse race between Arsenal and City again, ah like it has been for the last two years and I thought it might have been Arsenal's year, I did.
00:09:01
Speaker
I did have them to to win it this year, in my opinion, if it wasn't going to be us. But I do think that, obviously you now it's changed, you've only dropped, what is it, four points this season so far, and Arsenal are obviously behind us and we still sit in seconds. So yeah, I definitely do think that it has shocked me how well you have started the season, but but fair play, honestly.
00:09:25
Speaker
Keelan, were you surprised? Yeah, I was massively surprised actually. And speaking of R9 Noisy Neighbours Man United, I actually think it's Arnaud's slot that got Eric Tinhag sacked because you see the job Arnaud's slot did coming into Liverpool immediately, an identity with the team, immediately a new way of playing, immediately there's a new philosophy that combines the old with the new. And I think what you saw um with Man United especially was, their board looked at Liverpool and said, well hang on, we've got a bald Dutch manager, why isn't ours doing that?
Liverpool's Title Chances and Klopp's Legacy
00:10:01
Speaker
Why hasn't ours been able to do what he's done in a third of the time? And I actually think Arnaud's slot, what he's done with his Liverpool team was the last straw for Eric Tenhag.
00:10:11
Speaker
because Arnold Slott's done an incredible job and I will absolutely give you your credit. He's turned that team. They're such a new and evolved version, but they've built off of what made them so successful under Jurgen Klopp. They're still a devastating attacking team, but they're a devastating team with more control and more patience in the buildup.
00:10:31
Speaker
And that almost makes them more of a worry than the club version because the club version you knew you were just getting all out through balls and attack regardless. With this Liverpool team, they can actually build up now. They can pass out from the back. They have the ability to to actually control a game. And I think what you've done this season is absolutely magnificent and you deserve your credit because I think they've been very, very good. And I think they are now the favourites for the title.
00:10:59
Speaker
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Manchester City's Current Form and Challenges
00:11:12
Speaker
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00:11:36
Speaker
Right, so we will dive into Manchester City. ah I thought they started the season quite well. um Lewis, I'll come to you. What is the difference between the Manchester City team we've seen in the last sort of four weeks and what was at the beginning of the season? Is it just Rodri?
00:11:56
Speaker
I think, obviously, Roger is a massive impact on our team. He's the spine of our team. He's the solidarity that keeps us keeps us flowing, keeps us running in midfield. We all know that he's the best player in the world and he was obviously going to be a massive miss and it was it was really sad to see him get injured. But I think we did start the season well. We are still second in the league. People people don't realise that, obviously, base off our ah a terrible form, it sort of goes amiss but I think that it's just that it's a massive confidence thing. I think once the the press, the media, the fans start getting down and then it makes the players also feel down, lose confidence and I just don't think we play with we play with that freedom anymore as obviously we started the season off very confident for four titles in a row, why wouldn't you be? But I think now
00:12:47
Speaker
It's sort of ah a negative momentum thing that we we just need to get out of. And i don't know I don't know why. I don't know what it is. It's obviously we've had a lot of injuries as the season has gone on, as well as Roger, which has had a massive impact. But just, yeah, for me, it's it's the morale and and the confidence thing, because everyone there is playing playing for Manchester City for a reason. And just one injured player is no excuse to to now be unbeaten in six, to not win a game in six. or Carl, I'll come to you as well. ah Have you been watching much of Manchester City this season and what do you think their main problem is? Do you think it's that sort of space between the midfield and the defence? Is it the decision making? What do you see as the issue? I think i think it's a lot of it's been sort of chopped and changed. Foden was out for a while when I didn't but don't really know why. But he started the season and I thought pretty well then he disappeared from it. Grealish is being injured.
00:13:42
Speaker
um And i've got the feeling list sort um I might be completely wrong, but I've got the feeling that Bernadio Silva's slowly being eked out a bit. um So I think it's been a bit sort of all over Covino. I've done a few see him as a success yet, um you know, alongside Harland. But I think it's been a little bit of sort of chopping change. And I think the biggest difference has been um a problem we had about three years ago, and suddenly all your players are over 30.
00:14:07
Speaker
And they've all seem to have gone over 30 in about the same week. It's weird. It's like even even jumpstones. I'm convinced this still 19 is like, you know, 31 or something like that. And I think there's been an element ah of that the the problem with like a And a dynasty side, which is a dynasty club which with City R at the moment, is getting your next team together, which is why, I mean, I i' say this with biting my tongue as much as possible, which is why Ferguson was a genius because he could get rid of his 94 and 96 team and build a 99 team and then win it again with his worst ever Man United side.
00:14:40
Speaker
and I think that's a very, very difficult thing to do if, you know, if you've got a ah group of players who have just won everything over such a long sustained period, that they'll get old at the same time, you think, suddenly, we're gonna have to replace six or seven players. And then yes, they've got the money to do that. And they've certainly got the manager who can do it. But I think you are going to get a spell where suddenly the wheels fall off even just a little bit.
City's Potential Recovery and Liverpool's Imperfections
00:15:02
Speaker
and I think the city um I agree with the second in the league, they're the only team I'm scared of. um And it's it's It's a crisis because it's Man City. but For everybody else, this is an average season. Speak to Heaven, for God's sake. Heaven's goal of the month contender for November is October.
00:15:18
Speaker
You know, it's it's it's that bad. ah don i They're all down about it, and I completely understand that. We lost six in a row in the season that we should never be spoken about. um And we lost to Burnley at home, for God's sake. But I just think these things happen, to be honest. I think it's a general sort of, oh, God, what happened? It's terrible when you go onto a pitch and think for the first time in maybe four years, what happens if we lose?
00:15:41
Speaker
What happens if they get a goal back and it's 3-1 and it's got 10 minutes to go and they're really running and matters and we've had this bad record. And then the whole store store you know house of straw burns to the ground slowly in front of them. I think City are going to be okay. I think City are going to come at us really, really hard because they've got to. um And I think Liverpool are still imperfect. I think it's a fantastic, I'm not complaining about a thing, there's still major your problems wrong wrong with that first 11 for me.
00:16:08
Speaker
um but that's expected to be expected because it's a new side you know we've we've done really really well the attitude's been great but we've been bloody awful at times as well I thought we were bloody awful against well definitely against Southampton I think this game is going to be a bit closer I think but I think we win it I think the atmosphere wins it more than anything else but I also sort of think first goal might win it too is great. But i'm um I'm not buying all this city. Are you going to get top four? No. If they can win 27 games on a row, they can do that. They're capable of doing that. So long way to go. Yeah, yeah Keelan, I'll come to you now as well. Obviously, the lack of rogerie and you didn't really reinforce in the number six position
00:16:48
Speaker
ah you know, selling Calvin Phillips to Ipswich as well. I know that he he's not got the same quality, but, you know, re-signing Gunduan, that felt a bit sentimental. His legs seem to have gone playing Kovacic in the number six. And I think in January, that is the area of focus for reinforcement. There's been talk about getting our target, Zubamendian. Do you think that could change the season or do you think a win against Liverpool even could change the fortune for Manchester City?
00:17:16
Speaker
Yeah, I mean my opinion is I don't think a win against Liverpool changes anything.
City's Transfer Strategy and Foden's Future Role
00:17:21
Speaker
I mean it would be great obviously but it doesn't address the problems that we have and Karl made a brilliant point of explaining this. What's happened is the spine of our team has not been replaced and the problem we have now is this isn't just replacing the spine, this is open heart surgery we need to do in this team.
00:17:40
Speaker
because every important position is completely unoccupied by people good enough to do it. I mean, Yasuko Vardial, who I am but a big fan of, has had two howlers straight in a row. He's been responsible directly for four goals and two games and that's the side that the best player in the league currently is playing on.
00:18:00
Speaker
And that's the player he's going to have to face on Sunday. And that worries me very, very much. But as far as Rodry and all the rest goes, we just... I actually said this last night in our episode, one of the few things I will repeat. um What's happened is we have gotten slow in Oregon, whilst everybody else has improved and gotten better, maybe except for Man United. But Liverpool have gotten better, Arsenal have gotten better, Chelsea have gotten a lot better.
00:18:27
Speaker
and we did not think to replace and we got too cold or we got too sort of sentimental and sort of you know like buying Mateo Kavacic that's 30 million pounds that could have gone towards a number six if Rodri got injured, re-signing Ilkay Gundogan you know when he's 34 years old I mean There's been some really, really bad decision-making and it's probably what's cost Cheeky Bagheeristan his job as director of football because he is overseeing two terrible years of transfer recruitment and wasted money that's of no use to this team. Calvin Phillips not even worth putting on the pitch at this moment. Kovacic, I don't rate him enough for the city team. Gundogan, and the beat goes on. I mean, Mateus Nuna is £50 million pounds and he he's not good at anything.
00:19:16
Speaker
This is all money that could have addressed problems that we actually have. And now we have no real defense to face any of the teams in the league or in Europe. And all we can pray for, a bit like Dunkirk, is that we can survive until January until we can get somebody. Because right now we are praying that the ref doesn't stop the fight until January.
00:19:39
Speaker
bit like Dunkirk. Well, okay. ah But there are some there are some positives to take out of Manchester City. You know, they scored three goals. And this new position for Phil phone, people forget that he was really good in that number 10 role, Keelan. Yeah, it is something you'd like to see more of.
00:19:58
Speaker
Yeah, definitely. I think, full phone, he's a natural number 10, you know? I know he plays out in the Wing a lot. He's even played as a false 9. But he is a 10 and he's a very, very good number 10. And I think especially as much as this breaks my soul to say it, as old as Kevin De Bruyne is getting and eventually he is going to leave.
00:20:20
Speaker
Phil Fulton might be the only error that we have to Kevin De Bruyne's position because he's very good. He's brilliant at dropping in the half spaces in between lines, receiving the ball, playing one-touch football. And he can actually he's one of our few midfielders who can actually shoot as well, which is always nice to have. So Phil Fulton's definitely been forgotten about, but he is a very, very good number 10. And at least until De Bruyne gets back to full form, Fulton's the number 10 that I need to see in that team.
Podcast Production Insights
00:20:50
Speaker
Not Bernardo Silva. I like Bernardo Silva but he's not effective enough as a 10. I like Bernardo Silva as a controlling number 8. Like Foden he's useless out in the wing. that He's got no attacking threat. He doesn't have the speed to play in the wing. He is effective in the middle controlling the tempo, picking up the ball, picking the passes in between the line.
00:21:12
Speaker
If you're gonna play Bernardo Silva effectively, you've gotta play him just behind Foden in the 8. He's a good 10, but he's not as good as Foden, who is a good 10.
00:21:24
Speaker
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00:21:50
Speaker
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Liverpool's Recent Form and Tactical Analysis
00:21:56
Speaker
So obviously Liverpool playing tonight against Real Madrid. By the time this podcast goes out, everyone will know the score. And what a win that was for Liverpool. Anyway, ah so the form that liver the form that Liverpool have been in, ah recent that could age terribly, couldn't it? The form that Liverpool have been in recently ah is incredible, ah you know, before this goes out.
00:22:22
Speaker
all the wins that we have, only lose only not winning two matches in the Premier League, one of them against Arsenal, one against ah Nottingham Forest, two brilliant sides this season. This is the next massive ah test for Liverpool in the Premier League and this is the one that everyone marked on their calendars ah before the season started. Everything does point to towards Liverpool um winning ah this match if you look at recent form. But starting matches is something that we've still struggled against. We struggled against Southampton. um You know, some pretty awful decision making in our own penalty area from Robertson and Canata. Do you think that's our weak point, Tom?
00:23:02
Speaker
A little bit. I think i think we this season we've definitely been the better team in the second half. We've sort of seen out some first half performances if i even if they've been near and there at half time. um And then obviously like Southampton and the weekend was a good example where we didn't play well and get caught out by essentially at the moment the worst team in the league.
00:23:22
Speaker
um So yeah, it's definitely a weak point that needs to be addressed because when we do play the likes of City and Arsenal and Chelsea at the moment of flying, they it will catch us out, um even if I know we've already played like Arsenal and I know it's a draw. But um you know, later in the season, if we still got these problems come sort of March, April time, then um yeah, it could it could be a problem, 100%.
00:23:46
Speaker
Obviously, there's always problems with Manchester City's scoring threats. You know, Erling Harland, the numbers, even in this season, to last night against Feyenoord, it's just been a revelation and he just continuously seems to score.
00:24:04
Speaker
um But our interesting point, I think, going into this match is the team that we choose. Do we play Sobo Sly? Does he start? Karl, do you think we start Sobo Sly? No? Why not? No, I think we play Macalester instead. I think... Um, but but my problem is is always the same as with obviously, I think he's great if you just need someone to run around a lot. If you need a thinker, you go Jones McAllister, and grab a birch. I think he kind I think he comes on. I think he comes on if we need to sort of. It's not a starter for me. He's just not used to these two haphazard.
00:24:41
Speaker
um No, I don't think so. i think Again, I talk about it all the time. His decision making was poor. great goal Great goal on Sunday, obviously, but and he's great at that, but um no, he's not a starter in this game for me. Jones is better. Who do you replay at Lesback, do you think? I don't think we've got a choice, because Simicast is injured.
00:25:02
Speaker
I must have missed that, I'm sorry. I ended in the warm-up on Sunday. I don't know if it's just a better take, better not try this, but I think Robbo plays the next two games. But given the option of having Simicast, would you play him over Robertson at the moment? To be honest, no. I think I've been saying for a while that I'd probably play Simicast Real Madrid. Well, I would ah play Rabbi all the time against the big teams. Definitely. Yeah, just Real Madrid, not the big team. know i've always I've always played Rabbi always, just because...
00:25:40
Speaker
He's nasty and sometimes you've got to be a bit nasty and yes or no. I mean, I don't think it was a penalty on um on Sunday. I don't think he's as bad as people making out. I think some of his decision making has been a bit bad, but he's also playing twice a week for the past seven years.
Key Players Impact and Mo Salah's Status
00:25:56
Speaker
So I think he just needed a bit of a rest. He's also Scotland's captain, which doesn't help because he's not going to get rested for Scotland.
00:26:02
Speaker
Scored for Scotland into the international break as well, a last-minute winner against Poland. Yeah, um you played Robbo, I think. um I don't mind Kostas at all. I mean, he's not good as a crosser, as Robbo, because not many are, but I've got no problem with Kostas playing at all, but um I think you've got Robbo on this one. Lewis and Keeling, i'll come I'll come to you two now. um From what you've been seeing of Liverpool this season, are there any players that have particularly surprised you? Lewis, I'll come to you first.
00:26:32
Speaker
Yeah, for me, I think Ryan Granberg from midfield has definitely surprised me, especially in regards to the start he had at Liverpool. I think that this season he's he's really showing how good he is and and there's obviously a reason why you signed him. I've always been a massive fan of McAllister, even at Brighton, watching him in the World Cup for Argentina, I absolutely adore him.
00:26:53
Speaker
and And I'm jealous not to have him at City at the minute, to be fair, think I think he'd be a ah great asset to our team. But for me, yeah ah the main danger, and I can't believe the longevity is still carried on into this season um ahead of the weekend, is obviously Mo Salah.
00:27:09
Speaker
and I know there's been doubt as he's been talking to him of late of of him leaving at the end of the season or or when his contract runs out but I do think that especially because of the amount of times we're constantly getting capitalized on the wings that on the weekend I'm very I'm very scared to face him and I think like Keeling mentioned Guardial's form has took a little dip and I think that Salah's obviously he keeps scoring most weeks I think that that's definitely going to be a worry for us yeah Keelan, who surprised you from our team this season? um I'm going to go for a pick that might actually surprise you in terms of who I think is surprising but I'll go with it anyway. and I think Ryan Gravenberch briefly has been brilliant, especially as a number six I think he's been outstanding. He's so good at picking up danger and really adding legs to that Liverpool midfield I think he's been outstanding.
00:27:59
Speaker
I think Alexis McAllister, like Lewis said, I think he's been brilliant, especially slightly higher up the pitch. I think he's made a lot of difference and I think he's a really, really good player. My surprise is actually Luis Diaz and I'm going to tell you why. I know he's not surprising and that he's good. We all know he's really good, but I just think this season he's almost found a different level of good and that last year he was really, really good. but this year he is so dangerous, he is so, so good and he what he's almost doing is so he's almost playing sort of like a Jack Grealish but more effectively and that he's playing almost on the touchline but he's gotten in behind threat and he's almost like a much better version of what we have in our wings at the moment and that
00:28:45
Speaker
He's playing out wide and he's stretching the defense and then he's crashing right through it every time he gets the ball. And because he's so clinical, he's picking up positions where he can just tear opponents to pieces. And he's getting the ball out wide. He's getting in behind every opportunity he can get. He's too quick to be caught. And then he's got the finishing of a number nine to really take his chances. So whilst a lot of your players have been brilliant, which don't surprise me, I would say Luis Diaz has evolved sensationally this year.
00:29:16
Speaker
I'm glad you mentioned Lewis Diaz because we did have this debate um a few weeks ago who starts over Gackpo and Diaz because Gackpo has been absolutely incredible as well this season you know he's really ah especially in that Brighton match he was player of the Carabao Cup round that's a thing by the way and he he could do with one of them at the moment you'll never sing that anyway so um the the the performance he had against Brighton incredible you know his shot is lethal he just hits it ridiculously hard and it's such a good problem to have of the two left wingers and you know on the other side of the wing it's only been Salah because Keyes has been injured the entire season i was really looking forward to seeing him play
00:30:02
Speaker
um And I did have this ah conversation after the Southampton game. Is Mo Salah the best player in the world? I want to hear from you two. I think ah he's definitely it's definitely one of the best in
Closing Predictions on Liverpool vs Man City Match
00:30:19
Speaker
the world. it's is It goes without saying. and I do think that, like I mentioned, he's longevity, but also his consistency. For me, he's never looked like a hazard player in that regard. like He never looks like he's gonna produce, but then he always does. And it's just astounding. I remember a goal against City, um I think two or three years ago, where he's he's turned one player and then he sort of like kept it up and then took it to near the byline and shot a sha across the keeper. And I just think that, yeah, he's he's definitely ah in the argument for best player in the world. It it goes without saying, yeah, he's definitely up there.
00:30:59
Speaker
So we do seem to have lost Keelan at the moment, so Lewis, for now you are the sole representative of Manchester City. um As we go into the final ah part as well, where we just talk about this fixture on the weekend, you know, do we have any predictions? um Lewis, I'll come to you first as the Man City representative. um I think, I would love to say that that we're going to go to Anfield and when.
00:31:28
Speaker
which i would ah I would have said in the last four or five years. But this weekend, I can't see it at all. I mean, if you just watch how we play, I mean, we scraped to 1-0 against Southampton. I know you found it quite tricky against them, but they came to the Etihad and we still found it hard. we We concede first a lot. And then once we do concede first, ah the momentum of the boys goes down, like I've mentioned. And I just think that we have now conceded two plus goals in the last six consecutive games for the first time.
00:31:56
Speaker
and I think 61 years since 1963. User average in 2.5 per game in the league this season, and I can't see that ah that record changing this weekend. I really can't, especially with your attacking threat, our injuries and our ultimate weakness in defence, which has always been a problem under Pope Guardiola. Tom, I'll come to you. What do you think will decide the match?
00:32:21
Speaker
uh the child and the Liverpool fan in me wants to go we're going to absolutely batter them uh six nil but obviously i'm more professional than that and it's Manchester City and you can never be too short um obviously they have lost their last six but uh but it's not the league's not we're only 12 games in you know they they can they can lose six games they can also then go and win six games um just like that so ah I would like to think Liverpool do it at home as well I think I'll mention the atmosphere will win a hundred percent and I will probably say lights as well yeah under lights I'll probably say three three one Liverpool
00:33:00
Speaker
car um To be honest, ah we're in a good position because the worst thing that can happen is that the league table will look as exactly as it did two games ago because of what happened at the weekend. So the worst thing that can happen is that we can have a five game lead in December against Man City, which isn't exactly the end of the world.
00:33:16
Speaker
I don't think we lose to be honest and I think that might be the priority um because that way it's the late points and if you want to see Arsenal as a threat I personally don't but I think we don't lose. I think we win but I think it's going to be quite hard. I think there's going to be a massive backlash from Man City because the club You know, it's the old foremost temporary, isn't it? They're a hell of a side. They're just a hell of a side who are mentally battered a bit at the moment. And I think if you're on that sort of run, I think you want to go to Anfield. I think we can get everything. You're not going to go to Sheffield United, win 1-0 and think, right, we're back. But if you're going with Anfield, it does not get short cut. Short cuts are a return to form progress quite quickly. So I think they're going to come for us. But I also think that might be quite a good thing for us too. We're all right without the ball these days.
00:34:03
Speaker
Anyway, that's all we have time for here on the Global Sports Podcast Network and the crossover episode between Liverpool and Manchester City ahead of this Sunday's four o'clock kickoff at Anfield. Thank you very much for listening. See you soon.