Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
A New Season Awaits...
0 Plays2 seconds ago
Adarsh Ramchurn is joined by Michael Lake as they catch up after a long, turbulent and emotional summer for the Reds. We assess the new signings, outgoings, academy players and season objectives for Liverpool, with the Reds kicking off the new season against Bournemouth on Friday.
You'll never walk alone.
--
Sponsors and Advertising
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOU. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and Use code GSPN2025 for 40% of your first month’s subscription.
www.bioniq.com/gspn2025
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
https://zencastr.com/?via=ken
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
© Copyright | 2025 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to the podcast and Premier League excitement
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Adarsh Ramchun and it's been a long summer but finally the football is back. Premier League starts on Friday.
00:00:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool back in action against Bournemouth. A lot's happened over the summer so to join me on today's episode I'm joined by Michael Lake.
Reflections on summer activities and Diogo Jota's impact
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael first all how's your summer been?
00:00:30
Michael
I mean, it's been a very nice summer. It's been a very chill summer. I've been away from from the first team action for quite a while now. So I've been brought in basically like a new sign in.
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's that?
00:00:40
Michael
um Just going to try and get my feet back on this, try and not waffle as much as maybe I used to. But we'll see.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it should be good. lot I feel like a lot has happened this summer. um So much to get into. um We obviously ended the season on such a massive high. um Pre-season start like well and truly underway. We had the Community Shield defeat yesterday as of the time of recording this.
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lots of transfer activity and obviously some tragic news surrounding Diogo Jota. I mean, first of all, like how have you...
Liverpool's transfer strategy and team dynamics
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
how have you managed across the summer with so much going on? I feel like a lot of Liverpool fans, each Liverpool fan I've spoken to has just reacted in different ways to everything that's happened. But for you, how have you reflected?
00:01:22
Michael
um I mean, to be fair, it's been turbulent. I think, obviously, with the with the highs of the likes of Verts coming in Eketike Frimpong Kerkers, those sort of signings and seeing that there's potentially more on the horizon has been great.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:41
Michael
I mean, this is not what Liverpool normally do. I think um we've we've run so well that I think we were bound to have something like this. like We've been saving our FFP up. Unlike other clubs who maybe complain that they can't spend, but they've run worse than us.
00:01:56
Michael
um But we've been we've been saving and we've we've been looking forward to this sort of summer. And it has been crazy, um the sort of spending that we've been doing.
Challenges and opportunities for new signings
00:02:06
Michael
um But then also the the lows of the loss of Diogo Jota.
00:02:10
Michael
um I mean, that was kind of a kick in the teeth, really. It was it was out completely out of nowhere. no one will i don't know like No one was prepared for it. and I mean, you can't really be prepared for something like that.
00:02:24
Michael
um And it was... It's going to be... I think it's going to be an interesting season to see how and if the boys are affected by it. um Because I can imagine that...
00:02:37
Michael
ah as as much as they're probably on the outside um thinking this is but like we're we're back to normal like we've grieved and we're but going to carry on how it is i think maybe in the back of their minds they are probably ah deeply deeply affected by it especially some of the boys that maybe might have been a little bit closer closer to him than others um and I think like for the boys who are coming into not necessarily replace him directly but coming to fill those shoes I think
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:06
Michael
there' they they might also have that pressure of that you've got, you haven't just, you're not just replacing a player like like how Nunes has gone out the door, you're not replacing someone who's been transferred, you're replacing someone who's been lost um and is under the category of forever um on the Liverpool website, like that number 20, you're going to get claps in the 20th minute all season, like you're going to have constant reminders of this player that was such a huge part, like He has been a mainstay in the first team, was a mainstay in the first team for um all the seasons he was here. And he was, um I mean, he was perfect in most ways.
00:03:44
Michael
um Not the best in terms of injury, but we we love to have him around. And I think it will be interesting to see how they are affected and see like which boys step up and which boys maybe maybe crumble a little bit. And I think That's where maybe having such a big squad turnover might actually help because it's not like we've lost this player and now we have to replace them specifically.
Impact of squad turnover on team morale
00:04:10
Michael
I think this is always going to happen that we were going to have lots of players. But um I think now that we've got these attackers coming in, Ekotike and Verts, maybe Izak.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:04:22
Michael
maybe um maybe players like Rodrigo or any or any other players that we're looking at I've seen was linked with Wisser um all these players are going to be sort of covering for um the loss of Jota and those holes in the attack all season and I think they're gonna they've got big shoes to fill but um I have full confidence that these 80 million pound players these players who are silky who are 22 23 who will be here for the next 10 years probably seeing as how as is how our attackers go or maybe at least sort of five to seven i reckon like these players are going to be absolutely world class for us and i think we have upgraded but with that slight stain ideally we would still have we wouldn't have ah had to go through this sort of
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:05:14
Michael
tragedy and we would be able to just build on top of success on top of success and i can imagine if we do do it and we do win the premier league again we retain can imagine the celebrations will be will be beautiful for um jota and the dedication to him uh will be really good and it was it was fitting that the number 21 was our 20th before we sadly lost him so um
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:41
Michael
Yeah, i mean, i
Community and fan support amid changes
00:05:42
Michael
it is crazy. And I i love Jota. He was so good. um And it kind of still hasn't really sunk in that he's not going to be there. It's a bit weird. um But yeah, overall, looking forward to the season, looking forward to the new boys.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:05:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I appreciate that reflection. I think um there's been so much. i think you make a really good point about the squad turnover. I think a lot of people have seen it kind of in a negative way of like oh we're bringing a lot of fresh new faces in, but I think given what's happened with Jota, I think having that sort of fresh blood and energy and you can see like, I mean, obviously I'm sure you guys have been following social media, but seeing Jeremy Frimpong just lighting up everyone's day and, you know, being ah a positive vibe and obviously Ekatike's making a really positive impact.
00:06:20
Michael
Hmm. Hmm.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know Virts has been, we're going to touch on all of these new signings in lot more detail, but yeah, it's just been a really weird summer. And I think, um just really appreciate like, the whole fan base and the whole community of Liverpool fans just coming together, really. I felt if i found that really helpful for myself, particularly with the Jota news, so um speaking to everyone and in the group chat um about what's happened. But yeah, no, I feel like we've got to a stage where we're going to use that energy to really push us forward this season.
Impressions of new signings and strategic planning
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And obviously, you mentioned the new boys, Verts, Ekotike, in terms of the attacking players, obviously, Kerkhez and Frimpong. um Obviously, you've seen a lot of pre-season, Michael, but what have you made of the new signing so far. Obviously, it's going to take them a bit of time to really, really settle in. But what have you been your first impressions?
00:07:09
Michael
I mean, I like all of them. I think all four of the of the boys have settled in well. um i think the I think in particular the fullbacks, I've seen a lot of discussion about like,
00:07:21
Michael
that people think they're far too attacking to play together. I think they're that people are saying that they're not, we're going to lose so much in defense and our solidity and stuff and creativity.
00:07:32
Michael
But I think like the community shield kind of showed how they would work together. And I always thought that like Kirk has in particular, he's not as attacking as Frimpong. Frimpong is basically a winger.
00:07:43
Michael
And Slot has said that when Salah goes to AFCON, most likely Frimpong is going to play in that right wing position.
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:07:50
Michael
which is actually good squad planning. like He's going to get game time at right back, but he plays right wing for the Netherlands. like He can do it a very, very high level. And he basically played at that sort of position in ah for Leverkusen as a
Defensive strategies and squad versatility
00:08:05
Michael
fullback.
00:08:05
Michael
um And he was marauding and across that right right wing. It does seem to take a little bit away from Salah. It seems that it is very much...
00:08:17
Michael
as opposed to having the occasional overlapping run, it is all the time. And Frimpong basically plays that right wing and Salah has to drift inside, which, I mean, he was a bit missing in the community shield.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:08:28
Michael
So maybe that might be something to look for. But I think overall, they're all going to adapt well. And I think Kirkes being the more reserved of the two, probably works quite well. I do see him as very similar to Robertson in the sense of Trent didn't really defend.
00:08:45
Michael
Robertson defended. Robertson was tenacious. He got stuck in. He was fighting. He would run back and forth all the time. And I think Kerkis is just a younger version of Robertson. i think that is the easiest way to describe it. And also the fact that like we have three left backs.
00:09:00
Michael
He can run himself into the ground and we've got two solid backups behind him.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:09:04
Michael
I don't know whether Simmercastle gets sold. I think we're most likely going to keep holding Robertson out of the two. But the fact that we've got such good squad depth now, there's maybe we could get another left winger and maybe a backup striker and a centre-back, actually, now that I think about it. Those sort of positions need to be looked at. in terms of full-backs, we've got two solid starters, Frimpong and Bradley,
00:09:31
Michael
Very similar similar in terms of attacking-wise, but Bradley is definitely more... He seems more robust than Frimpong. Frimpong is...
Elevating Liverpool's attack with new talents
00:09:42
Michael
what What is he?
00:09:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Explosive, yeah.
00:09:43
Michael
Like 5'5", or something like that. like hes He's small, but he's rapid. And like he's had some really good recovery runs. It's a bit weird to... like He's so attacking, and he gets focused on for his attack. A bit like Trent.
00:09:56
Michael
But I've seen him in pre-season... it seems like it seems to catch Kanati off guard a few times because Kanati starts drifting out to go and cover that right channel and then suddenly Frimpong's back and like and and got his body in front of the defender just to like be back and Kanati kind of like steps back and he's like, oh, ah okay, Sam, yeah, I'll stay in the middle, um which is quite which is really good to see and like you can kind of see...
00:10:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:22
Michael
when the when word when we're attacking and the fullbacks have run run on, we are putting those contingencies in place. like So Jones was basically playing as a right back um when he was on the pitch. like When Frimpong pushed up, he was basically just sat in that right channel as basically like a right back, right centre back kind of vibe, um which I think Graham Burke would be a lot better at.
00:10:46
Michael
But he did fine. I mean, they kept persistent with the stat that he'd... hadn't misplaced a pass the whole game. So he did he was serviceable there. But I think the fact that we've got such good attacking full-backs who were everywhere, who who can just run and can be in those sort of places that we need them to be, and are so different to ah Trent in particular. It just gives us that extra string to our bow, and it gives us that ah good squad planning with
Rationale behind player departures and financial strategy
00:11:15
Michael
Fringpong being able to play where Salah does.
00:11:18
Michael
um And then with Verts and Ekotike, I mean, their class just... I mean, Eketike scoring within four minutes. That is a finish that Nunes would sky. um Like, it is night and day with with the upgrade.
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:11:31
Michael
He just seems more imposing, seems better on the ball. From Eketike and Wurtz doing little flicks to each other and like just playing off one another, I think they both just seem so comfortable.
00:11:44
Michael
And the fact that Eketike has had, like, maybe, like, he kind of played, like, not quite a full game in pre-season. um And he's come in, started the Community Shield, looks outstanding.
00:11:58
Michael
And Vert has played so much. And, like, I wasn't blown away with him in the Community Shield, but he just did stuff right.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:12:05
Michael
Like, he was he was that just attacking midfielder. He got stuck in a few times. He's made a few blocks, but he also just kind of dictated the play. It seemed the ball went through him all the time.
00:12:15
Michael
He was everywhere. drifting into the left channel drifting into the right channel like that's just what we want we just want the boys to be comfortable and just do what they want just like drift around pass the ball make runs just kind of be comfortable with each other and I think if we get ease I think like the the sort of rotation we can have of where we if we do only play one striker we can take off Iizak and bring on Ekotike or take off Ekotike and bring on Iizak or we can play two strikers and play them both at the same time I think our attack is going to be deadly all those boys can play they can play but they can control the ball they can pass the ball they're silky dribblers like
00:12:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because options are crazy, yeah.
00:13:02
Michael
ah people have been comparing Akatike to Henri I don't know whether that's getting a bit ahead of themselves but I've heard that comparison a number of times now on TNT and LFC TV I've heard the comparison so I'm just set i'm just repeating it and I think the
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, potentially.
00:13:20
Michael
I think we've got a player on our hands, and I think, like, I wouldn't be too upset if we didn't get Isaac and got maybe just another striker, just, like, someone else just to be, like, maybe a backup to Eketike, because he's younger than Isaac, he's 23 compared to Isaac being, I think he's, like, 25, 26 now, like, he's younger, and he's very, very similar, like, there's a reason why Newcastle wanted him as, like,
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:13:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:13:43
Michael
the kind of e exact replacement. um But like, yeah, it was just a like the signings we've made so far are incredible. And I'm looking forward to seeing who else we bring in, because I'm sure we're going to bring in another centre back.
00:13:55
Michael
And I'm sure we're probably going to bring in another attacker, if not two, which I'm looking forward to, licking my lips.
00:14:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, it's been, and obviously there's, there's obviously been a lot of incomings at Liverpool, like you mentioned, Ekotike, Wurz, Kerkhez and Frimpong, also Mamedash, really. um
00:14:11
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's also been a few outgoings, obviously, with Nunes going, Diaz going. um There's talk of Elliott on his way out, potentially. um Probably missing a few other names, Kelleher, Trent, obviously, Kwanzaa.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:14:23
Michael
Tyler Morton, yeah.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tyler Morton. Yeah, lot lots of names that have obviously departed and made space for Liverpool to be able to afford um the likes of these new attacking signings and obviously more to come. um
00:14:34
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:14:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what have you made of the outgoings as well? Because obviously, I think, I mean, for me, Luis Diaz leaving, that was a big one for me. Obviously, he's a fan favourite, adored by the fans, beautiful chant, always gave his all. But what does that What does that signal?
00:14:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it just a sign of Slott wanting to build his new team in his new image for the season? Is it that he just felt that the transfers and the way of trying to get new players in meant that we had to sacrifice some our existing players?
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what yeah, what you what have you made of all the outgoings as well? Because that's obviously been a big talking point ahead of the new season.
00:15:04
Michael
yeah Yeah, I think with Diaz in particular, I think that was a transfer that kind of worked for all
Balancing player sales with tactical needs
00:15:12
Michael
parties. like
00:15:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:13
Michael
I think Slott always preferred Gakpo in the left-wing position, um hence why Diaz was getting stuck at striker. um Diaz was also on a fairly significantly lower wage than most other players, especially for the importance he had.
00:15:29
Michael
He was on like 75k a week.
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:32
Michael
and Insane for normal money, but terms of football, he was on the less than, like, Connor Bradley. Like, he was he was on less than Curtis Jones. He was on less than Elliott. He was on less than all these players who aren't necessarily full-on starters or ah or aren't necessarily seen as the same level as him.
00:15:50
Michael
But yet, he was on less than them. And, like, that would just kind of speaks to where he was at before he came and how much he's improved. um But also, Bayern needed needed a winger.
00:16:01
Michael
we needed to kind of free up space. We needed to make some money because although we've got headroom in our um you know in our financial fair play, like we still need to kind of keep balance the books. We are we are a club that is run within our means.
00:16:18
Michael
um So I think it's a sensible transfer. Same as Nunes. I think Nunes has always kind of indicated that this season, in this summer, he wanted to kind of move on.
00:16:29
Michael
I actually quite like the look of him in preseason. He seemed more assured of himself.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he was called it.
00:16:34
Michael
Maybe it was getting rid of the long hair. Maybe it was the skinner that made him a little bit more confident. Don't know. ah But he looked good and I would have been happy keeping him um as like a backup striker ah just to come on every so often. But I think 56 million with add-ons, obviously.
00:16:52
Michael
i think that's a solid chunk of change that we've got back for three seasons of a player that has never really hit the ground. um Obviously, we could have got 70 January. So maybe looking at that, or maybe we could have taken that deal. But again...
00:17:09
Michael
It's not too bad. We've lost out on 20 million, but we've also balanced the books a bit more. In terms of like the Academy players we've sold, we've sold Kelleher, Morton and Quanta. All of that I keep going on about FFP. All of that is profit.
00:17:25
Michael
All of that can be used.
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Pure profit, yeah.
00:17:26
Michael
like um And they're three players that were kind of borderline first-team
Financial benefits of selling academy graduates
00:17:33
Michael
players. Kwanzaa, obviously, actually losing him is probably the biggest out of the three because we had Malmedashvili coming in anyway. We knew Keller was going to be going.
00:17:43
Michael
And I'm looking forward to seeing him at Brentford. i think he'll do really well. um Quants are leaving has kind of left us a little bit shortchanged, especially with Gomez being so injury prone.
00:17:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:55
Michael
think like that is a part that is a position that I am actually quite worried about. um If we get Mark Gahey... fine, I am fine with that, like, he is a perfect, ah a perfect player to compete with Canate, I think, like, that is a much, much tighter, tighter competition than maybe people are giving it credit, I think, Gehi, England international, captains, Crystal Palace, always very consistent, like, apparently, with Real Madrid sniffing around Canate, they're also sniffing around Gehi, because they're both out of contract next summer, as well as a Pomecano, apparently, they want all, they want,
00:18:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:18:34
Michael
two of the three basically so basically we're go we if we can get Gahey in to kind of shore up just in case Canate goes, hopefully he doesn't because he is a world class centre back but so the fact that we've got rid of Kwanza, that's the only one that I'm thinking maybe but the fact that we've got rid of Morton does kind of free up that now Trenione is going to be more first team and I think him and Ngamoa, those boys being first team
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three centifaxia.
00:18:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, this is true.
00:19:04
Michael
ah they are incredible. Like seven, 16 and 17 respectively, or they might be 80. They only might be 18 now, but like they, them being squad players are only good things because they're going to get first team football. That's the reason we poached Ingramoma from Chelsea was that clear pathway to the first team.
00:19:23
Michael
Um, And I think being able to kind of change over the squad for play of players who have never really made it and probably will never make it at that sort of level is just ah
Liverpool's sustainable financial model and future outlook
00:19:34
Michael
it's always a good thing. Just kind of getting this money in. You've got to sell your kind of how your your extra players to make space for these new players or to make financial headroom to get these new players in.
00:19:47
Michael
um And I think just getting that money, like we we've now, in terms of net spend, we've spent less than Sunderland this season.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the stats crazy.
00:19:55
Michael
So it is is a crazy start, that.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:19:58
Michael
And I know some some teams kind of, they pick and choose when they want to use net spend. it like And they want a point that we're buying the league and stuff. But then like, We're really not. We've spent less than Arsenal, we've spent less than Sunderland, we've spent less than Chelsea, we've spent less than everyone, and we've still broken the English record, we've still signed a nineteen an 80-odd million striker, we've still signed two new full-backs for 30 million each, basically, and a new goalkeeper for 30 million, although we he kind of signed last season, then went out on loan, so maybe you can see that a little bit differently. But, like...
00:20:34
Michael
I can see us getting a few more players and then still being comfortable. um But after this summer, I think it's only going to be, it's going to be back to business as usual in terms of like outgoing, like getting rid of some squad players, bringing up some youth players um and then the occasional signing, like a, like a Chiesa for 14 million or, or like when we found like Calvin Ramsey and he was one of the only signings we made in a summer.
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, one or two signings.
00:21:01
Michael
and the and And it was like, oh, you've signed Calvin Ramsey. Liverpool are not looking to make any more signings. and That's the most demoralising thing in the world.
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, gosh.
00:21:09
Michael
But
Potential impact of youth players Engelmoja and Nahoni
00:21:10
Michael
i think I think we kind of do it in cycles, like sort of three to four year cycles in terms of just kind of getting through that FFP, being able to afford these players.
00:21:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:21:20
Michael
um Just because we have how we are run, we run better than every other club, we run smarter than every other club. And the fact that we are also competitive and we win things it also really helps lots because Premier League winning money,
00:21:35
Michael
finishing top of the table in the Champions League as well. like Those things also who do you contribute. um And I think I could see us maybe letting go of Elliott for 50 million. It's a hefty profit.
00:21:47
Michael
um And also potentially having a buyback in that would be also be very, very good. Because I think it's Leipzig that are the biggest favourites at the moment to to replace Xavi Simmonds.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:56
Michael
And that kind of speaks to itself that Xavi Simmonds is getting sold to Chelsea for 80 odd million. And the person who they're thinking of replacing him with, this talent that everyone in Europe wants, is Harvey Elliott. That kind of speaks to how good he is.
00:22:12
Michael
um But I think he might... I can't really see him getting the game time he really deserves. He deserves to be playing 90 minutes every week and being the star man.
00:22:23
Michael
But Florian Wurtz is 22. Florian Wurtz and Harvey Elliott are pretty much the same age. like I don't think... Elliot's going to make it in our first team maybe in the future if we do have a buyback but I think the people the players who are going out the ones that we know could be first team quality we're putting those sort of clauses in to get them back in the future so I'm not too worried about getting rid of anyone i think like the older players were selling like Diaz I'm going to miss the chant more than more the player really I think a other than that we're going to be solid
00:22:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, definitely. It's it's definitely like like I said, but like we we started the podcast saying it's been a a summer of change, but I'm really glad you mentioned the ton the young players, Engelmoja and Nahoni, because definitely wanted to get your opinion on them.
00:23:06
Michael
Yeah.
00:23:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Engelmoja has been lighting up pre-season, not just with his skills and his trickery, but goals and assists as well, which...
00:23:15
Michael
Yeah. Yeah.
00:23:20
Michael
yeah
00:23:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
for the modern day forward is super important to have. And being 16 years old, I mean, him, what, in the first minute against Bilbao, scoring, opening the scoring. How much football do you think he's going to get this season? Because I think it's been the biggest talking point from academy point of view from Liverpool's pre-season.
00:23:34
Michael
yeah
00:23:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's why you see Gakpo on the left wing and maybe we haven't really gone out for winger as of yet.
00:23:42
Michael
Yeah, ah that yeah ah have I have seen, um we've been linked to like Barcola at PSG and Rodrigo at Real Madrid, but i then every time I see those sort of links, I always see like a caveat in the bottom being and like, oh, but Liverpool aren't necessarily too keen on them because they've got players like Rio and Gamal coming through and they don't want to stop that.
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe it's that because Ingramo is going to start more games?
00:23:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Hmm.
00:24:07
Michael
that first team pathway because that's the whole reason we got him off Chelsea was that we showed him that he can make it to the first team I think if we do sign someone to be a sort of rotation player at left wing or at striker I think it will be um someone a little bit older maybe someone who we can move on in the season or two once Rio is a little bit like more developed because he is so young he's 16 like it can be easy to forget that and like um i think he has been electric and I would have really wanted him to see come on against Crystal Palace I think he could have done work especially seeing as once we took off Eketike we just kind of lost all drive in that attack and I think i don't really want to be seeing Gak Post playing every single minute of every single game this season I think like giving Rio the chance to get a number of games in in that left wing spot especially starting
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we lost.
00:25:04
Michael
will be really, really good. But then I also don't want to see him burn out ah by the age of 20 if we do play him too much. So I want to see him managed and I want to see him kind of get some good sort of experience under his belt because we've also got players like Ben Doak who played well and for in pre-season who could maybe share some game time with him. um I know he's predominantly a right winger, but...
00:25:30
Michael
Could give him a go. And Traineone in midfield, I think having him as sort of the, it's kind of the fifth choice, isn't it? Because it's it's sort of Subozly, Jones, Graven, Birch, McAllister are the front of the first four.
00:25:46
Michael
And then it's sort Neone and Endo are the backup. So we've got a good set of midfielders in that. in there that can all cover and I can see Neone getting in plenty of game time, especially in the Champions League like with this new system I think we're going to need to share it ah lot so it around a lot, um so those academy players are going to be called upon and they're going to be needed um and I think like thought that is just good for us full stop like we've got um to be fair, I keep forgetting
00:26:17
Michael
left wing, someone who can share the minutes with Ngomoua is Chiesa, like they can share on that left wing, so we probably actually don't need a left wing, I just keep forgetting about Chiesa because I mean he's not exactly at the forefront of my yeah he he keeps forgetting as well, keeps forgetting to put him in the squad as well um but like yeah like having that sort of those sort of young rotation players that can come in and will probably be first team starters in the next
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same as on a slot. Yeah.
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:26:46
Michael
going to say three years Ngamou is going to start over Gakpo more often than not. I think Rio could be our Yamal. I think he could be that good.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He's got that.
00:26:56
Michael
like he He looks that good and there's a reason why Chelsea banned our scouts from the academy after we signed him.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:02
Michael
like they They are annoyed and that is a player. It's their own doing. They signed too many players. They stopped that pathway to the first team. We're just a better club. So it just means that he wants to come here.
00:27:15
Michael
So yeah.
00:27:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No debate on that. We're going take a short break and then we're going talk about the objectives for Liverpool in the new season.
00:27:17
Michael
Yeah.
Objectives for the new season and competitive landscape
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So, Michael, obviously the season starts on Friday. We've looked ahead at the pre-season. We've looked at players that have come in, players have come out. But when the ball's kicked on Friday, the new season starts.
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um What is the objective for Liverpool? It sounds like a pretty obvious question um this season. What does success look like? And where do Liverpool finish in the Premier League, the Champions League?
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we get any other trophies? What are your bold predictions for the season ahead?
00:28:28
Michael
Well, bold prediction is that we win the quadruple. ah I do not think we will win the quadruple. I think we will be focusing on the big two. I think we'll be focusing on the Premier League, Champions League.
00:28:41
Michael
i'm I think being a completely reasonable person, I think the aim for this season is for the new boys to bed in like well and for the for the big signings to perform to their ability. i think like me and and this This is going to be a whole new system that Slott's going to be trying to implement. This is his this is the most of his team is he's going to have.
00:29:08
Michael
um so Being able to see how he approaches these coming months and these coming games, I think, will be will be really interested in seeing how they like gel together because this team is definitely good enough to win the Prem.
00:29:24
Michael
But then again, all the other teams in league are also just getting better. um So I think it's going to be difficult. It's going to be more difficult than last season. um But I think we... we can definitely win the Prem again.
00:29:40
Michael
we can just If we just keep the consistency, if we have if we share the goals of a little bit more around rather than just relying wholly on Salah, which I think we will be able to. I mean, the the only two players over last year the last few seasons to get 10 goals and 10 assists is Salah and Verts, and we've got both of them now. So I think...
00:30:00
Michael
more more than capable of chipping in with goals and assists all of our front four now like Ekotike got 9 goals 20 20 9 assists last season like he wasn't far off that 10 goals 10 assists so I think having a wider spread of the goals and the and the m and and getting involved I think that will that is in it a key I think also being able to handle afhan will
Expectations for Premier League and Champions League success
00:30:28
Michael
also be a big test. I'm looking forward to seeing how we deal with that.
00:30:31
Michael
um But I think we can go for the Prem and um the Champions League. i think I think the Champions League this season will be dominated by Prem teams. I think just like the the improvements across the board um have been so good, compared especially compared to some European teams. i think there's only a handful of European teams that can compete with the There now five Premier League teams.
00:30:57
Michael
Or is it six now that we've got in the Champions League?
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
six with Tottenham, yeah.
00:31:00
Michael
six It's six that we've got in the Champions League.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:31:02
Michael
like i think I think Premier League teams are going to be dominant this season. And I think we will be the most dominant. The one thing I am worried about is that Van Dijk and Salah had a bit of a poor showing against Crystal Palace.
00:31:18
Michael
I'm hoping that was a one-off and not just they are old. um But if they are, I would like to see another centre-back being brought in.
00:31:29
Michael
One of the calibre of Mark Gahey. Just in case Van Dijk and Salah start dropping off a little bit, then we've got that back up. And I think the goals we brought in this season and Verts and Eketike at the moment with potentially Izak coming in, I think that can kind of, it is future-proofing, which I'm liking us seeing.
00:31:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
you Yeah, no, for sure.
00:31:50
Michael
Because even if we don't win the Prem this season, I think it puts us in good stead to win the Prem for a number of seasons to come.
00:31:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think definitely the attacking signings, I think going forward, we look probably as good as I think we've seen in a long time, even just looking at preseason games. I mean, the chances we had in the first half against Palace, we could have taken the game away from them.
00:32:11
Michael
Yeah.
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
against Bilbao, we had plenty of chances. I think that the... And then if you take into account the full-backs are just as attacking as we've ever had full-backs, other than Trenton-Robinson, then I think we're going to create a lot of chances and score goals.
00:32:20
Michael
Yeah.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the point of signing a defender, and I think that's what Liverpool are looking to do. There's also the talk of the Italian centre-back, Cleone, who's been linked, um as well as Gehi.
00:32:33
Michael
Yeah, yeah.
00:32:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I definitely think that's on the radio for Liverpool. But, no, it's a good point in terms of the Champions League. I... Obviously, I want to us to go for the Premier League again this season, but I want to say disappointed about our showing in the Champions League last season, but a bit underwhelmed, I'd say.
00:32:44
Michael
Yeah. Yeah.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, we came up against PSG, the eventual winners, but I'd us to ah'll light to see us a bit more competitive in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
00:32:51
Michael
yeah
00:32:57
Michael
yeah
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's where we're going to see the likes of potentially Isak and other signings coming in and really bulking up that squad. um But in terms of like maybe the cup competitions, do you see Liverpool? um Obviously, we lost to Carabao Cup final last year.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah f FA Cup knocked out to Plymouth, so quite disappointing as well. um All didn't really matter in the end as we won the Premier League. But do you think Slott will be looking at those cup competitions and in particular, giving chances to those younger players that we mentioned earlier to really get some minutes in those cup competitions?
00:33:25
Michael
yeah i think i think the fact that we've kept hold of like we haven't sent our own the likes of ben doak and ria angamower and we've got the will right kid who's come in from salford like like even if we do rotate massively in in the um
00:33:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:33:42
Michael
in like the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup and stuff. I think like, I can't see us having a similar outcome as Plymouth because I think the quality overall, obviously, if we get another centre-back and some defenders in, like I think that is key, but I think the quality overall is just so much higher this season for like those backup youth players and stuff.
00:34:02
Michael
So I think there will be a lot of rotation in those cup competitions, but I think we all will get further, especially in the FA Cup. um And i can I can see us going further, but i can't see it being like a ah ah focus of us.
00:34:16
Michael
I think maybe we need to kind of focus on the big but the big ones, the the big competitions at the moment, just because... like they' They're the ones to aim for.
00:34:28
Michael
And this is a new squad. They're playing together. We don't want to like overstretch ourselves, potentially, especially with AFCON. That is something that is that is key. Because, I mean, we're not as...
00:34:41
Michael
crippled by it as we used to be with with the likes of Mane and Salah. um It is literally just Salah going, I'm pretty sure, unless I'm forgetting someone.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:50
Michael
um So it's not too bad, especially with the good attacking players we have.
Key players to watch and season predictions
00:34:55
Michael
um But I think the squad is much better. So I think we could go deep in all four. um but I think there will come a time where we do we might have to make a decision about whether we do prioritise the cup competitions or we prioritise the league maybe or we prioritise the Champions League or maybe we just go for all four and we win the league and we can become the best team ever um that is also a possibility and I would love that to happen
00:35:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, for sure. I definitely think, look, Slott's building a team. often he's got I can see the vision of what he's building and it's going to be a great season. Final question before we wrap up today's episode. I've been thinking about this journey during the podcast.
00:35:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who is your one to watch for Liverpool this season? and Who is the player that you've you've got your eyes on? It's going to be the one that you're like, yeah, the season, he could have a big impact. He could do something magical.
00:35:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He could be a ah clutch player for us this season. Who do you think? I'll give you mine afterwards.
00:35:47
Michael
Are you going to give me yours afterwards? um
00:35:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:50
Michael
I mean, so young player, I would say Rian Wiengermoe. I think he is going to get a lot of game time, especially if we don't sign another left winger. um In terms of the new signings or the players that maybe we'll be breaking through, all very contingent on whether we sign Izak. Because I would say Akatike.
00:36:10
Michael
I think he could be insane. I think the fact he underperformed his XG last season is a little bit...
00:36:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:17
Michael
worrying but I think looking looking at that finish he did against Crystal Palace looking at how he's played in the first in the in the last pre-season game he played I think he could be ah he could just be incredible for us um Yeah, so I'm going to go for Eketike just because I really like the look of him and I think he's quite silky.
00:36:38
Michael
um But part of me or does want to say Wurtz just because of who he is, how he is.
00:36:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:44
Michael
I've seen so much of him in the Bundesliga. I can just... i just want I just want him to be good. I want him to be like... that world-class player want him to be a ah premier league all-time great um and i want him to play for us for 10 years and be 32 and sign contract extension like seller i want him to be our seller for the for the next 10 years like i want him to be the main guy um but to be a bit different i'm gonna go ecotique
00:37:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, like that. And definitely can echo the Wurz talk. I mean, he just seems so good. I don't know about you, but I've just never seen like a world-class talent come to Liverpool, literally in his prime.
00:37:23
Michael
yeah
00:37:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's about to go into his prime and he just looks...
00:37:24
Michael
Yeah. Yeah, he's not even in his prime yet. He's got we he's that good and he's not even like mid-20s.
00:37:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:30
Michael
He's like early 20s.
00:37:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's ridiculous.
00:37:32
Michael
He's still a youth player. He can still win young player of the season.
00:37:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah. I mean, he's he's just such an exciting talent. But my one to watch actually is the player that he's arguably replaced who in the team, which is Sabozla. Because i I think he will be playing in a more deeper position this season.
00:37:46
Michael
Ooh, interesting.
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And say, for example, he comes in for Gravenberg or McAllister.
00:37:50
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:37:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he plays in the number eight position.
00:37:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
a lot deeper than he's usually been playing. And I think he suits that. I mean, from what I've seen in preseason as well, I mean, the assist he got for Frimpong, the lovely diagonal balls, I can just see him doing that more Gerrard-esque role, if that makes sense.
00:37:55
Michael
yeah
00:38:08
Michael
I can see him shooting more.
00:38:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i yeah, getting more space.
00:38:11
Michael
Yeah.
00:38:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's not used, don't, now that I think about it I don't see him being a player who gets in the pockets and like plays that killer pass or through ball. He can kind of,
00:38:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
When he can see, yeah, he's a runner. He can run him, be like that Henderson runner, but also Gerrard shooting. I think he's got that ah combination of both. so
00:38:21
Michael
He's a runner.
00:38:28
Michael
yeah yeah yeah this is a very good show
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm excited to see, because I think if he doesn't have a good season, then there might be talk of Similal in terms of Diaz and maybe it's time for him to move on. Nunes, it could be that with Sobos Light if he doesn't really pull up the visa season.
00:38:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's what want to watch. I'll be interested... interested to see how
Conclusion and future episode teasers
00:38:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
he does. But that is all for today's episode of the Daily Liverpool podcast. Thank you, Michael, for joining me.
00:38:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been a long summer, but finally the football is back and we're going to have lots more episodes coming out this week as we look ahead to Bournemouth on Friday.
00:38:56
Michael
and we're back
00:39:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you everyone for listening and have a great evening.
00:39:13
Michael
you