Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
REDS INTERNATIONAL UPDATE!
0 Plays2 seconds ago
It's the international break so no PL action to look forward to so Jesse is taking a look at what Liverpool players are up to during this break and how it could impact Liverpool's form moving forward.
Our Sponsors
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.
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!
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.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Your daily soccer podcast with the Global Sports Podcast Network.
Partnership Announcement with Bionique
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Your body is unique and Global Sports Podcast Network has partnered with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements. Bionique provide 100% tailor-made supplements designed to
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
your health. No guessing. So click the
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
By Anique. Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for just anybody. Get what's right for you, right now.
International Break and Liverpool's Current Form
00:00:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the Wednesday edition of the Daily Liverpool podcast and we have no Premier League football to look forward to for the next couple of weeks as the second international break of the season arrives.
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
A lot of our players, as you'd expect, are off on international duty. And suppose this is not the worst thing. Normally, i don't like international breaks and most people that I speak to that I know aren't big fans of the international break. But I think on this occasion, with two back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, three back-to-back defeats in all competitions, with that defeat in the Champions League as well, then it's probably not a bad thing that the players get away away from all the kind of media speculation and the the overreaction...
Liverpool's Tactical and Structural Concerns
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
that you see where, whether it's in the media or even some sections of of social media with supporters, it's probably not a bad thing for the players to get away, see some new faces, you know, join up with a different team, different circumstances, and hopefully just get these defeats out.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
out of their system. Losing three games at Liverpool is seen as a crisis, even though it's not. We've lost three games, as I said, two in the Premier League.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are there concerns? Absolutely. There are genuine concerns about the way that we're playing, the goals that we're conceding, the lack of fluidity in our forward play.
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think that this is something that we did see coming. At the start of the season, i think there was a bit of concern that we had really gone through a major, major overhaul of players.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And let's not forget, and and I think people have forgotten about the Diego Jota tragedy, because I think at the start of the season, there was a lot of talk.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
amongst the supporter base, but also in kind of wider footballing circles with media pundits and journalists, you know, saying that, look, we don't know how this Liverpool team are going going to react at different points of the season over the the tragedy of losing one of their own.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think some of some people have forgotten that. It's just, OK, well, we've, you know, we've... We're two, three months on now and and people have just forgotten about that. And whilst I wouldn't say that that is the reason that We find ourselves where we find ourselves, which is and not in a terrible position.
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do think that it's it's one element of a few reasons why this Liverpool team are not functioning in the way that it normally does and the way that we expect it to.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, as I said, that we did see this coming. I just think that the last minute goals and the winners in the opening six games of the season maybe masked all of those issues.
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think any team that goes through the kind of change that that we did in the summer, two new fullbacks, a new midfielder, which really has kind of fundamentally altered the balance of our midfield.
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got a an entirely new forward line. And so I think
Challenges Facing Senior Liverpool Players
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
that it's reasonable to expect that there's going to be some kind of disruption.
00:04:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's going to take take a little bit of time for these players to gel together. We've also had change in the coaching backroom staff.
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has come in. And we just don't know what kind of impact that is having on us, whether it's tactically or on the training ground.
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's just a case of this team having to gel together in season while while the games are coming thick and fast. And I suppose it's going to be up to the senior players, the likes of Alison Becker when when he's back.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrima Kanate, Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Alexis McAllister. There are senior players in that team.
00:05:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
that are going to really have to drag this team through this kind of sticky patch that we're that we've found ourselves in.
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
The problem, though, is that a lot of these senior players I've mentioned have got issues of their own. Alison Becker is injured. So he can't impact the team.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ibrahima Kanate, you know, has probably had, I would say, his poorest start to the season while he's been a Liverpool player.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The only issues that Ibrahima Kanate has had historically when he's been at our club, so sorry, since he's been at our club, is his fitness record. But other than that, his actual form has always been pretty consistent.
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, that has really taken a hit this season for whatever whatever reason that is, whether it's, you know, there's disruption in that back line.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
know, Trent Alexander-Arnold is not there, that kind of player that he's used to. you know, the kind of tactical makeup of of of Liverpool this season. Whatever it is, or of course, the kind of looming contract situation where Canate is in the final season of his his contract, whether it's that or the kind of tactical side, you know, we can only speculate, but his form has taken a hit.
00:07:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of that, there's absolutely no doubt. And then the other player or the two other players that have kind of their form has been affected. One is Alexis McAllister.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think the reason for that is fitness. With McAllister, I'd say it's fitness. He missed a lot of preseason. He was injured. And, you know, he's now playing catch up as are a few other players, the likes of obviously we've mentioned Alexander Izak before.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
He didn't have a preseason. So he's playing catch up. And so I think with McAllister, his is a fitness issue. And he is so important, so pivotal to the way that our midfield performs. And I think that it's one of the reasons that Florian Vietz hasn't really hit the ground running is because McAllister behind him hasn't been in the best of form. And I think that when you do see that pick up in form for McAllister, I think that you will see an improvement for Vietz as well.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
The other senior player, obviously, that you could argue is not pulling his weight or and that's probably not the best way to put it, but is not as effective as he has been in previous seasons. And that is obviously Mohamed Salah.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Salah is... I think he's looking exposed simply because we've got an entirely new fullback situation at right back behind him, whether it's Jeremy f Frimpong or whether it's Connor Bradley.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
That relationship is going to take time to build. And there is just no relationship to build at the moment when there is constant rotation in that right back position.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, whereas with with Trent Alexander-Arnold, it was pretty much consistently Trent and Mo down that right flank.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously the way that he played as well is is radically different to the way that Connor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong play.
Liverpool's Position in the League and Player Duties
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there are lots of kind of moving parts to this situation and that there are a lot of reasons why the team is not clicking and gelling at the moment.
00:09:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet, and yet, despite this mini crisis, as many have kind of characterised it, we still sit in second place in the Premier League, a point behind leaders Arsenal. So it could be much, much worse.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I think it's going to be important for some of those senior players, the likes of McAllister and for Salah to go away to their respective international teams.
00:10:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
and refined some of that form that Salah is looking for and the fitness that McAllister is looking for. I mean, some of the positive news is that Ibrahima Kanate and Hugo Ektike have both travelled to join the French squad.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And normally, as I mentioned before, We're all kind of, you know, holding our breath thinking, oh, I wish he didn't have to go on international duty because, you know, the fear of getting injured.
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think on this occasion, you know, the fact that both of those players, Kanate and it means that they're both fit. Eketike had, could you know, we had concerns about him midweek in the Champions League against Galatasaray.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kanate both seemed to limp off. chelsea But, you know, I don't know whether that was because Van Dijk might have booted Canate a few times for being absolutely rubbish this season.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the fact that they've travelled, I think, is a good thing. It means that we don't have an injury crisis. at centre-back, which, you know, we are on the verge of.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Leone is out for the whole season. And if Canate goes, then we've just got Van Dijk and Joe Gomez right up until the January transfer window. So let's have a look at the players that are leaving for for international duty and what that means for them, what it means for us.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Connor Bradley, who hasn't had the best, I think, of times this season. He also came back from an injury at the start of the season. So he was in and out of the team.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hasn't really hit the ground running this season, really hasn't found a rhythm. And as I said, I don't think it helps that there's this constant kind of rotation between those two teams.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
right backs, but he's going away on international duty for Northern Ireland. And funny enough, one of the games that he's playing is going to be against Germany. So he's going to be coming up against Florian Viet. So let's hope he doesn't go in too hard against Viet.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
The fixtures that he's playing Friday, October the 10th, Northern Ireland, home to Slovakia. And then Monday, October the 13th, Northern Ireland, welcome Germany.
00:12:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that will be an interesting game for Liverpool supporters to look out for. Hugo Eketike, Ibrahima Kanate, as I mentioned, have joined up with the French national team Friday, October tenth France host Azerbaijan and then on Monday, October 13th, they travel to play Iceland.
00:13:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Dutch national team have got quite few Liverpool players now. We've got Jeremy Frimpong, Cody Gakpo. Ryan Gravenberg and obviously Captain Virgil van Dijk joining up with the Dutch team Thursday, October 9th.
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
They travel to Malta. And then Sunday, October 12th, they are at home to Finland. So you'd expect them to get maximum points from those two games.
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another one that I think is going to be of real interest for us is Alexander Izak will be playing for Sweden, or at least he's travelled to join up with the Swedish squad. You'd hope that he does get minutes.
00:13:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Friday, October 10th, Sweden will be hosting Switzerland. And Monday, October 13th, they are hosting Kosovo.
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's hope that he gets more minutes under his belt and that he can, you know, find the back of the net because, you know, we we need a fit and firing Isaac.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, to be fair, I mean, Hugo Eketike, I think has been absolutely outstanding. I think he's going to be such a player for Liverpool. But if we can have Eketike and Isaac...
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
terrorising defences, then it it can only mean that we're going to be scoring a lot of goals and picking up a lot of points. The Hungarian national team has called up Dominic Sabozlai and Milos Kerkhez.
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Saturday 11th of October, Hungary at home to Armenia. And then Tuesday, October 14th, Hungary will travel to play against Portugal.
00:15:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Bozla is just a machine. he he just plays every single game. he's He's got to be one of the most athletic players in modern football. and And so, you know, I i expect him to probably be playing both of those games. He's captain as well.
00:15:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Milos Kerkhez, who hasn't enjoyed the best of starts at Liverpool. I think that, I think he'll be happy to get away and get minutes with Hungary, go to another familiar environment, maybe just get some, you know, some more confidence in his game as well. Because I think Andy Robertson has just reminded us what,
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, what a great left back he's been at the club and that he's still worth his place. Georgian Mamba Dashfali will be joining up with Georgia. Saturday, October 11th, they travel to play Spain, which will be a tough game.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Tuesday, October 14th, they travel to play Turkey. Andy Robertson, as I've mentioned, Scotland captain. Thursday, October the 9th, Scotland are at home to Greece. And then Sunday, October the 12th, Scotland at home to Belarus. So a real opportunity for Scotland, and really, to pick up some points in that group.
00:16:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, that left back position is really up for grabs. is. I think at the start of the season, most people were thinking, well, the club have shelled out £40 million pounds for Milos Kerkhez.
00:16:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
That means he is the number one. And although he has played every game, whether it's... I mean, he started every game and he's been substituting most games.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Andy Robertson has also featured, I think, more times this season than many of us expected. And so, you know, extra minutes for for and Andy Robertson as well.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just means that there's a lot of competition at that left-back spot, which is good for us. And then Florian Wietz for Germany, Friday, October 10th, Germany at home to Luxembourg.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, as I've mentioned, Monday, October 13th, Germany travel to play Northern Ireland, where Wietz will come face to face with his club colleague, Connor Bradley.
00:17:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mohamed Salah is also in action for Egypt. Wednesday, October 8th, Egypt travelled to Djibouti.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Sunday, October twelfth Egypt versus Guinea. So, again, those are a couple of games where you just hope that the one Salah comes back fit, no injury concerns, but that he also scores. He's to score some goals or or You know, provide some assists so that you can hopefully bring some confidence back to Liverpool.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then the other big one, I think that, you know, for us is really important is Alexis McAllister. who travels to meet up with the Argentinian squad.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Saturday, October 11th, Argentina at home to Venezuela. And then Tuesday, October 14th, Argentina at home to Puerto Rico.
Upcoming Match Against Manchester United
00:18:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you're just hoping that these players can come back fit, no injury concerns and come back quickly. The Manchester United game is on a Sunday. So, you know, it gives, you know, three or four days for those players to, you know, to to kind of rest and and and get ready for what is going to be obviously a huge game. It's always a big game against Manchester United.
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Always has been, always will be. But with back-to-back defeats for us, United winning their last game, they will be coming to Anfield, make no mistake, looking to pile on some more pain.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we've we've really got to be at it to win this game. And personally, I just think it's the perfect perfect game for us. I think winning it will give the team and the support is just a huge lift.
00:19:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing better than putting the Manx in their place. But I've said on more than one occasion that one of the issues that we're facing this season, whether it's a deliberate thing or whether it's an unconscious thing, is that our tempo has been just really, really slow. The tempo in our game has been really slow.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'm not sure Anfield is going to allow this team or any Liverpool team to kind of meander around with the ball around our own penalty box.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anfield is going to demand high energy, high tempo, and just to really go at United. And hopefully... remind ourselves of what we're capable of when we go full throttle throttle and really take the game to the opposition.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So huge game to look forward to. But that is all for today. You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us again tomorrow as we get through this international break. Until then, thank you for listening.
Closing and Acknowledgements
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencastr came out as the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone, AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
your daily soccer podcast with the Global Sports Podcast Network.