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Brentford 0-2 Liverpool. Nunez at the Double!
17 Plays3 days ago
Liverpool took all three points in dramatic fashion against Brentford on Saturday. Tom Goward joins Jesse Sarwar to go through all the main talking points on what could prove to be a pivotal weekend in this seasons title race.
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Transcript
Liverpool's Dramatic Win at G-Tech
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's the Monday review show and we are going to be talking about Saturday's game at the G-Tech where Liverpool came away with all three points in the most dramatic of fashions. I'm in the company of Tom Gower to pick the bones out of this one. Tom, how's it going?
00:00:34
Tom Goward
Yeah, look, a lot better, thank you. Now we're back onto winning ways and we can all laugh at Arsenal, which I'm sure we'll do it in and the episode, but feeling much better this weekend.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. All right, let's get straight into this Liverpool where the visitors in this 3 p.m. kickoff and the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, which would have made it three draws in a row in the Premier League after the 2-2 against United, the 1-1 draw at Forest, but in stoppage time, up steps that shh, sorry, not very good version of Andy Carroll, the shush those boo boys,
00:01:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
not once but twice as this, what can you say, this absolute enigma of a player wins the game for Liverpool, wins all three points to steer the Reds, seven points clear of second place Arsenal at the full time whistle. I mean, Tom Mahat is racing again, just like talking about those final few minutes.
Nunes' Impact and Criticism
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give us your thoughts about this win for Liverpool.
00:01:40
Tom Goward
Well, I'm very pleased for Nunes to get the goals. I think that's what he needed. There's been a lot of criticism from Liverpool fans, from the media sort of slot with saying, you know, he can score goals, but he hasn't quite found that form. So I think it's done him good. However, let's not get carried away. It's two goals for him. That doesn't mean he's suddenly the best forward we've got at the club. You know, there's still that side. He still needs to carry this on now, you know, these sort of goal scoring form from yesterday into the rest of the season. But he turned up when he needed to. I think all the substitutes, the players actually haven't been given a lot of minutes in Harvey Elliott and Kiezer as well, came on and were involved in both goals. I know Trent got the assist for the first one, but the build-up play they were involved. So that was nice to see that yet again slot substitutes have made an impact.
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it does feel like a massive win at the 90 minute mark in this game, Arsenal players, Michael Arteza, Arsenal fans, especially the delusional ones, which are quite a high percentage of those at Arsenal. They must have been thinking, what an opportunity.
00:02:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah If we can beat Villa at home, you know they they'll go two points behind Liverpool.
Arsenal's Missed Opportunity Against Villa
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what a sliding doors moment if ever there was one in this season's title race because Arsenal do go two up against Villa, but then you know throw that lead away, end up drawing 2-2. It means that we are now six points ahead of Arsenal crucially with that game in hand.
00:03:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, is is this a knockout blow for Arsenal or is it still early to too early to say that?
00:03:22
Tom Goward
I don't know, because just when you think Arsenal are sort of going to be there, but from a Liverpool point of view, they then go and do this and yeah trust Unai Emery and Abela to upset their chances of it again, but it's only January. but and I don't know, they just haven't got that they haven't got that title-winning instinct this season. you know just The opportunities have arisen for them. We've been superb, but we you know this we were heading for our third draw, like you said, in a row. We've dropped some points in draws.
00:03:51
Tom Goward
And they that's their chance to catch them up and catch us up. And and now they've they've done that. They've got Forrest lurking behind them who have winter day gone, the same level of points, I believe. So I think, at the moment, I would put Forrest finishing above Arsenal, just the way that Forrest can actually sort of see out a game and, all right, they they might not be winning all the time, you know, they drew to us, but Arsenal, like they tune it up at home.
00:04:20
Tom Goward
And you think they're safe and Aston Villa go and do what they did. I mean, it's brilliant for us. I just think we had 37 shots yesterday and the 36 and the 37 shot are the ones that counted. And that's the sort of tenacity that we need to go on to win the league. And I don't think Arsenal have got that this season. They're lacking in a strike and now Jesus is out.
Liverpool's Title Chances vs. Arsenal's Consistency
00:04:42
Tom Goward
And and that's why I still think we're firm favourites to win the league.
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, ah I've said this, but I said this at the start of the season, I predicted that Arsenal would finish third. I had absolutely no, no feeling that Arsenal were going to win the league, because I think i think that they missed their opportunity. and I've said this before on the podcast, I think there comes a time with a team where you can't keep finishing second. You know, you've you've got to make that step because if you keep finishing second,
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
that that kind of pressure just keeps building and building. And you just always end up being the nearly men. And that could have happened with Liverpool. in the clock era against you know a Guardiola man city.
00:05:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That could have happened. you know But we went that one step. And and you've got to remember, we we finished on 90 points multiple times. 97 points didn't win us the league.
00:05:41
Tom Goward
No, no.
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had to go one step further. and And we did that. And we did that with the Champions League. And and that's what really cemented that team being a great team.
Liverpool's Major Achievements
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't care what anyone else says.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't care what Roy Keane says that you've got to win it three or five or six times to be considered a great Premier League team because Roy Keane's Manchester United didn't have the juggernaut that was Man City to to go up against.
00:06:08
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And for us to do that, to win the Premier League, to win the Champions League, it was a it was it was not just a huge achievement, but it it just confirmed to us that we were good enough, that we could not just compete, but we could go toe to toe and we could win. I don't think Arsenal have got that because they just haven't done it. And I think this season,
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
if they don't win the league and they're they still they they're still in it. I don't buy buy this narrative that some but some kind of pundits and and you know people in the media are putting forward outside of Liverpool, outside of the club, outside of the fan base, that this title race tight races over. It's Liverpool's to lose. I don't buy that. But I do think that if they don't win it,
00:06:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's going to be a massive thing for them to overcome. But but what what do you think about Arsenal?
Arsenal's Striker Dilemma
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are they going to go out and, will it make a difference for them if they go out and buy a striker?
00:07:14
Tom Goward
No.
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will that make them more of a threat for us?
00:07:19
Tom Goward
Depends who the striker is. Unless it's Erling Haaland, I don't think so because do you
00:07:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can wait 10 years, I suppose, to get in there.
00:07:24
Tom Goward
You can't buy, well you can, but buying a player to sort out your season halfway through the season, in a sense, that's a lot of pressure on them. so and there And there is world-class strikers out there, there is, and I'm not saying people wouldn't be able to do it, but that' you're asking a lot of a player midway through a season to join Arsenal to essentially not save their season, but they are lacking that strike a role.
00:07:56
Tom Goward
But and but and then we talk about how good they are defensively and they missed Saliba yesterday and it showed you know the both goals they conceded they were two great goals but they could have done a lot better especially the second one you know like Thomas Partey's playing in defense I believe
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:11
Tom Goward
not a defender but you know he's a defensive midfield so it's pretty close and he tries to step up to play Watkins offside and gets it all wrong and just like they're the little errors that they're making that I actually don't think we are and we're getting a bit lucky in the sense we have Van Dijk who is just every week just is amazing and just saves us in situations that he needs to but also we we We are set up in every in every position on the pitch. We are set up perfectly. you know The defenders know their roles, the midfielders know their roles and the strikers know their roles. And I think Arsenal are
00:08:49
Tom Goward
It looks like they're trying, this might this might sound a bit wrong, but it sounds like they're trying looks like they're trying too hard because they know that they need to win a Premier League.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:57
Tom Goward
And when you try too hard, things don't go your way. And you're right, the title's
Liverpool's Resilience and Strengths
00:09:02
Tom Goward
not over. It's not it's not Liverpool's to lose. They are only six points behind. We've still got to play them.
00:09:09
Tom Goward
you know so But would be disappointing from a Liverpool point of view to drop off drastically now, which I don't think we're going to by a country mile. Not after yesterday, I don't think we are, but it would be disappointing to lose it and especially to them as well because they are an annoying club.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, look the title is not done, but we we are clearly with favorites that the game itself, it wasn't actually too disin dissimilar to the midweek game against forest, you know, Brentford, quite happy to see, uh, possession to Liverpool.
00:09:31
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:09:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
As you mentioned, we had 62% possession, uh, in this game, 37 shots eight on target. Maybe that midweek game helped us in a way, you know, to be patient, not to panic too much in this game.
00:09:55
Tom Goward
Well, that's what we've always been good at. Liverpool have never panicked, but even under clob and years gone by, we've never panicked. And we've just always been there. They keep fighting to the last minute. And I think that's the leaders in the teams of the Van Dyke's, the Salas, those that just don't give up and literally until the final whistle's gone. And that showed yesterday, you know, Trent got lucky with the, you know, crossed it, came back to him, crossed it again, but they just They just don't give up and slot is carried that on and put it into these new players.
00:10:23
Tom Goward
You know, the newish players, I'm talking like the McAllister's and Graham and Birch and stuff. And they just keep going relentlessly. And 37 shots is, well, I think it's the most ever since stats, since 2003 or something, since stats began, they were waiting.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:10:37
Tom Goward
Like you're caught, if you're going to have that many shots, of course, eventually one's going to go in. All right. It took to 91st minute, but one could have gone in in the second minute and then not again for the rest of the game. So it doesn't matter what minute it went in.
00:10:49
Tom Goward
But that's what I love about this team is they just keep going no matter what. And we we love a last minute go at Liverpool and those fans in the corner went absolutely crazy.
00:11:00
Tom Goward
ah ah gave me It was sort of similar vibes to Forrest last year when also Nunes scored late on.
Room for Improvement in Set Pieces
00:11:05
Tom Goward
and the Carabao Cup final when Van Dijk scored late on, like that just proves that this team over the years just doesn't give up regardless of what the situation is, the score or anything, the minute they just keep going to the end. and That's why I think we are definitely favourites to win the league.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Talking of stats, one of the stats that kind of, I don't know if it's a concern, but it does annoy me. We had 15 corners against Brentford. I mean, that is a ridiculous number. We do need to take more advantage of that. I mean, um I'm not saying that Arnie's slot, you know, should start wearing a s sttoke Stoke City baseball cap like, you know, our 10th.
00:11:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it is such an important part of your you know of your arsenal, you know pardon the pun, that you know you can use that when you're not getting much joy out in open play. just think that we should be mixing things up more. I think that the in swinging corner has always been the bane of my kind of, I think we should use more in swinging corners because I think it's more of a threat. And we do have players not just Trent, but McAllister, you know, who can really fire in a a good cross, but we just seem intent on always firing in those kind of outswingers.
00:12:17
Tom Goward
Yeah, but and we've got the players to utilize to score the goals. You know, we've got two big centre backs in Van Dijkken, even Kwanzaa's tool, Grabbenbirch's tool, Jota's a great header of the ball, Gackpo's
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
nu as but yeah
00:12:31
Tom Goward
Nunez when he's playing, Gackpo as well. And then we've got the crosses of the two both fullbacks either side, Trent Robertson, Simakas, like you said, McAllister. So we've got the good mix. We're just not quite utilizing them. I don't know why, because we've always been, Liverpool have always been decent at corners. We've always scored a decent amount of goals from corners, but um obviously we scored against Forrest from a corner, which was an in-swinger, which we I think you were speaking about the other day on the,
00:12:58
Tom Goward
and the episode after that game you you were talking about outswing and in swinging corners and I totally agree with you I think in swinging corners are the way to go but yeah it's a weird one I hope but this is what was going to take time with slot right I think if we if we weren't doing so well these are sort of the things they can sort of work on and they probably are working on them but because we're doing well they probably didn't expect to be in this position so these sort of things don't will take longer to work out because they're focusing on other things like winning, being top of the Premier, being top of the Champions League. But it will take time and he'll figure out he's he's proven he's a good enough manager for Liverpool now. So only time will tell that these things will work out.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, let's let's talk about Slott.
Slott's Tactical Mastery
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've mentioned the manager. One of the features of his management this season is his in-game management. That's been so impressive. You know, whether making tactical tweaks, yeah personnel changes in the form of substitutions, it just reads the game so well. And we probably saw the most and a graphic example of that last Tuesday night against Forrest when Jota, Simakas, they combined score out equalizer just like 22 seconds after coming off the subs bench.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
but And he's continuing to affect those matches with his tactical changes, his substitutions, because they all played a part yesterday at Brentford, know, when those subs came on.
00:14:19
Tom Goward
Yeah, he's been, that's that's one thing I really like about him. That's sort of, I'm not saying Klopp didn't do that, but he knows he's squat. He knows what players he's got that can suit wear. So if you need to see out a game, we're winning by a goal, let's say. He might bring on Endo. He knows to bring on Endo. Or the only the only time he got slightly wrong was probably the manganitic game. He probably should have put Trent off a little bit earlier. That's the only time I've been a bit like, right, okay. But yeah, like you said, the the midweek game,
00:14:46
Tom Goward
he he got the sub spot on. itp last Last night at Brentford game, you know all those subs had an impact. Great to see Harvey Elliott having an impact. I really hope this sort of changes his mind now when he starts more games. Same with Kiesa, the energy and the drive forward with the ball a couple of times he did it when he came on.
00:15:05
Tom Goward
which is good to see you know there's no rustiness there now he's he's flying so same with newness you know substitute scoring both goals so and then throughout the season he's just got it perfect when he needs when he needs to and that's that's what a lot of managers in the league I think lack is no especially new managers, you know, but mayors map and managers that have been there a long time, like Pep and stuff, they know their squad's inside out. Slot only joins, he's not even been there a year and he seems like he knows those boys, like he's known them for 10 years and he knows, right, I need this players to do this situation at this point in the game, blah blah blah, so he's he's been really good at that and they'll make it continue.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. i think I also think that he's just so brave. It's not just his, his tactical acumen, but he's so brave. You know, we've so many times a season when we're chasing the goal, we're like four to four or even like, you know, three defenders and like four or five attackers. So I really liked that about slot. But look, we've got to talk Darwin Nunes.
Nunes' Consistency Issues
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where do you start with this man, Tom?
00:16:12
Tom Goward
just went Just when I'm starting to fall out of love with him, he just reels me back in like that. But it's it's an interesting one because the there was obviously the bid, I don't know how true it was, but it was obviously a bid last week and Liverpool rejected it.
00:16:26
Tom Goward
And at the time I was like, why are they rejecting that? Like take take the 70 million or however, but, and then he goes and does this where he goes and wins us the game. on the day that, and then also eventually lose points.
00:16:36
Tom Goward
And I'm like, that's keeping there for that. Like I think I read no player has scored no way waiting team or no players scored more last minute away goals in the premier league ever than Darwin knew it it's like three or four or something.
00:16:51
Tom Goward
So it's not a massive number.
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and yeah
00:16:53
Tom Goward
So, you know, big
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they feel big, don't they they're not they? They're not big in terms of quantity, but the significance of these goals.
00:17:00
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:17:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does tend to come up with with big, big goals away from home. I remember that brace that you got at Newcastle, you mentioned the one away at Forest half season.
00:17:08
Tom Goward
Yes. Yeah.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
He does tend to come up with these big, big goals away from home when we really need them.
00:17:17
Tom Goward
and And I hope like that's what he that's what I think any player would need to boost their confidence, because he just lacks in confidence. I think that there is a striker there. you know Liverpool very rarely get it wrong. I know they spent a bit of money on him, but there is a player there. They saw a player there before he came. And you know some players don't fall off when they join new clubs. It comes to mind like Timo Werner, for example. you know but He, you watch the clips of him in training and online and stuff, and some of the finishing you go, God, where does he do that in a game? And I think the pressure of the game, he's got those fans singing in that chant to him, which he probably actually doesn't really understand, or maybe doesn't even know who Andy Carroll is. but But I think it just still gets, something and he's still young, you know, what what is he, 24, 23, 24?
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:09
Tom Goward
something like that. He's still young. So the pressure on him is a lot and he wants to leave the line for the biggest club in the world at the moment. but I just really hope this, that's what he needed. Two goals, two good finishes as well. The first one, you know, we got a bit lucky with Trenton sits, but you know, you still have to put it away. And then second one to just move away from the defender before Harvey only makes the pass and then just take the touch inside and just rifle at home.
00:18:33
Tom Goward
And that's what Salah does, right, with penalties. He doesn't really place them, he just rifles them. I think that's when Nunes needs to take a leaf out of his book and go, right, stop trying to place it in the top right corner, just smash it, and hope it goes in.
00:18:46
Tom Goward
and
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You think that's the, you know, I was looking at those goals, Tom, and I think those goals actually sum Nunez up
Coaching Needs for Nunes
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
really well. I don't want to be negative. He scored two you know really vital goals for us and and he may well score vital goals again between now and the end of the season. But if you examine those two goals closely, the first one, as you mentioned, Trent fires it at him.
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, he's got no time to think, puts it away clinically, instinctive finish. My issue it actually is the second goal, because the second goal he's played in by Harvey Elliott, like you said, great first touch, takes it away from the defender.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now what did he do? He puts his head down, he smashes the ball as hard as he can, straight down the center of the goal. If you watch the replays, he just is the goalkeeper, right?
00:19:36
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think the jotter, I think that Alexandra Isaac, they keep their head up and just, just place the ball either side of the keeper. And that for me, I think has been his problem. It's not his technical ability. It's not his work rate. He's got phenomenal pace.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
the guy will run through a brick wall for you. It's his composure in front of goal in those kind of crucial moments. And, you know, it's worked out this time, you know, smashing the ball from eight yards this time.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that this is where he needs coaching. Robbie Fowler, I think, I think was just over a week ago in the FA Cup.
00:20:15
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, pre match, you know, he he was kind of, you know, he questioned whether Nunez is the right player, you know, to lead the line for Liverpool.
00:20:27
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just think that we've got no shortage of great x strikers, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, I know people don't like Michael Owen, but just in terms of bringing in him just to say, look, this is how you finish got Ian Rush,
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
right?
00:20:47
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:20:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bring someone in and just try and get through that skull of his that look, you know, when you're through and goal, this is this is how you compose yourself. I just think you need to help in that in that final moment.
00:21:01
Tom Goward
100% and not only have we got good ex-finishers, forwards that used to play for Liverpool, but there's some good forwards at the club now.
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:11
Tom Goward
Alright, Salah's not a striker, but Salah knows how to finish, yeah score a goal. and i'm just I don't know, what good we don't know what happens in training. but I just think you're right, I think a striker coach almost, you know how you have throwing coaches and set piece, someone but someone that's got but like you're you're right someone's got a passion for a club, the Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Kenny Douglas, they must not be doing much now, get them in and because they were proper forwards, right they were proper strikers and I think newness can be that, ah ah but a proper striker.
00:21:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:46
Tom Goward
and And they just, you're right. I think someone just needs to say to him, get his confidence up, tell him right. Cause you're right. He did just smash it from eight yards down the goal. But then it's weird because his composure yesterday and finishing was better than anyone else's on the pitch. You know, gank post that shot, that chance he had, I think it was just before halftime.
00:22:08
Tom Goward
He was played in by Salah. I think Salah put a few wides.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:12
Tom Goward
Diaz did really nothing again and and this is the thing. If Nunez starts performing well and Jota's fit, which is looking like it's being an issue at the moment, he's back then he's gone and he's back again.
00:22:22
Tom Goward
but If those two can stay fit, Diaz can go back to the left wing, then he that's where his position is.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:22:27
Tom Goward
But the last few games, we talked about, I think it must have been a month ago, the Gap Pro-Diaz Salah fall, and we liked it. And since then, I liked the other two on the wings. I'm just not a fan of Diaz now, out the middle.
00:22:40
Tom Goward
He's better at just running from the wings, in at the box. and But that's no fault of his own, because Jot has been injured and Nunes hasn't been performing, so he's had to change something. say but hopefully this will, this will sort of, we'll put it back a bit. but jo this is the thing, just as being injured, if he's going to be injured, like he is, it's, it's an issue really. And, going forward, because if Nunez is not going to perform and then she might leave, who knows he might be sold in the summer. we need to go and get a, a world-class striker. in someone like Isaac, who is just on fire at the moment and always has been, that's not Liverpool's way, right? We always buy.
00:23:19
Tom Goward
lesser players, you say, and and make them world class. So we'll see. We'll see going forward. But Nunez has reeled me back in and I'm back on the Nunez hype train for now.
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it i i suppose I suppose it shows just how important it is to have six quality forwards, right? you can Because the law of averages just suggests that at some point one of them is going to contribute, right? So if Jota is out injured, you know, then Nunes comes up with a couple of goals. If Nunes is not firing, you know, we've seen Gackpo, Diaz, obviously Salah, all contribute. And now Kiesa is getting, you know,
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
a few appearances now and you can see that he's match fitness is building up. He's quick. He offers something different. I think second half of the season, if those players can stay fit and obviously jotter, that's the big question mark over jotter. And even you mentioned Alexander is that which is great strike probably the best strike in the Premier League at the moment out and out number nine.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he doesn't have a great injury record as well.
00:24:20
Tom Goward
No, no.
00:24:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
His fitness is not is not great. So that is something, you know, would be a concern if we were to go for him. Maybe that's what we haven't. But so all right, we're going to take a ah ah quick break.
00:24:27
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when we come back, we'll do some player ratings.
Liverpool Players' Performance Review
00:25:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's do some player ratings. Alison and goal. What do you think of his performance? What are you going to give him out of 10?
00:25:17
Tom Goward
Well, it's nice of him to get a clean sheet. I feel like they've been lacking recently, the clean sheets, especially since he came back from injury.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:25:24
Tom Goward
And I thought it's sort of gone under the radar a little bit that actually but he had many clean sheets this season and maybe Liverpool sort of knew something was going to happen. Hence why we bought a goalkeeper for next summer.
00:25:35
Tom Goward
but i give for a clean sheet and it's alison i'll give I'll give him a good 8. I don't think he had to do too much. There was that chance Bronford had. Dan's guard just missed it. That was probably really when they only threatened the goal but made some saves in the kit to clean sheet so I'll give Alison an 8.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's I think it's really weird. I think that he's had quite a bit of, not criticism, but a lot of question marks as to like whether his level has dropped, which I spoke to Adash about the other day. And you know for me, it's kind of borderline blasphemy. It's a kind of um you know question, Alison. But so i thought I thought he was pretty good. I'm going to give him a seven. But you're right, it's really important that we got the clean sheet because we haven't had one of those.
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
for a while. Let's go to the fullbacks. It was Trent and Simakas that started. I thought Trent had a good game.
00:26:28
Tom Goward
Yeah, I think he did. That was his best game in a while, I think, which is good, which is good to see. He's bounced, he's turned it around from the United game. Yeah, the performance, it havingt that performance hasn't stuck. I thought he was good against Forrest in the week. Not amazing, but he was better. And then the Brentford game last night, he was He was a lot better.
00:26:49
Tom Goward
So I'll give him an eight because he put some good passes in as well. And I think he actually had a hundred percent tackle success rate, which is good. Nice to see him winning tackles, all of his tackles. So yeah, I'll give him a good eight and I'll give Simakas.
00:27:03
Tom Goward
I'll probably give Simakas a seven. You know, he didn't do too much, but kept, you know, I think all the defenders, you know, they kept a clean sheet.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:10
Tom Goward
So I'll give Simakas a seven.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, identical to me. I've i've given Trent and a Simicast a seven. And then the centre backs, I thought they were very, very good. I thought Canate and Van Dyke had a really good solid game because again, as we mentioned earlier in the pod, Brentford do play a similar style to Forrest in the sense that, you know, you've you've got all this possession, but then they will hit you, you know, quite hard on the counter attack.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
and a lot of times those centre backs were isolated but you know both Kanate and Van Dyck really stood up well to those counter-attacks.
00:27:49
Tom Goward
Yeah. And I think you're right. I think the forest game in the week sort of might have prepared Liverpool for the Brentford game and okay, right. They got done on a quick counter on forest eight minutes in in the week. Let's, how do we rectify that? And I think that's, they learned from that. And when you've got Van Dyke there.
00:28:04
Tom Goward
yeah not much can go wrong. I've watched the highlights and watched most of the game actually and they go Van Dijk clears it away, Van Dijk gets that away. It's just like every time like obviously teams are going to have chances against us but it's how we deal with them and how he deals with them and he just he just does not put a foot wrong and then you've got Canata next to him who's quick, big as well. it's it's It's a really successful partnership and hope just I hope he signs a contract and it can last for a few more years because it's a really good partnership to watch. So I'll give them both i'll give them both an 8.
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
exactly the same as me. Right, let's move on to the midfield then. gravevin but I thought the midfield were very, very good. I thought Gravenberg and McAllister, for me, they're just so consistent now. The amount of times Gravenberg just gets to the ball and just glides past two or three players. He just does it with so much. It's just so effortless. And, you know, he's i think he's I've noticed in the last few games,
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
getting more influential in that kind of final third as well. I think he's a real positive.
00:29:09
Tom Goward
and yeah and He had that shot as well, didn't he?
00:29:13
Tom Goward
From, like, 2025.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's done that a couple of times and he's got that in him.
00:29:15
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got that in him and I really hope that we can see more of that. And then McAllister, you know, the poor guy always looks like he's he's he's just like gassed out after each game.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
He just please just puts everything into it and he just looks like he needs a holiday.
00:29:32
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he, even when he comes back from other days, I think he's just one of those players that he just looks absolutely shattered after every game.
00:29:36
Tom Goward
yeah
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
then for me, so Boslai was, I just thought he was brilliant. The guys got so much energy. And again, he has got an absolute hammer of a shot on him and I just want him to use it more often.
00:29:51
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:29:53
Tom Goward
Yeah. that's That shot he had, that space opened up, didn't it? And he went, oh, go on then. And he hit the bar. But that that those three midfielders probably are best midfielders. They're all fit, which most of the time, I know he's been out ill, but actually, McAnister and Graham and Burch have not been injured.
00:30:10
Tom Goward
Graham and Burch certainly hasn't been injured this season. And so it's a good...
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
because there are only a couple of games through suspension, they are very, very consistent in terms of air of their availability.
00:30:16
Tom Goward
Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. and
00:30:21
Tom Goward
Yeah, which is good because then that's our best midfield, those three, but by a mile. And just, they know, they all know their roles, right? I think you're right. Graham and Burch just, he's become so important in that sixth role. And then you've got McAnister next to him, but actually McAnister can just get forward, play those passes in, be that creative player. and So you mix the defensive side of Graham and Burch with the creative side of McAnister, and then you've got the work rate of Sir Boselight.
00:30:48
Tom Goward
who might not get the most in goals and most assists, which a few months ago was a bit of an issue for me personally, I was a bit like want to see more, but the things he could, like the things he can create and stop, you know, he gets back and I think in the week he slid in and blocked, they were hoofing it up the pitch and he ran in and blocked the front of it anywhere. Just things like that where it just keeps the ball in the Liverpool end, you know, up towards the opposition's goal. So I'll probably give,
00:31:16
Tom Goward
I'll probably give Graham and Burch a seven and I'll give McAllister an eight. I just saw some of the passes from McAllister yesterday and the creative flair he's got just is a joy to watch and I'll give us a buzz light because that shot nearly went in and then it was a thunder of a shot. I'll give him an eight as well.
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
bit harsh mate. I've gone for, I've gone for eights for Gravenberg and McAllister and a nine for Sir Bozle.
00:31:40
Tom Goward
Okay.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because yeah, I just thought he was outstanding. And funnily enough, I thought that it was the front three that were that were good. But in terms of the ratings I've given, it's probably the lowest in terms of the starters, right.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So Salah again, You know, that chance that you had towards the end, where again, he opens up his body. He's ah outside of the area, just at the edge of the area. And you just think he's just going to slot that bottom corner. And it goes wide. I'm giving him a seven and Diaz and Gatpo sixes. I thought they were, they were trying. There's no doubt that they're putting the effort in, but that it just wasn't clicking in this game.
00:32:20
Tom Goward
Yeah, I think Sal has gone a few games without a goal now, which I don't think we should be worried. But I'm just starting to think, is this contract situation playing with his head like he did with Trent? I know we keep mentioning it, but that's maybe that's just an excuse for him. And I'm not worried about him not scoring a last weekend. I mean, it's messed up my fantasy team, but that doesn't matter. and But yeah, just you expect, I expect better from the amount of chances we created yesterday. I'd expect one of those starting from three to score at least one.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:50
Tom Goward
and didn't really you know that finish on gapo or you can I look like he just passed it off the pitch like he's been in he's in too good form this season to not do that so that's disappointing to see so I mean I can't really give any of them
00:33:06
Tom Goward
higher than the seven so I have to give them all sixes I think I agree with you I just I expect one of those throughou three with the chance we create to score one and they had did it and it took the substitute to do it which is fine they're not going to score every game but I would expect it a lot better from someone finishing especially from Gatper and Salah yesterday.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think of substitutes? And we had Robertson come on Jones, Elliott Nunez. I thought Robertson was okay issue a couple of moments again, where he kind of In his attempt to clear the ball, there was one particular moment where he tries to head the ball, but it goes straight to an opposition player the edge of the area and almost cost this goal.
00:33:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm giving him a six Jones came on. again I don't want to be sound too harsh I'm giving him a six because I just think that we've said this before in the pod I just think that in that final third I think he slows the the game down too much I'm okay with him sitting next to Gravenberg or McAllister in that delve double double pivot but I think when he's going further forward I think he just slows it down too much for me so I'm giving him a six. I thought Elliot was brilliant when he came on and I just want to see more of him because I think he's so positive know with his passing and his intelligence he's the one that played the through ball to Trent led to that first goal so I'm giving him an eight and then I can't give Nunez anything less than nine because at the end of the day he's stuck two goals away and got to three points
00:34:37
Tom Goward
What about Kieser as well? Did you want to give?
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I'm giving him an eight because I thought that he was, i thought I just thought that he was, he was a threat.
00:34:41
Tom Goward
Yeah. yeah
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he was, he just, he was another pacey forward player that Brentford had to deal with. And I think he kind of opened up space as well for the other players.
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and I think you saw that in that in the second goal for Nunes, where he was one of those kind of, you know, forwards that was just kind of, you know, bursting forward on that counter attack.
00:34:56
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:35:00
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah, the only ones were, for me, it was just Robertson and Jones, which, you know, they could have done better. But, you know, then again, it's sometimes hard to come on as a sub away from home and, you know, when you're chasing the game.
00:35:14
Tom Goward
yeah
00:35:20
Tom Goward
Yeah, I'd agree with you on Robertson. I think I'd give him a six. I think you're right, the header could have cost us the goal. And, you know, him he's been great for us, but it's just ah ah just like, right right, come on.
00:35:35
Tom Goward
Like, something's happened. I don't know, but just to dip in quality from him.
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and Yeah.
00:35:39
Tom Goward
It's the quality.
00:35:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:35:40
Tom Goward
it's Yeah, it's the quality on him.
00:35:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:42
Tom Goward
And and it's just worrying that I don't really read that we're looking for another left back. Maybe not in January, but at all, like we want players, you know, like there's, that Davies, I think is out of contract with Bayern Munich and Kirke is from Bournemouth and Robinson from Fulham.
00:35:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:58
Tom Goward
So there's players we want, but you're just like, I'm just not sure because Simikas is not, I know he started yesterday, but he's not, I don't think he's good enough to be a starter for Liverpool going down the line.
00:36:09
Tom Goward
So, and that, that fallback roles, those fallback roles for Liverpool are so important and so you need to world-class players and we have for years we've had Trenton Robinson they have been world-class players in what they do you know they've both got the most assists for defenders in the league so It's a shame to see the drop off from Robertson, but yeah, I'll give him a six. Jones, as you know, I'm the head of the Curtis Jones fan club. and I just, I just not sure. I just really not sure on him at the moment. I just, you're right. He slows the game down and I think he gets lucky. The first goal he holds, I don't know if he tries and goes round on it or turn around and he loses a ball, but then it falls to
00:36:50
Tom Goward
It must be Harvey Elliott. It falls to someone who plays in Trenton. And if he doesn't that doesn't fall to him, he's lost the ball there on the edge of the box and essentially we don't score that goal. And I'm just like, why you do why are you holding on? It's like he looks as many touches as he can. If he plays the whole 90 minutes or comes on for the last 20 or whatever. And doesn't look forward, doesn't look up and go forward. and Always just goes back.
00:37:15
Tom Goward
but Most of the time goes back, Van Dyke said, I'll just give it to him and he can deal with it. yeah It's not my problem. And I just want to see more. You're right. I think he's better when he's deeper. yeah know pays in that alongside gram and bich that's He's better there because he's not an attacking him, he feels that. He doesn't get in the box enough. He doesn't create chances enough. He's not created enough. But saying that, you know we still got a good player on our hands and he's still got a lot to learn. and but So I'll give him a five.
00:37:44
Tom Goward
I'll give Jones a five, which is probably half, but whatever. Then I'll give, yeah, I'll give Javier and Kiesa an eight. Nice to see, nice to see them get some minutes and do something with the minutes they got. Promising looking at Kiesa, I know it wasn't for long, but you're right, the pace he had.
00:38:04
Tom Goward
driving forward with the ball. That's what we that's what we need. right That's why Diaz has been good before and get they just drive with the ball and he's a lot quicker than them as well, even though those two are quick. So that was good to see. And then, yeah, Harvey Elliott, I mean, I had him down as my young player of the year the Premier League. And so that's, you know, I'm his biggest fan, I think. So I really like to see him come on and and get Trent in on the first goal, ah assist the second goal. And because he's reeled me back in and I'm all aboard the hype, I'll probably give Nunez, yeah, I'll give him a nine. I don't think, I think I can give him a 10. I'll give him a nine. Yeah, I mean, one has to gain. So then, you know, score two great goals, one has to gain. And I just really hope he can build on from this.
00:38:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. We shall see. know what? I've just been looking at the the fixture list and and I think, you know, we we did this earlier in the podcast ah in the week.
Upcoming Challenges in February
00:38:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
our Our February is quite, you know, it's quite so it's quite tricky.
00:39:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got, first of February, we're away to Bournemouth and Bournemouth are absolutely flying. I don't know if you're absolutely bad at Newcastle.
00:39:11
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah.
00:39:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were fantastic. We've got the Merseyside Derby, away to Everton, that's a mid-week game, right, so under the lights, followed by home to Wolves, Sunday 16th February, and then we finish off the month, away to Man City, 23rd February at the Etihad, and then home to Newcastle on the 26th of February. That's our that's our February, but if you look at arsenals,
00:39:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal for the month of February have got, they are, yeah, second of February, home to Man City.
00:39:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are then away to Leicester. 22nd February, they are home to West Ham. And then at the end of February, 26th of February, away to Forest.
00:40:09
Tom Goward
That's a big one. That Arsenal Forest is a big one. Yeah, that's that's huge because we don't know what's going to happen with us like during that month.
00:40:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a massive set.
00:40:18
Tom Goward
That's at the end of February, right? So there's still the whole of February to play. The City Newcastle games that close together, don't worry me, but and it feels a bit like when we played City around Madrid in the space of four days.
00:40:32
Tom Goward
Not that I'm comparing Newcastle to Madrid, but you've got two massive games.
00:40:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:40:36
Tom Goward
at the end of a very important month, I mean every month's important, but yeah that Arsenal Forest game, me ah ah yeah that's big, that's that's huge actually, thinking about it.
00:40:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Fighting out for second and third. Let's see.
00:40:49
Tom Goward
yeah
00:40:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is all for today. um today. um Give us a follow on your preferred podcast platform so that you get the very latest content when it drops.
Listener Engagement and Updates
00:40:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Follow us on social media at GSP and Liverpool.
00:41:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can email us at GSP and daily Liverpool at gmail dot.com. Join us again tomorrow for our tactics show where we'll be going through this game in more detail from myself and Tom.
00:41:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you for listening.