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Episode 70: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur Carabao Cup preview
14 Plays25 days ago
It's a special crossover episode for the Daily English Premier League, Daily Liverpool and Daily Tottenham podcasts.
Chris Mervyn, Louie Easton and Marcus Ramtohul talk about their club's chances of progressing to the final and the first piece of silverware up for grabs this season - with mixed opinions about how this cup tie will finish at Anfield with Spurs taking a 1-0 lead into the fixture.
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Transcript
Introduction: Crossover Episode - EFL Cup Semi-Final
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, hello, welcome back to the Global Sports Podcast Network Daily English Premier League, crossing over with the Daily Liverpool and the Daily Tottenham Hotspur Show. So it's an epic crossover Thursday for you this time around because it is the English Football League Cup semi
Carabao Cup's Significance for Spurs and Liverpool
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
-final. In my day, it was the Coca-Cola Cup. These days, they call it the Carabao Cup, but it is a piece of silverware and I say it's a bit tongue in cheek, Spurs and Liverpool gunning for a treble.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Still in all the competitions, I am joined by Louis Easton.
00:00:40
Louie Easton
yeah
00:00:44
Louie Easton
Hello, I would like it to be known that we are going for a quadruple actually. That would be nice. But yeah, no, great to be here. Really looking forward to the match and definitely plenty of jeopardy in this one, especially since we have one nil down.
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, and representing Spurs, Chris Mervyn, hello.
00:01:00
Chris Mervyn
Hello, hello. um I am not going for the trouble. oh Well, yeah, I am. Yeah, we are. Yeah, we're out of the league. It's fun.
Spurs' Ambition and Investment in the Cup
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely absolutely but you know so on this podcast very very early on in the season I went on a little rant about whether or not this competition was really worth the time and effort anymore considering the the prize at stake the prize money obviously the place in Europe and the strain it puts on a squad competing on lots of fronts but I feel like and correct me if I'm wrong Chris Tottenham have got more skin in the game here because I feel like
00:01:09
Chris Mervyn
We've gone out.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
If this piece of silverware is run, that's a huge win for Ange, for Daniel Levy, for Tottenham altogether, and perhaps it's got more value than I initially thought.
Squad Depth Challenges for Spurs
00:01:47
Chris Mervyn
You're right, it's the biggest game of the season so far, I think. um And yes, when you're early doors, you don't really appreciate it, but obviously you get to a semi-final, then it becomes worthy of some real merit, doesn't it?
00:01:50
Louie Easton
Wow
00:02:00
Chris Mervyn
but um Yeah, on review, obviously you need a real squad size to be able to compete on all ah fronts. we We're not competing on all fronts, we're just hanging in on lots of fronts, to be fair. um And we found ourselves in a situation where we had a really, one of our best performances, obviously against Liverpool as well, of the season um at home. And now we've got to do it away and it's going to be a different proposition, so we say.
00:02:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but coming off the back of a great win at the weekend, I thought ah but i certainly thought I saw a different kind of Spurs side. um what what made What was different this weekend? Why did it suddenly come together?
00:02:37
Chris Mervyn
um Yeah, you' you're exactly right to say it was good performance I think that's another one of our best ones, you know, we've probably a free really good sound out performance is that Brentford Liverpool first leg and Man City I would say probably as our standout ones and where things have gone right and it was a totally different performance the backs against the wall stuff they had to really play out play for the manager we had no real um Again, the squad is really paper thin and they've really just got to play for each other and play for the manager and it was really encouraging to see that they did do that and and back the manager and they got the results and it wasn't Ange Ball. The second goal was actually Ange Ball, to be fair, played it from the back, although nearly lost it in one of the passes, a bit bit horizontal, but that's the you know the risk of playing Ange Ball. But um until we got the second goal, most Spurs fans were a bit
00:03:31
Chris Mervyn
on the edge of the seats.
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because Brentford have got a great home record. they They'd already banged in 29 at home before that match. And you managed to keep them out. Louis, should Liverpool be worried? 1-0 down and Tottenham finding their feet.
00:03:46
Louie Easton
Yeah, I think, you know, regardless of the situation at Spurs, they all always have good players.
Liverpool's Strategy in the Carabao Cup
00:03:53
Louie Easton
um And I think when we went to Spurs for the ah for the previous ah fixture in the Carabao Cup, we did sort of look like we weren't taking it too seriously. I thought ah we weren't that clinical. I think some players got a little bit greedy and a little bit complacent. um And in the end, it was a last minute winner from Bergval.
00:04:17
Louie Easton
maybe there is the argument he shouldn't have been on the pitch. I think, you know, take take that with a pinch of salt. But with the with the match this time going to Anfield, I think you have to see us as favourites, because no matter ah who the manager is, what the situation is, an Anfield night will always, always be difficult for a visiting team.
00:04:42
Louie Easton
um You know, Real Madrid so struggled there, Bayern Leverkusen struggled there, ah City struggled there earlier this season. um I think you have to see us as favourites. Absolutely.
00:04:54
Chris Mervyn
You're putting this in the same fold as Room of Dread. I'm so flattered.
00:04:58
Louie Easton
yeah You both wear whites.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
and both played ah Champions League finals against us in recent years as well.
00:05:01
Chris Mervyn
Oh.
00:05:01
Louie Easton
But that's...
00:05:05
Louie Easton
I think that is true.
00:05:06
Chris Mervyn
Well, we don't talk about that final.
00:05:07
Louie Easton
Yeah, that...
00:05:08
Chris Mervyn
Yeah.
00:05:09
Louie Easton
I think we do.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah think I think there's a lot of neutrals who also don't talk about their final to be fair.
00:05:11
Chris Mervyn
Now the semi-final, that's a good match.
00:05:14
Louie Easton
Yeah, that is true Yeah, both of them both of them
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. Of course, you know, we've talked about the the prize at stake being potentially and keeps his job and Spurs get some silverware. But also the prize if Tottenham hold out against Liverpool is potentially, we don't know as of the time of recording, a North London Derby in the Carabao Cup final.
Potential North London Derby Final
00:05:43
Chris Mervyn
Yeah, I called it with some of my friends, because obviously most Spurs fans are friends who are Arsenal fans. It's kind of the law. And I said, ba I bet that happens. And obviously they're going down 2-0 in the first leg. I don't think any teams come back from 2-0 down in the semi-final in the second leg to be fair. but They had a great win at the weekend. um You could say Man City made their own um issues and caused their own issues there. But at the same point, like us, a couple of wins on the bounce, Breeze consistency, a bit of spirit in the team as well. um Again, they didn't go in for a striker because they scored five goals before, I think. so
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, funny enough, both kind of sentiments from the Arsenal performance against City, but also this this Brentford Spurs performance, seeing teams that are now kind of taking games by the scruff of their neck and getting results. um And it does worry me that not only are Spurs in form, but they look like they're willing to fight and they look like they're going to come to Anfield.
00:06:24
Louie Easton
Mmm.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
with the bit between their teeth. And so far, Liverpool have been unstoppable, but also not entirely convincing across 90 minutes. What do you reckon, Louis?
00:06:59
Louie Easton
Well, I mean, we've only lost once all season in the Premier League. So, you know, give us credit. And, well, I, you know, the...
00:07:06
Chris Mervyn
There was no contentious referee issues there, was there? And any of those matches. Carry on, carry on.
00:07:10
Louie Easton
i Okay, right.
00:07:11
Chris Mervyn
You brought work well to the game early doors, alright? I'm putting it there.
00:07:18
Louie Easton
the ah anyway Anyway, I mean, if you're talking about Liverpool performances, you have to say that we have flashes in every game. And, you know, when you have someone like Salah in your team, you can just rely on him to score at any given moment. um ah But I understand what you're saying about some of our performances may not look overly ah convincing, because we still drew through ah drew a few this ah season as well. and You know, we've had to rely on a little bit of luck at times, but you know, we have got quality there. Absolutely.
00:07:55
Louie Easton
ah We did go through our rough patch earlier and also we are playing another midweek game next week which will tire us out even more ah when everyone else gets a bit of a rest unless they didn't make it into the next round of the FA Cup this weekend. I don't know but I still do fancy our chances even if we do have an off day just because of Anfield.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that's that's a huge a huge advantage and also there is a lot of strength in depth ah in that squad. I am going to ask Chris about Tottenham's acquisitions in the squad in a moment, but first let's hear about the Zencaster.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:09:01
Louie Easton
What's an advert? What's an advert?
00:09:02
Chris Mervyn
well What is this, Lancaster?
00:09:03
Louie Easton
I wanna know who that is. and That can't be his real accent, there's no way.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
i
00:09:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is the top quality voice acting you get on this podcast, so please stay tuned to the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:09:08
Louie Easton
He's gotta to be pressing that on.
00:09:10
Chris Mervyn
He's on the big dollars.
00:09:14
Louie Easton
yeah yeah oh
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Squad depth. Spurs, I think, have done some decent business. What do you reckon, Chris?
Spurs' Recent Acquisitions and Injuries
00:09:25
Chris Mervyn
Well, we had to, but it's all business, which we should have done in the summer, as many Spurs fans would tell you. And we talk about it quite a lot on Daily Tottenham, to be fair. And it's all stuff which, yeah, it should have been done a lot, a lot area earlier. And that's why we've got our issues now, because like we said about squads, it needs to be quite deep to be able to play on all fronts. And when they're not, injuries happen because they're just tired and that's when injuries happen, you know.
00:09:51
Chris Mervyn
You don't have to be a a major sportsman to know that if you go out for a run and then try doing a run the next day afterwards, um you're going to pull something at some point. um but yet it i said yeah but reddi few late and
00:10:07
Chris Mervyn
Oh, went off then. And it's it's fairly good buys, I think, with Dan Sow as a centre-back and then obviously Tel coming in with on the loan with the right to buy as well.
00:10:19
Louie Easton
He's a brilliant player, Tell.
00:10:20
Chris Mervyn
so Yeah, I think he's good.
00:10:21
Louie Easton
Brilliant player.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:22
Chris Mervyn
He can make a difference, I think, and ah he might make a difference in the next couple of games.
00:10:26
Louie Easton
I mean, it's with Bayern Munich, you just feel for some of the youngsters that don't get into the team because you know how good they are. And whenever Tell has played, I've noticed that, especially last season with Bayern Munich, um ah people were calling out for him to start playing. And I think it's brilliant for Spurs to negotiate a buy option into his contract.
00:10:47
Louie Easton
alongside the lone fee because he gives you so much quality and just because someone doesn't get much playtime at a huge club doesn't mean that they can't then become brilliant players.
00:10:57
Chris Mervyn
He's behind.
00:10:57
Louie Easton
i mean
00:10:58
Chris Mervyn
He's behind Kane, isn't he? So he's not going to get much game time.
00:11:00
Louie Easton
Well, he can also play on the left wing and, you know, he's struggling to get in when they have so many winger options, you know, Elise, Gnabry, Sane, Busiala.
00:11:01
Chris Mervyn
Kane, yeah.
00:11:09
Chris Mervyn
miss aa either that
00:11:11
Louie Easton
So, I mean, it's just, it's so um it's so difficult for him to break into that team, but ah he is, um honestly, I've seen him play and he is special. He's one of these players that can just wriggle his way out of ah trouble with four players around him and then find weird ways of scoring.
00:11:29
Louie Easton
and
00:11:29
Chris Mervyn
Well, yeah he's a player we haven't had, I suppose, to be honest, and we've had some good signings and Solanke's been done really well, to be honest, but we haven't got anybody who can make a difference, especially off the bench, and with his speed against maybe a bit of the tired defence as well.
00:11:30
Louie Easton
Yeah, easy. Yeah, I thought so as well.
00:11:44
Chris Mervyn
So you say about um Liverpool sort of not being but always consistent and having to rely on individual brilliance sometimes for Sulla in most occasions and your midfield as well, to be fair.
00:11:56
Chris Mervyn
um Then, yeah, I think that's the same.
00:11:56
Louie Easton
Nah.
00:11:59
Chris Mervyn
We haven't had that. um We haven't had the luxury of it coming off the bench. We've had Werner come off the bench with respect. Hopefully, it tells a lot better.
00:12:07
Louie Easton
Yeah, I think he is.
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:09
Louie Easton
I think he is. It's like a Gravenberg
Liverpool's Squad Rotation and Lineup
00:12:11
Louie Easton
situation, just not being able to quite break in. But then as soon as he leaves, and I think this will happen, it will show some class and, you know, maybe transform the team.
00:12:20
Louie Easton
He's still young as well, Matthias. Tell how old is he again? ah ah That is, I mean, that's just crazy.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's 19.
00:12:23
Chris Mervyn
19, yeah, 19.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:26
Louie Easton
Sky's limit for him.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think also, you know, we've seen a bit of this, I think throughout frat the window, decent loan deals that benefit everyone involved. I think it's a good move for buying, a good move for Tottenham, good move for tells to the point where I'm a little concerned about what he might be able to do if he starts or if he comes on in this fixture.
00:12:36
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:12:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Chris, do you think he'll start?
00:12:48
Chris Mervyn
Nope, they come off the bench, I think. um And that's the best way to to use him, I think, in this instance, because he's going to have, what, two days training. Different formations and setups. I think he's, you know, he'll probably stick with a similar, well, are we talking about the lineups now or no?
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes please let's s select
00:13:06
Chris Mervyn
oh yeah talk about line-ups well um i I think we'll will stick to pretty much what we had previously, obviously without Dragosan, so um I think that um it will be Davies and Grey, and I think Danzo will stay on the bench as well.
00:13:08
Louie Easton
All right.
00:13:22
Louie Easton
Wow, really?
00:13:23
Chris Mervyn
You'd be wrong. yeah
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Archie Gray is also having um quite, he had a really good game against Brentford. In his post-match interview, he did talk about how important it was having Davies next to him, kind of just that experience.
00:13:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I thought he put in a hell of a shift against Brentford as well. um Big ask against the likes of Salah and Co. You've got a clean sheet at home, Anfield, do you reckon Spurs can kick the door shut?
00:13:50
Chris Mervyn
Nope.
00:13:52
Louie Easton
Use that question too.
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Sorry, that's for Chris.
00:13:56
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:13:56
Chris Mervyn
Nope, we'll, we'll concede.
00:13:59
Chris Mervyn
Um, because, because, because that's just's just, I'm a, pragt you know, I'm a pragmatist anyway.
00:13:59
Louie Easton
Ha!
00:13:59
Louie Easton
Oh, okay. oh
00:14:04
Chris Mervyn
I think it's going to, he's going to be ready to be close. Um, if we don't throw it away, but I think they'll do the same as it did against Brentford anyway, because that's the way you have to play currently. Um, he hasn't got the players.
00:14:15
Chris Mervyn
Um, you can't go and do a embrace of Grand Prix with a trike and that's what he's trying to do. So, um, essentially he'll, he'll have a, um, a block in midfield, um, very similar to what we had before.
00:14:27
Chris Mervyn
Um, and then. Yeah, I think it'll be two lines of defense almost a little bit. We've got to defend, you know, defend a lead to defend as well, which, you know, that's the positive.
00:14:39
Chris Mervyn
And, you know, we can always catch teams on the counter, regardless of who they are. We just got to have that quality of finishing. And that's what's missing a little bit. And that comes with confidence as well. So I'm always, I'll never say we're going to get beaten because I always believe my team.
00:14:54
Chris Mervyn
So I'm not doing a score prediction yet. Do it later.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I will come to a score prediction.
00:14:58
Louie Easton
No.
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Louis, on on the yeah um the the subject of kind of teams, interesting that Alisson Becker started against Spurs.
00:15:00
Louie Easton
I hate those.
00:15:02
Louie Easton
I hate those.
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it so it was quite indicative that actually Liverpool take this this competition seriously. In fact, did he start or was it Kelleher?
00:15:19
Louie Easton
No, I think it was Kelleher that started the last one.
00:15:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was Kelleher. I think I read that Alisson might start this game. um
00:15:25
Louie Easton
I'd be surprised if he did because, I mean, Kelleher has proven himself as a very, very capable goalkeeper.
00:15:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
quan
00:15:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:31
Louie Easton
And I also think this will be his last season in a Liverpool shirt. I can't see him staying in the squad once Moadash really comes in the summer. um And Alison, you know, you're just not going we're not going to sell Alison.
00:15:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:15:42
Louie Easton
I think we all know that.
00:15:43
Louie Easton
He's too good to get rid of. And, you know, I don't think he wants to go either. So I do think Kelleher will start based on the fact that he seems like the ah he seems like the EFL Cup designated goalkeeper at the moment. And we've seen that in previous seasons under Klopp. And, you know, Kelleher deserves to play. I don't think he did anything wrong against Spurs.
00:16:08
Louie Easton
um But yeah, I just, i I think this is a sort of Curtis Jones game as well. I can see him playing in midfield.
00:16:17
Chris Mervyn
yeah onboard
00:16:17
Louie Easton
um You're worried about, cause he came on and he got an assist against Bournemouth earlier in the week. And he's sort of been at the center of stick when he's played at the number 10, just because he's not Dominic Somosly.
00:16:34
Louie Easton
very few players are. And I also think Curtis Jones' best football is played from deep. you know I can't remember which game it was when he did that ridiculous through ball to Mo Salah on the counter attack.
00:16:42
Chris Mervyn
Yeah, on board.
00:16:46
Louie Easton
But you know when he's capable of that and when we have a squad to rotate, I think this is the sort of game where he can start and um you know maybe be a difference but I don't see him as a sort of player that can come alive ah when the game's in need of a bit of genius.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm hmm.
00:17:06
Louie Easton
I think he sort of plays on the vibe of the team a little bit um and I don't really rate his finishing.
00:17:06
Chris Mervyn
Hm.
00:17:13
Louie Easton
um I think he's the sort of player that's really good for sort of passing to someone before they get an assist um and And he's sort of, you know, playing on the turn. I think that's where he plays his best football. So I can see him start in this game, but I'd be surprised if he scores. And now he's going to score just because I said that.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, one player who probably will start because Trent is injured is Conor Bradley.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Defensive Role
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And Conor Bradley has had quite a season already, hasn't he Louis?
00:17:47
Louie Easton
he has yeah i mean he was my favorite He was responsible for my favourite moments against Real Madrid when he flew in on Kylian Mbappe. And yeah, Arna Slott has confirmed that Trent will not be playing, so I think this is the sort of game where he will put in a really good shift.
00:18:06
Louie Easton
And also, since Joe Gomez is injured, ah we can't really afford for him to get injured. ah So we need him to step up now and we need him to be a bit safe.
00:18:16
Louie Easton
I don't want him diving into too many tackles. I don't want him doing too many of those Kylian Mbappe tackles. Because he who comes in once he's gone? No one.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh gosh, well, yes.
00:18:25
Louie Easton
Probably Jarell Kwanza again. ah So yeah. But I think he will he's he's brilliant with that energy He's not an absolute genius while attacking but he will do the odd flashy bit of skill and he has so much confidence Since he is the captain of Northern Ireland already I mean
00:18:38
Chris Mervyn
He's a better defender,
00:18:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah so
00:18:42
Chris Mervyn
isn't he?
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Oh, that's a good question.
00:18:46
Chris Mervyn
What are you losing going forward? I guess you gain a little bit in defence, but do you think that or not?
00:18:52
Louie Easton
Well, the thing is Trent, I think people have very short memories with Trent Alexander because I thought he was fantastic in defence at the beginning of this season, but he was sacrificing his attacking play for that.
00:18:52
Chris Mervyn
Well, no.
00:19:04
Chris Mervyn
Yeah.
00:19:05
Louie Easton
ah He has offered a bit more going forward in recent weeks and then, yeah, sacrificed a little bit of defensive. But I think, um yeah, when he's up against an out and out dribbler, he either has a very good day or he has a very bad day. Against Manchester United, he had an awful day. um And that's why we didn't win that game. We drew two all at Anfield, which, you know, is as good as a loss when it's Manchester United and we're that much better than them. ah So it I think it really depends on what on a slot is going for.
00:19:37
Louie Easton
um Michal, what are you doing?
00:19:45
Louie Easton
No, you are not.
00:19:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:19:47
Chris Mervyn
i Nice to see you there buddy.
00:19:49
Louie Easton
Great to see you. See you later.
00:19:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant.
00:19:53
Chris Mervyn
I have to explain what happened there for the for the listeners on Spotify.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wonder if
00:19:53
Louie Easton
Are we leaving? We have to leave that in.
00:20:00
Louie Easton
Yeah, so we just had someone accidentally join our Sengcaster meeting. um Anyway,
00:20:05
Chris Mervyn
Always nice to see him, but unexpected.
00:20:07
Louie Easton
Yeah, big fan of him. but Anyway, so as I was saying, I completely lost my track of thought now.
00:20:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think whatever you're saying was really controversial and I just had to turn up.
00:20:17
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:20:17
Chris Mervyn
It was like VAR jumping in. Oh, actually, there's a...
00:20:20
Louie Easton
He's a, he's a Man United fan as well, so he hurt me. venture that He just turned up. He spawned.
00:20:25
Chris Mervyn
and Got a bit excited mentioning to all came in.
00:20:26
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:20:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:20:29
Louie Easton
yeah Yeah, so I think it really does depend on what Anna Slott is going for. If he wants to if he wants a more creative ah ah player going forward, and ah then it's more a Trent thing. But Conor Bradley isn't the sort of player that will just send an inch perfect ball into the box. I think he will be more of a traditional right back in this one.
00:20:50
Chris Mervyn
Yeah, i think you're I think you're right. And I think sometimes players do get sort of tired with a brush that they're not very good defensively, etc. And it is to really the tactics and what the manager wants and how he sets the team up sometimes as well.
00:21:01
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:21:02
Chris Mervyn
We have it with Poirot as well. Yes, he's not, you know, I'm not comparing those two, by the way. um But Poirot get slated for always being up the field and never being very good at defence because he's out of position etc but that's because he's asked to push on ah usually and and actually when he sits back he he can defend it's just obviously he's you could have a hell of a good engine to be able to defend an attack and in the same volume.
00:21:17
Louie Easton
yeah Yeah.
00:21:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:26
Louie Easton
Yeah. He's, I think Poirot is a good player, but he's just been in a very difficult ah season. you know I think most players and Spurs have been struggling a lot.
00:21:34
Chris Mervyn
I almost thought you were going to say he's just been in a team. Excuse my French.
00:21:38
Louie Easton
We're going to have to now cut that word out.
00:21:40
Chris Mervyn
No, you don't. it It's university, it's...
00:21:42
Louie Easton
Thanks for that, Chris. You've given Marcus a lot of work to do after this.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:47
Louie Easton
yeah yeah
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll be fine, I'll figure it out.
00:21:48
Louie Easton
but yeah sorry three marcus ah
00:21:50
Chris Mervyn
Luckily, Zencaster gets rid of Ooz, Arz and SHRPs. Hang on.
00:21:54
Louie Easton
yeah Marcus, I would just like to apologize, by the way, um Alison did play in the ah the EFL Cup match. It was the FA Cup match that he played in, so I got them confused in my head. Sorry, sorry.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Too many fronts.
00:22:05
Louie Easton
You can cut that bit as well, if you like.
00:22:07
Chris Mervyn
this This is why we do preparation.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:22:10
Louie Easton
yeah
00:22:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's obviously Liverpool are competing on too many fronts for that potential quadruple. ah But before we come back to some thoughts about Spurs competing on three fronts still, um let's hear more about GSPN.
00:22:49
Louie Easton
i think i'm going to do the rest of the podcast in that accent now
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is it is such a soothing tone compared to our rants about football and players etc. ah So much more still I wanted to ask you guys but you touched upon it a little bit there Lou.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
We talked about squad depth and Chris you quite rightly pointed out you know the the amount of depth you need to compete on all these fronts. and little Little eye on the weekend because Liverpool will travel to Plymouth who are bottom of the championship away for their haircut fixture and I don't think
00:23:15
Louie Easton
I think I'm gonna do the rest of the podcast in that accent now.
00:23:22
Chris Mervyn
Look at that home record.
00:23:22
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:23:23
Chris Mervyn
Look at that home record. It is good.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:23:25
Louie Easton
Okay, let me see this. I must admit I haven't done much research about Plymouth for this episode because I thought we wouldn't admit even get onto it. and
00:23:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I must admit I've not done much much research on Plymouth as well, but I am actually more curious with Aston Villa away in the FA Cup on Sunday.
00:23:45
Chris Mervyn
I've not done much screen so be research on that, to be honest.
00:23:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
and How are Tottenham going to take this this competition? Because obviously this is a real chance at getting a trophy and second season trophy, but also an FA Cup fixture coming up. Do you think there'll be any of that kind of in the back of the squad selection for Spurs?
00:24:03
Chris Mervyn
Nope, they can't be, it's one game at a time. That's a simple answer because at the end of the day we haven't got a squad deep enough to plan ahead and those days are gone unfortunately. We've got a few players we can rotate but essentially we are still on bare bones until other players come back.
00:24:19
Chris Mervyn
and there Unfortunately, they're not quick injuries to heal, and obviously Dragosan's out now over in ACL to the end of the season, so um great downsides in, but we needed another one on top of that anyway, because Van de Ven is a little bit sore as well.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah and but you've got some you know during that that European game you guys just had we saw the the academy players playing with kind of no fear and and showing what they're capable of bagging goals e etc so hopefully on the up for for Tottenham just uh finally on on Spurs we made a lot about kind of how important this competition is now that teams are in the semi-final and can see that you know silverware on the horizon
00:24:36
Louie Easton
Aww, poor guy.
00:25:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is, at this point in the season, um mid early February, what is a good season for Tottenham? When it comes to May, what do you want to see?
00:25:16
Chris Mervyn
Well, you've got to say you want to we have to go for so a silverware because ultimately our league position is going to be pretty short to give us any chance of getting into some European competition anyway. so um At one point a couple of games ago I would have taken anything, even to stay in the league, geez. No, but seriously, you know, we've had some really key matches to get through. Getting through the Europe match, the two matches there actually, and Brentford and now Liverpool, it's kind of all amalgamated together. We've just got to get through every game as we can do and not plan too far ahead. Of course, the manager will have
00:25:55
Chris Mervyn
feelings about what he can do to change and rotate because obviously the turnaround time is is ridiculous for all teams playing in all competitions and Liverpool is exactly the same of course it's just that they've got less players injured than we have and you see teams doing really well like Bournemouth this year having injuries which are similar to what we have but they're only playing one game a week so they can rest and rotate players as well and we don't have that so Yeah, difficult. You can't cry too much because ultimately you want to be in competitions as long as you you can and ultimately ultimately try your best to get to finals and then win.
00:26:27
Louie Easton
It's also good because it softens the blow when it comes around as well, when you play us.
00:26:34
Louie Easton
if
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So onto you then, Louis. Obviously, Liverpool, I think it's fair to say, are in a much brighter position than any Liverpool fan could have hoped for.
00:26:47
Louie Easton
Yeah.
Match Predictions: Liverpool vs Spurs
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am genuinely worried about Tottenham coming to Anfield in the form that they're in with the hunger they've got. I still think it will be ah Liverpool going through to the final.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know you love this question, but score prediction, how's it going to end?
00:27:03
Louie Easton
No, I'm going to say. the I don't think Spurs will score just because um because I think Virgil van Dijk is in too fine form at the moment.
00:27:15
Chris Mervyn
Thank you.
00:27:20
Louie Easton
you know He hasn't really put a foot wrong recently. ah When we did lose to um PSV, van Dijk wasn't playing. We were playing a bunch of kids that day. um And I just think you know the way Liverpool have been playing recently has been good.
00:27:36
Louie Easton
I think the Bournemouth one, we were a bit lucky, but I do think it was a penalty. I will say that. I do think it was a penalty from Lewis Cook. He didn't protest. Why should we? um And, you know, I just think Spurs, what will happen is Spurs will probably park the bus as soon as Anfield gets a bit loud and Liverpool get a bit of energy will score. And then we'll just have to play and win the midfield battles like we have been doing all season. And then we'll get another and then we'll sit back for the rest of the game.
00:28:10
Louie Easton
That's what, because this season, more than any other season from Liverpool, ah since maybe when Klopp started, when we had Emre Chan and Lucas Lever and those players, we have looked so comfortable without the ball. And that's why I'm that's why i'm saying 2-0 Liverpool. I think we'll do enough, but we won't do overkill. I don't i don't see that happening.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think potentially Spurs will will give a bit more than that and I can see Liverpool not breaking them down for a very, very long time and it coming down to the legs on the pitch. But Chris, what do you think? Predictions wise, do you think Spurs will get the goal? Do you think you'll get the result?
00:28:48
Chris Mervyn
I was just checking if Van Dijk played against in in the first leg and he did, and we scored, so that's weird. But anyway, um and also, is just go have you just got one man in defence?
00:28:55
Louie Easton
waiting ah Wasn't his fault Well, no, but No, but when but I've seen van dyke not concede a goal when he was three on one so And plus it's Virgil van dyke man.
00:29:00
Chris Mervyn
Just asking.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, so the constants start in the last game.
00:29:02
Chris Mervyn
One man doesn't make a team, does it? I think...
00:29:13
Louie Easton
It's like it's not just anyone He's the best center back in Premier League history He is he is
00:29:14
Chris Mervyn
Not disputing. He's a good player. Very, very good player.
00:29:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
A sharp intake of breath from Chris Mervyn.
00:29:17
Chris Mervyn
um so
00:29:22
Chris Mervyn
oh oh I there's been others, but that's that's for a dip.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah sharp intake of bre from chris mervvin
00:29:26
Louie Easton
just he's gonna say ledly king it he's a brilliant player but
00:29:31
Chris Mervyn
Don't knock Lily King for a start to any Spurs fan.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, he was incredible.
00:29:35
Chris Mervyn
you I will reach through this microphone and give you a slap, all right?
00:29:38
Louie Easton
yeah
00:29:39
Chris Mervyn
yeah But anyway, yeah that's for, he's the best centre back and in Premier League history.
00:29:40
Louie Easton
and
00:29:44
Chris Mervyn
That's another conversation for another podcast. I think that we're gonna go and we will concede, and I think we'll concede in the first half. I think we'll probably um be a little bit nervous and we'll sit back a bit too far and Liverpool will come on to us.
00:30:00
Chris Mervyn
And their their press is excellent anyway, as it was on the first leg, to be fair. um And then I think after half time, we will get a goal and it will finish one all and of ah my money's on tell.
00:30:14
Chris Mervyn
Here we go.
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, so widely differing opinions.
00:30:16
Chris Mervyn
It's called it, it's called it.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's going to be an incredible game no matter what. And that's coming from someone who started this season talking about, you know, why are we still having this competition? ah Gents, it's been a real pleasure.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Listeners, remember, you can check out the Daily Tottenham Hotspur podcast and the Daily Liverpool podcast and of course the Daily English Premier League podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've been listening to Chris and Louis.
00:30:41
Louie Easton
Thank
00:30:42
Chris Mervyn
Thank you very much.
00:30:45
Louie Easton
you.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I've been Marcus Rantol, you've been listening to the Global Sports Podcast Network. Today we've been covering daily English Premier League, daily Tottenham Hotspur and the daily Liverpool. And we'll see you next time.