Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Wildcard Wednesday - Newcastle v Liverpool preview!
13 Plays13 days ago
It's a midweek fixture as the Reds look to continue their charge for the PL title. Up next a tricky trip to the North East where Newcastle will play host and try to stop this Slot machine. Jesse Sarwar and Connor Norcott bring you all the latest as we build up to another huge game in the PL.
Part 1 - Form guides for both teams, Liverpool injury updates and where the Reds can hurt Newcastle
Part 2 - Predicted line ups and score prediction
Part 3 - News on other PL fixtures and Liverpool's 3rd round FA Cup opponents
Follow us on social media @GSPNLiverpool and email us at [email protected]
Sponsors and Advertising
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.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2024 | Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Podcast Format
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm your host Jesse Sawa. It is Wildcard Wednesday and we'll be previewing tonight's Premier League game away at Newcastle. It's a 7.30pm kick-off UK time, 2.30pm Eastern Standard Time.
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in part one of the podcast, we'll take a look at the form guide for each team and how Liverpool will look to approach the game. In part two, we'll do a predicted lineup and a score prediction.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in part three, we'll round off the episode with other news surrounding the club.
Excitement for Newcastle Game
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
To discuss all that and more, we've got Connor Norcott joining us today. Connor, how are we doing? Have we recovered from the weekends?
00:00:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's exciting. In fact, last week, the whole last week is exciting.
00:00:58
Connor
Yeah, I've recovered from the weekend excitement and the weekend time over from the last time you heard me on the podcast. So yeah, I feel much, much better. And I cannot wait for this Newcastle game. They're always a team that I get a bit, especially going away to St.
00:01:12
Connor
James's Park. It's always a bit of a nervy game. But I love watching that the atmosphere is always great.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:01:18
Connor
So yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, something about this fixture Liverpool Newcastle always, know, it's always been some great, great games throughout Premier League history. mean, what a week last week was, you know, Liverpool putting down markers in the Champions League with an emphatic win over European champions Real Madrid and the Premier League by putting, you know, the England, English champions to the sword with that dominant 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday.
00:01:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're now entering that phase of the season where you know the midfi midweek fixtures start kicking in. We'll have the festive period upon us very soon. Connor, we're going to tonight's game with a nine-point lead over Arsenal, 11 over City. But when you have these quick turnarounds in fixtures, that can lead that lead can either very quickly be extended or can whittle down to just three points.
00:02:13
Connor
Yeah, and we always harp on about momentum and how important it is to just keep that ball rolling. But I don't know but i don't know what it must be like as a player because as a fan, I'm always, especially when where we're at now, I'm always looking at the other team's games.
Newcastle's Strengths and Threats
00:02:28
Connor
I think, correct me if I'm wrong, Man City have Nottingham Forest.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:32
Connor
And I can't remember who Arsenal have, Arsenal of Man United.
00:02:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
United at all travel.
00:02:36
Connor
Yeah, so so it's one of those where it doesn't not matter what the game is like Just win because a spanner could be thrown in in the works of either team or vice versa, you know Newcastle away is a difficult game and they've had I think they've already played Chelsea Arsenal and Man City and they've managed to I think they beat Arsenal lost to Chelsea Drew against Man City.
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:02:57
Connor
So like they're no no schmucks It'll be it'll be an interesting game and they they've basically got their full strength team as well, except for center backs looking a little bit weak at the minute.
00:03:08
Connor
But yeah, but I saw this morning that there's going to be a late fitness test on him.
00:03:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that not Limp off at the weekend? I think so. Yeah.
00:03:16
Connor
And I, every time that comes up, I always assume he'll play and he plays pretty well against us too.
00:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he'll be in.
00:03:21
Connor
So his debut is against us at Anfield, wasn't it?
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:03:24
Connor
And he he was great. So yeah, it feels like one of those
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, that. Yeah, no, their form guide in the Premier League is, you know, it's it's a little patchy the last six games. You got a two losses followed by two wins, a loss and then a draw. And that was at the weekend, which probably felt like a defeat because they conceded at stoppage time, you know, to to get that point at Palace.
00:03:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, Liverpool won five of their last six away games at Newcastle. But as you kind of of a alluded to earlier, they do tend to show up on the big games, aren't they?
00:04:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
With the big teams, they tend to raise their game.
00:04:05
Connor
And they're also, they kind of have modeled themselves as like a, it is like the Newcastle midfield is very like pseudo-clop
Key Players to Watch
00:04:15
Connor
midfield.
00:04:15
Connor
It's like all aggression.
00:04:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:17
Connor
They do their best work with the ball in front of them. Like they're just, they're like real hounds, you know what I mean? They really get after it. And they're the kind of midfield that can really put a team under pressure.
00:04:27
Connor
And you've seen what the Liverpool midfield has done already, beating Real Madrid, beating Man City, beating everyone except for Nottingham Forest and Arsenal so far.
00:04:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And.
00:04:36
Connor
But it's the kind of game where, you know, if you're not on your A game, if you're not up for it, they could have you here. And I also feel like they've got players who also play well against, as I mentioned, EZAC plays well.
00:04:48
Connor
But I always think Anthony Gordon has a good game against us, whether it's Everton or Newcastle. And if you remember the game last year, I mean, that was chaos. It was absolute. It was one of the best moments I've had, supporting Liverpool was watching that game.
00:05:02
Connor
But it was chaos and it was a horrible, horrible win. Yeah.
00:05:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was It was a horrible win. It was a horrible game. I mean, there were so many moments in there. I mean, Van Dyke got sent off and we really, really had to battle through that game.
00:05:15
Connor
Yeah.
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, Nunez, I mean, we'll talk about predicted lineups, you know, but Nunez came up trumps in that game to absolutely fantastic late strikes, you know, for a proper smash and grab.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
you mentioned that midfield, do you think that's where their main threat is? I mean, you talk about the physicality of Newcastle, you know, the likes of Joe Linton, Bruno Gamaris, you know, I like Bruno, I think he's a really good, know, good and midfielder and when we've been linked with him quite regularly over the last couple of seasons. But you know, Joe Linton for me is one of those, he's a real nasty player.
00:05:52
Connor
yeah
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you need one of those. You need at least a couple of those in your team, in your squad. that youre you're not too much of a pushover and he's definitely one of those players. Is that where you see Newcastle's main threat is?
Game Strategies and Predictions
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Through that midfield or is it in the wide areas as well?
00:06:09
Connor
I think it's interesting because if you look at how Liverpool play and how they score goals, they can they kind of have answers everywhere, whether if they play through the middle, we could play through the best teams in the world, just look at what we did to Man City and Real Madrid. But if you try and lock down that middle, well, we've got some of the best one-on-one wingers in world football as well, with Diaz, Gacpo, Salah, Arnis a lot mentioned today that Kiese is properly back in training and it might not be long until we see him get some minutes too and I think he's he's won for maybe the second half of the season but I think if you look at that Newcastle might decide that the best bet is to just really kind of outwork Liverpool and Liverpool have the way their midfield is structured now it's kind of about playing through the lines. We always say is it you know is Graven Burch on his own or is he in a double pivot or is Sibuzz like the furthest one forward and it's kind of one of those where
00:07:00
Connor
the midfield three is staggered almost in like diagonal lines and it helps them play through the midfield so i think if they really try and block that in that could kind of stop Liverpool's momentum at the minute but also i think it really depends on where you see Joel Linton play because i think if i'm right against Arsenal and against Man City he on the team sheet is anyway he played in the front three he played on that left wing but he kind of was like tucking inside although
00:07:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:26
Connor
And I think for those teams with their full backs that invert, you know, we could see them try and do that to stop Trent getting on the ball too much. And it would be a really physical matchup for Trent too.
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean.
00:07:37
Connor
So it'll be interesting.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that Newcastle, I think, I think Eddie Howe will look to, to really go at the Liverpool fullbacks, because I think that some of the injuries are ah ah beginning to mount now for Liverpool, you know, Canartes out.
00:07:53
Connor
Hmm.
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Connor Bradley's out, Sima Cass is out. So even though Robertson is playing, he doesn't have the cover now. So he's got play every game. Trent has just come back from a hamstring injury. And you know, you saw him taken off around about the 60 minute mark 65 minutes against Man City at the weekend. So I think Newcastle would be, I wouldn't be surprised if they said, look, Anthony Gordon, just run at Trent.
00:08:23
Connor
Yeah.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not going to be 100% match fit. He's not going to be at his sharpest. And you don't have Conate there as cover as well. And it's not to have any slight on Joe Gomez at all. But at the end of the day, Conate has been absolutely outstanding this season next to Van Dyke.
00:08:38
Connor
Yeah.
00:08:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's really given that cover. to Trent. So, you know, it do do you think that's the best opportunity to really kind of get at Liverpool, is to really go at their four backs?
00:08:53
Connor
I think so and I think you you mentioned Anthony Gordon on Trent and we've seen that like in that game we talked about last season Anthony Gordon was phenomenal against Trent and he I think Trent probably should have been sent off in that game thankfully he wasn't yeah thankfully he wasn't actually think they might do what they did against City and Arsenal and play Gordon on the right because of how Robertson and and kind of trying to stop Robertson from bombing forward
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Outrageous, outrageous comment.
00:09:19
Connor
And I think they'll play Joel into on the left just to kind of sure like shore up that midfield and So hopefully well from their point of view stop Trenton source. Anyway, I think that's probably their best bet because that way they're also ensuring they're kind of blocking the midfield to and it's like covering both bases and Um, I also think if you look at their, their options and defense at the minute, I quite like Lewis Hall. I think Tino liver meant it was a fantastic footballer, but that center back, they're pretty light. And I think, you know, a player like Nunez who I think, you know, not to spoil my predicted lineup, but he's going to be in it. I think he could have some joy against that. So it's going to be one of those games where I think there's going to be chances. It's not going to be as convincing as man city, which is a crazy thing to say, but yeah, what do you think?
00:10:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that so I think you're right in terms of Newcastle's backline. I think that There are definitely golds there, and just without attacking options that we've got, whoever we play, whether it's, I think, obviously, Mo is going to be a shoo-in, but ah whoever plays out of the other three that are available, whether it's Gakpove, whether it's Diaz, whether it's Nunez, there are there are enough threats there to really, really test that Newcastle back line.
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're we're talking about, obviously, the lineups a bit later on.
00:10:37
Connor
Thank you.
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just want to focus a little bit more on Newcastle and Eddie Howe.
Eddie Howe's Management and League Standing
00:10:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
That draw at the weekend left them in 11th place. And you know it's a far cry, isn't it, from the ah ah Champions League team that we saw not not so long ago.
00:10:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are you surprised that the yeah the Saudi ownership hasn't pulled the trigger on Eddie Hal that he stayed as long as he has or do you think that this is just a really patient game the ownership is playing?
00:11:12
Connor
That's such a good question because i I really wonder what Newcastle fans think about this because i Eddie Howe is not a manager I like or Ray at all. I don't know what it is. It's the school prefect energy I think that I just don't like from him. But clearly he you know he did wonders in that first season. and Although Newcastle over-performed, I think like getting into the Champions League and playing in that group probably gave those fans like some of the best moments of their life when you compare it to where Newcastle were a few years ago, or a few years before that I should say. am a little bit surprised because I think they underwhelm quite often.
00:11:48
Connor
But they've been really hampered by PSR, haven't they? and And their squad was never really in a place where if they needed to sell to buy, you know, who are you looking at selling, really? I think quite a lot of the press, has always the they've always talked about the main two to be sold, or Alexander Isaac and Bruno Gamaras, but like, why would you want to sell those players?
00:12:09
Connor
They're the players you want to build around. It's the other ones you should be offloading.
00:12:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:13
Connor
So I think they're in a really difficult batch.
00:12:17
Connor
But I also think, I don't know what it is. I know you mentioned that Liverpool have had quite a few good results at St. James's Park, but I also think even when they're sitting down on 11th, they pose a real threat to us.
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:29
Connor
I think because the games always are so fiercely contested, I was at the last two Newcastle home games and they were both horrible watches, especially that that Fabio Carvalho winner,
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Stop each time.
00:12:42
Connor
I've never celebrated a goal more, but also I've never wanted to leave a stadium more because it was just so draining being in there. So yeah, I don't know. It's one of those games that
Significance of Upcoming Games
00:12:51
Connor
I don't know how you feel about it, Jesse, but I always kind of, I kind of dread going there.
00:12:56
Connor
I kind of dread playing Newcastle, even when they're not doing that well.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You're right. And I think that this, this fixture in particular, I think is a real, I know we say this, God, we say this every week about any game that Liverpool is, is, is going into, but I think after such a, after such a high, coming out the Real Madrid win and then the Manchester City win on, on Sunday.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's always that kind of danger, isn't there? That it's like, emotionally, it's like, can we lift ourselves again for another game? And it's Newcastle, it's St.
00:13:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
James's Park, it's an evening kickoff, it's under the lights.
00:13:35
Connor
Yeah.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
They are gonna be so up for this game. And I really think that irrespective of their form, they are gonna be a real, real handful. And I think that it in many respects,
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're going to have to we're going to have to cope with a Newcastle team in that first 15, 20 minutes, similar to how we played against City on Sunday at Anfield, where we just went for that jugular in the first 20 minutes. And I think this may kind of kind of play into Slots team selection in that he will want to get that ball get it on the on the ground, pass it around, keep possession and really just dull that Geordie kind of crowd for the first 15, 20 minutes to really take the sting out of the game. But, you know, our defenses is looking very good. I mean, we've only conceded eight goals this season, which is still the best in the Premier League. And funny enough, the last Newcastle win against us was back in 2015.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
when a certain Ginny Winalden scored for Newcastle. So it has been a while, but I just think the context of this week, because again, you know we've come off to come off of a great win against City, these next two games away at Newcastle and then that Merseyside Derby on Saturday, this this is a vital week for us.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Yeah, we'll we'll see where it takes us. We're going to go for a very short break. We'll be back right after this and then we'll go into team lineups and a score prediction.
Goalkeeping Decisions
00:15:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, welcome back. Let's get into some predicted lineups and a score prediction. Connor, I don't know if you saw the press conference with Arnie Slott for the Newcastle game. He spoke about the goalkeeping situation, again, made it pretty clear that Alison is the number one. And, you know, he will come back into the team, but he did say that Keller has played so well that we don't have to rush Alison back.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so he's well on the way to coming back, but he he said ah that he he will definitely be back before the end of December. That's quite a few games.
00:16:29
Connor
Yeah.
00:16:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, I don't know if slot's been ultra conservative there, but it would suggest that these two really intense fixtures away at Newcastle, evening kickoff, And then, you know, a Merseyside Derby, the last one to be played at Goodison, maybe these are not the games to throw Alison back in after such a, you know, a long period out. So it looks like Kelleher is going to stay in goal for Liverpool.
00:16:55
Connor
Yeah, it does. And you know what what better player to have deputize for Alison than Keaton Kelleher. And also I think I felt like we've we've kind of talked about it's almost disrespectful how Alison's immediately back in. Although I understand why, because he is the best goalkeeper in the world for my money.
00:17:15
Connor
But I also thought that what Slott said today was also quite nice. Like it felt like a nice touch to say like, we don't need to rush him because of how good Kiefen's doing.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:23
Connor
And I think that it kind of that's that's like enough. It's probably as much praise as Arna Slott's ever going to give a player in public, because that's just not his style. But yeah, i I did appreciate that.
00:17:33
Connor
And it seems like you know what? Maybe that Girona game or maybe the midweek game in the cup. I think it's Sighthampton away. I'm sorry. I don't know how I'm not sure that might be the fixture where we see Allison come in or Maybe Harvey Elliott gets the minutes there or we see some more of Federico Chiesa. So, you know, it's it's not too bad
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i think I think that's the great thing in terms of the position that we've put ourselves in in the Champions League is that we can we can use these kind of latter fixtures to actually just bed in players who need minutes.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And she said, I think that's a perfect game for Alison to come back in. It's a European game. It's away from home. He's experienced, but this is, it's probably not going to be as and as as intense as a Premier League fixture. So I think that's a great fixture for him to come back in. And also for guys like Kiezer and Harvey Elliott, you know, to collect some minutes.
Liverpool's Defensive and Midfield Strategies
00:18:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if we look at that back four then, because we are short on options now, Canata looks like he's going to be out for at least a few weeks. Simicast maybe a couple of weeks.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doesn't really leave much and in you know in the in the in the form of any kind of shuffling of that pack. Maybe Kwanzaa is the only one that really could come in.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
But are you looking at Trent Gomez, Van Dyken, Robertson as the back four?
00:18:58
Connor
Yeah, exact same. I think what makes this week particularly tricky as well is that we have, the Derby is actually a Saturday morning kickoff.
00:19:09
Connor
So it's a rare yeah it's a really tight turnaround.
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
12, 13, 12.
00:19:12
Connor
So I think you'll see, it'll be that back four that you just mentioned, but you'll see Trent be taken off and rested again, I think.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:19
Connor
and it's such a shame that we can't do that with Robertson because in those kind of high octane high energy high pressing games his determination and his drive is so important even when he's not playing as well as he has been but I actually think you know what he's really like you said the other day he's kind of playing himself into form so I'm more than comfortable with that back four but I'd love I'd love the option to have Simicas here or I'd love the option to have Kanatai back off the bench obviously or Gomez like you know what I mean so
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
where
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's just that rotation that's so important at this stage of the season.
00:19:49
Connor
Yeah. but
00:19:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think you're right. I think Trent should be taken off maybe, you know, 67, 70 minutes. And then you bring on Kwanzaa. The question is, I mean, I was surprised. I i did kind of call that Trent should be taken off 60, 70 minutes against City.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did think that he'd switch then Gomez onto onto the right flank and bring Kwanzaa in at centre But, so um you know, he left Kwanzaa right back and He was totally fine.
00:20:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he he dealt with, you know, he dealt with every every ah threat that came down that left flank.
00:20:20
Connor
Yeah.
00:20:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if we look at the midfield then, Paul Gravenberg, he just doesn't get a risk.
00:20:31
Connor
I know.
00:20:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who's playing in midfield with Ryan Gravenberg? Because that guy is just going to play every single game and massive credit to him because he never looks
00:20:36
Connor
yeah
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He never looks like he's overworked or he's leggy or he looks like he needs a rest. McAllister sometimes does. McAllister's one of those players where he just thinks, you know what, this guy has literally run all the way back from Argentina and he just needs a rest.
00:20:56
Connor
Yeah.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
but But what are you looking for in that midfield three?
00:21:04
Connor
so it's pretty clear that that Gravenberg starts this game and I think in terms of what you spoke about Liverpool will probably try and keep the ball and quiet in the crowd and the kind of stuff that Man City you thought Man City would do at Anfield but weren't able to I think you'll see Liverpool try and do that at St James's Park but I am a bit confused as to what approach Arnis Lot takes because
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:30
Connor
I would love to see Sir Bosley in this game because of the fact that because of the runners, they have a midfield and because of how, you know, the power and and the strengths of Bosley have has in midfield at winning the ball back in those transitions. he's He's also, I think his interplay has actually really picked up quite well. And I think you've seen him and McAllister play like lovely one twos together.
00:21:53
Connor
But I also think McAllister has to play this game and there's no way he plays Graven Birch, McAllister and Jones. So I think he plays, oh sorry, yeah, I don't think that. So I think there's some real selection headaches here.
00:22:05
Connor
I personally have went with the same midfield that played against Man City.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:22:08
Connor
I think you should run it back because I think Jones will definitely play the Derby. So that's my thinking.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go the opposite. I think that, I think you're obviously Gravenberg.
00:22:16
Connor
Yeah.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you'll play Gravenberg, but I think I think he will play Jones and he won't play Macalester.
00:22:25
Connor
Yeah.
00:22:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the reason I say that is I think that Macalester is going to be needed for that, you know, the hurly burly of a local Derby.
00:22:38
Connor
Yeah.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's maybe thinking that Jones is too invested in a local Derby and he's just going to get caught up in, you know, in in the intensity
00:22:41
Connor
Hmm.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
of that fixture. So I'm thinking maybe Gravenberg Jones and I still think he plays Sir Bosleye with an eye to possibly bringing on Elliot depending on what the game situation is 60-70 minutes to give him some minutes.
00:22:59
Connor
Yeah.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know if we if we're kind of 2-0 up I think he brings Sir Bosleye off but I think one of the reasons you do play Sir Bosleye is for the reason that you mentioned about Robertson. hes he He needs support. Diaz does a great job supporting Robertson on that left flank when he does play. But Sir Bosleye does a hell of a lot of running across that back line to kind of support the full backs and support the defensive line.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think he could be quite important in that respect. So I'm going for Gravenberg, Jones and Sir Bosley, which probably means that McAllister plays and know everyone plays other than the play play ah guys that I've picked.
00:23:44
Connor
Yeah.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so it just it just the only thing that concerns me is is if we get an injury.
00:23:58
Connor
Yeah, same.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, because i think we're I think we're lighter in midfield than we are even in defence.
00:23:59
Connor
Same.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just one injury to Grumberg, one injury to McAllister, and we know we're struggling in midfield.
00:24:11
Connor
Yeah, I also think, I'm kind of loathe to say it because it's got it's been talked about so many times, but I think if Arnislaw wasn't the manager of this team at the minute and Jurgen Klopp still was, we would have seen more minutes from Forando because of that rotation and because, I don't know, there was so much talk about Klopp's side running the midfielders into the ground and I think he was very, very aware of that.
00:24:38
Connor
But also, I think if you look at it, a stat came out maybe yesterday or this morning that Gravenbrock has almost played the exact same amount of minutes as he played last season already. I think he's maybe 200 minutes off, which is what, two games at this rate.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that right?
00:24:51
Connor
So, you know, he's he's going to need a rest at some point and maybe it comes in those Champions League fixtures and it comes in the cups and stuff like that. but But also, it's so important that McCallister, Gravenberg, Sir Bosley, those three stay fit and stay firing.
Player Rotation and Squad Fitness
00:25:06
Connor
And also when you have a player like Curtis Jones, whose kind of emergence this year has been so spectacular. I mean, Liverpool fans have loved him. Well, I think most Liverpool fans, proper Liverpool fans have loved him for a long time, but neither world to see in how good he is. But he's also a little bit injury prone too, so you kind of want to look after all four of them.
00:25:26
Connor
But, you know, maybe the maybe the best form of defence is attack, and that's the best way to look after your players is to get an early goal lead, maybe you get a few goals early and and see what we're going to. So that front three, I think, is going to be really important for this game. And I've gone for Salah, Nunez and Gackpo.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you? I've gone for Sala Nunez and Diaz.
00:25:47
Connor
Yeah, I just feel bad for Diaz. I feel so bad for him.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I know. Yeah. He's such a great player. but ah But you know what? It just speaks to the strength that we've got on that left side. Because whoever you play, whether it's Diaz or Gackpo, you think, yeah, I'm happy with that. And again, I'm thinking of the most side Derby.
00:26:08
Connor
Likewise, yeah.
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm thinking that Diaz plays away from home in this game at Newcastle to really stretch that Newcastle backline and really run at them. Whereas I think Gatpo is, you know, he's he's Obviously, he's not as quick as Diaz, but I think he's really intelligent with his passing with the runs that he makes. And the the other thing he's really developed this season is the way that he cuts inside from the fullback and delivers a really, really good in swinging cross. He's done that quite a few times. And I'm i'm just thinking that that might be more
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
effective against a kind of low block Everton team.
00:26:55
Connor
I see that.
00:26:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so that's why i'm I'm looking at Diaz playing tonight. But I think Nunez could be a key man tonight.
00:27:04
Connor
Yeah.
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know he's He's going to have his tail up because you know he will know that this is a really happy hunting ground for him last season. and and he You know, it was such a great, great moment for us in that season. It really kind of propelled us in that portion of the season. And let's hope he does that again tonight.
00:27:21
Connor
Yeah. And I so i also, I really buy into that kind of, uh, almost folklore nonsense that players just have teams they love to play against or grounds they like to play on.
00:27:34
Connor
And it seems like it would almost not be true, but I've seen it happen to Liverpool enough times. How many times did Darren Bent come to Anfield and score goals when he was rubbish?
00:27:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
i and true
00:27:42
Connor
so yeah, I think, I think Noona is against, against ah Newcastle at St James's Park. It just makes sense now for some reason. It just does. So.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think I think there's truth in in, in that folklore. I think there's, I mean, even when I used to play Pro Evo, Master League, you know, I thought, yeah, you know, Millwall, in an early round of the FA Cup, I i scored against them a couple of seasons, and I feel really confident. So yeah, I think there's something in there. And i'm I'm just hoping that Nunes does. Because you know what, his performances have been really good.
00:28:15
Connor
yeah I agree.
00:28:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know this season and I just think he just needs those goals but he's contributed in that front line.
Mo Salah's Comments on Manchester City
00:28:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if you saw that again the the press conference Arnie Slott came out with a ah very interesting comment when asked by one of the journalists about Mo's comment after the City Game
00:28:35
Connor
Mm hmm.
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
where he said that, well, this could be my last game against Manchester City. And Slott says something about, well, he could be referring to the fact that, you know, Man City might get booted out of the Premier League because of the 150 charges. What do you think of that?
00:28:51
Connor
I just think, you know what, this, this is so indicative of, uh, I think as a fan base, we've grown to kind of understand them and get to know our in a slot a little bit.
00:29:03
Connor
And like, we've started to love them a lot more. And obviously that helps with the, you know, the results that we've had, but also I think that's a little bit of Liverpool rubbing off on him there. That's a little bit of the sky's cheekiness.
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah
00:29:13
Connor
You know what I mean? And I love it. I love it so much.
00:29:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, kind of goal ah ah goes against his kind of his his nature, right? you You wouldn't have expected him to to have said that, but like you said, think he's been at Liverpool long enough that so it's got into him.
00:29:20
Connor
Hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, okay, let's let's do some score predictions then.
Match Predictions and FA Cup Draw
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go for it, Conor. what what What do you think we're going to come on away with?
00:29:34
Connor
I think we'll see a repeat of last year's score line. I think it's in Jameson Park. And i I don't think it'll be a double Nunez brace, although I think you'll get one.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go on.
00:29:43
Connor
think it'll be Nunez and I think it'll be Van Dijk for me. So 2-1 Liverpool.
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
How are we going to concede?
00:29:47
Connor
Yeah. Yeah, we are. We are.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:29:51
Connor
And I think i think we concede first.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't do that.
00:29:55
Connor
i know Trust me, i'm I'm already bracing myself, don't worry.
00:29:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's interesting.
00:29:57
Connor
Yeah.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
like I'm going to go for, I know this is really boring, but I love this score line because I think this is Arnie Sloss favorite score line. If you, if you said to him, look Arnie, do you want a one nil?
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you want a seven nil? He's like, no, just give me a two nil.
00:30:15
Connor
Yeah.
00:30:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just give me a two nil. It means that, you know, we've, we've got the first. And then we've put our foot on the ball. We've controlled the game. We've got the second and completely killed the game. And I don't think it's going to be easy. I don't think it's going to be an easy, comfortable 2-0 win. But I think once we weather that storm, that kind of 20, 25 minutes, I think our quality will show. And I just think we've got too much up front for us not to score. So I'm going to go for Mo getting his first one. And and then Nunez.
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
finishing the game and getting all three points for us.
00:30:54
Connor
Nice.
00:30:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So i thought I think we'll both quite happily take a 2-0 or a 2-1. So let's let's round off the episode. We've got a couple of other things to discuss.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool have been drawn against Akron Stanley at home in the third round of the FA Cup. it's It's a kind of local Derby, isn't it?
00:31:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it would have been great if if it was away.
00:31:18
Connor
Yeah.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wouldn't have been good for us in the sense that, you know, it could have been a banana skin.
00:31:22
Connor
Yeah.
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But just for the FA Cup, i thought I think it would have been a great away fixture. but And it it does kind of bring to mind what Carriga said, Jamie Carriga, about how Liverpool and how Arnie Slott should approach the domestic cups this season.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
is that because we don't have a lot of cover in certain positions, is that that's where you rest the players and effectively just say, look, we're going to play kids in the League Cup and the FA Cup and just properly target the Premier League and the Champions League.
00:31:49
Connor
Yeah.
00:31:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Where do you sit on that?
Domestic Cup Strategies
00:32:00
Connor
I wouldn't have agreed with that at the start of the season because I thought that, you know, it almost in a marine way, it just matters that you win a trophy in your first season.
00:32:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:10
Connor
And I think following on from Klopp as well and how much of a revered you know kind of icon in the whole city he is, such a big job that if you can get one trophy under your belt you're flying and but with the context of where Liverpool are now it makes total sense it makes total sense I'm not sure when that fixture is actually the Akron Stanley one do you know what
00:32:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's in January. it will be I think the first week of January, right?
00:32:32
Connor
Yeah, so so you're looking at, Conate's probably still out then.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:32:37
Connor
I mean, Simicast was on crutches at Anfield against Man City, so it's not looking too good for him. I don't know what he's got. Yeah, it's play to play the kids.
00:32:47
Connor
But also, look at the kids Liverpool have. like We've talked so much about how impressive Tranioni was in pre-season, he's not kicked the ball yet. So, The kids can still do it, you know, they want they won the cotton cup.
00:32:58
Connor
I'm not the kind of cup the caribou cup last year.
00:33:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:01
Connor
So, you know, put faith in them.
00:33:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, no, I agree. But I think you're absolutely right, though. I think the the context of the season now, where we are, I think you have to think, whilst the title is definitely not done, definitely not done, and we've already spoken about how quickly things can change when there's a midweek fixture in the Premier League, you know, the turnaround, the swing of points can be very, very dramatic.
00:33:16
Connor
Mm hmm.
Premier League Title Race and Teaser for Next Episode
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a big lead can all of a sudden go down to three or four points. But I think where we are now, we've got a really great chance to extend that lead. And you know in the Premier League, we've already mentioned that Arsenal are going to Manchester United. And Manchester United, they've still got that new manager, feel good bounce. They've just come off a 4-0 win against Everton. I know it's Everton, but still, a win is a win.
00:33:54
Connor
Yeah.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, know, I think that's going to be a tough game for Arsenal. And then you've got Manchester City hosting Forest, Forest are flying at the moment. And I think most teams now that go to the Etihad will be thinking, you know what, wi the fear factor is gone. That's for sure. and There will not be that fear factor.
00:34:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not a guarantee that the city will lose again or drop points, but the fear factor is gone. And I i think that if Forest can, again, if they can weather that 20, 30 minutes and go in at half time, nil, nil, it could get very, very nervous at the Etihad.
00:34:32
Connor
Yeah, I agree.
00:34:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, so, you know, things can can really, really develop the time we get to the Mergeside Derby. But, we you know, we've got to concentrate on our game and we've got to get that three points.
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Let's see what happens. That is all for today. You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Give us a follow so that you get the very latest content when it drops. Follow us on social media, at GSPN Liverpool. You can email us, gspndailyle Liverpool at gmail.com.
00:35:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us again tomorrow when we will have the crossover show as we look ahead to the Merceside Derby. And that's going to be another huge game, the final Merceside Derby at Goodison Park. Until then, thank you for listening.