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Post Match Reaction: Rio Win It In The 100th Minute! NEW 2-3 LIV
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Join Adarsh Ramchurn & Michael Lake as they dissect a gripping 3-2 win for Liverpool at Newcastle. They discuss the Gordon Red Card, Liverpool's sloppy defending, and the attacking firepower!
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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.
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Transcript
Liverpool's Last-Minute Victory Against Newcastle
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's post-match reaction time and Liverpool have beaten Newcastle by three goals to two thanks to a hundredth minute winner by 16-year-old sensation Rio Engamoja.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that only tells us, not even half the story, I think that tells us 10% of what was an unbelievable, breathtaking, action-packed Premier League match. I'm joined by Michael Lake to discuss the game, Michael.
Pattern of Comebacks in Liverpool's Season
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, we're going to unpack... What was probably a Premier League classic, but how are you feeling after that?
00:00:45
Michael
I mean, it is, is loss for words, really. I think, like, it's just one of those games that we need to kind of reflect on or just forget about. I think it's one of, like, we we we need to kind of fix up. I mean, we've had three games of the season so far and all three have played out pretty similarly in terms of we've gone two up, lost the lead and then had to claw it back.
00:01:09
Michael
Or in the case of Crystal Palace, we didn't, but, like, I'm glad to be back in our normal slot so we can chat about this.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, for sure. not I mean, there there's so much to
Tactical Decisions and Lineup Analysis
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
go through. I mean, first of all, the team used the starting XI, pretty satisfied. And I think there was a lot of talk of Sabozlai being played at right back in mcalist obviously and obviously being absent from the squad. So what are your thoughts on starting eleven
00:01:31
Michael
I think it's ah ah it's interesting. like i thought um to Jones, I think it was last season, played a little bit of right back very briefly, but I just assumed that it would be So Bozlai would be put in at the deeper deeper mid and then Jones be played at right back. But I actually quite liked So Bozlai because he kind of did the Trent role where would like tuck inside.
00:01:54
Michael
um And he kind of he kind of worked, actually. And he he had the energy to get up and down, and he was tracking back all the time. And he kind of covered that right channel well because he wasn't bombing on forward a lot. Like, looking at his average position, he was pretty spot on in the right back position, sort right midfield channel, basically. That's where his average position was just before the halfway line.
00:02:16
Michael
um But it was it was interesting choice to go with him over... um Jones or over even Bradley or Gomez because you'd think that both of them would be a bit like ready to play at least so half a game maybe you could swap them over in their more um constant right backs but I think Slott really likes Sabozla he's a bit of his Swiss army sowis army knife and i think like It'll be interesting to see. like It seems like Subozlai gets put anywhere. like He's played 10, he's played 8, he's played 6, he's played right back now. So like I wonder if he's just going to become our utility man, a bit like a James Milner.
00:02:54
Michael
Milner with legs, I think, we could we could maybe say he might turn into. But yeah, it was really interesting seeing like how we approached it and we just and how we maybe should have approached it differently, really.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Yeah, no, for sure. And then obviously the Newcastle team missing a standout.
Newcastle's Initial Dominance and Liverpool's Response
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Swedish number 14 in Alexander Eastside, who we obviously knew wasn't going to be featured in this game.
00:03:12
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:03:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But obviously getting into the match now, and i think first half an hour, we probably weren't at the races.
00:03:15
Michael
Yeah.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, Newcastle piling on the pressure i had a couple of chances. I wouldn't say they had any clear-cut chances apart from, I think, the one that almost trickled in off Sabozlai.
00:03:26
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:03:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I mean, Newcastle were definitely playing this game at sort of, like we mentioned offline, at a thousand percent tempo. um
00:03:37
Michael
Mm.
00:03:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Liverpool eventually found their way into the game and Gravenberg gained the opening goal. I mean, talk me through um how Liverpool managed to sort get that goal, even though we were very much not at the races in that first half.
00:03:48
Michael
Yeah, it was really is really weird because it came out of nowhere. like We had been a bit on the back foot. like ah We'd just been sitting so deep compared to what we normally like. um It was interesting because Newcastle pressed really high when we had it deep, but then as soon as we got sort of towards the halfway line, they'd sit in like this the like two banks where it's like a four and a five, and then we're just...
00:04:10
Michael
um just Gordon up top. and it was And that was really hard for us to break down because there was loads of space for the likes of Verts or likes of any of the wingers to or Ekotike to move into and have loads of space between them.
00:04:24
Michael
But like we were just not able to get the ball. I don't think we we just weren't playing quick enough to get it through those lines. And that meant that we just weren't able to break them down. um But then all of a sudden we get the ball out, Gakpo on the wing. He...
00:04:39
Michael
some e e he was bullying Trippier to be fair. I'm surprised that Lewis Hall didn't start.
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:04:43
Michael
don't know whether he's been, um he's been injured or, or what, because like, I think the liver mentor on that, on that right-hand side would be so much better than Trippier.
00:04:54
Michael
I think Trippier is just, Yeah, he's not on it. And Gakpo managed to, a few times, kind of just nudge him out the way so the ball would fly over his head and then Gakpo was in.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah could
00:05:05
Michael
um And it was weird because, like, Gakpo just laid it off to Gravenberch and then Gravenberch just seemed to, like, stroll across the front and then um just slot it bottom corner. um It was a really good finish and, um like, it came out of nowhere for me. I was just like, oh ah okay, yep, yeah, and started celebrating.
00:05:22
Michael
um But I thought it took a deflection initially, but it just wrong-footed the keeper. And I think those sort of shots just have a crack if you're not getting any luck getting into the box. like and you're gonna And if by like recycling it and playing it back and stuff, you're going to just potentially lose the ball to such a high press. I think you may as well just have a bit of a crack. And ah I do, I think Gravenberts enjoyed the game today because you could see him at the very end having a bit of,
00:05:47
Michael
having a bit of afters with Bruno Gimaraes.
00:05:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, we're going to...
00:05:50
Michael
And like, I thought, I loved, I loved seeing it, just them laughing in the, in the Newcastle players' faces as they were losing their heads. Like Dan Byrne was losing his head at the end as well.
00:06:00
Michael
it was, it was so good. And like the fact that both, both our goals were pretty similar in terms, well, both our first two goals were pretty similar in terms of like ah finishes into that sort of bottom left-hand corner.
00:06:12
Michael
Um, But yeah, I thought once we got the goal and and obviously the red card, which we'll come on to, I think we really did. we we kind of controlled the game a little bit more, obviously, because they were trying to figure it out. And then obviously we scored straight after half time.
00:06:28
Michael
um But then it just suddenly started like crumbling, which you'd think after they had like all those injuries and all the players went off and um and they were down to 10 men, it would be he easy
Impact of Anthony Gordon's Red Card
00:06:39
Michael
sailing. But I think...
00:06:40
Michael
there were There were key members of the squad that maybe be had a bit of a stinker today. um So maybe we not might need to talk about their future starting roles, let's say.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you make a very, very good point, Michael. And before we get on to all of that, obviously the major sort of turning point in the game, I think when once we had to got that goal and starting to get a bit of control, um let's just say someone wasn't in control in their tackle and now was Anthony Gordon.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:07:05
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And... um I mean, I called it as soon as I saw I was like, I didn't even need to see a replay. I was like, it has to be a red card. I mean, the fact that he's left two marks on Van Dijk's back of his back of his shin and the fact that he think he pulled his sock down.
00:07:15
Michael
Yeah.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know what I've never seen a tackle like that.
00:07:21
Michael
Yeah. His sock was completely down by his like by his ankle. And then like the commentators were like, yeah, I think it's a yellow.
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That commentator ah really drove drove him crazy today.
00:07:31
Michael
What?
00:07:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah.
00:07:33
Michael
Yeah. I think they do i think they is for some reason Sky Sports seems to love like Newcastle or anyone who is playing against Liverpool.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh my gosh, yeah.
00:07:41
Michael
like they they They were showing so many like so many shots of like the Newcastle fans and stuff and like just all the time. and They will just want to watch the football and not the not the not the players.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was really annoying.
00:07:52
Michael
But yeah, that tackle was horrendous. like You could see one there there was like a little replay where um Gordon afterwards came over to Van Dijk while he was on the floor and Van Dijk was showing him the tackle and you could see on Gordon's face he was like if this gets reviewed I'm off because he was like oh it's not that bad it's not that bad but like he comes flying in and like
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Yeah.
00:08:16
Michael
they they were like, oh, he seems to have pulled out there. But even so, it's like stood clean on the back of his calf, brought all the way down. His sock gets pulled all the way down. You know, that doesn't happen if you know if it's not a high foot. Because even if it even if it's only about around the ankle and you do that, like, that's still higher than it needs to be.
00:08:36
Michael
And it was nowhere near the ball. And like, I think it was a right, a correct decision that he eventually got um got given his marching orders. And I think like, I think it's poetic justice that the striker are trying to fill the void with, um, ended up getting sent off but for being too reckless. And I think, I think the emotions got to some of the players today in terms of the Newcastle players. And I think, oh, I think I know some Liverpool players in terms of like Joel Linton, Tonali and Gimaraes were, Gimaraes was lucky not to get sent off a few times for chat challenges and back chatting to the ref and stuff.
00:09:12
Michael
Um, But I'm... Like, it it that was a bit of a turning point when Gordon did get sent off. But then, what like, but we didn't capitalise on it, really. Like, we... In terms of, like, we were getting penned in by 10 men the whole time. It was just, like, they wanted it more.
00:09:30
Michael
I think it was. um But, yeah, I... It was a really bad challenge. As soon as you saw this the marks down the back of Van Dijk's legs, you just knew it was it was too like too bad to to be to stay on the pitch. and then yeah as soon as i quite i quite liked how they and the ref had to announce the decision to the crowd, to clearly say why it's been why it's being brought up which i
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that was...
00:09:58
Michael
I mean, worked well. I enjoyed that. It was clear and there was no um but ambiguity. But yeah, no it
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I enjoyed that, though.
Eketike's Crucial Goal and Performance
00:10:05
Michael
was it was it was good to see him see him going in the first half.
00:10:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just thought, I do like this introduction of the of the referees, like, obviously discussing the decision that's made. I just looked at Gordon the whole time and he looked absolutely embarrassed that his whole name was getting announced.
00:10:20
Michael
Yeah.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I mean, obviously ass he's come to the right decision, but it's just like, it's just funny from that perspective of a player, like, being announced that you've done something wrong.
00:10:26
Michael
yeah Getting called out, basically.
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:29
Michael
get Number 10 for Newcastle.
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:31
Michael
You, yeah, you. You're going. You've been reckless.
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, but yeah, 100% it was a red card and obviously Liverpool going to half-time 1-0 up. You assume ah with have the man advantage, Liverpool will take advantage of that and 20 seconds into the second half, Eketike getting his second Premier League goal for Liverpool.
00:10:52
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Like you mentioned, Michael, earlier, similar finish to Gravenberg terms of it coming off the post bottom corner, but What a start he's made to his Liverpool career, Eketiki. um I mean, he got a goal and assist in the first game, goal today.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Even his link-up play in parts of the game, even though he didn't have that much service and was quite bullied by a couple of the Newcastle players, still managed to contribute. um But yeah, just taught me through that finish and obviously going 2-0 up.
00:11:19
Michael
Yeah, I mean, he's he' is he's clinical, which is something that we can't say for many strikers we've had. um And it is it and he so he is good at just moving around, getting so he doesn't get pinned down by the strikers.
00:11:31
Michael
And like finding a way to get a goal, like he's and he always seems to be able to just...
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:11:37
Michael
Because his first goal he scored against Crystal Palace was sort of the edge of the box, sort of um very similar to this one, but the other corner. um And then his second goal was just a clinical one-on-one.
00:11:51
Michael
And then this one was also very clinical. like it's it's I'm liking the look of him so far. And I think like more and more as this is going on, the more and more the the Isaac situation, Isaac's situation is just kind of rolling on and becoming a bit of just a distraction. I'm thinking, do we need him? Do we need Isaac to be to be ah another striker?
00:12:13
Michael
can we just play the whole season with Eketike? Because... I mean, a lot of ah lot of people have been saying that Ekotike last season underperformed his XG, so he's not going to be as clinical. and he might struggle in front of goal and stuff, but I mean, looking at him now, he seems very clinical. he's yeah had basically one opportunity today um and he and he scored it, which is really impressive. And I think like this, he will just start growing into this team.
00:12:41
Michael
um And like, as soon as Florian Vert starts like kicking on, um because he's had a bit of ah a poor showing so far. i think that will start kind of allowing those two to kind of dovetail off each other. I think Eketike has adapted to the Premier League much better than Virts has.
00:13:01
Michael
um And I think his decision-making is just is is is being really good and his movement is really good. So I'm enjoying him and i'm and I'm glad we've got him. And I'm glad that we got him early so he could play this
00:13:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:13:13
Michael
start of the season and we didn't wait for him to be an alternative to Isaac because at this moment in time he's as good um and is a lot less of a headache
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, for sure. Nike's just proven to be a great option. And um I was actually saying when he came off that we looked a lot weaker um in terms of on the ball and on transition.
00:13:33
Michael
know
00:13:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But Liverpool, Newcastle did get a way back into the game.
00:13:36
Michael
yeah
00:13:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the only way that i thought they were going to get back into the game was through set pieces and long throw-ins and long balls. And
00:13:48
Michael
Yeah.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, that's essentially what they did.
Liverpool's Defensive Vulnerabilities
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Guimara is out-muscling Kerkers at the far post to to win the header and score the goal in the bottom corner. I was a bit disappointed with Kerkers overall in the game. Probably one of those players that had a bit of a stinker today.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um quite a soft goal to give away and another set-piece that Liverpool not dealing with very well.
00:14:01
Michael
yeah
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And we can also we can probably touch on the second goal as well with the long ball over the top. Kanate not dealing with it and Asula getting on the end to make it 2-2. I mean, defensively those two goals to so be in a position where you're two new up but against 10 men um yes is yet they're at home at the atmosphere is is electric but still to be in a position like that and you should be dominating the game I mean what did you make of that whole turn of events
00:14:30
Michael
Yeah, I think i've been I've been quite disappointed with both Canate and Kerkers so far this season. I think Kerkers, I can give him a little bit of benefit of doubt. He's young, he's just coming to Liverpool.
00:14:41
Michael
He had a very good season at Bournemouth last season, but he is fairly small, so I can imagine back post goals might be a a problem for us. But... i am in In particular, the second goal, I was just like, Canate just didn't seem like he wanted it. like He was just always on the back foot. He was all he was wrestling with dumb burn Dan Byrne. Dan Byrne's a big lad, but Canate just needed to get anything on it, and he just let it roll down his back, basically.
00:15:07
Michael
And I think he i think the Leone is going to be licking his lips for getting into the start and starting 11. because especially Well, I mean, if even if we get Gehi, I could see Canate dropping out straight away.
00:15:21
Michael
um just because like he's had such a stinker in these first three games that like i I would be fine with him dropping out and because he's nowhere near the same player and it might be a he's learning Spanish situation um but I mean hopefully not but I think we need to prepare for that fact and um I think both goals... We know that Newcastle are good at set pieces. They've got 6'7 centre-back who loves to bully our our players.
00:15:50
Michael
like they and And they've got like big, scary Joelinton who went off the pitch crying. like They've got these big boys who can who can like try and bully our players. And what we what have we got? We've got a few tall lads, but we've got none of these like units that they do. um like Van Dijk and Canarte can only be...
00:16:09
Michael
so in so many places and I think I say i think like it it was us They were both basically soft goals to to to give away, um which is a bit annoying. and like We need to kind of shore up, but i mean when you're having to defend against a team that just loves to kind of play for a set piece and like you've got to defend for your lives to get rid of the ball in any way possible and then just hope that you can hit them on the counter-attack, I think we need to kind of figure out how to deal with that.
00:16:43
Michael
Um, and whether that is like having different players, different players in different positions, like I think maybe Robertson is better at that back post. Maybe Robertson should be brought in for the more, the more physical teams, or maybe we should like focus on like, I don't know, like I'm i'm not Arnie slot, so I don't really know, but like the, it just feels like we need to do something to stop those transition goals and to stop those set piece goals.
00:17:11
Michael
Um, But to be fair, like teams that are good at set pieces usually sacrifice being good at football like Arsenal. like they they they They sacrifice like what football is all about to be prime stoke.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:27
Michael
And we don't really want to be like that. I'd rather concede and an odd set piece goal than play boring, boring, boring football like Arsenal.
00:17:38
Michael
um But yeah, it's just one of those it's just one of those like games that like I think the atmosphere got to the players. and i think the like St. James' Park on the best nights when their best player hasn't been looking at a different club um and wanting to go so to greener pastures. and um like i think the the atmosphere is electric anyway and And when they when now that they're crying over the striker wanting to go to a bigger club, um like but that added to it.
00:18:11
Michael
um But yeah, I think like ah know on that note, I think Henri said something in the in the pre-match where he was like, if ah if a player is bad and the club wants to get rid of him, get rid of them.
00:18:25
Michael
no one cares. But if a player is good and they want to go to a team, everyone cares. like what What's the difference there? like
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's true.
00:18:32
Michael
one part One party wants to go somewhere else or wants to move somewhere else. But suddenly it's the end of the world that Joel Linton wants to go to. and Not Joel Linton. Izak wants to go to um
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't want John Linton at Liverpool.
00:18:44
Michael
want to
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gosh.
00:18:46
Michael
wants to go to a bigger club. I mean it's it's one of those one of those things that like I think Newcastle with the Saudi money have got a bit ahead of themselves thinking that they can keep the sort of player that Izak is. Yeah.
00:18:58
Michael
But like i think they i think they need to they need so go through one more cycle of selling good players to then bring in good players before they can actually be at the big dog's table.
00:19:10
Michael
But at the moment, they need to sit sit down little bro um now that they're in that position.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and i'm playing long balls and kicking it and trying to kill people on the pitch is not going to help their case,
Rio Engamoja's Debut and Winning Goal
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it?
00:19:23
Michael
Yeah.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, we we'll get on to of the tactics of the game afterwards, but we have to talk about the main talking point, which is obviously Rio Ingamo coming off the bench and winning the game for Liverpool.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
A beautiful move, by the way. I mean, to keep that that level of what one, two-touch passing or in and around the box, so Bozlai with...
00:19:41
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it summed up his performance, that that dummy. I mean, the awareness to see him behind him. um And then Gamora, I mean, think it's going to go down as a Salah assist. It really should be a Sabolzai assist. But to be that level-headed and the 100th minute of your Premier League debut, that half finish, I mean, Michael talked me through it.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's outrageous.
00:20:03
Michael
I mean, it was a beautiful goal. It was it was well worked for the whole for all the boys that were on the pitch at the time. like Just one one touch pass and pinging it across. and Chiesa to Salah, Salah pinging it across. And then Subozlai, as you said, just to leave that for and have the trust in the 16-year-old lad coming up behind you just put it in the back of the net, which...
00:20:26
Michael
i mean the I mean, you don't get many easier goals on it in terms of, like, it just suddenly stopped bobbling as soon as it got to him. And, like, he was completely open and all he had to do was just place it. But, I mean, the composure.
00:20:40
Michael
He's 17 in a few days, which is crazy. um And, like...
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's ridiculous.
00:20:45
Michael
I hope Sala gets the assist because he's in my fantasy team. um But, likebos like, Sabozlai, to leave that, I think that kind of... that Like, that sort of move for Sabozlai is what kind of epitomises him for me in terms of, like...
00:21:01
Michael
he He sort of is the player that facilitates but doesn't necessarily do um in terms of like he's always does the running, he does the pressing, he does the he does that maybe the pass before the assist kind of vibe.
00:21:16
Michael
um But he doesn't seem to get the the numbers for the goals and assists. um which I'd like to see more of. But the fact that he's just such an integral player in the squad and Slott obviously loves him so much that he doesn't get brought off in any game, no matter if he's playing right back, no matter if he's playing attacker mid, no matter if he's playing centre mid. I think, like, that just proves his importance. And I think, like, um one he is one of those players that, like,
00:21:43
Michael
we we need in the squad and we need to help be playing. um And, like, this is just proving more and more his how vital he is to to the to the team. And ah I was saying that I think we should have maybe made subs a little bit earlier in terms of, like,
00:21:59
Michael
We just looked a little bit dead on our feet. But as soon as ah Elliot and Ngomo got brought on, i was I was a lot more confident because even on Ngomo's first few touches, he did try to skin Livermento and got across in like That was promising and he's attacking, he's he's he's electric and it was in the right place at the right time. And I think like if that if that had been... and like that That could be an all-time assist goal.
00:22:26
Michael
If, like, we this we can look back on this game and this goal and be like, when he wins the Ballon d'Or in 10 years, he is going to... Looking at this kid, I am confident he's going to be, like, Yamal level.
00:22:41
Michael
Like, he is insane. He's 16. Like...
00:22:46
Michael
like He might not get the same sort of minutes as Jamal did at that age, but I think that will be better for his long-term career. That like he's going to be getting these minutes all this season and then he might be starting.
00:22:58
Michael
He might get the odd game or or whatever it is, but this boy, he wants to win a Ballon d'Or and I could see it in his future. like He is is something special.
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're right. He is. um um I mean, I was lost for words. I mean, absolute speech at the end, on my knees, basically, just out of breath because that, yeah, what a 90 minutes. And it leaves Liverpool with maximum points.
00:23:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Seven goals scored, four goals conceded. So we're going break down tactically the Liverpool performance of in a bit more detail um and then obviously have a look at where this leaves us. But this will all be done after a very short break.
00:24:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So, Michael, there's a lot that we've already touched on terms of the talking points of the game, but a couple of questions from a tactical point of view. Did the sending off influence Newcastle's game plan, going for more long balls? And obviously, Liverpool and I's prepared for that.
00:24:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um How did you think we set up in terms of dealing with Newcastle's energy and press and the atmosphere? I mean, just talk me through from a tactical point of view what you made of tonight's performance.
00:24:35
Michael
Yeah, I think it was it was it was an interesting one. It was a bit of a It was weird because we seemed to set up with the idea that we were going to keep the ball more.
00:24:46
Michael
And then we kind of let go of the ball more. um In the sense of like, we... Like, Sabozlai was moving in in midfield, so we had that box like we did all last season. And we kind of, we were looking to kind of keep hold of it and um ah make some, and and kind of hit the corners in terms of that we we kind of targeted that Gakpo and Trippier would be an area we could exploit.
00:25:12
Michael
um And that was working for us once we got into the game. But at the start, we were just getting a bit like run over um in the sense of that Newcastle were just able to be a bit more aggressive. They were able to be on the front four. They were able kind of keep all over us. And like what like it kind of shows with how our average positions work as Van Dijk is basically on the edge of our box in terms of like his average position, which is unhurt.
00:25:42
Michael
We normally have such a high line, but I think we were approaching it in the sense of like we would keep possession, but also keep sort of deep so we weren't going to get hit. because i mean
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't
00:25:52
Michael
Gordon Barnes and Alanga as an attacking three is is rapid. like There's not much physicality there, but like all three can run in behind. so If you reduce that spacing behind...
00:26:03
Michael
In theory, you reduce their their ah offensive opportunities, but um it seemed to also leave us a bit exposed in midfield. were getting overrun and we were getting um kind of bullied a little bit in terms of the had they had sort of a three-man midfield that liked to fight midfield.
00:26:23
Michael
um Joel Linton, obviously we we were heard all everything about Big Scary Joe, who's goingnna get who's going to break people's legs and stuff, but in the end, he seemed to break himself. um But like like we were just kind of getting...
00:26:38
Michael
they would basically sit in between our two and our one. So like we ended up not being able to progress the ball through the through the lines. So we and we ended up going long and they ended up being able to play through us, which is a little bit of a problem. I don't know whether that was a a problem with the game plan or whether that's just like we're kind of wedded to playing like that.
00:27:00
Michael
um But it's is it's interesting seeing like how we build up as well because it seems like So we kind of build up in a 3-4-1-2 kind of sort of vibe with Gakpo dropping, the right-back moving up, and then Kyrgyz becoming like a three-back...
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:27:23
Michael
um which is interesting because it's much different to what we did last season. Last season, we were playing more. We were leaving the centre-backs and then we were having a sort of a four deep with both full-backs.
00:27:35
Michael
But now we're kind of swapping it around. So like I think that's but that's a necessary... a thing that we need to do because but is' not we like we kind of need him and Ekotike to be up there ah unlike with last season where we were able to have the Subozlai and Diaz drop more in build up so it's interesting see how Slott is like adapting the play to meet his squad because um Because um I listened to an interview with Verts where he was saying that like the um the reason the conversations he had with Slott about coming was because he highlighted how he would play in that 10-roll.
00:28:16
Michael
um So that 10-roll has been thought about in depth, but it just doesn't seem to be working at the moment. um And it's kind of leaving us a little bit exposed. It feels like at the moment, but for all the running he does, is a little bit of a luxury player um in the sense of like he is sort floating in that 10 and like leaving our two midfielders to kind of do a lot of the work.
00:28:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:28:39
Michael
While last season, Sir Bozlai was everywhere. He was pressing, he was pressing up high, he was dropping deep. Like it was just a completely different sort of set up. um So it'll be interesting to see how slot tweaks it over over the over the next few games and stuff. um But yeah, it's it's it's really interesting to see how new Newcastle kind of lined up how they normally do and and in the sense that like they want to be physical, they want to hit long balls, they want to sort of get in behind. And then obviously when they had that sending off,
00:29:13
Michael
They moved their wide players into the middle to make it hard to play through the middle, um which I thought we didn't really expose enough. Like if we played quickly around the sides, surely then we would be more in behind and then they would be facing their own goal and stuff like that.
00:29:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the the way...
00:29:30
Michael
But it seemed like we were just persisting with trying to play through the middle. um which wasn't really working for us. And but especially when you've got players like Canate, who's on the ball, who might not, who who is doesn't seem to have any confidence at the moment ah with being on the ball.
00:29:46
Michael
um it kind of just is a bit of squeaky bum time when it when it whenever he was on the ball and trying to get trying to play through and trying to get the ball into dangerous places. um But it worked occasionally. Occasionally we broke through. And um i think that i think their game plan did...
00:30:05
Michael
changed to be more orientated around set pieces once they did get the red card because obviously that theyve they had the advantage at that point um but I think also once they had the red card they were just monsters in terms of they were on every single one of the players and they were actually really like really brave in terms of like they did not like they did not try and protect anything.
00:30:30
Michael
They were going for the win or they were going to get a point. um But unfortunately they were just unlucky in the sense that like we were just a better team and we won the league last season for a reason.
00:30:42
Michael
um And I think against any other team like Arsenal or City or Chelsea or United or any of those player teams, it might have worked, but we are Liverpool, we are massive. So they they just, they just couldn't handle it.
00:30:55
Michael
um But yeah, it's it was interesting seeing how they would, how they would, how they lined up. um But yeah.
00:31:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, know a couple of um talking points um points there. I think the one outverts is really interesting because, like you said, he is kind of giving off a bit of a luxury player. And obviously, he's been two two games.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't yeah have to give him a bit of time.
00:31:14
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think the point that I am a bit concerned with is... he kind of does drop deep and then he doesn't now naturally hold or float into those pockets that we all know. i think when he gets into those pockets of space, he can be devastating. I mean, he had a shot, I think in the first half, which Pope saved.
00:31:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, that was his only shot, but he didn't, I think he needs to be able to contribute more in the game when we're on the ball.
00:31:33
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um from a more attacking dangerous position rather than coming deep and um I think he is getting used to physicality the time he has on the ball even sometimes he's taking too many touches choosing the wrong option decision making um which I think will come with time but At the same time, I do want to see a bit more from him in terms of involvement in the game.
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Canate is an interesting one because I do you want to cut him some slack, but if he is learning Spanish, as you as you mentioned, Michael, then players like Leone will be rubbing their lips, their lips their lips rubbing their hands.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:32:10
Michael
Rubbing their lips.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
i don't know. I got tongue twisted there, but...
00:32:14
Michael
Rubbing their hands and licking their lips.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what I was trying to say in terms of trying to get into into the first team, especially since making that move. But yeah, Canate is a worrying thing.
00:32:22
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully he can sort that out and hopefully the noise around his contract situation calms down a bit. But... um In terms of
Overview of Liverpool's Season Start and Future Outlook
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
where this leaves us, ah Michael, obviously six points out of six, two wins, seven goals scored, which I think is a huge positive in terms of our attacking firepower.
00:32:35
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we've had six different goal scorers, which again shows the firepower that we have in the squad.
00:32:42
Michael
yeah
00:32:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the big negative, soft goals, conceding goals, four conceded so far. What's your or show assessment of the first two games of the season and where does this leave us two games in?
00:32:49
Michael
yeah
00:32:55
Michael
I mean, it it's worrying, but then it's also not in the sense that like our best players so far this season have been Akatike and Gakpo. Both of them are going to come into their own There are players who need to be better, who can who can only improve, like Wurtz.
00:33:16
Michael
like so I mean, Canate needs to improve. Kerkes needs to improve. um And once these players do start improving, I think the team will be a whole lot more whole.
00:33:27
Michael
um But I think the games...
00:33:32
Michael
both Both Newcastle and Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, to a certain extent, are good teams. I don't think there's many bad teams in the league. And, like, the fact that we are getting these wins, I mean, that is what we need to be doing. Like, even if we're not... We haven't played 100% yet, and we've managed to get basically a draw and two wins.
00:33:51
Michael
um Two wins in the competition that counts. But, like, we we we need to start, like... I don't know whether it's a tactical tweak or whether it's just the personnel need to be different because like we haven't probably had our start in XI yet.
00:34:07
Michael
Once Bradley comes in at right back and once McAllister comes in at centre mid, i would say that is our start in XI.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:34:16
Michael
I think once we've once we've seen that play play together, i think which I think we might see against Arsenal, um I think that's when we can start drawing conclusions for how the... how the season will go, we kind of get that idea.
00:34:29
Michael
um Because I think, like this this attack as you said, the attacking attack and power of this team is is like second to none. um yeah And especially we the likes of Izak someone like that um in the squad, like then we're just going to be on another level.
00:34:47
Michael
And like the fact that we' the we're we're you're hearing about like we don't want to sign a left winger because we don't want to block Rio and Gamalaya, which...
00:34:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:34:56
Michael
has been proven right. like You don't want to be blocking that kid because he's something special. like I think like we're planning for the future and we've got a good squad. We're just missing one or two pieces.
00:35:07
Michael
um And I think if we can get a Mark Gahey, if we can get either an Izak or another striker, I think we're looking really, really good. And then it's just down to sort of like maybe tweaking a little bit to make it so that maybe Frimpong doesn't run up, doesn't play as a right winger for most of the game. Or maybe...
00:35:25
Michael
um Or maybe someone tucks in more. Or maybe Gravenberg's drops between the defenders. Or Verts plays like more. Because like last season we were playing 4-2-2. two um it's in the sense of like, so Bosley was basically playing as a striker in when we didn't have the ball. But now we're not doing that as much. We're kind of put pressing with one striker.
00:35:46
Michael
Which I may be swapping back to that and kind of making that box to set traps. for the for our midfield to win the ball back maybe that might be something that we can tweak with um and it would just be really interesting to see what Slott does because I have full faith that he'll change things about and make it make it work um but yeah I think like the games haven't been have been worrying in certain respects but haven't been too worrying because we've got the wins you can't really knock the boys for getting the wins in the end of the day can you
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and to be honest, points is the only thing that matters at this stage, or the very stage beginning of the season.
00:36:21
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:36:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
performance Performances can only get better. um But a quick word on the fact that we've been scoring, well, I mean, the last the first two games, going 2-0 up and then getting paid back 2-2. That's the... If I had to pick one thing that does worry me, it's the complacency when we get 2-0 ahead.
00:36:38
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:36:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think today, we shouldn't really have let Newcastle back into the game. Yes, they had a set-piece, but...
00:36:45
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we if with 10 men, we should be dominating the ball, keeping the ball.
00:36:50
Michael
in
00:36:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be hard, obviously, but I think we should have done that a lot better today. But does that worry you or do you think, hopefully, like you said, with the players coming back in we don't go two-no up and then get pegged back again?
00:37:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Obviously, with Arsenal coming up on Sunday. So, what are your thoughts on that?
00:37:05
Michael
um I mean, playing set-piece FC obviously is going to be worrying that they they might um they they might get at us with set-pieces, but I mean...
00:37:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:37:16
Michael
I don't think it will be too bad. I've got admit, I think like in the short term it is because we're all in these two nil leads all the time. But the fact that we can get to this two nil position, it just takes like a bit more concentration or it just takes like a little tweak or it just takes like something to change to turn those two nil leads into two nil finishes.
00:37:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:37:37
Michael
Like that is, that's what we need to be doing. And like, It does seem like once we concede that first goal, the second goal isn't normally far behind. And I don't know whether that's a mentality thing, but it's kind of like the end of last season where we were kind of on the beach already.
00:37:54
Michael
a little bit similar to that in the sense of like we were just conceding stupid goals and we were losing stupid games. Obviously, we're not losing, but like we kind of need to switch on a little bit more because last season we were so good defensively. Like we were we're getting clean sheets all over the place and we were getting 1-0 wins and stuff. So whether we've just sacrificed our defensive solidity, like a bit like under Klopp for attacking prowess and we're just going to start playing the game of we'll score one more than you.
00:38:21
Michael
um But, I mean, umm um i have full faith in Slott that he's going to be able to um figure something out and going to be able to kind of make it make good decisions to get us get us to the point where we're going to be more solid and we're going to be more secure over the over the next few games, over like over the whole season, really.
00:38:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely. Let's hope so. But it is three points for Liverpool. 3-2 in at St James' Park against Newcastle. um Michael, thank you very much for joining me today and we'll see you all next time.