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Wildcard Wednesday - CL real Madrid Preview!
17 Plays26 days ago
Jesse Sarwar and Tom Barnes preview tonights huge game against Real Madrid in the CL.
Part 1 - Match preview
Part 2 - Predicted Line up and score prediction
Part 3 - Mo Salah contract update
Show Notes
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Preview
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 it's the return of the Champions League with European champions Real Madrid, the visitors for this Wednesday night's game. 8pm kick-off UK time, 3pm Eastern Standard time.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in part one we'll look ahead to tonight's game against Real Madrid. Part two we'll do a predicted lineup as well as a score prediction and in part three we'll discuss all the latest news regarding transfers and contracts and Mo Salah in particular after his comments post-match on Sunday. To talk about that and much more I'm joined today by Tom Barnes. How's it going Tom?
00:00:59
Tom
Well, good cheers, mate. Yeah, can't not got much to complain about at the moment. Eight points clear. We're doing all right. Another big week ahead, but yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
Liverpool's Recent Victories
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. All right. Let's kick things off then. After Sunday's dramatic 3-2 win against Southampton, Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points over defending champions Manchester City, who suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in all competitions when they were beat or not. I mean, I should say hammered 4-0 at the Etihad by Spurs.
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
sets up a mouthwatering clash on Sunday against City, but Arne's slot turns his attention to the Champions League tonight, where Liverpool are top of the table with four wins from four, and it's Real Madrid up next.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, the the big games just keep coming. you know What a game we've got to look forward to tonight. I know we've already spoken about the weekend's win against Southampton in our previous episodes this week, but just to put that game into the overall kind of context of this week's fixtures, was that a bigger game for us than tonight's Champions League game against Real Madrid? I mean, it sounds like a ridiculous question, but I think you know where I'm coming from.
00:02:17
Tom
Yeah. And to be honest, I've been inclined to agree. I think there's been a lot of talk, especially before the last few weeks of Liverpool played on anyone yet. I think Carriga made a point a couple of weeks ago, which I agree with. And I don't think it's necessarily down to who Liverpool played. It's that's the magnitude of games. They're the games you've got to win rather than the the quality of the opposition might.
00:02:39
Tom
playing Southampton away when City lost 4-0 at home to extend it to 8 points the week before we played City at home to essentially make it 11 points. I think that game itself is just as big as going away to your Arsenal's, your Man City's, your Man United's or whoever it is.
00:02:55
Tom
They're the games we look back on friata in the league, so if we didn't get three points there, especially with the performance we had, we weren't up to the races, but I think it just makes the win that little bit sweeter, knowing that we're grinding out results when we're not necessarily playing out our best and Southampton potentially deserves something out of the game. So I'd say, yeah, a hundred percent if you compare it to the Real Madrid game, obviously.
Significance of Recent Wins
00:03:15
Tom
the Southampton game was like we said before the game a must-win game ah whereas it's a Real Madrid one if we want to win the Champions League as well we don't necessarily need to win this game with the precision we put ourselves in obviously the new Champions League format we've still got three games to put it right if if we aren't to win so yeah to be fair if you if you're looking at the Southampton, Real Madrid and Man City games this week and you have to rank them you'd probably say the Real Madrid game funnily enough is probably the least important to us but at the same time if we can get a win there I mean the psychological advantage it won't only have a won't only benefit us psychologically in the Champions League, but in the Premier League as well. Imagine beating the European champions on Wednesday. OK, they're missing a couple of players, but imagine imagine the boost that's going to give the lads who are already in such a good mindset going into some base game against Manchester City. Obviously, even though it's Real Madrid and we're comparing it to Southampton, I think the Southampton game is important, but I think this Real Madrid game is just as crucial in probably different ways.
00:04:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's interesting what you say about the context of the game, as opposed to, let's say, necessarily the opposition that we're facing, you know, as you mentioned Southampton, you know, rock bottom of the Premier League.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we we go into that game, knowing that City ye have been, you know, really well beaten.
00:04:33
Tom
Yeah.
Title Race Caution
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, this is a chance to really just make a mark, really give ourselves a massive chance now with the Premier League. I'm still not, I'm not going to come out and say, I've heard some people say, well, it's Liverpool's to lose now. I just don't agree with that. I think that if it was Arsenal that we were going head to head in terms of going for the title, then I'd be more confident in saying that.
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think two things. We're still in November and it's Manchester City and the next game, which is, you know, obviously we play each other on the Sunday.
00:05:06
Tom
Yep.
00:05:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, God forbid, if we get beat against a Man City, it's a five point gap. a five-point gap and you know you've just entered December knowing that Man City tend to put that huge run together post January so I wouldn't say by any means that it's in our hands but then you'd have to say that if we do beat Man City on Sunday Then I'd say that we're favorites 11 points.
00:05:44
Tom
Yeah.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
we we We would have to say that we would then have to lose five matches and see when five matches in order for them to go ahead of us. So in terms of the overall context.
00:05:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
of this week. I think you're right. I think Liverpool fans looked at the Southampton game and said, just in order to set this week up, we've got to win that game. I mean, can you imagine if we had lost or if we'd drawn, it would have just felt devastating. And I think that I think it might be in Carriagura or it might be in Redknapp who made a really good point that Before the game, you know we I mean, even I predicted a 3-0 win, a comfortable win.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think this makes the win. I think it just gives us so almost more of a lift that, as you said, it's one of those games.
00:06:34
Tom
Yeah.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember when we won the title a few years back, we played against Villa. Again, we didn't play a way to Villa. We didn't play very well. Robertson gets a late goal. And then a couple of minutes later, Mane gets a late winner.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think for me, that was when I thought, you know what, we're going to do it.
00:06:50
Tom
yeah Yeah.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to do it. And I'm just thinking that we could look back at the Southampton win in much the same way.
00:07:01
Tom
Yeah, I agree. And I think. It's probably the, as weird as it sounds if it's not playing well, it's probably the best way we could have won if you were to put yourselves in the shoes of a Man City player or a Man City fan thinking, okay, we've just lost, but these are two undead Southampton, they don't like scoring.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:17
Tom
All of a sudden, Salah gets two, and it's just out as much of a boost as it was for us winning without playing well. It's as equally as much as a dagger to the heart for them as well, and it's also a massive psychological blow if they weren't already.
00:07:30
Tom
damage already from the night before so i think yeah in all parties it's probably the the best way of winning for Liverpool and obviously we don't want to play like that every week because you're gonna you're gonna get caught out some point and like you say if we didn't beat Southampton we could potentially be only two points clear of Man City next week if they would come to Anfield and beat us so no obviously we talk about context now but
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:52
Tom
There's a league title to be on whether you want to label his favourites now or next week or or no nowhere near in the near future or whatnot. Every game in terms of context is going to be absolutely massive now. and It's one that I remember we spoke after the Arsenal game, the review show, at the Southampton game, the review show, sorry. What do we class ourselves as favourites now? and I was on the edge obviously, as Liverpool fans have been there before, we've we've had similar leads and and later on in the season, February time, and we've seen City catch us up. And I say it pretty much every episode of Come on In and out about them know how Liverpool have and City have it as well. They've got the players that have been there and done it. So as much as you probably look at the table and think, yeah, okay, we're favourites. I mean, you can never write my city up. Okay, they've lost five games in a row, but if anyone can.
00:08:39
Tom
refine the form, if any manager can find the team that form, again, it's Man City and Pat Guardiola. So, no, you're probably looking at it and say, yeah, potentially the difference, eight points already, you would put us odds on favourite, but like you say, we're only in November.
00:08:54
Tom
and there There's a lot of football still to play. and Yeah, I'll never write City up until it's mathematically confirmed that also someone else has won the Premier League.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
Transfer Hopes
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. and And you never know what they're going to do in in January. I mean, I'm hoping that we do some business in January to really kind of just, you know, push us through this second half of the season, even if it's just one big signing just to give the place a lift and also just a signal to the rest of the Premier League that look, you know, we're we're not letting up this season.
00:09:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think you made a really good point about
00:09:24
Tom
Nope.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
what this could have done to Guardiola, the city players who would have been watching that game, thinking, God, you know what, we we might have dodged a bullet here because we lost, but it looks like these lot are going to lose. Keep the gap to five points. We go and for if we win, we're back in it with two points. The gap now in terms of the Champions League, Tom, we've got 12 points.
00:09:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know the way this new format is structured, it looks like 15 points pretty much guarantees progression into the knockout phase. It's tempting to think that slot can maybe take it a little easier with with this game. What what do you think?
00:10:05
Tom
Yeah and I think it's a weird what obviously Real Madrid at home you'd be baffled like going into it you think there's no way you can take it easy it's Real Madrid at home and the Champions League but if it was let's say with all due respect to a team like Bologna or someone who we've already played but if it was them we were playing this week you'd expect a lot to make changes but like I said with it being Real Madrid I think there's a it's not just about the three points tomorrow going for the win.
00:10:36
Tom
Like I said, it's about that psychological boost, kind of, you know, that statement win more than anything.
00:10:42
Tom
And I think that's what I'd be looking for. If we want to have a look, we're not messing around. Okay, we're doing the business in the Premier League, but we're also here to do it in the Champions League as well. So I think that's what I'd be looking for.
00:10:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:54
Tom
Potentially, if it was a weaker opposition we were playing, we would see more changes. I think with it being Real Madrid in the form we're in, and why not go hammering Tom, especially with them missing a few.
00:11:06
Tom
I think Vinicius is out now, Rodrigo, Edemilla, Thao.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they've got a few. The injury list for them is growing.
00:11:10
Tom
Two and many, yeah. so yes so So why not go out then? And like I say, if if we don't win, that it's not a massive deal, I think, with this new Champions League format.
00:11:21
Tom
Like I said, we've already got four wins out of four, and we've got three games afterwards to put things right if we don't get a result tomorrow. So it's one of them, I think, if we aren't to win tomorrow, I'm not concerned but i'd like to you know go as full strength as we can.
00:11:34
Tom
Like we say, full strength, we haven't just got that starting 11 now, like, Gatpo started the weekend.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:39
Tom
but I'll expect Diaz to play tomorrow. You've got Nunez or you can jump to the bench, put Diaz central like we did against Leverkus and start Gatpo. You've got midfield rotation.
00:11:51
Tom
Defence is a little bit more tricky at the moment, obviously, with Simakas. being ruled out for a couple of weeks and obviously Trent doesn't seem to be a back in time for this game, hopefully Man City. and But yeah, there's still rotation can be made and still have a team that starts tomorrow that's just as strong as the teams that have started the recent games. So now I expect to only start to go out full throttle to try and win again. And yeah, like I said, maybe if there's a weaker opposition, he may be tempted to do a little bit more rotation, but no, it's going to be interesting. interesting
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, you you see that the the situation that Real Madrid are in, in terms of the Champions League, you know, their form is a little bit patchy. They've got two wins, two losses from their four games, sees them on six points in the table, which that that means they're in 18th place. And it's the top eight that go through automatically.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
to the knockout stages. Now, you'd probably still expect Raul to go through. We've mentioned that they' you know they've got a list of players that are out injured. Captain Danny Carverhow is out for the season with ACL, so too is Militau, ACL, his season's over. I think that's the second ACL injury he's had in 18 months, so you've got to feel for him.
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alabar is out, Vanishes Junior is also out, and there's a doubt over Schumanni, Rodrigo and Vasquez for tonight's game. Now it brings up two things really. One is that I suppose this kind of general question of players being overworked, I mean these are serious injuries.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ACL injuries. You just think about the number of games they play off the back of a ah Euros, Copa America, they had a European Super Cup game. And then they've got the Champions League or FIFA Club World Cup. And it's ironic that both Roger and Alison who have been really vocal about this issue, they're out injured as well. Roger's got an ACL.
00:13:46
Tom
Yeah, yeah, no I agree with it and I think it's becoming more and more frequent now players are coming out and talking about the busy schedules I can see the arguments for both sides.
00:13:58
Tom
Yeah, it's never nice seeing players go off with ACL injuries. And if you ask me, would you rather play against an injury-stricken Real Madrid team tomorrow, or would you rather play full strength? I'd want to play a full strength Real Madrid team.
00:14:10
Tom
I don't know whether that's just me, but I think welcoming the likes of Mbappe, Benisius, Bellingham, OK, a couple of them are still going to be
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now you want to play them at their best. You want to play them at their best.
00:14:21
Tom
start in tomorrow, tonight you'd expect.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not a bad team they've they've got as well, right? Like you said, you've mentioned Bellingham, you've mentioned Mbappe, you know, they'll probably get Luka Modric off the bench.
00:14:26
Tom
No, exactly.
00:14:32
Tom
Yeah.
00:14:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it it means though, Tom, it does mean though that even though we've you know we've we've talked about the Premier League, you know, us trying to extend this gap over City being probably a priority given that we've given ourselves such a good base already in the Champions League.
00:14:33
Tom
Yeah.
00:14:49
Tom
yeah
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But is there not an incentive now to really you know kick kick them while they're down, Real Madrid, because if you've got any ambitions to win this tournament, you you you want to be you be you want to be the ones to either knock out Real Madrid in the in the knockout stages or to put them in such a position that they might not even qualify.
00:15:02
Tom
Yeah,
00:15:10
Tom
yeah exactly. Yeah. And like I said before, this game tonight for Liverpool is probably more about the the psychological benefit rather than the three points, given the position we're in already. Obviously the three points would be great, continue to be done with the 100% record, but not only would it be a a ah psychological boost for us to go and beat the European champions, but a psychological damage mix for them, but what will it do to them? And also,
00:15:40
Tom
teams coming to Liverpool or facing Liverpool in the Champions League further on in the competition thinking Christ these have beaten Real Madrid potentially been the team that have knocked them out and so the they they may already feel defeated before they even even play or so it's an often effect really and I think yeah like even though I said Southampton is probably a bigger game on paper in terms of the result I think tomorrow could have different, a different importance on it. So it's going to be, it's going to be interesting. Yeah. And I think that's why I can see army slot going all out to, you know, get the win.
00:16:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no absolutely.
Lineup and Strategy Discussion
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, it's time for a break. We'll be back after this very short message.
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, welcome back. Let's talk predicted lineups and a predicted score line. Tom, how does slot approach the starting lineup for this game? Bearing in mind that we've got that massive game against City on Sunday, we've already said that, you know, there isn't really a kind of scenario now that we play a weakened team, given that the drop off now in terms of our squad is is is not that much now. So even you know with the world's best goalkeeper, Alison, not playing. We've got Kelleher playing absolutely out of his skin. So does he just pick his strongest team? does he Does he pick his team for for Sunday? Settle on that and almost work back from there and see, okay, what are we going to do on Wednesday?
00:17:39
Tom
yeah and i think like i said then will he pick his strongest team i think if you ask most Liverpool fans what their strongest team is you'll probably get various answers and i think that's testament to the squad that that we've got at the moment even with a few injuries so yeah no i think he'll go with as strong as possible you might you may look at
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:57
Tom
the opposition and and their injuries and think okay where can we pick them off and that might tempt them to go with a certain individual over another and yeah I think it'd be a strong team I think there'll definitely be changes from from the weekend and But yeah, no, I don't doubt that it's still going to be just as strong as as previous weeks.
00:18:15
Tom
So yeah, no, we're going back to Kelleher. Yay. So we're we're missing the best, in best goalkeeping in the world at the moment. And I think the biggest compliment you can give Kelleher is you've not really noticed that Alison's been gone because of his performances.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:18:27
Tom
And and we've said this in previous senses, when Alison's been out injured and yeah, it's almost getting to the point now, obviously, you never want to see one of your best players get injured. But if Alison's to get injured, you're thinking, okay, we've got Kelleher.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that's unique.
00:18:41
Tom
Not really a big deal.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really do think that's a unique position that we're in.
00:18:46
Tom
Yeah, yeah.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't think of any other team in world football but or who would think if their first choice and that first choice goalkeeper is the best in the world. And you just think, yeah, no worries, Kelleher's there.
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in terms of that goalkeeper position, let's just say we're going for Keller because I think Alison, I don't think he's fit for this week. I'd be surprised and on also I would rule him out for Sunday because I can't see ah can't see how if Slott doesn't play him on Wednesday, you can't then throw him in first game back against City, can you?
00:19:06
Tom
Yeah.
00:19:19
Tom
No, no. And you can make a case that it's a goalkeeper, it's a little bit different to an outfield position in a game that's got the potential to be so chaotic and up, down, up, down.
00:19:30
Tom
So in the requirements physically, you're probably less on ah on a goalkeeper demands wise. But yeah, I agree. I think there's no point rushing it back. You might as well just get every player back to ease them into it.
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah.
00:19:40
Tom
And it's not like we're in I need to bring him back in.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:45
Tom
I mean, Keller has been outstanding. So if we've got to go into this week with Keller him in between the six games, Real Madrid and Man City, then I'm not concerned at all.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't think anyone will be concerned.
00:19:53
Tom
I mean, he's played it in big games.
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
but What about the back fall then? What about in the back fall we got?
00:19:57
Tom
but
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i'm I'm going to call Gomez right back. And the reason I'm thinking Gomez is that it's it's a number of reasons.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
One, I think that he would, I think, be a good person or a good good option to really be close on Venetius if he plays or sorry Mbappe on that left side, if he plays down the left.
00:20:22
Tom
Yeah.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
But also then, if Trent is 50-50, again that question comes into mind. If he doesn't play on Wednesday, do you then throw him in against City First game back? And then if you if you don't want to do that, should you not then rest Bradley, who played at the weekend, so that he can play on Sunday? It's it's it's it's a question, isn't it?
00:20:53
Tom
Yeah, it is a question, and I agree with the Gomez shout, however, I'd agree with it more if Simicast wasn't injured. I think it would be very Liverpool-like now for Gomez to start right back, Robertson to start left back, and then Gomez gets injured, because I think Gomez, especially with the form Robertson's found himself in, I think Gomez, we might see him in the next coming weeks play at left back a couple of times.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Left back.
00:21:17
Tom
So, yeah, so if Simicast was fit, I would say Gomes would start right back. But with Simekis always being out, I think it will be Bradley and Robertson as full backs.
00:21:29
Tom
I think we've obviously Kanate right centre back, he knows Mbappe very well through the national team. So I think, and especially, I mean, with his speed, his power, there's there's not many centre backs you choose to, you know, be that covering centre half when Mbappe is running at your full back.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:43
Tom
So, yeah, know I'd go with Bradley, Kanate, Van Dijk and Robertson as my back four, I'd keep that the same.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I don't want to jinx Canati, but I'm just wondering, you know, under slot, the style of play that we've, we've adopted this season. And also he he has brought in.
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's brought in his backroom staff, his kind of sports science staff, who at Firenord had, I think if I'm not wrong, they had like a 97% availability of players.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
terms of fitness, which which is massive. And we've always had real fitness issues with with certain players. And I'm just wondering, is was that down to maybe the real kind of manic intensity of a Jurgen Klopp team?
00:22:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because Canate was one of those players. He could not play every three games, every three days.
00:22:41
Tom
No.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely no way.
00:22:44
Tom
Yeah, yeah, and I do think some of that. I think we were fortunate as well on the clock with the injury record we did they'd have. a figure I mean, you look at the football, the philosophy clock once, you'd probably expect us to have had a few more injuries in that time. and But yeah, I agree. I think when it comes to injuries, though, as good as your medical staff is and all this, I do think there's a massive element of luck involved. I think we've seen players that have been injury prone in the past. We've had a fair share on the clock in recent years, and I think
00:23:16
Tom
Canati is one of them. You've got to manage his minutes if you were to go up the last couple of seasons. But I mean, like I said, I don't want to jinx him touch wood so far. he's He's been very fit and he's, when he is fit, he's one of the best centre halves in world football. and But yeah, I think we've we have got injury-prone players and hopefully if that 97% start from the final, if that is a lot to do with the backroom staff, hopefully in the in the future we see that they're taking a toll on the team and injuries becoming less frequent.
00:23:49
Tom
But yeah, I think there's definitely an element of looking forward when it comes to injuries and like we say, slot's been clever not to change much about the
00:23:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:59
Tom
But the one thing he probably has changed is that intensity. The football isn't as intense anymore. You know, it's more rather than the heavy metal, it's more patient. and if If there isn't a way through, just keep the ball. You don't have to go running, running it opposition willy-nilly.
00:24:14
Tom
So yeah, maybe that shift in intensity and will benefit us on the injury front and in the future. and So it'd be interesting to see, but yeah, like you said like I said, I think there is a big element of luck involved, but hopefully improved wrong in there. We can have a similar stat as he recorded it, fine audit at Liverpool in the next few years.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. All right, let's move on to the midfield then.
00:24:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go for Gravenberg. I know that McAllister, it seems like an ideal game for him to play, but I honestly think that he should play Jones, Gravenberg Jones, to really give McAllister, save his legs for Sunday, because you'll probably have to do a lot of running on on Sunday. And then I think an interesting one will be that third midfield slot, because you've got obviously Sir Boslai, but Elliott now is back in full contention now. He was on the bench at the weekend.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it could be either or right it could be supposed like comes on with Elliot coming on as a sub or Elliot starting giving him maybe like, you know, 60 minutes to get those into his legs and then suppose I own as a sub.
00:25:14
Tom
Yeah.
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:25:19
Tom
it's Yeah, it's been the area of the pitch that is I've been questioning myself on who I think will, who I think will start. And I think I predicted it in when we did the Arsenal preview show.
00:25:31
Tom
and I mean, I got it wrong, but I'm going to stick to my guns that I think Subbaslai will play purely because of that chaotic nature that tomorrow will bring. I mean, OK, round two, we've got a few injuries, but we still know the quality they have.
00:25:44
Tom
So it's it's going to be a game that we're not going to have all the ball, they're not going to have all the ball. So I think Subbaslai, I mean, OK, he's yes frustrated, but I think he's important on and off the ball.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
A hundred percent, yeah.
00:25:54
Tom
when it When it is an up and down game, I think we saw him when he against Arsenal when he came on. I thought he just, he added something, you know, when the games that open, he's the one that can get box to box without failure for a minute by a minute.
00:26:08
Tom
So I think he'll start. And I think, yeah, grabbing Burch, you just can't see the local start and line up without grabbing Burch in at the moment.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's amazing, isn't it?
00:26:16
Tom
And and it then for me, it seems really it comes down to Curtis Jones or Michaela Stern. I don't like leaving any of them out because I think Macalester's just got a quality that no other Liverpool player has.
00:26:27
Tom
Curtis Jones, I mean, credit to him, he's earned his spotlight, there's no tomorrow. and But if I had to ask my best, I'd probably say Macalester just, I think, yeah.
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really? Yeah.
00:26:38
Tom
And I think Jones will start Man City at the weekend.
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, really?
00:26:43
Tom
ah
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting.
00:26:44
Tom
Yeah, I think so. But the only reason I question that is, Jones was the one to get subbed off against Southampton. So whether that was something to do with one eye on Wednesday night or just be playing both both games while I was at England.
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true,
00:26:57
Tom
But no, I'm going to support. I'm a Callister Gravenberg, so he's just going to go for that. You know, like I say, he's not really trying to trust it anymore, because I mean, it's what he started with the first couple of months. But Jones is his fourths way in there now.
00:27:09
Tom
So yeah, he's one of them out of Out of them four, any three that he picks, you you can't really disagree with, because they've all been brilliant and they all deserve to start, but no if I had to add to my best, I think it would be Jones that starts on the lunch tomorrow.
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't argue against it, yeah.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in terms of the, you know, the front lineup, I think yeah Mo moe picks himself, he's he's got to start and I think i i think he'd absolutely, he'd probably leave the club if he wasn't starting against Real Madrid.
00:27:35
Tom
Yeah.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then I'm going to go for Nunez and I'm going to actually plump for Gatpo. because I do think that it should be Diaz that starts on Sunday because he's he's got to be unleashed against Walker from the off.
00:27:48
Tom
Yeah.
00:27:51
Tom
Oh, 100%. Yeah. I mean, you see that Timo Vona sprint in the last minute at City and you just think, Christ, if you get Diaz on the ball for a minute long, what can you do to him? What can you do to him? So, yeah, I know. I agree. Diaz has got to start Sunday and whether you're dropping I'll keep him on the bench tomorrow and keep that pro. Or you were to drop Nunez and put Diaz centrally like he did against Levicuse and where we got a hat-trick. Obviously, sort of like his ideas of who who their centre-hours were playing against. I mean, it was really clever hearing him after the game, thinking after the Levicuse and game, so you're not Jonathan Tarr. He's one of the best in Europe when it comes to defending Tarr, keep man up front. and So we decided to go with someone that will get the ball to be or spin in behind and give him someone else to think about. so
00:28:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:38
Tom
No, it'd be interesting. add ah For me personally, I'd like to see Diaz up top tomorrow with Gappo out wide and Salah on the right.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
That could be an interesting money here.
00:28:44
Tom
I mean, Nunez, it's safe to say he wasn't firing all cylinders on Sunday.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
It wasn't.
00:28:49
Tom
but But yeah, no, that's what I'd like to see.
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:52
Tom
But I think it will be the same as you, I think, with the Gappo, Nunez, and Salah to start.
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right. Give us a score prediction then, Tom.
00:29:00
Tom
so, right, OK. I'm going to go with 3-2 Liverpool.
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
take that.
00:29:07
Tom
yeah European classic
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. Should be a right. That's got Neil Neil written all over it then.
Mo Salah's Contract Comments
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, let's, so let's wrap up the episode then with a look at the big news off the pitch, which which was Mo Salah's post match comments, you know, saying that he hasn't been offered a new contract.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
which I suppose technically we shouldn't be surprised about because the negotiations are ongoing. And so what he's actually saying is that, look, I haven't given me something that I can sign.
00:29:42
Tom
Yeah.
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's not going to happen until the agent and the club come to some kind of agreement. Now, I'm sure that we've we've spoken about this in in other episodes. But what I wanted to discuss with you was Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football.
00:29:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
said that he was very disappointed with Salah's post-match comments, calling them selfish. Michael O'Neill also chimed in saying that his sources say that it's about the length of the contract and not the money. What do you think about Carragher's comments about him being selfish?
00:30:16
Tom
I disagree with it. I disagree with it. I think the same energy wasn't there when it came out after the Money Nighter game earlier on in the season. Salah kind of blitzed the media to say, listen, I'm just going to enjoy my final year almost, you know, just putting that pressure on Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
00:30:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:35
Tom
And I quite like what Salah has done, to be honest. I mean, I'm not, I'm still not overly concerned. I'm still seeing some of the contracts, um, um, And I quite like, he's obviously, he's one of them you associate with being very tight-lipped, and he is.
00:30:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes nor Yeah,
00:30:50
Tom
I think in his Liverpool career, I think, I think that one of the journalists said we've only seen him in the mix zone three times after a game. And he said it almost felt like, usually we're asking players if he got two minutes when they're walking up the stadium, but he said, I think it was Lewis Steele, he said it felt like he was asking us if we got two minutes to listen to him.
00:31:09
Tom
Obviously he's come out with what he said. And I think he should, yeah, he's picked the right two games to do it, you know, two games all traffered away and self-banked and scoring two goals to win us the game, just that kind of reinforces importance, his value to Liverpool and he's kind of saying, listen, up I've not got anything yet, but if you want to keep with these types of performances, I can give you. But going back to Carragher's point, I disagree with him because I think, was it, yes, the Villa game, he scored that second goal and I think Carragher was on comms and he said something. ah He struck the bow now, giving the dough kind of thing, almost kind of back in cellars.
00:31:43
Tom
a
00:31:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:43
Tom
recent quotes. So for him to say that, I almost think there's a level of hypocrisy potentially.
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:49
Tom
He's kind of switched the narrative to kind of be be more against what Sal is going about. And yeah, so I disagree with Kerrigan completely. and And I think but going back to what I said, i don't I'm not too overly concerned.
00:32:04
Tom
of I think David Ornstein's come out and said, talks are ongoing, even though an offer hasn't been put down on the table and talks are positive. and And he, I mean, well I'm not one to believe anything until it's set in stone, until the club have announced anything, but when he's saying he's fairly confident that Salah extended a new deal, then why shouldn't we?
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:23
Tom
I mean, he's the one, if anyone's going to speak essentially before anything actually happens, then he's the one that I'd like to think I can believe.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And and also think that I also think that you know there's there's always a lot of talk about loyalty in football, which which i think I think it's a pointless argument because I think we we always get on the backs of players about being loyal to a club.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then you know the club will just drop a player at the drop of a hat. And and I think Salah, has he's been at the club for so long and what he's actually saying is look I want to stay longer and potentially finish my career and so I i don't see a huge issue with with what he said but um obviously this is this is going to be a story that will run and run until as you said Tom until you know that ink is dried on a new contract so
00:32:59
Tom
Yeah, yeah.
00:33:18
Tom
Yeah.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just stay tuned to the podcast. That's 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 your thoughts, gspndailyliverpal at gmail dot.com.
00:33:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us again tomorrow for our crossover episode where the Liverpool team will go head to head with the Daily Manchester City podcast team ahead of this Sunday's massive Premier League game. Until then, thank you for listening. We'll see you again shortly.