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Friday Forecast - Manchester City come to Anfield!
16 Plays22 days ago
All the build up to the huge game at the weekend in the PL as defending champions Man City are the visitors to PL table toppers Liverpool. Can the Reds extend their lead at the top to 11 points? Join Jesse Sarwar, Connor Norcott and Tom Barnes to discuss all the latest as we look forward to the biggest game of the PL season so far.
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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 the Friday forecast show and we're building up to the big one in the Premier League this weekend. I've got Conor Norcott and Tom Barnes with me ready to talk about that game as well um in what is a relentless schedule for
Excitement for Liverpool's Form
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Reds. Conor, how's it going mate?
00:00:35
Connor
You know what? It's pretty good. It's pretty good. I'm the show's the show's pessimist, but even I can't stop feeling good about this.
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No dark clouds on the on the horizon. Brilliant. and Tom Barnes is also with us. How's it going, Tom?
00:00:43
Connor
I don't know. How are you boys doing? No, not at all. Not at all.
00:00:52
Tom
Yeah, real good. Like Connor said, it just keeps getting better and better. You just don't think, I mean, after the Southampton game, I'm just asking myself, you can't get much better than this. And then we go in, destroy Real Madrid like we did last night. And it does. And hopefully we can continue that streak on it on Sunday against City. So now it's all looking good at the moment.
00:01:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bring it on, yeah yeah.
Episode Breakdown
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so in part one of today's episode, we're going to do a little recap of the week so far because it has been a really big week. We'll take you know the main takeaways of those games. Part two, we'll look ahead to the city game. And in part three, we'll do our predicted lineups and a score prediction.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, what what a week it's been so far. A dramatic comeback win against Southampton last Sunday. Saw Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier League by eight points over defending champions Manchester City. And then a resounding victory against European champions Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night in the Champions League. Conor, the slot machine is just powering along every week.
00:01:56
Connor
It is and it's kind of, it feels a little bit too good to be true.
Liverpool's Momentum and Challenges for City
00:02:01
Connor
Like we didn't, I didn't see this coming. I don't know about you guys. I thought Liverpool would be in a position where, you know, it would be kind of top four or bust this year, but it looks like there is no challenge too big for, for Arnaud Slots Liverpool. And you know what, give us a league table and we'll be top of it. We're flying. We're absolutely flying. um I thought last night was, we've had a few statement wins this season.
00:02:24
Connor
but last night was really something. I mean my voice is gone and I wasn't at the game so you're do youre doing the God's work today Jesse. um But immediately like the boys said after the you know in the post-match focus is immediately on Man City and it's the biggest game we've got. we've It feels like the biggest game we've had well yeah since I don't know last season but yeah it'll be big. it'll be big We've got a few players missing so do they. They're in you know the worst form they've ever been in but Still, the nerves are kicking in a little bit, I don't know, how are you boys feeling?
00:02:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, you know, you mentioned ah the realm of dread game.
Anfield's Atmosphere Impact
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just an incredible atmosphere andfield and field and even just during the warm up, you know, the the crowd were you could just sense that this was a ah really big game and the crowd were going to be up for it. And All it took was that Conor Bradley tackle on Mbappe. It never ceases to amaze me, you know English football, the kind of things that just awaken Anfield and just awaken a crowd. you know I think across the continent, maybe I'm completely wrong, but I just feel that maybe across the continent in other leagues, you know it's like a Rabona or a great bit of skill that you know really gets the crowd up their feet. And here,
00:03:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're just like yes get in a massive tackle a thumping tackle and you just felt the energy in that stadium just shift and from then on i think there was just only ever going to be one winner um i'm just also thinking tom is it almost It's playing into our hands that everyone keeps saying, well, you haven't played
Liverpool's Confidence Against Critics
00:04:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
anyone yet. You haven't played anyone yet. And really, you know, we are, you know, we've, we've beaten Manchester United. We've gone away at the Emirates and got a really good point. Um, we've beaten Real Madrid. You know, we are playing big games and these games are getting bigger and bigger. And does that just help to build that momentum, Tom, in terms of where we're going?
00:04:38
Tom
Yeah, absolutely. I think like Connor said before, it was a statement win, and I think when you do come up against these big sides, and if we consistently keep turning each one of them over, like we have been doing, it's statement after statement. But I remember in and the preview, I spoke about how the Southampton game was all going to be probably a bigger game than this Real Madrid one.
00:04:56
Tom
I think sometimes, like we say, the argument has been our Liverpool haven't played anyone yet, this, this and this. and But it's the magnitude of games, it doesn't it doesn't matter who you're playing, it's like the Southampton game is probably one of the biggest games of the season already.
00:05:10
Tom
and And that was just as big of a game as playing Arsenal away, just because City dropped points. And if we don't get three points there, then we're back down to five. And then City come towards and beat us on Sunday. And then it's a two point difference. And then the title race is wide open again. But yeah, like I say, these big teams, I mean, I don't think anyone, we all have our hopes, but no one really expects us to be where we are at the start of the season. So yeah, these big teams just turned into what I thought we'd be beating Real Madrid at home in the Champions League.
00:05:40
Tom
and eight points clear at the top of the league, potentially 11 points clear come the end of the week. So yeah, no, like I say, it doesn't matter who you play, that doesn't sometimes dictate how big, how big of a man to the game is.
00:05:53
Tom
and But yeah, I just can't see us losing a game at the moment. with such reward it's just It just keeps getting better and better. And yeah, I think last night was just such a ah more of a psychological boost rather than the three points in terms of importance, because not only for us that we've just, we're going to come out of that thinking crash. We've just beaten the European champions. Now we've got the English champions at home to go eight points clear at the weekend. It's going to be psychological damage and not only for Real Madrid.
00:06:17
Tom
But for teams that come to us in the future, you know that if we might have knocked Real Madrid out now, I mean, they're what, 24th in the table, two wins and whatever. But even if we don't like it teams going to come to us and champion things in Christ, these beat Real Madrid so that they may already feel defeated before we even get there. And that's where we're at the moment in terms of when we talk about statement wins. like teams will be coming towards panicking now, just like try try to scrape any result they can. And yeah, I think we're just, we're getting that fear factor again that we did under clop a couple of years ago. but We're putting ourselves at the summit of European football, not just English football again. So yeah, no long mate continue.
00:06:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Connor, I think this is what Klopp and Guardiola have done to football, to English football in particular, is that we know we just spoke about that every game is massive now.
Klopp vs. Guardiola Rivalry
00:07:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
the And I think pre Guardiola, pre Klopp,
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you could lose lose three, four, five games and still be in a title race and still win the league. But post Klopp and Guardiola, because you have to get above 90 points, it just feels like every single game, it's like you have to win this.
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every single game we go into, it's like, we have to win this, we have to win this, we have to win this. Because if you don't, you know that City are capable of going on this kind of 14, 15, 10 run.
00:07:38
Connor
Mm.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is still, I think, in the back of every Liverpool fan's mind that, yeah, they're on a bad run. But how long can that last? And as Tom as tom mentioned, um if we hadn't have beaten Southampton, the gap gets down to potentially two points. But even now, going into this City game, if they beat us, the gap is down to five points and that is not insurmountable for a Man City team. So, you know, your thoughts on that.
00:08:12
Connor
I think you've kind of hit the nail on the head there and also if it does go down to five points, you look at our next two features after
Upcoming Matches: Newcastle and Everton
00:08:19
Connor
that. It's away at Newcastle and away at Everton and like the big games don't stop really. And I've talked about it so many times on the show now where like we were at certain points in this 12 game stretch We're now into the, I think there's three games left of it. It's City. It's Newcastle away. It's Everton away. Liverpool have won all but one game dropping points against Arsenal. ah They just look like, you know, defenders are going to keep throwing problems at Liverpool, but there's no answer that Liverpool, you know, Liverpool have the answer to everything. They've always got an option, whether it's a new set piece routines with Robertson playing that ball in for for Cody Gackbow, the score ahead.
00:08:59
Connor
You know he's he's a big player, but he's not really an aerial threat like that Gackpo Liverpool are so dangerous on transition, but the control they have in the team so impressive now They might miss that you know the best right back in the world But guess what we've got the second best right back in the world on the bench coming in and dropping a 10 out of 10 performance I just it feels like all the momentum is going on Liverpool's way and And all the momentum seems to be going.
00:09:23
Connor
It's not favorable in Man City at the minute, which is why I think the pressure feels so big on this game because it's like the unstoppable force meets the very, very, very movable object at the minute.
00:09:34
Connor
But surely, you know when does when does it end? you know because
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and does it end?
00:09:39
Connor
Exactly. And ah and for Man City to put ourselves in their shoes for a minute, what a statement it would be for them to stop this run by beating Liverpool at Anfield, or even get in a draw, because I think like you're stopping that momentum.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:51
Connor
I know you're not clawing the gap back that much, but you're stopping Liverpool's momentum a bit. um I think it's going to be a massive game, and I think, you know, even when City are at their best, they add an extra 10% at Anfield, they always show up. Players like Bernarda Silva, Kevin De Bruyne are always, you know, play out of their skin in that game. So, like I said, I'm already a bit nervous, but I also can't weigh it because this is this what This is what the Premier League's all about, is these two.
00:10:19
Connor
Forget Man City Arsenal. It's always been Liverpool Man City.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said at the start of the season, I cannot abide this talk about Arsenal being challenges.
00:10:23
Connor
Jesse, you were right. I know. I know.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah what What are they challenging for? They they they haven't done anything. They haven't won the Premier League. They haven't seriously challenge. And what I mean by being a challenger to Man City is that we've won it. That's the that's the biggest the biggest way that we've we've challenged City is that we're the where're the team. I mean, we should be everyone's favorite second team.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because where without Liverpool, Man City would have just done a clean sweep every single season. And even in the seasons where we didn't win it, we finished on 97 points and we didn't win it. And then we finished on 93 points.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
and we didn't win it and we still came back to challenge and Arsenal I i said at the beginning of the season I think they're going to finish third I think we're the closest challenges to City and I think that i think that will remain I think those those are the two teams even now with City being where they are I think our eyes have got to be fixed firmly on Manchester City and what they do. I'm not saying that we ignore Arsenal, but I can't see them going on a 15 game winning streak and, you know, and and winning the league. I just I just don't see that they're going to do that. But so we're going to go on a very short break now and we'll come back and we're going to take a closer look at Manchester City and what kind of game we're going to take to the defending champions.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, let's look ahead to the game at the weekend. Manchester City are the visitors. It's a Sunday
Manchester City's Struggles
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
4pm kickoff in the UK. That's 11am Eastern Central time. They are on a dreadful run of no wins in six in all competitions. Three straight defeats in the Premier League away at Bournemouth and Brighton.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and then that stunning 4-0 hammering at home to Spurs. And just when he thought that they'd stop the rot on Tuesday night against Feyenoord at home in the Champions League, I mean, by the 75th minute they are 3-0 up, they then proceed to collapse in, I mean, quite remarkable fashion, end up drawing the game 3-3. You have Pep Guardiola coming out for the press conference as if he'd been scrapping in the in the dressing room.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Tom, what what is going on with Man City and is this now a crisis rather than a blip?
00:13:32
Tom
ah don't know but i'm all here for it i'm all there for it You know, one time coming home, I mean, we've had our blitz. I think it's about time they had one themselves. But I know it's it's it's bizarre because it just seems to have come out of nowhere. OK, they had the Roger injury, which is always going to have a a downer on them. You know, you you're losing, well, the best player in the world, certified best player in the world. And and ah in a position that, to be fair, that from the best is a massive drop off to the the next set of best players in that position. I mean, Kovacic has done a good job, but when they lost him as well.
00:14:05
Tom
i said I said to some of my friends, I was just like, that that's just as big of a blow in terms of the short term, because they've got no one capable at position.
00:14:09
Connor
Mm hmm.
00:14:12
Tom
OK, Goodwin's a very tidy player, but he's not goingnna he's not going to do the dirty work, sweep up when the full backs go forward. and then Yeah, so I mean, you can't say you're not surprised seeing City lose five. and that the only draw in that is against a final the new three no up and dropped it you can't see is not surprised it's man city it's pep Guardiola so yeah I am surprised that he's got this far and but no it they just see I mean okay they've had a couple of injuries but so have everyone else so it's a bigger problem than just Roger he's a bigger problem than just injuries it's almost a bit of a mentality mentality thing especially that final one because I know I've seen a few city fans online saying okay we've we've just lost four
00:14:57
Tom
four in a row, but that that final one was more painful.
00:15:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
some of the defending some of the I saw a kanji in I can't remember if it was the first goal or the second goal he's just like almost walking back and the striker has still got a bit to do and I just I just think that you're right I think it it is a ah mentality thing but um yeah absolutely
00:15:01
Tom
Yeah.
00:15:01
Connor
Yeah.
00:15:03
Tom
Yeah.
00:15:20
Connor
They were the same against Spurs though, Jesse. I feel like I don't want to step too much on what's going to come later in the episode's toes. But what I think really favours Liverpool here is, we talked about off the field and results wise, Liverpool have all the momentum.
00:15:36
Connor
But Liverpool are masters at maintaining and building momentum in a game. And I don't think City can handle that. They couldn't handle Anj Posterkoglu Spur's side when they did it. They couldn't handle Firenord.
00:15:47
Connor
As soon as they can see it, it's like panic stations, you know what I mean? and and And City aren't like that, which is why I think it's a blip more than a crisis because something will be, Guardial is too good of a coach to not have ah a ah solution to this eventually.
00:15:55
Tom
yeah
00:16:01
Connor
um But you you talk about players that aren't playing well. Gewardial has dropped off a cliff recently, and I think he's a fantastic footballer, although
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's been holding hands with Walker as well when he jumped off that cliff.
00:16:12
Connor
yeah I think you're right. I think you're right. And you know what? It could have been Ben Doak for Scotland, absolutely cooking him in the international break.
00:16:18
Tom
Nice, exactly what it is, exactly what it is.
00:16:20
Connor
So you know what? The Reds always find a way.
00:16:21
Tom
yeah
00:16:22
Connor
We always find a way, boys.
00:16:24
Tom
He deserves a Premier League medal if we get if we win it.
00:16:26
Connor
Yeah, I'm with you on that. I'm with you on that. But I think you know what? They'll have something for us. They will. i think I'll talk about my score predictions later, but I think it's going to be go be a big one, boys.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be a big one. But you know, I would argue that this kind of blip that we're, that city are going through at the moment, I think you could, if you, I mean, obviously hindsight, right?
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think you could see it coming because if you looked at the performances against wolves, very, very lucky to get a win against wolves against Fulham.
00:16:52
Connor
Mm hmm.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fulham should have scored at least three goals at the Etihad. They were just shocking in that final third. So City, I think, are starting to give up a lot of chances, which I think is is is a big concern. And ah normally, they rely on the fact that other teams just don't score as many as as they do.
00:17:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think also the other interesting
City's Defensive Vulnerabilities
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
thing is that the question is, is have they allowed this group of players ah to age just ah a bit too much together? I'm thinking the likes of De Bruyne, Walker, Bernardo Silva, you know, he they even brought Gondagam back, he's 34 years old. I'm not saying that he is't he's still a world-class player, but i I just think it's almost like what happened to Liverpool, um you know, when we had Henderson, Fabinho, Winaldum, they didn't kind of decline slowly.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it was like all three of them held hands and jumped off the cliff.
00:18:05
Tom
Yes.
00:18:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and
00:18:07
Tom
it It does remind me of the two years ago and on the clock, but the season before he he announced that he was doing a Liverpool 2.0 where we had the same older players that had won us a Champions League, won us a Premier League.
00:18:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:18:20
Tom
It's been great servants, still great players, but in terms of the ah the legs, the Garne Henderson, you could tell we needed change, and not just him. Milner, as much as I love him, Fabinho was probably the main one that um or his drop-off we just thought right we we do need a change.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's massive, yeah.
00:18:36
Tom
I mean yeah i me Van Dyke is still the best in the world but again he didn't have his greatest season and and it was just one of them which just thought right yeah time for change. and I think that's kind of the the situation City find themselves in now it's still the same players okay they've added the new face in here but like you say they're bringing Gundogan back rather than you know you've got Mateus Nunez on the bench are younger every time he's played he's more excited so is it worth giving him regular football okay you're starting to get it now but it's just down to injuries what would you be getting these chances if these players that have been playing all these years would be fit and i just think it's something that pep needs to look at now and think yeah what like if you want to keep competing at the top with serious change up and down the field needs to happen and i think walk is a prime example of that
00:19:16
Connor
Mm-hmm. Yeah.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's it's it's a real shame. you You know, if you're a city fan, you would think, God, if only we had some money to spend in January, right?
00:19:25
Tom
Yeah.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Conor, given this run. ah slot Does he stick or twist? And I'm torn between the idea that we we just go and try and win this game.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't say to end this title race because look, we're still in November. I think it's still too early. But to really put ourselves in just a great position and deal city, a potentially fatal blow.
00:19:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then then there's the Connor Norcott voice in my head that keeps thinking.
00:19:55
Connor
but
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
City can't keep losing and if we go all out for this win and City hit us on the counter, win the game, the gap is suddenly just five points and it's back on again.
00:20:08
Connor
Well,
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Come on, the Conor Warclock voice is really on now, come on.
00:20:09
Connor
ah
00:20:11
Connor
yeah, right, okay.
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are we doing this game?
00:20:13
Connor
um for For me, it's it's we go with we go with your first option there, Jesse, and it's win by by any means necessary. It doesn't matter how we win, just that we do win.
00:20:24
Connor
um No, a statement performance would be fantastic if we can do that as well. ah But for me, I don't know. I think when you look at where you know Arsenal have kind of fallen short, if you want to talk about in the last two title races that they've been involved in, it's that they don't have the, I'm not going to swear on this, it's that they don't have the gumption to go and beat Man City.
00:20:48
Connor
They might try, but they but they never really go for it.
00:20:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:20:51
Connor
that They're a far more small C conservative team than I think people talk about. um And I just think that's not in Liverpool's DNA. It just isn't. So especially at a home, especially after a result like that, I think we'll talk about a little bit, some of the players that may or may not be available after midweek, um because we have a few new little injury scares. But I think i think all that matters is beating Man City. And I think that's the way slot approaches is it's literally like the next game. And it sounds so boring when players and managers come out and say this. But I think that's thats literally how they get through it. so
00:21:26
Connor
Yeah, massive massive massive game on on Sunday and all that matters is we win.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, where do we win this game? Are we looking at, you know, we talk about City's full backs, both you know Walker and Guardiola, you know, they've they've been guilty of lots of errors that led to goals.
00:21:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we just unleash
Liverpool's Attacking Strategy Against City
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Salah and Diaz on them?
00:21:45
Tom
Yeah. Yeah.
00:21:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do you think it's the midfield where we overrun them? What's going to be the focus?
00:21:50
Tom
ah so I expect us to overrun them in the midfield, however we play, but I just think for a minute one, just just get out of them. you know We're coming into this game off the back of beating the European champions. They're on the run they're on. I mean, they're going to be thinking now where where they find themselves. The last game they're going to want this weekend is to go away at Anfield. And unfortunately for them, that's what they've got. So why not just just just Just kill them, kill them from minute one.
00:22:15
Tom
I mean we we saw Timo Werner against Kyle Walker the other day and straight away I was just thinking imagine Diaz next week. Imagine Diaz next week.
00:22:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:22:20
Connor
yeah Every single time.
00:22:21
Tom
Salah on the other side against Guevara Diana and City have always been one of them teams. I mean I don't want to take anything away from them because you've been they've been immense over the past few years but I've always think teams have been too scared to get the defense.
00:22:34
Tom
They've spent so much so much money, so much money, but I don't think they've ever been the strongest defensively.
00:22:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:22:40
Tom
And I think when when you have seen underdogs go to the Etihad or welcome to their stadium and beat them, it's because they've they've showed that lack of fear and just thought, you know what, let's not worry about what's happening at the bat.
00:22:51
Tom
Let's just go for it. Let's just try and outscore them.
00:22:52
Connor
Mm hmm.
00:22:53
Tom
And they have, you can get at them. And I mean, now, I mean, that was that was when they were all in the peak of the powers this is now where they're on the downfall so why not yeah i think carne started to feel like obviously he's sensible he knows better than me but i i just feel like just go at them just go at them they're going to be so scared to come to Anfield just like the fans are and why not just just don't worry about them the other end because at the end of the day we Our defensive record's been outstanding, so I've got no issues in terms of, I've got no worries about defending them. And if they score, so be it. But I just, I just, I don't want to put a jigsaw or anything, but I just can't see anything other than a fun day at Anfield. Let's say that on Sunday. I just think it's the perfect time to play them. and So no, I'm buzzing. I'm very confident.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hope you're right. Okay, we're going to go for a very ah quick break again, and then we'll come back with some predicted lineups and some score predictions.
00:24:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's round up the episode with predicted lineups and score predictions. um After Wednesday's game, there are a few
Injury Updates and Lineup Predictions
00:24:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
injury concerns over Ibrahima Kanate and Connor Bradley.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kanate did look, he looked pretty bad going off, and it was literally the last action of the game. um And I can't remember the Real Madrid player, but I mean, he came on as sub.
00:24:57
Tom
and Yeah.
00:24:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was it
00:24:58
Connor
Yeah,
00:24:59
Tom
and
00:24:59
Connor
Andric.
00:25:00
Tom
Yeah.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He came on with as if long like he just got instructions from Don Carlo Ancelotti just to take out Canate.
00:25:05
Connor
Mhm.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know it looks like he might have done it right at the right the death. And so he looks a big, big concern. Conor Bradley hobbled off.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's some reports saying that he's tweaked a hamstring, but it's not a serious one. But even if it's a minor one, there's no way he's gonna be playing on Sunday. And all of a sudden, it just goes to show that, you know, things are going very swimmingly. But all it takes is just a couple of injuries. And all of a sudden, you know, you could be in a bit of trouble. But so what do you think, boys? Connor Kelleher, again? I mean, you know, Alison, who?
00:25:54
Connor
Right, okay. ah You know what though, I actually kind of agree. like Me and my my mates were chatting this morning and in the group chat about Does Kelleher play now?
00:26:04
Connor
Obviously he doesn't. Slots made it very clear that Alison's is number one. But I think wherever Kelleher goes in the summer are getting a bargain because he is worth a fortune.
00:26:14
Connor
After recent performances, like he is phenomenal.
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's a world class goalkeeper already.
00:26:18
Connor
And he saved us, he saved us so many times. And what I love about him is that he doesn't ever lose his head.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:24
Connor
And we've we've had so many keepers in the past. I'm old enough to remember some keepers that I just like, instant head loss. the the The first whistle would go and their heads gone immediately before they even touched the ball.
00:26:36
Connor
And what I love as well about Keller is that his decision making is so spot on. He knows when to release the ball, he knows when to slow it down. He's so good. um For me, Keller plays. Even if Allison's fit for this game, Keller plays that.
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't think you could just throw Alison in first game back ah with Sydney.
00:26:50
Connor
No.
00:26:53
Connor
especially especially with these potential injuries because you might say I'm a bit mental here but Trent's starting this game for me if Bradley isn't.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, like I think that, um what I think it depends on, if if Connor Bradley's not playing, I think ideally you wouldn't want Trent coming back first game against City, but if Canate is injured, I would rather have Gomez next to Van Dijk than Kwanzaa.
00:27:03
Connor
He has to.
00:27:22
Connor
Likewise. yeah
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, bless him, I think he's a great player, he's a great young player, I just think that because of the fact that Kanata has been ever present and Kwanzaa has really been kind of sidelined, that the two times that he's played, you know, he he has made mistakes, nothing against Citi, you make a mistake, you're going to get punished, even in the form that they're in, it it's going to be Harland.
00:27:46
Connor
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think I would have Gomez next to Van Dyke.
00:27:53
Connor
yeah
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you think, Tom?
00:27:55
Tom
Yeah, I'd be inclined to agree, I think, ah whether it's full back or centre half, I'm going to come up against some of the the top attackers in Europe. Gomez always gets my it's my prefer ah preferred pick to, you know, marshal them, whether that's the centre half or at full back, I think.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if Kanate is fit, do you do you still play Trent or or would you put Gomez at right back?
00:28:11
Tom
you know
00:28:18
Tom
and hes saw Yeah, yeah.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
If Kanate is fit, I would go for Gomez, really. I wouldn't put Trent in first game, back.
00:28:26
Tom
Yeah, no, I don't hate it at all. I suppose it all depends on how how fit Trent is. Obviously, Arnie Slott said in and before the Real Madrid game, in an ideal world, Trent won't come on at all today.
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:39
Tom
And thankfully, he didn't have to.
00:28:40
Tom
So that makes me think, OK, he's maybe only fit enough for 10, 15 minutes tops, and then space for a few days. He's not going to be 90 minutes ready, is he? so in Yeah, Gomez might be a good shout. It'll be interesting to see you what kind of Bradley's injuries are. Hopefully, it's just a ah slight slight injury. or It could just be down to tiredness. I mean, he ran himself into the ground. So hopefully, that's what it is. We'll see. And regarding Canata,
00:29:05
Tom
before this, I saw it's not been an announced yet, but people are saying it's quite positive and he's avoided a big, big injury.
00:29:09
Connor
Mm hmm.
00:29:12
Tom
So hopefully, but but like I would say, Arnie Slott said after the game, if if them two aren't available for Sunday, then someone else will come in and do it.
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, brilliant.
00:29:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Someone like to step up?
00:29:19
Connor
Yeah.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:29:20
Tom
So I mean, it's happened plenty of times already this year where we've had to rely on someone else to come in and nine times out of 10, they've done it. And it's like, we're not missing anyone.
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm in business.
00:29:31
Tom
So yeah, and it'll be interesting to see. But it's nice just to add them options. I think in previous years, we we've ah we've not had the the the you know the blessing of ease fit.
00:29:41
Tom
like now it' Rather than having them all fit and thinking who's going to start, we've got one guy that's out and we're still but still tossing up who who's going to start for us. So it's a nice problem to have. OK, you want everyone fit.
00:29:51
Tom
But no, I think there's a ah lot of food for four over the next few days for slot.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about midfield then, Connor? I think, you know, again, I think Jones played so well.
00:30:01
Connor
Yeah, he was phenomenal.
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's really, i for me, I
Curtis Jones and Midfield Strategy
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
would start him. I would, I would have Graham Burke, McAllister, and I would start Jones.
00:30:10
Connor
Yeah, likewise, likewise. I also think, I think Sir Boslai is a little bit hard done by it because I thought he was phenomenal against Saitam, like in terms of his, his, his, his know and when to press and when to join that, that front forward, make it a front forward when he joins up.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:24
Connor
I just think he's so, he's so good at that. He's off the ball, so that's amazing. isn't But I thought Curtis Jones kind of dominated yesterday and I think you saw the best of McAllister when Kamma Venga went off I thought Kamma Venga was really really good for Real Madrid But then as soon as he was off McAllister had the run of the show and I think Curtis Jones is energy plus I mean if we want to talk about off kind of like You know some intangibles A skyscraper playing at Anfield against Man City in a title race Curtis Jones should play for me if yeah exactly so I agree with you
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Got to add something, doesn't it?
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Tom, what what what are you looking at in terms of the front positions? um I mean, um i've I think you've got to play obviously Salah as a shoe-in, and I would play Diaz ahead of Gappo just to say, look, just go at Carl Walker, and then Nunez up top with his pace as well.
00:31:14
Tom
Yeah.
00:31:16
Tom
Yeah. Yeah. 100%. It's just going to be one of them. We've just got to make it. I think almost like the Liverpool have all just chaotic from the start. Just get at them. Don't give them a moment's peace. And I think if you're looking at the best suited front three for that, you'd probably say them three.
00:31:32
Tom
Just get a new one. It's just rally them up. Okay. You know what he's like.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think that. I don't think you need to roll him up a bit.
00:31:36
Tom
Yeah. I mean, sometimes times on playing but just don't give him the ball you know let him just run and raggy without it yeah let him just wind him up ah but no like i said um with walk the situation he finds himself in i think diaz picks himself for that as good as gachpo is and it won't surprise me that diaz starts and he gets subbed off gachpo comes on scores the winner it's just how how it's been this season but yeah no for me it'd be noon as diaz and salah as a fun story
00:32:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gackpo, I've got to say, i'm I'm so impressed by not just his form, but it's so difficult, I think, for a striker to just come on with like 20 minutes left to go, but just to pick up the pace of the game immediately and make an impact, Conor.
00:32:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's he's done that consistently this season.
00:32:24
Connor
Yeah, he and you know what I love about him is that when he plays and he plays on the wing, when he plays at the middle, he's just he's always a threat now. And I think he used to be quite, I don't know, he he was always quite a safe pair of hands, but that was kind of it. He was good at carrying the ball, but that was kind of it. I think his whole game has improved. Defensively, I think he's so much better as well. His off-the-ball stuff's really good. I think his size and his presence is also so important for us. ah you like You see him scoring ahead, or and I was like, when was that happening?
00:32:52
Connor
um but I also think he looks so much quicker now and I think it maybe when he's when he's on the ball I think his control of the ball and his ability to drive and turn and beat his man is so impressive that he's just such a he's such a nice player to have off the bench when he starts you can always rely on him and thank god because we've had so many players that you can rely on to perform but maybe not to stay fit or the opposite and in the case of Nunes at the minute where he
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:17
Connor
I think his performances have been great but like his he's not enough of a threat at the minute and I i cannot wait to have Diego Jota back because we need more goals from our but you know yeah I think it'll be after the Darby probably you'll you'll see him start getting involved but if you look at our injuries at the minute I mean there's some really big players missing um
00:33:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which looks imminent, by the way.
00:33:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said this the other day, ah you know, that everyone's going on about ah Real Madrid's injuries and and Man City. And here we are, we we've got the best goalkeeper in the world out.
00:33:48
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:33:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Got the best right back in the world out. Diogo Jota's out. we We have got injuries and even Simicat on the left hand side who's really taken can on that first team berth really from Robertson.
00:33:58
Connor
Yeah, it's massive, I think.
00:34:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you know we have had those injuries as well, um but we've just managed to weather that storm. So let's go to some score predictions then. um Tom, what do you reckon?
00:34:16
Tom
and Well, I've got to live up to what I said before.
Predicted Match Scores
00:34:21
Tom
I think we score a few. I think Anfield's going to just carry on from where it left off last night and I think the same on the pitch as well. I'm going to say, you know, I'm going to go 3-0 Liverpool.
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I think Connor's gonna even top that.
00:34:39
Connor
No, no, no, no. In my notes, I've, uh, I've written down three, two.
00:34:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is it classic?
00:34:44
Connor
It's got, I think it's got the mechanisms of like a ah real blockbuster. Yeah. And I think it'll be quite nervy and it'll be the first time probably that we felt like real nerves going into at the last few minutes under slot.
00:34:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
God.
00:34:56
Connor
And you know what? We're going to be all the better for it when we get the three points, boys. I'm looking forward to it.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to go for a very safe one, Neil.
00:35:04
Connor
I'd love that.
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it is going to be a blockbuster game.
00:35:05
Connor
Yeah, I'd love that.
00:35:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just think that I think City are going to really try and shore up for this game. But I still think that um we're going to be too much for them.
00:35:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:35:21
Tom
ah Yeah, I'm going to say 3-0 and now I'm going to get a red card.
00:35:25
Tom
There's my point.
00:35:26
Connor
I'd love it to be Bernardo Silva, man. I can't stand him.
00:35:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, you know, the list is long, mate.
00:35:29
Tom
I'm not rolling out pet for that either.
00:35:29
Connor
I cannot.
00:35:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
The list is long.
00:35:31
Connor
Yeah, true, true, true, true.
00:35:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
onces
00:35:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ah Yeah, exactly.
00:35:36
Tom
I think I've had enough of this.
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And one thing, one thing I want to mention, because I've mentioned this before on the podcast is, and it is almost sacrilegious to say it, but I've never been comfortable with Mo taking penalties.
00:35:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know why.
00:35:51
Connor
yeah we were deb debateating this in the group chat as well jassie is
00:35:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just don't... The thing is, it's not... I'm not being wise after the event. I've always said this. I i just think that technically, he's the kind of player...
00:36:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you watch his penalties, very often,
Salah's Penalty Concerns
00:36:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
when he strikes the ball, both of his feet are off the ground.
00:36:14
Connor
yeah
00:36:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really? Because he's absolutely wellying it, right?
00:36:17
Connor
Yeah, we were debating this in the group chat as well, Jesse.
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's looking down. His head is not up. And yeah, look, you know, a lot of the times he's going to score, but I think even the goals that he scores, they're not like Gerard or even James Milner, who would find that side netting every single time. So even when the goalkeeper gets right, it's just not going to get it.
00:36:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would, it's not going to happen, but I would i would have McAllister on penalties. you know But it's just's not going to happen because then Salah's not going to sign his contract and he's going to just leave. But but anyway, that's that's all for today. You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast
Closing Remarks and Social Media
00:37:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:37:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Follow us on social media at GSPN Liverpool. You can email us at gspndailyliverpal at gmail.com. Join us again on Monday for our review show of the weekend's action on one on what promises to be a pivotal moment in this season's title race. Until then, thank you for listening.