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00:00:01
Post Match Reaction! 2-2 vs Villa leaves us 8pts clear.
21 Plays12 days ago
Join Adarsh Ramchurn, Michael Lake and Louie Easton as they discuss tonight's 2-2 draw away against Aston Villa. Goals from Mo Salah and Trent Alexander Arnold meant the Reds fougt back to claim a point. Should it have been 3 points, given the Nunez miss?
We discuss the game on tonight's episode!
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Transcript
00:00:06
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. We are reacting after Liverpool have drawn 2-2 at Villa Park against Aston Villa. Goals from Salah and from Trent Alexander-Arnold meant that we stay eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, having played a game more than Arsenal.
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined by Michael Lake and Louis Easton. Michael, how are you doing? are you feeling after that?
00:00:32
Michael
Yeah, yeah mom I'm good. um The game was it was an entertaining game, but it wasn't necessarily the best result. I mean, it's a good result for my fancy team. I've got both Salah and Trent in my team, so we we move forward. and But yeah, like it was one of those games that... This is probably Slott's first game where maybe the substitutions haven't been the best, but I'm sure we'll get on to that.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, there's a lot to unpack, particularly for this game. I'm also joined by Louis Easton. Louis, how's it going? and How are you feeling after the game?
00:00:59
Louie Easton
They're not great. It's gotten to that point of the season where ah draws feel like losses.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:01:07
Louie Easton
um You know, that that Wolves match that we just had where we had to really hold on towards the end. That felt like a draw for me. So it's getting to the point of the season where losing two points is as good as losing three. um We've been in this position before slot hasn't with Liverpool, but it's a it's setting up for a really nervy end to the season. And I'm starting to fear the worst.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i know. It's definitely going to be... There's definitely a long way to go in this title race. Let's just say that. um Michael, I'll come to you first, obviously.
00:01:35
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
First off... I don't know what you made of the start of the game. I thought we started really well. We came out of the blocks, had a few chances. i thought Robertson was quite threatening down the left um in the first half.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think around the 25 to 30, 45, 35 minute mark, we we made the breakthrough. Obviously, Villa giving the ball away, Jota squaring it to Salah and gets his customary goal, doesn't he?
00:01:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, i thought we were brilliant sort of in that press in the first half, but I don't know what you made of that goal.
00:02:04
Michael
ah Yeah, I mean, that was a... Yeah, as you said, the the press was really, really good um all all through the game. I think that was down to the fact that Slott kind of approached it differently.
00:02:15
Michael
like Obviously, he didn't start Diaz. He started Jones kind of on that left-hand side um and then basically just told Robertson to bomb up and get... This was probably one of Robertson's best games um that he's had all season um because he's in that position that he was so familiar with under Klopp.
00:02:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:02:32
Michael
um And the fact that that made Jones tuck in meant that we were pressing basically kind of four fore on four at the back um and they and they were just always wanting to play out. So um obviously sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Sometimes they were able to play through the middle and get to the centre mids. But um when like when when it did come off, it it worked really well and it just meant that obviously Salah got his goal and he's now, I mean, this is a Ballon d'Or season.
00:03:00
Michael
There is no one close. um If he keeps this up, even if he like drops off by like half,
00:03:01
Louie Easton
Yep.
00:03:05
Michael
he's still Ballon d'Or season. and So um I think the fact that um ah the that the boys press so well is just a testament to how Slotter's set up and how he kind of tactically tweaked to get the most out of that press and knew what what and what he wanted them to do.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, it was interesting team selection from slot because obviously we knew that Gakpo was going to miss the game. I assumed that Diaz was going to start on the left, but he opted with those four midfielders who are very energetic, great in the press. We got some joy, like you said, Michael, with some moments, particularly the one I think Salah had that shot and it just went wide as well. But...
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Louis, going into the game, obviously, we kind of set up with those four midfielders to combat Villa's really attacking line-up that they set up with. um And they get the equaliser through Tielemans, through a set-piece.
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know about you, but was just a bit of messy defending and kind of against the run of play as well.
00:03:56
Louie Easton
Yeah, it was all over the place. I mean, the first half, in fact, not just the first half, the entire match did feel really sort of strange because there were times where it sort of felt like a basketball match. It was just end to end. And well, the thing that annoys me the most about that, the fact that we can see through a set piece is their coach because he was just barking orders on the touchline the entire time. And I think that annoys me more than the goal, if anything. But um yeah, it was it it was very messy and i think preventable.
00:04:32
Louie Easton
I mean, we got a bit lucky earlier on with the disallowed goal that came off Van Dijk last. I might be wrong in saying that was from a set piece as well. i can't no don't
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:42
Louie Easton
I can't remember.
00:04:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:04:43
Louie Easton
I missed a lot of the first half because I was cooking at the time. But... um I had it on on the tablet next to me. i was sort of glancing over at it. um Yeah, and I missed that goal. But I saw on the replay that is just it was just total chaos in the box. And it was organised chaos from Aston Villa's perspective because they liked crowding Alisson a lot, especially during corners. um And we just sort of relied on Van Dijk to head it out every time. And when he didn't, it gave them a chance. And that's how the goal happened.
00:05:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think, in in my opinion, the goal kind of came... want to it came out nowhere, but Villa weren't really threatening. I think before, they didn't really have a shot on target before that goal. um And I think once they got that goal, it kind of changed a bit of the momentum. They were kind of being more of a threat on the counter-attack. I know Rashford on the left-hand side was giving Trent a few problems, which I thought Trent dealt with quite well, but still being that out ball for Villa.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Asensio was getting on the ball. rob Morgan Rodgers, I'm a big fan of, was was brilliant.
00:05:40
Louie Easton
Yeah, he was good.
00:05:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought probably man of the match alongside Tielemans. um But they get the second goal before half-time, Michael. um It's really frustrating because we should be going... We haven't played the best, but we should be going in at least 1-1.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
um That goal, I thought, from my point of view, was just really bad defending. um We kind of just let Villa cut through us, really, and Oli Watkins get in the header to make it two one
00:06:02
Michael
Yeah, I mean, it i mean it was a good good it was a very good cross and it was a very good work goal. like They built up well, but yeah. I think the fact that... like we weren't getting out to them quickly. I think it was Dinier crossed it. So it was on that sort of right hand, our right hand side.
00:06:18
Michael
Trent wasn't quite getting out quick enough. um I mean, Salah tracked back, but not tracked back enough, I guess. And then usually it's Gravenberch over on that side. I think, I don't, I don't know whether it was at the time, but no one was really taking the initiative to fully close down Dinier. Maybe we were thinking, it's just going to get put in. We're not,
00:06:38
Michael
pretty much Van Dijk and Connarty were going to 90% of the headers and just so happened that it was a 10% and it had just gone over um the head and then he managed to guide it into the corner. um It's one of those goals that like, if we had capitalised more in the first half, because we were the by far the better team in the first half, if we had capitalised more and and kind of put the pressure on, turned the screws a bit more, I think we would have been, i don't think that chance comes about. I think,
00:07:07
Michael
a Villa probably would have been more under the cosh and been pushed back a little bit more and we would have and we would have had more control but I guess having it at 1-1 having to come back from um having to lose that lead it's just one of those things that like it's unfortunate but then we had to come back in the second half and we definitely did maybe not as well as we could have
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, we'll get on to the second half in a bit. But um you mentioned some of those missed chances. just but Just as it went 1-1, we had a chance with Jota through on goal and basically just got gets his kick horribly wrong. I thought Jota was quite impressive throughout the game, but chances like that, I think Jota with full fitness, with a lot of games under his belt, takes that chance, Louis. What do you think of that chance?
00:08:00
Louie Easton
Uh, well, he had a bit of a mixed bat. Yeah, I understand what you're saying because you sort of do think... I mean, Carragher said it earlier in the season, he's probably the best finisher at the club, but it's a weird one because we haven't seen the best of Jota recently.
00:08:17
Louie Easton
There were a couple of headers he had during that match where i just thought, you know what, I think Jota earlier in the season or, you know, in earlier seasons will have scored that.
00:08:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:08:25
Louie Easton
But... um He's sort of just become one of those players that has ah been getting in defenders' faces and forcing mistakes. And, and you know, that's how the Salah goal was set up, because he was in the right place at the right time. He's a very clever player. but um ah you Sorry, were you referring to the Nunez miss?
00:08:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's the Jota missing the first half where he's through on goal. I think you mentioned you might have missed that um because you missed in the first half. But Jota essentially threw on goal and he gets it horribly wrong. I think probably, yeah, you might have might have to take a look at that.
00:08:59
Louie Easton
Yeah, I'll have i have ah another look at it at another time.
00:09:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I think you'll be surprised.
00:09:02
Louie Easton
But he...
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's let's just say it that.
00:09:06
Louie Easton
Okay, well, I'll take... Was it really early on?
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
it so it came from we had Villa just equalized and then we literally get a chance as soon as they equalize as soon as Kipa yeah but it's all good it's all good
00:09:17
Louie Easton
I would have missed that one. I would have missed that one. I feel like you got the wrong person on the podcast for the first half. Bruce Leonis, here at GSPN.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and No, it's all good. um I mean, yeah, that first half, we played well, but we go in 2-1 down, coming out in the second half. um Kind of just kept putting a bit of pressure on Villa and then we eventually got the goal.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought Trent played excellent in terms of, well, up until we got substituted, ah Michael, but that goal was well worked, wasn't it? And Salah, we'll get on to Salah in a bit, but another golden assist, setting up Trent.
00:09:50
Michael
yeah Yeah, I think like um i think Trent played ah trend this season is a bit of a weird one because he plays well, but then like you watch him and it feels like he's just not really bothered.
00:10:02
Michael
and like he's not he's like I think it's probably because he's not like a flying fullback like he was under Klopp.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:09
Michael
Like, he's more of a sort of... He kind of stays back, he recycles plays, he pings the ball every so often um and then kind of, like, saunters into position to score those goals.
00:10:19
Louie Easton
I thought he was dreadful against Wolves. I thought against Wolves he was absolutely shocking. And when Bradley came on, we looked a lot better.
00:10:24
Michael
I mean, he was... Yeah, it was ah it was a little bit like, it wasn' well, obviously, as I said, he didn't really close down for the cross. So like he wasn't, those sort of instances, maybe last season even, I think he probably would have had a bit more tenacity to kind of get into those challenges um um and to kind of run a bit more because it seems like he jogs a lot now rather than like runs, which is a weird thing to say, but it is one of my feelings with him.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
who
00:10:51
Michael
It feels like he's already got his head out the door. which i hope he does and I hope he signs, but like i I'd rather a player who's fully committed than ah um mean like a decent player who's fully committed than an amazing player who's on the fence.
00:11:05
Michael
like a a
00:11:06
Louie Easton
All right.
00:11:07
Michael
He is kind of one of those players that like on his day he's great, on his day he isn't. like it It's one of those things that like he scored the goal today and I think like if you look if you kind of looked at his highlights from today, he's really good.
00:11:20
Michael
But like overall, his performance was probably like a six. like it was like mid. It was it was fine.
00:11:25
Louie Easton
a
00:11:26
Michael
like
00:11:26
Louie Easton
No, I disagree. i he was I thought he was covering a lot of ground in the second half.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll see. Hmm.
00:11:32
Louie Easton
And, you know, I was quite impressed with his celebration, even when he was trying to lift the Liverpool fans ah when we equalised.
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:38
Louie Easton
um And, you know, i I thought that this was some of the best we've seen Trent in weeks, you know, since we were missing him.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:47
Louie Easton
ah So I disagree with you there. I don't think he was jogging as much as you give him credit for.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I definitely think from an attacking point of view, he was our most creative player by far. I think Slott, and we'll get on to Slott and the substitutions in a bit, but I thought he took him off.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know he's coming back from injury, but he's he i think just after he's scored, I think he's got the bit between his teeth and I think he should stay on the pitch a bit longer. um he looked i I personally thought he looked devastated to come off.
00:12:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i've i
00:12:16
Louie Easton
Yeah, absolutely.
00:12:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
i thought he I thought he knew that this game was his. Not that yeah not that he was going influence it from there on then or guaranteed that that was going to happen, but he looked like he was well up for the for the fight. and i think slot took him off at the wrong time.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I thought in the second half, he was our best player ah from that right hand side.
00:12:33
Louie Easton
yeah
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think maybe defensively, yeah, Luke, Michael, you can probably ask him the questions in in terms of the second goal, his involvement, kind of trying to stop the cross, but definitely from an attacking point of view, I think we need, I think he, yeah, Bradley coming on, i mean, he almost set up Sabozla, who set up Nunes, who obviously had that miss, which we'll probably talk about now, but
00:12:55
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
in terms of In terms of the substitutions, i don't know what you thought, Louis, but I thought you made the wrong substitutions the wrong time.
00:13:02
Louie Easton
Yeah, completely agree. um Trent came off way too early, like you mentioned. you know, he was... because Because he was getting crosses in. ah He was... it it was weird because I felt like I was watching Klopp's Liverpool again with this Trent performance.
00:13:18
Louie Easton
Because we've seen him sticking to the sideline ah all all throughout the season. You know, getting into the defensive positions and sort of being your conventional right wing-back, maybe. But...
00:13:31
Louie Easton
ah He was getting into midfield a lot during the second half and he was so effective. um You know, when Soboslai was struggling in the middle, ah which he was doing quite a lot ah during the match, to be fair, Trent was getting in those positions and helping him out and ah sort of trying to set Salah up as well. and he was He was doing some fantastic passes, you know, not really putting too many feet wrong when it mattered most.
00:13:59
Louie Easton
So for him to come off, it didn't really make sense.
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:14:02
Louie Easton
And, you know, i think we waited too long to bring Luis Diaz on. He really didn't have the effect that we'd hoped he would have had. had um Bring Josser off as well even felt weird because he likes to get involved later in the game, ah you know, in the latter stages to try and get into defenders' faces. And, you know, Darwin...
00:14:25
Louie Easton
I mean, what can what what can you eat really say? We've given him so many chances and that was one that could end up costing us a league if we don't win the league at the end of the season.
00:14:35
Michael
Thank you.
00:14:37
Louie Easton
We'll look back on stuff like this and think, God, i mean... if he'd just buried that or if it just came to someone else, maybe. um I don't think it would have been the right...
00:14:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. yeah
00:14:46
Louie Easton
It wouldn't have made sense to bring on Federico Chiesa, I think, ah because we like to bring on players who are who aren't completely integrated in the Liverpool system when the pressure's off them.
00:14:59
Louie Easton
um And I think Harvey Elliott really could have done with coming on for Dominic Sabasla because I thought that Dom was struggling quite a lot.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah i I disagree. I think Savozla was excellent. Me and Michael were just talking about it just before you joined, Louis.
00:15:09
Louie Easton
No.
00:15:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
afa i think he was right to take I thought Gravenberg and McAllister weren't at the race. Well, I think they were playing well, but I don't think they were as good as they've been this season. When McAllister's playing well, Liverpool are dominant in midfield I don't think you will he put that performance in.
00:15:21
Louie Easton
No. Yeah.
00:15:25
Louie Easton
yeah
00:15:28
Louie Easton
Well, the thing is Villa were getting through our midfield because they were so good at their passing at the back, you know, like threading the ball through and really dealing with our counter pressing.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:37
Louie Easton
So it kind of felt a bit harsh to slate our midfield, but they just completely masterminded the entire press.
00:15:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:15:46
Louie Easton
And I thought that that's that that why we weren't as effective.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:50
Louie Easton
But I do think Dominic Soboslai was a bit unselfish, was a bit too unselfish, you know,
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:15:56
Louie Easton
um Yeah, like, do you remember that that passage of play where him and Mo Salah were entering the box and they just passed it to each other and then he tried to lay someone off?
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
thought, what else?
00:16:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Yeah, you should have had a shot there.
00:16:04
Louie Easton
He should have shot then. i think he could have shot when, ah instead of passing to Darwin Nunez. um
00:16:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, I mean, let's let's get through.
00:16:11
Michael
Yeah.
00:16:12
Louie Easton
i I don't know.
00:16:12
Michael
There's a few times where he like looks to pass and then like decides, oh, i probably should shoot now. But like he should have just shot initially as opposed to like looking to see if he can pass.
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:20
Louie Easton
Yeah, he hasn't he hasn't really got that killer instinct. And I think that's what's costing him a little bit, because I think he could have a few more goals this season if he just played with a bit more selfishness in the right moments. And I think that's where Harvey Elliott is a bit better, because he's constantly demanding the ball, driving forward and then looking to shoot.
00:16:41
Louie Easton
And I think the fact that Harvey Elliott still hasn't started in the Premier League for us all season is a disgrace. He's come off the bench nine times um and he's got one assist, but he needs more time and he completely deserves it.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:16:56
Louie Easton
I know he had his injury problems later in the season, but he's ready to play. And, you know, he cares about this football club more than most players because he supported us growing up.
00:17:07
Louie Easton
um i just I just think it would have been the right time to bring him on because he's direct, he's clever, he's good in tight spaces, and he has a great shot on him.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I thought Javier should have come on. Whether he should have come on for Subozlai, I mean, that's another question. But I think we need to get onto that Nunes miss because, like you said, Louis, Subozlai could have more goals this season. He should have definitely had an assist today.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm not going to pretend that he shouldn't have an assist. I think Nunes should score that. Michael, i mean what I mean, we'll get to what Slott has had to say. ah We've got a little clip of him from the press conference, but let's get your opinions first. What what what were you thinking when he blazed over the ball?
00:17:51
Michael
Well, my initial reaction when I saw that he was coming on was, was oh'll i I may have said an expletive under my breath.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:59
Michael
the
00:18:00
Louie Easton
Yeah. ha
00:18:00
Michael
um Just because like every time I see him line up, like it's worked once this season. He's he's he's what done well in one game that he's come on. In every other game, he misses chances that other player the player who he comes off for he comes on for would have scored.
00:18:17
Michael
Jota would have scored that got would have short scored that finish.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:18:20
Michael
Even he even jota would have like even like Diaz would have like bodied himself over the line or something like that.
00:18:21
Louie Easton
yeah
00:18:26
Michael
like so like ah Any of the other three attackers, even Chiesa, I know he's not integrated, but like he's... like like any of those players would have just kind of tapped it, but he blasts a ball that's bouncing towards him.
00:18:40
Michael
he He just kind of like swings a foot at it.
00:18:40
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:18:43
Michael
And like, you can say it's confidence and you can say it's like, he he's not like, ah he's not full of confidence, but like he's on press junkets making jokes about going so going to Saudi to get the money to be like Diaz.
00:18:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
family.
00:18:56
Michael
Like he's, he's he's obviously got some sort of a awareness about his situation and he should really like kind of, take that into account and like you should you should just kind of grow up a little bit like how hard is it to put a ball in the back of the net like when you're when you're a professional footballer who's who's scored 34 goals in a in a season in 41 games for Benfica he scored 18 goals last season like he can score but like he just isn't and he and it's not I don't think it's confidence anymore it is just kind of
00:19:29
Michael
he just doesn't want to, I guess. Like, it's what it's one of those things that, like, I might be being a bit too harsh, but, like, realistically, if we can get our money back for him and we can reinvest it into a different striker or someone who is better, like, if we can get a refund, Benfica pays back our money.
00:19:42
Louie Easton
Oh, we need a refund.
00:19:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:47
Michael
Like, we we would be so much better off. Even Jadon Dans would have finished that goal. Like, it's one of those things that, like, they he needs to kind of either, like, switch on
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:53
Louie Easton
Yeah. I guess.
00:19:59
Michael
like i like I like being HaHa Nunes or Chaos Merchant, but like switch on and just finish.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's, yeah, that's that the last issue, I think.
00:20:08
Louie Easton
i I saw somewhere...
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry, I'll come to you in sec, but oh I was going to say quickly, Louis, just a quick thing.
00:20:12
Louie Easton
Yeah. Oh,
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think last season we saw when Nunes had those chances towards the end of the season, we're going for title race. He misses them.
00:20:21
Louie Easton
yeah.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had that last season. And i like you said, Louis, I think this is going to be the difference at the end of the season when we look back at games like this because this is a tight game.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, Villa played well. They had their chances as well. Let's not forget about that. I think that when if Nunes scores that goal, it's a completely different game.
00:20:36
Louie Easton
oh yeah
00:20:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we go on to win the game.
00:20:41
Louie Easton
Yeah, absolutely.
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:20:42
Louie Easton
But it's the it's these moments that you rely on players like Nunez. I mean, we brought him in for goals. Let's not get it twisted. We got him in from Benfica because he was scoring a lot of goals, getting into the right positions, causing chaos in the right moments.
00:20:57
Louie Easton
And he's we brought him in in this system and he's done absolutely nothing to back up his ah record at Benfica.
00:20:59
Michael
Thanks.
00:21:07
Louie Easton
70 million, 60, 70 million we paid for him. You know, that's that should bring you a player that has quality and that you can rely on in these big moments. So I don't want to sugarcoat it because...
00:21:20
Louie Easton
It's that that's why we brought him in. We brought him in for these moments and he's missing them. So, you know, we've been waiting, what, two and a half years now for him to improve, for him to polish his ah composure, you know, relax and aim and it stay composed in these big moments.
00:21:40
Louie Easton
It hasn't worked. So unfortunately, I think we do have to move on. I saw on Transfermarkt, you know, the website that values players, that one, ah I'm in their broadcast show on Instagram and apparently we're going to be trying to get Isak in a swap deal with him in it.
00:21:58
Louie Easton
That's a fever dream. They don't want him.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:22:00
Louie Easton
Why would Newcastle want to swap Isak for Darwin Nunez?
00:22:03
Michael
I mean, it'll be swapping Nunes for Isaac plus 100 million. like it will it will be yeah It'll be a hefty hefty hefty amount.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah.
00:22:08
Louie Easton
Oh yeah.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
have three thoughts on the idea.
00:22:12
Louie Easton
I don't think Nunez would really make much of a difference. He's just like, yeah, we'll have the 100 million, but you can keep that.
00:22:17
Michael
yeah you can keep him
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah Yeah. I mean, one person is not sugarcoating Darwin Nunes is on a slot. We'll get his reaction. He's done the press conference after the game. This what he had to say around Nunes.
00:22:52
Louie Easton
Mm-hmm.
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so that's Arna Slott talking about Darwin Nunes' miss. I feel like all of us shaking our heads at him saying it came out as weaker foot, but...
00:23:24
Louie Easton
Left footed.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. I can't...
00:23:27
Louie Easton
65 million.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:29
Louie Easton
65 million. And you want to blame it on his left foot. I mean, just like he's got a powerful strike on his left foot.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's bad, No.
00:23:36
Louie Easton
He passes with his left foot all the time. If you're worth 65 million pounds, you shouldn't even have a weak foot. You should be banging them in whatever. yeah hi ja ah Why does he just why does he say this?
00:23:49
Louie Easton
but It just it's so annoying.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, yeah. I mean, yeah, it ah is frustrating. On that note, let's take a quick break and we'll come back with some more reaction.
00:23:59
Louie Easton
Mm-hmm.
00:24:23
Michael
Thank
00:24:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Cool. So that was the ad from Bionique. Go check them out in the description. Obviously, we were talking about the Villa game, the reaction. um I want to get into the title race because feel like that's the biggest thing we're taking away from this game. We're now eight points ahead of Arsenal, who obviously have a game in hand.
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Michael, I'll come to you first. like what What are your thoughts? Is it two points dropped, a point gained? are you assessing the situation given where we are at the moment in this time of the season?
00:25:00
Michael
I think it is two points dropped. I think any chance to get ahead of Arsenal is is a chance that we need to take. one thing is the one The one thing is that like the more if we just keep getting points, like as long as we're not getting nothing from a game week, I think like we um we we can just kind of keep pushing on. And I think with all of injuries that Arsenal have, like Kai Havertz is out.
00:25:26
Michael
I don't know if Saka's still out or whether he's going to come back. And um and like they've got they do have a lot of injuries and I know Arsenal fans love to cry about it.
00:25:33
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:25:36
Michael
um But like they... they they might not be scoring their set pieces as much. And then where are they going to get their goals from? So they can always fall off um and they probably will.
00:25:47
Michael
So any points that we get is go, is just going to keep pushing us like closer and closer to that title. And like, But against like teams like Villa, although they are sort of top seven teams and in the in the league, like and we need to be sort of winning, especially if we played that well in the like as in the first half in particular. But we were arguably the better team overall, and we should be winning when we are the better team.
00:26:15
Michael
like We've already dropped points sillyly against Everton. So I think like we've got to take all the chances we can from now on.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, indeed. I think this is always going to be a tough week in the season. Obviously, ah so i mean've what it would be three games in less than seven well seven days, essentially, playing on Thursday against Everton, Sunday against Wolves, and today Wednesday against Villa.
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Louis, I know we're feeling a bit deflated, but let's have a word on Aston Villa and their performance. um Any key players that stand stood out for you? What do you make of their sort of approach to the game as well?
00:26:48
Louie Easton
Well, I mean, their midfield was brilliant. ah Let's get that out of the way. John McGinn, absolutely fantastic. You know, box to box the entire game. Real captain's performance from him.
00:27:00
Louie Easton
I thought Uri Tielemans was instrumental to them ah dealing with the press when they were playing out the back. I thought he was... Terrific. um Alex Moreno, I think, recovered really well from his mistake as well.
00:27:13
Louie Easton
ah Caused us a lot of issues going forward. I think Ian Mattson, when he came on at the end, he had a bit of a battle with Salah. Wasn't great defensively, but going forward, i you know, real credit to him.
00:27:24
Louie Easton
And, you know, Marcus Rashford, i'm he he he scares me. ah And I don't like saying that because I absolutely loved slagging him off when he was at Manchester United and not tracking back. and But when he gets the ball and he's dribbling it forward, he...
00:27:42
Louie Easton
really does scare me because of his size, his power, um his pace and his footwork as well. You know, he had some great battles down the right hand, down their left hand side and our right hand side um throughout the game. So I thought Villa had some brilliant performances all over the pitch.
00:28:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think going away to Villa Park is always going to be a difficult game. um The one positive I'm taking it's it's a difficult away game that's what that's ticked off. We don't have to worry about it later on in the season.
00:28:12
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I know it's a difficult place to go to get three points, but we mean we've we've we've got the point. um We obviously play City on the weekend. Michael, how are you feeling going into City game? I know maybe maybe it's a bit too soon and obviously Arsenal play West Ham at home on Saturday before, so they have the chance to to cut the lead to five points.
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it does put a lot of pressure on that City game, doesn't it?
00:28:37
Michael
Yeah, I mean, there's always pressure on the City game because that is one of the the rivals, um usually. Obviously, they're having a bit of a blip this season. i mean, hopefully the likes of Haaland aren't playing.
00:28:49
Michael
I mean, that will give us a little bit more confidence. But if he is, i think we can still definitely, like... go go at them. I mean, we are the best team in the league. We are the team who are the most in form, maybe not over the last few games, but like we are a team that knows how to win and that we can definitely get at City, especially at this current form, um in the in the current situation City are in.
00:29:14
Michael
Like, if they are not the same Manchester City that got the Centurions. They're not the same Manchester City that beat us by a point. They're not the same Manchester City of last season, even. Like, they are a... theyre ah They're a slightly... They're a lesser team who is on a rebuild, really. like Like, we should be winning the game and we should be able to kind of...
00:29:36
Michael
tackle any challenges that are thrown at us. And I'm not too worried about Arsenal. I think, like, Graham Potter might us a solid and kind of, I don't know, put big soy check on the centre-backs and then they won't be able to score.
00:29:50
Michael
um And then, like, they and then we'll win the league. So that's all we need to do. But, yeah.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's going to be ah an interesting weekend.
00:29:55
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll talk more about the next few games after this very short break.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So, Louis, want to get to you around. so um Obviously, hopefully co Cody Gakpo will be back. um Well, I'm not sure. I hope he's back ah for the game against Man City. But how do you feel like the squad is going to be after that result? Because it does feel, i don't know, if there's a bit of hesitancy in this in the squad. I feel like we're this little blip.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, we're still picking up points, but...
00:31:00
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:31:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you assess the form going into, obviously, City, like Michael touched on before the break, but also we got Newcastle midweek as well. I mean, this game, this period of games is always going to be tough. Five Premier League games in the space of, what, two weeks?
00:31:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three weeks?
00:31:17
Louie Easton
Yeah, absolutely.
00:31:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, yeah, how do you assess the form?
00:31:20
Louie Easton
ah Well, I think Manchester City are a big danger again. I mean, they just destroyed Newcastle 4-0. Omar Marmouche picking up a hat-trick. He's definitely someone that we need to worry about.
00:31:33
Louie Easton
um And, you know, it's still Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. It's half past four on a Sunday afternoon. um And that they they are ah scary team, um unfortunately.
00:31:47
Louie Easton
ah They're at home as well, which is great. um And i looking at our team going into this, you know, now no Connor Bradley for that game.
00:31:58
Louie Easton
We know that now um because I think Slott mentioned it in the press conference.
00:32:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, let's let's get Slott's quick reaction before we jump into that.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so not good news from Arna Slott regarding Connor Bradley, like you mentioned, Louis. um He's probably going to miss the next few games. Trent, I thought, was impressive, I could kind of discuss. But injuries is injuries aside form aside, I feel like we are in a healthy position in terms of the squad.
00:32:44
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's just about probably Gakpo actually being quite a big miss, given the last few games, in terms of how we looked from an attacking point of view.
00:32:59
Louie Easton
I think he's probably been the best left winger in the entire Premier League this season. If you look at his recent form, especially before the injury, he was scoring like every other game, basically. and And, you know, directly involved in a lot more...
00:33:14
Louie Easton
um And he's the sort of player that you'd want in these big games as well because, I mean, he scored against Man City earlier in the season and he scored against Real Madrid as well. ah So he likes the big occasion. You know, he was terrific in the World Cup.
00:33:26
Louie Easton
um Not the World Cup, the Euros that just went. And he's a big game player and we could definitely do with him. ah But, you know, Luis Diaz as well. um I know he had a bit of a goal drought recently, but he's back scoring with that weird, weird goal he got against Wolves.
00:33:44
Louie Easton
Yeah. I think he'll play. i think he'll play the full 90 against Manchester City, um considering the fact that he didn't play much against Aston Villa.
00:33:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:57
Louie Easton
So in terms of a squad, you know, it's not the ideal situation because if Trent gets injured going to have to play Quanta at right back for these next few matches and ah we could do with some more defensive cover.
00:34:09
Louie Easton
And I'm annoyed that we didn't deal with that situation in January, to be honest. But... you know, FSG being stubborn as usual, isn't it? So it's, it's, I'm, I'm very pleased with the position that we're in compared to Arsenal's position.
00:34:26
Louie Easton
That's the only thing I can say.
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, and it's still a long way to go. We're still in a healthy position. And one player that's definitely playing their part in that, Michael, is Mo Salah. Quick word on him before we wrap up the podcast.
00:34:37
Louie Easton
ah unbelievable. Unbelievable.
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:34:39
Michael
Yeah.
00:34:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I saw a stat before we jumped on that he's the first player since Lionel Messi, I think 10 years ago, one of his seasons, to get a goal and assist in 10 or more games in a season.
00:34:51
Louie Easton
oh
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, is is that is a stat that is that just goes to show that he's not just getting the goals, he's creating them. He's having such an impact on the team. And ah yeah, I mean, without his without his goals, without his contributions, where would we be this season?
00:35:05
Michael
Yeah, I mean, it's a this as I said, it's a Ballon d'Or season. is he is the best player in the world. And if you compare it to Vinicius Junior's so-called Ballon d'Or season last season, it makes that look like it's under-18s trying to play professional football.
00:35:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:35:22
Michael
like
00:35:23
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:35:23
Michael
Salah is the guy. He is him. ah He is the he's the best African player ever. He's one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League.
00:35:30
Louie Easton
yeah
00:35:32
Michael
um He is one of the best wingers in the Premier League, probably all-time best right winger. like he is like He's up there for all-time best attacker. like he is he is get He should get the accolades.
00:35:44
Michael
And the fact that he's only now getting kind of pushed to be ah to get the Ballon d'Or. I mean, if he doesn't win the Ballon d'Or, absolute robbery. But the fact that only he's only being pushed now, after all the seasons he's had of incredible goal scoring, especially his first one, like this is just a testament to how consistent he has been, that everyone's just got used to it.
00:36:05
Michael
And now it's taken him going another level to then get everyone being like, oh, okay, Ballon d'Or then.
00:36:07
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:36:13
Michael
um
00:36:13
Louie Easton
yeah
00:36:13
Michael
But even even though he's even though he's had consistently had better seasons than most players who've won, who've even got being considered for Ballon d'Ors.
00:36:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I'm in for brilliant season.
00:36:23
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:36:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Louis, yeah, go on.
00:36:24
Louie Easton
for Sorry, he that assist means that he's now on his 49th goal or assist in all competitions this season. So the next one, so the next time he gets goal or assist, that's 50.
00:36:39
Louie Easton
Bearing in mind, we're only in February. And it's just crazy. ah So he's got 24 goals in the Premier League this season. He only got 18 all of last season. Again, February.
00:36:50
Louie Easton
He's also got 15 assists. That's five more than any other player in the Premier League.
00:36:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So
00:36:56
Louie Easton
i don't ah I don't think people realise how crazy a season this is from Mo Salah. ah The last player to get 20 assists or goals, well, 20 assists and 20 goals in the same season as Thierry Henry during the arsenals ah the Arsenal glory days.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll bring
00:37:15
Louie Easton
So, I mean, I i really hope he can ah beat that record because he deserves it. And... i I want him more than anything to win the Ballon d'Or.
00:37:27
Louie Easton
but i The fact that Owen was the last player to win the Ballon d'Or for us really annoys me.
00:37:33
Michael
mean
00:37:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i mean, it's going to... I think yeahre you're right, both. like He's the front-runner of Pallaballantore. He's having an incredible season. and And i know it's been a difficult day in terms of the result, but the one positive we can take is Salah's in the form of his life. And well hopefully, with a better team performance...
00:37:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Starting on Sunday against Man City, we can start to pick up the results again and create some more breathing space between us and Arsenal.
00:37:54
Louie Easton
Ugh.
00:37:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's all from us at the Daily Liverpool podcast. Thank you, everyone, for listening. Join us tomorrow for Crossover Thursday. We'll be joined by the Daily Man City team to talk about the big game on Sunday. But for now, thank you all for listening and have a great evening.