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Tactics Tuesday: Deconstructing the Bournemouth Win & Title Race Heats Up!
20 Plays1 month ago
It's Tactics Tuesday, and host Adarsh Ramchurn is joined by Tom Goward to dissect Liverpool's recent victory against Bournemouth. They'll delve into the tactical nuances of the match, exploring:
- Midfield Mastery: How did Liverpool's midfield combat Bournemouth's press and maintain control of the game? Adarsh and Tom analyse the fluidity and effectiveness of the midfield battle.
- Slot's Strategic Substitutions: A look at the impact of Slot's substitutions, including the changes involving Mac Allister andCurtis Jones.
- Alisson's Acumen: A deep dive into Alisson Becker's performance, highlighting his key saves and the commanding presence he brings to Liverpool's goal.
Beyond the Bournemouth game, the podcast will also cover:
- Title Race Review: Arsenal's dominant win over Manchester City has tightened the title race. Adarsh and Tom will discuss the implications of this result and how the race might unfold in February.
- Deadline Day Debrief: A quick review of any significant transfer activity that happened on Deadline Day.
Tune in for a tactical breakdown of Liverpool's performance and a look at the evolving Premier League title race!
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Transcript
Introduction and Tactics Tuesday
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Adarsh Ramchand and it's Tactics Tuesday. We'll be looking back at Saturday's win at Bournemouth in more tactical detail.
Liverpool's Tactics Against Bournemouth
00:00:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll be discussing the fluidity of our midfield in dealing with Bournemouth's press, the role of honour slot substitutions, the performance of Alisson in goal, and go um we'll also be reviewing the title race, because Arsenal had bit battered the City 5-1 to close the gap to 6 points,
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we'll also be talking about Deadline Day, as at the time of recording, there are only, what, three or four hours left of the transfer
Liverpool's Recent Form with Guest Tom Gower
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
window. And I don't think Liverpool are going to do any business, but we'll be talking about some of the other teams that have done some good signings this summer, this winter. I'm joined by Tom Gower. Tom, how's it going?
00:00:53
Tom Goward
Yeah, I'm good, thank you. Everything's going well at the moment. Obviously, Liverpool keeping us in good spirits, but yeah, I know overall I'm all right, thanks.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's good that's good i think we've picked up our form i think the last time we spoke we were in a bit of a dip tom so it's good to speak again now that we're back in form and obviously back in form with a bang i'll say a bang we won two nil against bournemouth on saturday convinced i would say convincing in the sense of
00:01:05
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:01:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wasn't too stressed in terms of during the game. I think Bournemouth did have their chances, but I think relatively we were quite comfortable and we essentially got the job done.
Midfield Analysis and Player Contributions
00:01:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to talk about our midfield from a tactical point of view. I know we've spoken a lot on this show about the Liverpool midfield, but I think when you look at the opposition in Bournemouth and how much energy and how they press, I think it was definitely one of the highlights of our of our game against them. What do you think?
00:01:42
Tom Goward
Yeah, I mean, I was a bit worried going into the game, born with, like you mentioned, give on a good round of four, I think nine goals in the last two games before they played us. So, you know, and they've got some players that can cause a real problem and a threat. um But then they came up against our midfield and they can, they can't do anything. And we, like you said, we've spoken about this midfield a lot, but I think that's the Bosleye Graham and Burch and McAllister midfield is the best midfield we've got at the moment.
00:02:05
Tom Goward
um You know, it doesn't matter if one of them's injured, someone comes in and replaces him, but that is our bulk and they've all do their own individual jobs. Well, I thought grabbing a birch was amazing again. Um, some of it these turns he's got where he sort of fakes with the ball or turns like sends a player the other way, like just a whole different.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm.
00:02:23
Tom Goward
player this season. um And it's so good to see Austin McAllister just doing his usual role, probably it wasn't one of his best games. I think he came off after an hour. um But, you know, a lot of games coming up as well, important games coming
Substitutions and Tactical Impact
00:02:36
Tom Goward
up. um So stop using those subs and that rotation well, like he's done well all season. and
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think one of the players that we were kind of very fearful of going into this game was obviously Justin Cliver, purely because of how well he's been playing recently, scoring lots of goals, he's got that hat-trick up at St. James's Park as well. And I think, I mean, apart from that chance where he he really should have scored, to be honest, the open goal, I don't think he had that much of an influence in the game. And I think a lot of that was to do with our midfield. So how do you think we sort of combated that Bournemouth midfield? Because they do play with a lot of energy and a lot of sort of velocity.
00:03:11
Tom Goward
I think it was sort of the interchanging roles for not only the midfield, but this sort of the
Bournemouth's Tactics vs. Liverpool's Strategies
00:03:16
Tom Goward
forwards as well. I noticed at times we were sort of playing Zabozlai and Diaz as like number 10s and Salah and Gackpo up front or whatever, and just sort of calls born with a problem because they didn't want to commit too many midfield players forward because we've suddenly got four in attack waiting for Alison or Van Dijk to kick a long ball forward.
00:03:35
Tom Goward
um So I think they were probably conscious of that at the start and so therefore because they didn't get forward as much that created less of a threat for them um and as good as Clive has been this season he's not amazing to do it all by himself. um and I think just again the quality that we've got from our both our centre backs both our holding midfielders just sort of did a job on him like you said he had that chance which I don't know if you saw he had the exact same chance against City when they beat him it was the same Tavernier same shot hit off the post and he's got literally in the same position but so maybe he needs to work on that a bit but um no it was it was a good performance from from the midfield and um it was sort of
00:04:17
Tom Goward
they didn't do anything amazing but they did their jobs well and they did their roles well that they were told to and that's what I think sort of caused Clyver and the rest of the Bournemouth to feel the problem and again like I said committing the players forward like we had made them a bit wary and and as good as their centre backs have been this season um they weren't they were still conscious especially when you've got Salah and Diaz and Gapova were all firing this season um and they don't think they wanted it to be a battering.
Midfield Improvement and Management Praise
00:04:44
Tom Goward
You know, two-nil's not a batter, it was a comfortable win for us, but considering they scored nine in the last two, I don't think they then wanted to go and get batter by Liverpool at home. So, um no, good performance overall from them, I think.
00:04:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think one of the key things that I took away from this this game was, obviously from a Bournemouth point of view, you've spoken about how well they've been playing recently. I think Iraula as well, the way he sets up but his team to sort of be compact and with that high press. I just think it's a testament to slot in terms of how he tactically set up that midfield to be as combative as possible. I thought Subozlai played exceptionally well in terms of dropping deep and that press he's got we all know how good how good he is but i think one of the things that i think is really important from his point of view is we all know off the ball what he brings and i think recently his on the ball decision making just keeping things simple playing sort of one-two touch with gravenberg i thought he had him and him him and gravenberg had some really good exchanges in that midfield and i think i think this midfield has gone
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
come like It's gone levels and in terms of improvement over the last few seasons. I think you could argue it's probably one of our strongest parts of our ah team now, given that a few seasons ago we were looking at Henderson, Fabinho, getting on in terms of age and now we've got so much energy in that midfield.
00:05:59
Tom Goward
Yeah, I mean, when Armifield was our weak point, literally two seasons ago, and we signed them and then we sort of transitioned last year and clock was leaving and like to think, like you just said that now Armifield is one of our strong points is, I mean, if you said that two years ago, we wouldn't believe you so.
00:06:16
Tom Goward
the job, the job that not just Liverpool have done it, recruiting and buying the players, but the job that slot has done. And I'm clocked to an extent, you know, you sort of built those players in, embedded those players into the team last season, albeit Graham and Burch wasn't as good as he was this season. And I think McAllister has just gone up a whole new level as well, as well this season.
00:06:33
Tom Goward
But the job that Slott's done as well and knowing when to use which players in what position um um and against the team, you know, he's he's gone full strength here because Bournemouth are a good side. But if we're playing a lesser team, you might put Jones in there. Not saying Jones is worse, but, you know, just saying he he knows when to play what players against which team. And again, that's just another standout point and from Slott and another success he's brought to Liverpool.
Player Performances and Substitution Strategy
00:06:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And speaking of Curtis Jones, actually, because obviously we kind of, you kind of alluded to McAllister not having his best game, which he's entitled to do, because I think he's been exceptional all season.
00:07:05
Tom Goward
yeah
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He was very close to sort of getting a second yellow as well, which is probably why he came off. But I think as well, we've, we've had the discussion around Curtis Jones and his best position, but when he comes on and he plays in that sort of deeper role, you can see he thrives.
00:07:13
Tom Goward
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
He loves getting forward and he has that license when Gravenberg sits back a bit more, he can go a bit forward from that deeper position. um Obviously setting up Salah's absolute worldy um for the second goal.
00:07:27
Tom Goward
yeah
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think in terms of if you're looking at sort of slot substitutions and being able to sort of make that in-game management when he knows that McAllister is probably one yellow card away from getting sent off and you also need a bit of impetus in the game, I just think it's brilliant in terms of recently his substitutions have been spot on.
00:07:43
Tom Goward
Yeah, and as you know, since I've become the head of the Curtis Jones fan club, he's actually gone on to get two assists for Mo Salah.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:07:51
Tom Goward
So maybe maybe he was listening to me and tried to turn his performances around now. But no no, it's good to see like you're right, um Slop noticed that sort of Macalester was probably one another challenge away from a yellow maybe and and wasn't having a good game on top of it so it's just the awareness from him to go right I've got a good player that's come back from injury on the bench he's ready to come on comes on and ultimately gets the assist for the second game that second goal which wins us the game so I can't I can't We've spoken about it a lot but I can't rate highly, I can't rate slightly enough for the substitutions he's made, which I'm sure we'll get onto again in a bit, but really good from him and nice to see Curtis Jones finding a bit of form again.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's he's been, I think that's probably one of his biggest strengths slot in terms of identifying when the game needs to change and when you can see the team is starting to take a bit of a dip as well. Because just before we got that second goal, we were talking about that Clive at Miss Chance. And I think Bournemouth were having a couple of half chances, a bit of bit threatening. And I think they were more likely to score but before us, I would say. I don't think in the second half, we actually created that many chances. um But it just takes one chance with Salah. And I don't know we've probably spoken about Salah plenty of times um on the podcast.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it just does what it does, doesn't
00:09:06
Tom Goward
Yeah, I mean, he can, he can not be in the game at all, get a penalty and score it and then just scores that from, not from nothing, because it wasn't from nothing, but just completely puts the game to bed. And like you said, Bournemouth had their chances and I think they had a goal ruled off-side or they definitely, there was definitely an off-side goal ruled out.
00:09:25
Tom Goward
um
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know
00:09:26
Tom Goward
But and then, yeah, just places that one in the corner, no problem. um Against Kirkheads, who we've been linked with as a as a new left-back replacement, um I still think he played well. I think he's had these last few games I've watched Bournemouth, he's played well at Kirkheads, and um he just, um ultimately, me just came up against the best player in the world at the moment.
Team Dynamics and Defensive Praise
00:09:44
Tom Goward
But, um no, again, good to see Salah scoring, and I still don't know what's going on with that contract, because now we're on, what, 3rd of February, and we're no closer.
00:09:54
Tom Goward
i don't know what it has I don't know what he has to keep doing to prove that he wants a contract and the more he performs the more the fans and asks rave about him and then it puts more pressure on I think him signing one as in it puts more pressure on the club and giving him one because the fans are constantly going to be on the club's back about giving him a contract but I hope he just sticks around so we can see more winning title winning goals like that.
00:10:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's just brilliant I think it's just the effortlessness of it as well just he like he knows he's the man he puts in the top corner like he's been doing all season and It's just it's just I think as soon as that goal goes in I think Bournemouth know that games over I think That's one of the best traits of this little team this season like we can put teams to the sword just through one chance I think we've been so
00:10:20
Tom Goward
and
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know about you, Tom, but I think this season has probably been the most efficient Liverpool team I've seen in a long time in terms of we're just ruthless when it comes to chances. One counter attack, Bournemouth, no. And that's been a big feature ah of our game this season. I think on the counter, we get a chance, we score, the game's turned on on its head. The opposition know that the game's over. I mean, how impressed have you been with sort of Slott's ability to sort of change styles within games as well? Because Like I said earlier, we were under the cost a little bit. They just missed that open goal with Clive ah and then we go up the other end of the counter attack. So it's just it shows the variety of play that we have in this team.
00:11:14
Tom Goward
um And what's good is you can see the way we want to play. I think under slot, I think Klopp, there was always going to be a style of play, but you like some of the moves that this team put together at the moment, it's Liverpool side put together at the moment, are just like god I didn't know they had this in the locker, but obviously you know they're professionals. but just seeing just seeing them perform like differently, but well, and seeing there's a style of play, right? They know when to play out from the back, they increase the tempo, they're so down the tempo, the ball gets passed around the back, then they might counter. And and we've got the finish you know we've got the players to finish off counter attacks like that, and it's just knowing when to strike Bournemouth or any team, you know when but they're a bit vulnerable at the back or they're caught, yeah i like we say, caught them on the counter attack. But I think it all starts from,
00:11:59
Tom Goward
I mean, every player's been superb, but I think it starts on the two centre backs, and most games as well.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:04
Tom Goward
I think without those two, we would be nowhere near where we are this year, and Canate and Van Dijk, it's good to have Canate back, but Canate and Van Dijk are just so good together.
00:12:16
Tom Goward
They must, but you know, everyone bangs on about Saliba and Gabriel, but these these two absolutely trump them by a mile, I mean. I had a friend that was at the Brentford game the other week and it's the first time he'd seen them in person. He just said they were unbelievable, just like sort of watching them even off the ball. yeah and Even when Liverpool haven't got the ball or they're up the other end and just watching Van Dijk's leadership or Conate's positioning, they've just got it sorted and definitely without them this season, we'd be nowhere near where we are.
00:12:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, they've been brilliant I think just one more point on sort of the style of play that you mentioned I think it's funny that you look at the first goal We earn the penalty from a long ball sort of going more direct and then the second goal is a counter-attack So it just shows like we've just got so many weapons so many strings to our bow when it comes to attacking um But yeah, I think Kanate and Van Dyke again I mean they had a few effy iffy moments But I think given the opposition in Bournemouth they're always gonna cause a threat so we were never gonna sort of have like a game where we weren't gonna concede a chance or two and um I thought that block, I think it was from Canate in the second half, I thought it was, I mean, I don't think he knew too much about it, but I think just him, his sheer presence on the pitch is just insane.
00:13:21
Tom Goward
Mmm, yeah.
00:13:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But another player that we kind of haven't really spoken about a lot this season, probably for good reasons, well, partly because he's been injured, but I don't think he's been as busy as he has been in previous season is that is Alison.
00:13:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't know about you, I feel like it's one of the first times this season we've actually had to call upon him and he had to make a couple of really big saves in the match which I mean particularly at 1-0 he made that one against Semenyo. I know they hit the the bar and the post probably in the second in the first and second half as well but I think Allison made that a couple of crucial saves which made sure we got we kept that clean sheet.
00:13:56
Tom Goward
It was definitely his best performance of the season by Amal. It was actually his spell, I think probably last time he spoke, where we weren't totally happy with him. I mean, he's still Alison, but just sort of one or two things. There was that sort of risk he was taking playing out from the back. and um But some of the saves, I mean, he just proved again why he's the best in the world. And whatever happens next year with the new keeper we've brought in,
00:14:18
Tom Goward
um I hope, I hope Alison sticks around for a few more years because they're the moments when you need a keeper like that and knowing, you know, just a quick decision making about coming out and making himself big and just getting like a shin to it or getting his fingertips to it or his shoulder or whatever he gets to. And he's, he's one-on-one player, you know, making himself getting out the goal and closing down the angle. Um, yeah, really good from him. And that was definitely his best performance by a mile this season.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100% I think that save towards the end ah Where I think it deflected off Bradley and it was going in for probably an own goal But he just gets down low pushes the ball away to safety I mean even little things like that like a clean sheet I know I know we bang on about clean sheets a lot in the Premier League But I just think it's it's the foundation of a successful team if you're gonna go in titles keeping those clean sheets high having those high standards Even if it was a consolation goal for
February Fixtures and Title Race Outlook
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bournemouth. I think I desperately wanted that clean sheet just because of goal difference and how much it's going to sort of give us that foundation going forward into what's going to be a very, very busy February. Speaking of February, obviously we've got the title race shaping up and Arsenal kind of did their job against City the other day. We'll talk more about the title race after this very short break.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So like I said, just before the break, we're going to talk about the title race. Obviously, Tom, I'm sure you watched the Arsenal City game. I mean, five well I wasn't expecting a 5-1, but I think City are just not at the races.
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we know that we've known that for a couple of weeks. Arsenal potentially putting in a statement performance. I'm still not as convinced as other sort of Premier League fans. But yeah, what did you make of the game?
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you manage to watch it or what do you think?
00:16:33
Tom Goward
I did manage to watch it. No, I was actually, I was actually working, um but I watched the highlights and I was keeping an eye on the score, um which was annoying. I think I've always banged on about City winning everything, winning everything.
00:16:45
Tom Goward
And then the one time I actually wanted them to do something, they didn't. And I sort of saw it was, I checked the score and it was 2-1 Arsenal. I thought, oh, there's plenty of time left. sit if A draw is fine. I mean, I load up my phone at full time and it's 5-1.
00:16:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:57
Tom Goward
I was like, Arsenal must've played unbelievable or City were awful. And I think it was a bit of both. you know we know their problems this season but they're just that if they lost 2-1 or 3-1 you would sort of get it but 5-1 and you just think they have so given up now this season it looks like for the league anyway I mean they're still in the Champions League alright they just scraped in but I think they're gonna sort of put all their power all their effort into that
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:25
Tom Goward
because that performance on Sunday just shows that they know the league's gone.
00:17:30
Tom Goward
But then they still got qualified for the Champions League. They're fourth at the moment. I think they're level on points with Newcastle in fifth, if I believe, from memory. So it's not like they've got a big points gap to fifth.
00:17:43
Tom Goward
They're not safe in fourth at all. And if they keep putting in performances like that, and just mistakes from world-class players that have done so much, and they're kanji, poop and Harland, okay I know he scored but you would sort of expect more from him at the moment and I know the whole team's going through a blip but when you and and the money they spent already they got that Marmushian as well and and you would sort of expect those players to start turning up a bit when City need them and they're not and ah Yeah, I'm still not convinced from Arsenal that they've put in some really bad performances this season. I think that's sort of a fluke, not a fluke you win because they deserve to win, but yeah I don't think they're going to be so score lines like that every season for us and every game for Arsenal. I think it was just one of them where they've caught a bad city team at the wrong time and they've played well.
00:18:28
Tom Goward
But yeah, I mean, maybe I'm just a bit biased, but I'm, you know, if we beat our, we're not game in hand against Everton and we're nine points clear, I think mentally Arsenal would think that, and especially the way we're playing, you know, with victories like we did on Saturday, then I think Arsenal would think it's almost over.
Upcoming Fixtures and Strategy
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think having watched the game, I think the biggest thing I can say is up until City scored Arsenal weren't They weren't going for the the game. I think it was 1-0 for a long time and they were kind of sitting back and I feel like that's what Arsenal do a lot in games. They go ahead and then they just kind of don't do anything. That's the reason why I think they weren't. they're not I'm not as fearful because I think the second goal for for them comes like seconds after City equalise and it's a mistake and then it's deflection and it goes in. It's a bit of luck, like you said, that you kind of need in some of these games.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then I think they capitulated CC. I think that last half an hour was just them throwing the towel and they didn't really give a hundred percent. um Obviously Arsenal had to capitalize on it and that's what they did. but Yeah, just I think is the one thing that they have done is it means we still have to stay on top of our game. We can't sort of get it complacent and to use a little pun, we have to obviously stay humble um purely because of what we know can happen in this title race. Looking ahead to February, you've got you mentioned that game in hand. We've got of after Cup action and the FA Cup, we've got Everton midweek, which means we won't have that game in hand anymore. So it's a big opportunity to capitalise.
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wolves at home that I think it's City away, so potentially a good time to be playing City before we have Newcastle at home So how are you feeling about these games in February?
00:20:07
Tom Goward
I think we we honestly just have to take one at a time and treat everyone as important, regardless if we're playing Plymouth or we're playing City. um You know, Thursday we've got a tough game against Spurs, up and it's annoying they've sort of won now. I thought I was sort of having Spurs to lose at the weekend, thought they would again. um so So they like could really come into this game with their confidence down, but they've got a win now from the first time this year, I think, in the Premier League. So um their confidence is going to be a little bit higher than what I was hoping it's going to be, but we are at home. We are playing unbelievable. I think everyone sort of thinks we're going to turn it around. um My best mate's a Spurs fan. Even he thinks they're going to lose. So there's no confidence. There's no confidence there. and and then And then it's nice that we got Plymouth. I think we can rest again. Some of the big players who gave him a rest last week, give him a rest again. um Do the job on Plymouth. Hopefully that should be no dramas there. Get that job done. And then Wolves who shockingly beat Villa right the weekend. Didn't see that coming.
00:21:07
Tom Goward
Again, i think I think you sort of take these teams how they' how they're performing in the last few games when you play them. you know if we If we were doing this podcast two months ago, we said we got Wolves in the middle of February, we said we should we should beat them. But the next game, you know two weeks before we played them, they've just beaten Villa, who just qualifies top eight in the Champions League. so um and you're right and then you said a good time to play City but then City could just turn up and play well so it honestly depends in two weeks everything could change City could have a great two weeks we could have a bad two weeks or vice versa so but I'm confident that we've beaten we've beaten every all these teams already this season um you know being in City being Wolves beating
00:21:50
Tom Goward
Spurs as well, albeit I know we're one nil down, but we've beaten them in the league comfortably as well. So, um yeah, no, I'm looking forward to it. And, you know, if you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best, right? So, um no, um yeah, like I said, I'm looking forward to it.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah know think I think this is the sort of, if you're not sort of in a title race, then you can't really, you have to enjoy it whilst it's there. And I think that's the most important thing from a Liverpool fans point of view. I think you're right. We've got a busy February, but there's no reason why we can't come out this month in a very strong position. And then obviously that international break in March and then it's the running. So there's not a lot left in the season. I think it's going to be a lot of twists and turns still, but um I agree with you.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm very confident as well. and I think we can we can still manage to have a very, very successful season. um We're still in all four competitions, hopefully. I don't want to get any predictions of how many trophies we're going to win, but I think ah definitely think we'll be successful this season, whatever form that takes.
00:22:45
Tom Goward
Mm.
00:22:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Just before we wrap up today's Tactics Tuesday, it would be unfair to talk about transfers on today's episode.
Transfer Window Discussion and Closing Remarks
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Obviously, at the time of recording, it's deadline day. Liverpool aren't making any signings, as it looks like, but Tom, I want to get your perspective on probably some of the other clubs that have made some business in this January transfer window. um Has any signings stood out to you from the Premier League?
00:23:11
Tom Goward
um I think one's just gone through today, Evan Ferguson to West Ham. um Not been getting that much playing time at Brighton. I think he's really good. Everyone's tipped him to be really good in the future and obviously West Ham are in need of a striker and Graham Potter's there now. So I think it'll be a perfect sort of match for him this second half of the season.
00:23:31
Tom Goward
And then it was great for me to say, but also I don't like seeing players being sort of treated like this, but Rashford de Villa, I think I'm sort of glad, you know, from an England point of view, not saying you play for England, but if I was an England fan, I was saying, you know, it's good to see him getting back out, hopefully on the pitch and find some form again, albeit I know he's a United player, but
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:53
Tom Goward
um It's not, I hate when players are sort of not mistreated, but when they've done so much for a club or they've been their best player for a period of time and then they're not, it's the same with Sancho. Like I kind of wish, I quite liked Liverpool to sign Sancho at the time when he went to United, before he went to United, I quite liked Liverpool to sign Sancho. And it's nice to see him doing well, Chelsea.
00:24:14
Tom Goward
um So I think, yeah, there's been a lot of loans. I feel like there's been a lot of loans this window, and I don't know if that's to do with PSR and all that, but um yeah, again, boring transfer window for Liverpool fans. I think, you know, we we use replays or for the summer or we get linked with players, but I think Liverpool know where they need to improve, albeit I think another top quality CDM maybe, I think Endo might go, ah definitely a left back, 100% a left back and maybe ah another centre back because I mean we could do a whole other podcast about Liverpool's centre back problems or lack of buying in the centre back department um which I did do with Jesse a few weeks ago and
00:24:58
Tom Goward
We were talking about how our last our last defender we signed was Kanate in 2021. But anyway, we won't get into that. So I think Liverpool got a plan and they'll know what they want.
00:25:09
Tom Goward
I don't think they want to panic buy or rush buy just for the sake of it. um We're doing well already, albeit with a few weak spots in the team. So um yeah, but ah it's it's boring because I always want to open Instagram or open Twitter or X and see, oh, Liverpool signed so and so.
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:25
Tom Goward
But I just read that. United have bought some left back and West Ham are making signings and Chelsea are sending out Felix on loan, which is all a bit weird to me.
00:25:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
doesn't make any sense.
00:25:35
Tom Goward
But, um, no, I do like transfer deadline day.
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:39
Tom Goward
I've always liked it. Um, apart from the one year when we sell Torres to Chelsea, uh, I'll never forget, I was going to football training, must've been nine years old and my Torres kit on and my manager told me that he'd moved to Chelsea and I thought he was joking and got home and he had gone and I was heartbroken.
00:25:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that was crazy, it wasn't it?
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I had to.
00:25:56
Tom Goward
Because I tore his everything. I tore his everything. So and that was the only one transfer window I didn't like. But no, everyone lost a transfer deadline day, right?
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's classic. that's that Yeah, that transfer window sticks to mind. and when we I think we got Suarez and Carroll. That i was the same window we got Suarez and Carroll, I'm pretty sure. I think it was.
00:26:14
Tom Goward
me Yeah. Yeah, it must have been.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that was was pretty important.
00:26:16
Tom Goward
Or was it 2011? Or was it 2011?
00:26:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was 2011. That was chaos.
00:26:21
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:26:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like old school transfer deadline days used to be some of the best days.
00:26:26
Tom Goward
especially on Sky, when they used to get the fans round and the guy would be, it or the presenter would be outside the training ground.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:32
Tom Goward
And I assume they still do that. I mean, I don't, it's not what it used to be anymore. And Jim White used to have his yellow tie on, didn't he?
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:26:38
Tom Goward
And stuff like that.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's true.
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
but yeah The nostalgia of it, it's all very good.
00:26:39
Tom Goward
They just don't do that anymore, but it's a shame.
00:26:43
Tom Goward
Yeah, exactly.
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was just going to say that I think probably Villa have been the most impressive team in the in the transfer window.
00:26:50
Tom Goward
Mm-hmm.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think obviously selling Duran, but I think they got so of got Rashford. I think they've just announced Marcus Centier.
00:26:56
Tom Goward
Asensia, Asensia, and they got Donald Milan as well from Marlon.
00:27:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, more than. Yeah, yeah.
00:27:01
Tom Goward
So um I was just going to ask, what do you think? I know we don't want to turn this into a Villa pod, but Duran going, like, you know, he's been so important for them this season.
00:27:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:27:09
Tom Goward
He's been linked with some big moves and he's moved to Saudi at that age. du but What do you think of it?
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Duran is too good to not come back to ah Europe, at least. I think he's doing I think it's one of those where I think he's a young player. He's going for that big sum of money.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I saw I think. Did you see the quote where he was like, I've dreamed of playing for our NASA or something like that, which is a bit a bit.
00:27:33
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah. Which is just false to say, aren't they?
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, but i think I think he's too good a player to not come back to Europe and I think he probably will do a few years there, probably get a bit bored and then come back. um He's too good a player to to not come back and I think his ceiling is through the roof. so Yeah, I hope from a football fan as well, from a football point of view that he does at least come back to playing in Europe.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe one day at Liverpool, I'm not sure, but um he's definitely a talented player. We'd like to see him back. But yeah, wish him all the best in in Saudi Arabia.
00:28:04
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah I've seen his contract and it's pretty remarkable.
00:28:07
Tom Goward
Yeah, I don't blame him really. I think he's gone from 50 grand a week to 320 grand a week. So from that point of view and he, you know, sets himself and his family up for his life, doesn't he? So earn a few money, earn a bit of money for a few years and then come back and do it in one, in the top leads again.
00:28:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, we wish him all the best, but no transfers for Liverpool, but there's only a few hours left to transfer that Monday, so we'll see what happens.
00:28:24
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's all for today's episode of Tactics Tuesday. Join us tomorrow for Wildcard Wednesday. We'll be looking ahead to the Carabar Cup as Liverpool look to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Spurs in the second leg of the semi-final.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can we get to another Cup Final at Anfield South? Let's hope so. From all of us at daily Liverpool, it's goodbye for now and we'll see you all soon.