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Daily Liverpool - West Ham Preview
14 Plays8 days ago
Liverpool return to Anfield after their woes on the road and this time it's West Ham who are the visitors. Jesse Sarwar looks at all the main talking points as we look ahead to Sunday's game and the Reds' quest to get back to winning ways.
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Transcript
Introduction & Game Preview
00:00:48
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 today, Jesse Sarwar. It is the Friday forecast show.
00:00:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So today we're looking ahead to the weekend's Premier League game against West Ham. But before we do that, there is plenty of Liverpool FC related news to discuss.
Contract Extensions: Salah & Van Dijk
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Louis Easton did a really good job yesterday with his episode, an immediate reaction episode when news broke of the updates on the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can actually find Louis, who is a a regular, obviously, on the Daily Liverpool podcast. But he also is a host of a really good show that I would recommend, which is the Daily Liverpool.
00:01:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
English Premier League, which is also brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. So check that podcast out as well. But coming back to the contract updates for those two big, big players, it looks like we're closing in on a two-year extension for both of those players.
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is something that I kind of predicted at the start of the season. i don't want to blow my own trumpet here, but I just couldn't see a situation where Liverpool allowed their two best players to leave. I think it's a good decision, obviously for obvious reason reasons in terms of their importance to the team.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think in terms of the actual contracts themselves, obviously this is provided that it does go through and it's all signed and sealed. There's wriggle room for both parties. I think if,
00:02:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
let's say in the, I think the unlikely, in unlikelihood that if things don't work out, that, you know, for whatever reason, you know, one or or both players kind of, their form drops, you know, midway through next season.
00:02:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that it means that, you know, if if the the club either that got rid of those two players, if they put them up for sale or if they wanted to leave, then they can do that next season and we'd still get a fee from them.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And on the flip side of that, if they continue to perform and, you know, they go through those two years and, you know, they've performed well for Liverpool, I'd say, you know, even if they performed well for the next 12 months, I think it's a work win-win for us.
00:03:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's really good news for the team heading into these last few games of the season. And I think it's also you know good news for the for next season as well.
Transfer Window Strategy
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Retaining two world-class players.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say our best two players, our two most influential players at either side of the pitch, you know, one in attack and one in defence. I think it's good news for us. I think it's bad news for, you know, all the other teams and next season who are going to be trying to, you know, take this Premier League title off of Liverpool.
00:04:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It also does mean that I think that this summer doesn't have to be as disruptive as it could have been. You know, if if Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk follow Trent Alexander out the door at the end of the season, that is three world class players that you have to replace.
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's before you even start talking about other areas of the squad that might need attention. I'm talking about the left back position, possibly a striker, possibly another midfielder to help McAllister and Gravenberg out so that they don't have to play every single game.
00:04:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it just helps...
Alisson Becker Transfer Rumors
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arnie Slott, Richard Hughes and the recruitment team in terms of planning now for next season, and planning for that summer transfer window, which I think is still going to be quite significant for Liverpool.
00:05:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if if they're if they've got Salah and they've got Van Dijk, I think it just makes that job a little less daunting going into that summer transfer window.
00:05:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And apart from anything else, I just think it gives gives so the whole place, the whole team a lift. Strange thing to say, given that we're odds on, you know, to win the title, but...
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, there is you know that there are murmurings that if those three players were to leave, it could have taken a little bit of the shine off of what should be a title win for Liverpool this season. I don't necessarily buy that. I think, you know, for me, you win the league, it's a great season.
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And fine, if two or three players leave, you know, you're you're still heading into that summer transfer window as the Premier League champions. You know, but I can understand if if if there is a narrative out there that it could have kind of taken the shine off of what would have been a fantastic fantastic season for us.
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So those two players staying, he's still yet to be confirmed, but it looks like it's heading that way. And and I think when you get people like...
00:06:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, Paul Joyce and yeah David Ornstein, Fabrizio Romano. When you have these kind of people in the media, you know, edging towards the players signing their contracts, that progress is being made and it's a formality now. i think I think David Ornstein was saying that it's a case of when as opposed to if.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that when you have that kind of credibility in the media, those kind of credible voices telling you that kind of information, then I think that it's safe to say that, you know, it's almost done and dusted.
00:06:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That said, there are reports that coming out in Turkey and Brazil that suggesting that Alison Becker is a target for Turkish giant Scala Tassari.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alison is 32. He's entering the final 12 months of his contract. So, you know this time next summer, we we could potentially be in a similar similar situation that we find ourselves with Van Dijk and with Mohamed Salah.
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
God, I'm getting confused all these player contracts now. And Andy Robertson's contract is up next season as well. So, you know, that alongside the fact that we've got the Georgian international Georgie Mamba Dashvili coming in as well as as a goalkeeper.
00:07:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
i'd be surprised I'd be surprised if this happened. If one, Alison Becker left and two, know, Liverpool sanctioned this move.
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unless, of course, obviously a big transfer fee is offered, that can always change things. And I think, you know, for a 32-year-old, you know, I suppose from Liverpool's perspective, if you're looking at it from cold analytical recruitment perspective, you would look at the fact that Alisson is 32, that he's in the final year of his contract, that that he does tend to get injured, one big injury a season. So you've got a factor in six to eight weeks without Alisson.
00:08:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that has not proved a disaster for Liverpool because of how well Kweve Kelleher has done. But I think if if we were to get a big transfer fee, it's something that Liverpool might consider.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But on balance, I still think that they they shouldn't. That's my personal opinion. I don't think they should let Alisson go. And I don't think they will, particularly with the aforementioned Kelleher, our number two, looking like that he will be leaving at the end of this season.
00:09:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I can't envisage a situation where Liverpool would let their number one and number two goalkeepers leave in the same summer.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that that would just be too disruptive and just too risky. So I expect Alisson to stay. And you know we might we just might have to put up with another situation contract situation going into next season.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for me, he's still the best goalkeeper in the world. And, you know, we should do everything we can to keep him at the club.
Transfer Speculations & Kit Excitement
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another little bit of news. I think we're going to have to be running a regular section on the pod called Kerkhez Likes.
00:09:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because... Every day there is a report in the press how the Bournemouth left back, Milos Kerkes, has liked a Liverpool FC related post on social media.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this time he's apparently liked the Mo Salah update by Fabrizio Romano that the Egyptian king is close to extending his contract.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Kerkes liked that post. Well, I suppose then the Kirkus deal is done and dusted, isn't it? You know, that that is the kind of cutting edge, breaking news, transfer analysis that we're going to bring you here at the Daily Liverpool podcast.
00:10:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, we'll we'll see how that develops. One other thing I did want to mention, though, and I think we will do a more in-depth episode on Liverpool's new kit manufacturer.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
for next season that's going to be adidas which i'm absolutely delighted with i'm an adidas man through and through i love the adidas kits that they've made for liverpool and i've got good memories of you know of liverpool in those adidas kits And the ones that they've got apparently for next season, if the kind of leaked images that are doing the rounds on social media, if they are anything to be relied on.
00:11:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we're going to have three absolutely rocking kits, home, away, and third kit. The home kit is classic Liverpool, classic Adidas three stripes.
00:11:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very reminiscent, very clean, very re reminiscent of, I think the kind of mid to late 2000s Liverpool with, you know, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also maybe, you know, back in the kind of late 80s as well with Ian Rush, John Barnes. I think that's a beautiful kit if that's... if that's the one that's going to be released by Adidas.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
The second kit, which is white with red stripes, and it's got a very retro Liverpool crest, just a clean Liverpool crest, no LFC on there.
00:12:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's really nice as well. But the third one, it's it's a green kit. Again, very, very classic colour for Liverpool.
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's got that kind of overlapping V-neck that was popular in the ninety s 1980s kits. And it's got the 90s kind of Liverpool crest.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's got the Adidas Treffle, the, I suppose you'd call it Adidas Originals logo. So all three of those kits. So if Liverpool were to release that, I think they they would go down as one of the best kits that we've had in a long, long time.
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we'd be really good. think I think we'd look really good winning Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues in those kits. Right, we're going to go to a very quick break.
00:13:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And when we come back, we'll talk about Ham.
Liverpool vs West Ham Analysis
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, welcome back. Liverpool are back at Anfield after their first away defeat at Fulham last weekend. the Visitors are West Ham United. It's a Sunday 2pm kickoff UK time. That is 9am Eastern Standard Time. So bright and early for you guys stateside.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another big game. when When is it not a big game, especially when you are in these final games of the season? And, you know, after that defeat last weekend, Arsenal didn't capitalise. So we've still got an 11-point cushion.
00:14:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But a win on Sunday would mean that we are within eight points of securing the Premier League title. So I think there's a massive, massive incentive for Liverpool to kind of put that defeat behind them, come back home to Anfield and, you know, to really kind of put that that defeat right because it was a bad defeat.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
The first half in particular, And it was just it was terrible. it was just a catalogue of errors in that first half and that and that cost us.
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I suppose you'd be surprised if the team doesn't respond at home. I just don't think that Anfield will allow a repeat of that defensive performance.
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, in terms of West Ham, you know, we put five past them at the London Stadium back in December. Now, that was a Lopetegui West Ham.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, that was a pretty dismal team. I think it was a dismal run for them. That managerial appointment, just it just didn't work out. So it's going to be interesting to see what a Graham Potter West Ham looks like at Anfield.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, in terms of the record, mean, we have just lost one of our last 57 home games against West Ham in all competitions.
00:16:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, so... i It's very, very difficult to to make an argument that West Ham can and come to Anfield and you you know and and hurt us. I suppose the only kind of glimmer for them is that they are facing Liverpool off the back of last weekend's defeat.
00:16:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're in 16th place at the moment. i mean, if we look at their form guard the form guide in terms of the last six games, eight it just it just says average, completely average.
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got a 1-0 win against Arsenal, good result. They beat Leicester 2-0, which I think they needed to do at that at that stage because otherwise I think they could have got dragged into relegation scrap.
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
They then lose against Newcastle, which is not a terrible result. they get I think they get a 1-1 draw away at Everton, which again, you know reasonable.
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
They lose 1-0 against Wolves, which which which is really a terrible result. And then 2-2 against Bournemouth. Again, not the worst result in the world. So from their last six games, two wins, two draws, two defeats.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So absolutely bang average. They've scored six. It's not a great deal, but they've conceded five. So I suppose for for West Ham, for where they are, they just don't want to be conceding too many goals. And they I suppose they haven't conceded that many goals.
00:17:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they've taken eight points from those last six games. As I said, they they are in 16th place on 35 points. And I just think that...
00:17:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they're they're fortunate that the bottom three in the Premier League, Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich, have been so bad this season.
00:18:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, they're all, all three are all but relegated. Southampton are officially relegated. They're gone. I think Leicester will join them very, very soon. And so too will Ipswich.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you look at the points gap, I mean, West Ham in 16th between them and Ipswich who are in 18th place there's a 15 point gap and you know between Wolves and Ipswich there's a 12 point gap so I think the relegation positions are done and so really I guess with West Ham and you know what have they got left to play for? that They're not going to get into Europe.
00:18:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're not going to get relegated. And so I think that's probably the biggest challenge that someone like Graham Potter has got for his team is that you go to Anfield and you've literally got nothing left to play for other than maybe just put a spanner in the works in terms of Liverpool's title bid.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that enough for West Ham? You know, i don't know. But i would I would expect Liverpool to, you know, to do the business against West Ham. The only other factor that I would mention is that Arsenal, again, are playing first. So we're playing Sunday afternoon.
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal are playing. I think they've got a late kick kickoff on Saturday. So they've got a chance to cut the gap to eight points. and that brings it down to a single-digit lead.
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's still a good lead, eight points. Is that a factor? I mean, it could be. I mean, Arsenal have got to hang on to something. They've got to take... They've got to take some kind of positives out of their situation so that they can go into these next few games and to try and claw back some kind of progress, cut that lead to a point that when the time comes that Arsenal visit Anfield with, I think, three games left to go, that they are within striking distance.
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I do think that this is an important game. And I think that's why it was really, really frustrating not to beat Fulham. And really just to just to put a seal on that Premier League, just to you know just to get it done and dusted, because it would have been 14 points then.
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
The gap would have been 14 points. And I suppose if you're Arsenal... you' You're prepared last weekend,
Premier League Race & Arsenal Impact
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think. You're probably prepared after dropping points against Everton.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're probably thinking, damn, you know, it's going to be a 14 point lead after Sunday. But now it could be an eight point lead.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you've got to, if you're Mikal Arteta and if you're those Arsenal players, You've got to look at that but as a positive. You've got to look at that as a as a motivation that let's go out, let's win our game against Brentford and do what we can. Let's try and put some pressure on Liverpool and then Liverpool will have to respond.
00:21:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
if they you know if If they don't respond, if they are affected by the pressure, And that lead then is cut to either eight points or we get a draw and it's a nine point lead.
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, does that give... Arsenal whiff at the title and Arsenal will be up for it. I mean, especially after their win over Real Madrid at the, at the week, and sorry, midweek, which was a huge win, three nil.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, they will have a spring in their step. Although the other thing that I suppose will be a factor is does Mikel Arteta, Does he put all his eggs in the Champions League basket now and rest some key players at the weekend? Can he afford to do that?
00:22:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it's it's a big decision. You know, it's a conundrum because, you know, on the one hand, you think I should play them to keep them in a rhythm, you know, so they're they're playing every three days.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, you don't have to kind of train, really. You're you're just playing every three days, but then you risk injury. you know, Saka has just returned for Arsenal, you know, does Arteta give him more minutes, you know, to to get him up and running against Real Madrid or does he rest him?
00:22:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Declan Rice, all these players. So I think it's going to be interesting to see what kind of lineup Arteta puts out against Brentford on Saturday.
00:23:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think it's a late afternoon kickoff. you know and whether he's got one eye on that Real Madrid second leg. But you know ultimately, it's down to Liverpool. We're we're the ones who have just got to do our job. And even if they do go at go out and beat Brentford, we win our game.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got an 11-point lead and one less game to play in this Premier League season. So in terms of a predicted line-up, I'm going to start with Alison Becker again and see if I'm going to get this wrong, you know, kind of three podcasts in a row.
Predictions & Strategies
00:23:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got to be back, surely. At some point, he's got to be back and he's got to be over that concussion. So I'm going to say Alison will be in goal on Sunday.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
back four. I'd say that Connor Bradley is probably... done enough now to get a starting position. He's had a few minutes as as a substitute, you know, and unless Arnie Slott, you know, continues with this kind of Curtis Jones experiment right back, i I do expect Connor Bradley to start.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
On the other fullback position, I think Robertson, again, I think will start. He didn't have a particularly good game against West Ham and he was culpable for at least one of those goals, which was an absolute comedy of errors.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i I just think that Arnie Slott now is going to double down on his lack of rotation, given that we're only playing one game a week now. It's just one game every weekend.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that Arnie Slott is now just going to double down on his his team selection and say, right, you are the 11 players I'm going to start with. you're You're the kind of 13, 14 that I'm going to rely on to get us over the line for this Premier League.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think Robertson will start and the centre-backs, you know, Canate and Van Dijk, again, they they pick themselves and they're going to have to perform better. I mean, Canate was but it's one of his poorest games I've seen for a while. You know, Van Dijk,
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
not terrible, but he didn't, you know, he, but he was below his usual standards. So that back four is really going to, you know, have to improve. And I think hopefully with Alison back in the team, Bradley back in the team, I think that,
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
it should mean that we are better in possession around that back line rather than Kelleher just kind of launching it. I think Alisson is much better with his feet. He's better with his distribution across that back line. He's better with starting Liverpool attacks and counterattacks with his throwing and his long kicking.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And with Bradley there, I just think that, you know, you've just got to a more secure and traditional right back So hopefully that should mean that we're more secure in possession against West Ham.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
The midfield three, it's going to be really boring. I just think it's as you were. It's Gravenberg, McAllister and Saboslay. Those are the three that I think Arnie Slott will start with.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it just, again, it begs the question about Harvey Elliott. I think this is the kind of game for me, to give Harvey Elliott a run out to say, okay, Sabah's live.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've played every game. You sit this one out and just put that trust in Harvey Elliott, you know, to to perform. And I think that he can.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's got the right attributes, particularly for this game against a West Ham who I think we should be beating. And I think Harvey Elliott is, is a very progressive midfielder. He's, he's not one of those kind of sideway pass midfielders. He's, whenever he's on the ball, he, he always thinks about that first pass being a forward pass.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I would really like to see him start, but I just think that Slott is going to go for his tried and trusted midfield three. And it could be the same up front with Salah, Jota and Diaz.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
My calls in terms of starting... I think that Diaz has been on good form in terms of his he's kind of attacking verve, his ability to run at players.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Gakpo has struggled since he came back from injury. He's struggled to kind of find his form, to find any kind of rhythm. he just looks He just looks off it.
00:27:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
He looks off the pace. So I think that he'll start with Diaz. and with Salah and and I think that he'll probably start with Jota as well which I think spells you know it could be the end for Darwin Nunes because it just doesn't look like he's he's got the manager's trust anymore so I expect those three to to start up front. I would like to see Chiesa get a run out, but you know I just think that this is the 11 that Arnie Slott is going to continue with between now and the end of the season. so
00:28:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of the score prediction, I'm looking at and I'm hoping for a comfortable 2-0 home win, which protects that 11-point lead going into the next Premier League game.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right, we
Conclusion & Contact Information
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
shall see what happens. That is all for today. Don't forget to follow us on your preferred podcast platform so that you get the very latest content when it drops. Follow us on social media at GSPN Liverpool.
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can email us at gspndailyliverpool at gmail.com. Join us again on Monday for the post-match review. Until next time, thank you for listening.