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DailyNewcastle - Crossover Thursday: Can Newcastle end 31 years of hurt at Anfield?
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Michael is hosted by Louie Easton of the DailyLiverpool podcast ahead of a much anticipated clash between 1st and 5th in the Premier League, both sides picked up victories against tough competition at the weekend but find out whether or not we believe Newcastle can finally pick up a win at Anfield.
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Transcript
00:00:02
Speaker
This podcast is part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only network bringing you exclusive daily news and views on your Premier League team, the Premier League, women's football and fantasy football. A unique listening experience that puts fans first, bringing you the very latest breaking news from your team.
00:00:24
Speaker
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and make us your first listen every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network. Every club, every day.
00:00:37
Speaker
Every club, every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network. Hello and welcome to the daily Liverpool and daily and Newcastle crossover ahead of the midweek Premier League fixture.
00:00:53
Speaker
And it's been a fantastic weekend. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going from a Liverpool perspective and a team that are looking to challenge for the top four ah for the end of the season.
00:01:05
Speaker
Newcastle United. Michael, thank you very much for joining me today. No problem, man. Thank you very much for having me. How are you doing? Yes, great. so It will be a big match for Liverpool because it's the first one coming out of ah probably the biggest match from our perspective of the season um going for the title now. And it's the first time as a Liverpool fan that I felt that we...
00:01:30
Speaker
are probably going to win the league for sure. that's That's how I feel. that This is the first time I've felt that way after that match. But i'm well we'll get into those sort of questions later.
00:01:41
Speaker
We'll talk about this match. You know, Liverpool versus Newcastle. um This is weirdly one of the best fixtures in English football. You know, you think of the 1974 FA Cup final if you're of a certain age.
00:01:55
Speaker
ah That's the match that turned my dad into a Liverpool fan. You think of the... ah 4-3 Collymore in 1996 and even in recent history Fabio Carvalho the 97th minute goal at Anfield Darwin last season at St. James's Park after Van Dijk getting sent off and this season even the the what was it three all draw two all draw whatever it was three three all at St. James's Park Salah was on fire it felt like we were going win that match and then we all saw what happened at the end.
00:02:27
Speaker
and So what, obviously the history makes the, the match so special, but also the fan bases, Michael, it's, it's special for multiple reasons. This match.
00:02:39
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I think it's one of those matches where, because you've got two working-class fan bases, football's everything for Liverpool fans, football's everything for Newcastle fans. And although Liverpool have had a lot more success than Newcastle in recent years, it's two sides who, realistically, when the football team's on form, the city's pumping and every single person in the city is happy.
00:03:02
Speaker
Yes, it really is one of of those ah ones. And especially since Newcastle also have the stadium right in the city centre. And I've been to Newcastle a couple of times. And what I've noticed around that city is I see a lot more football shirts, ah especially the retro ones as well, which really I have that respect for other teams that wear the retro ones. you know, you think of those sort of early 2000s Newcastle brown ale shirts that you guys have And also, um I mean, I've never been to a Newcastle match, um but what I've heard is the fans are absolutely insane. I so still remember the Champions League one against PSG. I watched that on TV and was just blown away ah by the atmosphere.
00:03:45
Speaker
ah So plenty of culture in this match. I like asking this question ah to people I have on the Daily Liverpool crossover. And you can ask the same question to me afterwards. If you could have one player from Liverpool in the Newcastle team, who would it be and why?
00:04:04
Speaker
ah How many people have said Mohamed Salah? i think Well, it's it's usually one of two players and Mohamed Salah is one of them. Yeah, I would have to say with this Newcastle side at the moment, Mohamed Salah's a given. Our right wing is quite weak.
00:04:19
Speaker
um Jacob Murphy's been in fantastic form, but he isn't really the standard of the rest of the team. and You've made that mistake the Forest match the other day, though. Yeah, and to be honest, that's Jacob Murphy all over.
00:04:31
Speaker
He'll either have an absolutely blinder of a game or he makes a couple of mistakes and can't really get a his rhythm on the ball. You put Mohamed Salah in that position and, well, I think even Newcastle would be above Arsenal at this point.
00:04:45
Speaker
yeah i mean he has been he has been the best player in the world i think this season i don't think that's a controversial thing i think it's fair enough to say that he is the front bar runner for the ballon door because he's bailed us out of so many situations um but i mean it's an exciting one as well and it's coming at a crucial time ah for both liverpool and newcastle it's It's a crazy situation um for that sort of area of the table where all teams got like five teams, I think, at the moment, all fighting for the top four.
00:05:23
Speaker
You got Forrest in third ah and Newcastle just sort of on the outside of it, Man City in fourth. And I mean, it's it's a crazy situation.
00:05:34
Speaker
What to Newcastle would be a successful season at this stage? I think it all depends on which, again, Liverpool versus Newcastle, the cup final in the Carabao Cup. If Newcastle go on to win that, fans would probably be satisfied with finishing in the Europa Conference League, um which, to be honest, still sounds big for a club that's been in Europe once in the last 11 years. But when you look at the players we have, it's almost to be expected when you have Alexander Isaac, Bruno Gamares and Sandro Tonali.
00:06:04
Speaker
um But what I would say, if we do you end up losing out in the Carabao Cup final, Top five is a must for Newcastle just because Champions League qualifications allows you to keep those players that I've just mentioned. And for many Newcastle fans, that's what would be a successful season.
00:06:23
Speaker
So um we'll talk more about Newcastle in just a moment. But before that, let's hear about our sponsors, Bionic. Your body is unique.
00:06:35
Speaker
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00:06:51
Speaker
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00:07:03
Speaker
So yeah what's right for you right now so I'd like to talk a bit more about Newcastle now in this segment. um You touched on the Carabao Cup final. This almost feels like a curtain raiser for the final.
00:07:20
Speaker
ah I'd like to know from a Newcastle's perspective, what is more important to you? Would it be winning the Carabao Cup or would it be the Champions League? Because also think about this.
00:07:34
Speaker
I know Newcastle haven't won a major trophy in a number of years that I can't think of off the top of my head. ah But... The Champions League, if you qualify for that, you're allowed to spend more of your money.
00:07:46
Speaker
And also and what's going to be a crucial ah summer transfer window for Newcastle. Yeah, 100%. I think the answer, we were in a similar scenario two years ago um when we played Man United in the cup final and a lot of fans said then they would take Champions League qualification over the cup final win.
00:08:05
Speaker
I think that changes now. We've had a taste of it. We've had yeah we've played Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and we've played well against... Two of the three teams, let's say.
00:08:16
Speaker
But we lost the cup final. And if you ask anyone what they remember from that year, we finished fourth. It's losing the cup final. and I don't do think though, just just a counter argument though, in that Champions League group stage, you were incredibly unlucky with a couple of refereeing decisions that ultimately changed the outcome of that group stage.
00:08:35
Speaker
ah Absolutely. next Next season, you're going to have eight matches rather than six, and it's going to be a bigger league. Therefore, giving you more likelihood of going through to the knockout stages and also more likelihood of playing at least Europa League football if you don't qualify out of that sort of middle ah part of the table.
00:08:55
Speaker
So that is something to consider. Yeah, I mean, it's one of those things where, if I'm honest, I kind of want us in the Europa League slash Europa Conference League because if you look at the teams in it, Newcastle have a bigger chance of success.
00:09:10
Speaker
I'm not deluded enough to say we'd make it to the quarterfinals or the semifinals of the Champions League and potentially going to win it. But if you win the Carabao Cup, let's say, against Liverpool, and then you go on to the Europa League anyways, you're playing eight games against teams in the Europa League and you've got that better chance of success yeah and bringing home a UEFA trophy to Newcastle, which 1969 fares Cup.
00:09:35
Speaker
That's the last time we've had any sort of success. So being able to bring home a trophy of the Europa League standard... Even the Europa Conference League standards, you know it's what people laugh at, but West Ham United to completely changed the mentality of their club winning that. And sure, they haven't done great since, but what a memory that would be. And having that for Newcastle, I couldn't dream of anything better.
00:09:58
Speaker
Fair enough. And also, as it stands, you are in a Europa League spot ah just behind Manchester City on goal difference. And that's what's preventing you from getting into the top four at the moment. Twelve matches to go.
00:10:09
Speaker
Still a long way to go. um But what to Newcastle would be a successful season at this stage? Yeah, I mean, I touched on it before that finishing top five, with the way the UEFA coefficients looking, um with Italy struggling so much in the Champions League, it's that England are going to get those five Champions League spots.
00:10:28
Speaker
So, Newcastle, we're expecting to finish behind Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City even. Finishing fourth or fifth, that's a successful season in the league. Even sixth, which gets you into, I imagine, what would be the Europa League.
00:10:42
Speaker
Seventh, you have a conference because you'd imagine both Liverpool and Newcastle are going to be in that top seven. yeah So it's it's one of those successes. It also depends on who wins the FA Cup as well.
00:10:53
Speaker
But yeah i it's still on to your point, sorry. Yeah, us and Manchester City, you know, it's it's one of those where in the FA Cup, they're the two favourites, but a lot of the big names have been eliminated.
00:11:05
Speaker
Aston Villa are the other one in there, so you're looking at one of those three if it's going to go to, oh, and Man United, which, yeah, probably not going to win, but... ah You know, I think we're out of it. We're out of it. Arsenal are out of it. I think Forest mountain might even be the favourites at this point, which is almost crazy to say ah before the season. But, I mean, it has been... i mean, there's still plenty of hope for Newcastle fans, and rightfully um We touched a little bit on Isak earlier. and i'd I'd like to know...
00:11:37
Speaker
Is he the biggest threat to Liverpool at this stage, ah especially considering the game that he had against us earlier um this season at St. James's? Yeah, I think you've seen his quality. He's one of those players that if you get him on the ball, he'll do something magnificent. But the players you've got to stop are the ones that actually get him on the ball.
00:11:58
Speaker
And the two that get Newcastle taken, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Gamares, they weren't on the pitch together for long against Nottingham Forest. And when they did, we were up against it. So they couldn't really control the game.
00:12:08
Speaker
But in games where Sandro Tonali is able just to sit back in that number six year role, Bruno plays the eight, They can control and dominate games for Newcastle and they're the ones that get the ball Izak. And all you have to do, it sounds easy to stop Alexander Izak and stop the ball getting to him.
00:12:24
Speaker
It's not as hard as it sounds with Newcastle if you put players like, let's say, Ryan Gravenberg on either Sandro Tonali or Bruno Gamares. Do you think you'll be able to hold on to him this summer then?
00:12:37
Speaker
Yes, I've got no doubt at all that alex Alexander Izak will be a Newcastle player at the start next season. Really? i' i'm I'm amazed by your confidence. what why What makes you so confident that you'll be able to hold on to him?
00:12:49
Speaker
Because, is well, number one, the price tag. With the way PSR, etc. is going, Manchester City's legal battle is pretty much won. Newcastle are being very shrewd with what we do in regards to our finances. We haven't got a training and kit sponsor, etc. There's a lot we're holding back on until we know that deal is sorted.
00:13:07
Speaker
And with Alexander Izak, If he leaves, it will be to someone like a Real Madrid, maybe a Manchester City. The teams that are mainly interested at the minute, and this is no disrespect to Arsenal, probably aren't going to be willing to pay that £150 million that we're asking for yeah for one player.
00:13:25
Speaker
So if Isaac leaves, it'll be in the last year of his contract or as a free transfer, which ultimately would be very it would be horrible for us from a financial perspective. But seeing alex Alexander, Isaac in a Newcastle shirt for an extra season is priceless.
00:13:40
Speaker
Yeah, I completely understand where you're coming from. ah There's another player that I did want to mention um from Newcastle, and this is a position that I think is of a lot of importance for the England squad as well. Lewis Hall um has been absolutely terrific, in my opinion, the best left back in the Premier League this season.
00:14:00
Speaker
um Would you agree? And do you think that he should be the nailed on number one left back for England? 100%. Hall is a a young talent at left back that we've never seen at Newcastle.
00:14:12
Speaker
I think one of the best left backs we've had is Jose Enrique, who went out to Liverpool and ah didn't do that well. um but li Injuries. We'll blame injuries. But Lewis Hall has all the potential to be England's best left back for the next 10 years. I know Arsenal fans talk about Lewis Skelly.
00:14:28
Speaker
Looks a fantastic player, but the way Lewis Hall is playing this year, you know, you could say Anthony Robinson, maybe Milos Kerkers have been up there as well. But Lewis Hall has been the standout for me without a doubt.
00:14:41
Speaker
He looks fantastic fantastic. How important is he not only to the defence, but also to the attack? Like just the entire way the squad is played because he has so much energy. Yeah, it's one of those where your full backs, and in Eddie Howe's side, it is so important to have full backs that can overlap.
00:14:58
Speaker
well Our backups to Lewis Hall and Tino Liveramento are Matt Target and Kieran Trippier, two players that can't really move too much. Trippier's got a fantastic ball in, but if you look at the comparison between Lewis Hall and those two backups that I mentioned, mentioned particularly against Nottingham Forest in the first half,
00:15:17
Speaker
Lewis Hull up and down, you know he's got he's got an engine like ah five and but along just a marathon runner, let's say. He can run the distance of the pitch 20 times over and still be able to go.
00:15:29
Speaker
and It's one of those things where he 100% is essential to Newcastle's game, but at the same time, It's one of those where a left back and a right back don't have as much say as what the two centre mids do, obviously, in a game. So it's one of those where if Lewis Hall wasn't available, we could cope.
00:15:48
Speaker
But he is still, without a doubt, for me, the best left back in the Premier League right now. Yes, I agree. And, you know, I've been very defensive of Andy Robertson all season, but I mean, yeah it would be a bit delusional of me to put him over Lewis Hall, especially at this point. And I completely agree. I think he should be the left back. And other people say...
00:16:08
Speaker
ah you know, maybe Tino Livramento, because he can also do a job at left back. We saw Kieran Trippier as well doing it, the Euros. So for some reason, Newcastle just seems to be very involved with the fullback position at England, but he's the best of the three, I think, Lewis. and For the reasons that we have just mentioned, we are going to take another short break now.
00:16:30
Speaker
um Then we'll talk more about Liverpool and then some predictions. But first, It's time for you to find out so what we use to record our podcasts here at the Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:16:42
Speaker
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencastr came out as the clear winner with 4K video recording from your phone. AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently. If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the description to learn more about Zencastr.
00:17:15
Speaker
Alright, so I'll throw the reins over to you then, Michael. what What have you got for me? What questions have you got for me about Liverpool heading into this game? Good stuff. So the talking point after the Manchester City game was Mohamed Salah and yeah how close he is to breaking that goal and assist record in the Premier League.
00:17:32
Speaker
To me, it seems inevitable that that's going to happen. But do you genuinely think he could have a goal and assist record that is maybe unbeatable going forward? Maybe above that 50 mark?
00:17:44
Speaker
I mean, his his form is just insane. You know, 25 goals ah in 27 games alone is just unfathomable.
00:17:56
Speaker
But the fact that he's got as many assists as he has on top of that... i i i I can't imagine a season like it before this season, but it's happening in front of my very eyes. It's literally every game that he's got at a goal contribution.
00:18:13
Speaker
um And it's such an exciting time to be a Liverpool fan because, I mean, for the first time in my lifetime, there has been a Liverpool player with a very good chance of winning the Ballon d'Or. I mean, the last time this happened is probably around 2005, 2006 when Steven Gerrard was at his best. And before that, probably Michael Owen in 01.
00:18:34
Speaker
But Salah is just an absolute legend already at the club. He's well and truly cemented himself in the list of the all-time greats. And in my opinion, the best right winger in Premier League history, best winger, that's a bit of a,
00:18:52
Speaker
That's another topic for another time. I still think Henri on the left is little bit better. But if Salah beats that 20 goals and 20 assists ah record from Thierry Henry, then we need to have serious talks about...
00:19:10
Speaker
the greatest ever. um Yeah. Do I think it will happen? I mean, if he continues like this, I don't see why not, because we've still got 11 games to go. and yeah, yeah, ah he he he is ridiculous. And if there's anyone capable of it, it's him.
00:19:27
Speaker
Yeah, 100%. I think it's one of those where it says a lot about Arnie Slott that Mohamed Salah has not just been able to continue that form he had under Jurgen Klopp, but actually improve on it, particularly as an older player.
00:19:40
Speaker
Last year of his contract, you would see so many players' mentality but down, you know thinking about the next move, not Mohamed Salah. And I think that's a credit to both Arnie Slott and the player himself.
00:19:51
Speaker
But one player that I do want to talk about who, to me, I think he's been a bit of a revelation this season, and that is Ryan Gravenberg. I think it's one of those where no one expected him signing from Bayern Munich to have the impact that he has.
00:20:05
Speaker
But would you say he's been one of the greatest in his position this season, if not the best? I think so. I mean, i i do think Alexis McAllister has had a very underrated season as well.
00:20:16
Speaker
um Ryan Gravenberg is so important to this system ah because he plays in that pivot. ah He's amazing going forward on the ball. And, you know, before he came to Liverpool, he was a number 10.
00:20:30
Speaker
So that's why his dribbling is so good. But for him to be doing that from deep and moving between the lines... there are a very few players who have the confidence to try that. And also Ryan Gravenberg is quite young as well.
00:20:41
Speaker
um yeah So I never expected this. I don't think anyone expected this, but it's been very welcome, especially considering the fact that we didn't get Zubomendi in the summer. um So it's a position that we definitely needed strengthening, but...
00:20:56
Speaker
with this transition for Gravenberg, it doesn't seem like we do anymore because we've got Gravenberg, we've got Endo, we've got McAllister and we've got Morton and Neone who are youngsters as well coming through.
00:21:08
Speaker
That's fine. We're sorted. Curtis Jones as well. I didn't even mention him. So it's a position that we don't really need ah strengthening anymore. I still think we could do with some defenders.
00:21:19
Speaker
um But it's been a brilliant season for our midfield. ah That's the biggest change to Arda Slott's Liverpool from Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool for me.
00:21:32
Speaker
100%. be honest, it's fantastic see because he was written off during his time at Bayern Munich. And to be honest, maybe quite foolishly so, and he's done a fantastic job since signing for Liverpool. But one area where Liverpool perhaps haven't been as strong as what you would maybe so expect this season has been set pieces.
00:21:49
Speaker
Now, scored one at the weekend, brilliantly worked. But so far this season... yeah So, what if some far for what I'm seeing this season, only Fulham have actually scored less set-piece goals than you this season. So, is that something that you you know have noticed going forward? Maybe corners and free kicks aren't as impactful as what they maybe have been, despite having Van Dijk and Canate as those two aerial options?
00:22:14
Speaker
Yeah, I think that's fair, and I had no idea about that stat. I thought that our set pieces were sort of you know normal but could be better. But after hearing that stat, i now that's now given me the reason to want more.
00:22:30
Speaker
Because, yeah like you mentioned, Van Dijk and Canate are two players that are incredibly capable of winning headers in the box. you know Van Dijk, we've talked about him constantly, about the fact that his headers are like every duel he wins and he's so clever because he can judge a ball and you know growing up he played as a striker so he has a little bit of a sort of goal scorer's instincts in him uh the final the only trophy won last season the final um against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup he scored the winning header in that one yeah
00:23:05
Speaker
And he also scored another header from a set piece in that game that was wrongfully ah disallowed VAR. So I don't and ah think that we should be that low.
00:23:16
Speaker
ah think we need ah we need to improve on our corners, definitely. ah not maybe not so Maybe not someone like ah who's at Arsenal or Aston Villa screaming on the touchline as a set piece coach. But yeah,
00:23:31
Speaker
yeah That is an area for concern, definitely. Yeah, 100%. I mean, to be honest, I find it refreshing to see that a team isn't relying on set pieces. yeah Arsenal, where you can quite clearly see with their form at the moment, you know they're struggling because the set pieces aren't quite going their way.
00:23:48
Speaker
Newcastle, we're pretty much a bang average side from set pieces, nothing to shout home about, but defensively we're quite good against them, which, to be honest, probably plays in your favour because we're more open from open play.
00:24:00
Speaker
while Liverpool, obviously, when it comes to the counter-attack, there's no one better. But would you put that down to you know just the speed of that through-and-through? yeah We saw against Villa with the set um defensive set-pieces in the ah first game, not the the most recent one, where you were just so clinical on the counter-attack.
00:24:18
Speaker
Do you think it's one of those where you've maybe focused more on transitions after the set-piece rather than the actual set-piece itself? Yeah, I think so. And that's not just something that's happened on the slot. That's happened for generations. and yeah We've always been a team that have looked to hurt teams ah from mistakes or changes.
00:24:38
Speaker
And I also think it is just a class thing, you know, in terms of the decision making, the know-how in transition. And Liverpool look for those sort of players in the transfer market. They're very shrewd with their business. They are very um i mean they look at the stats and they think about all of the sort of things like that it's sort of a money ball thing but yeah when you've got someone as fast uh in transitions as your mo salah as your darwin nunez is even your cody gack pose and your luis diaz is as well that gives you the rights to want to sprint forward and when you've got players who are as
00:25:16
Speaker
um accurate with their through balls as Sobos Lai, McAllister, even Van Dijk, Trent and Alisson as well. He's very good with his feet.
00:25:28
Speaker
yeah that does make you very confident that you can punish teams. ah who But but we're very with that, we're also not great at breaking down teams who are in a low block.
00:25:41
Speaker
And we struggle, even with Plymouth, we struggled there because they just sat back the entire game, had five at the back, ever three massive centre-backs in the box.
00:25:51
Speaker
And I think that that's a massive strength in Newcastle. mean, we didn't see it on the... weekend and i actually thought newcastle were quite poor in the second half from ah getting pullout from set pieces actually that we mentioned earlier and i think that is a huge weakness in newcastle's game um from watching that game but uh we are much better in an open game and i think if it is a cagey affair then we will struggle No, ah to be honest, um'm I tend to agree. The way we've beat Arsenal this season, we've played them three times, haven't conceded a goal, three clean sheets, five goals.
00:26:31
Speaker
And i think the way we've done that, obviously the last game we played five at the back, we had those three centre-backs, much like Plymouth did against you guys. And I think we maybe would have seen the same on Wednesday,
00:26:43
Speaker
if fitness was up to scratch. um But unfortunately, it looks like Sven Botman will miss the game. um Might be back for the cup final. So maybe we'll see the five at the back there. um But I think on a Newcastle perspective, what you saw at the weekend was really missing that Rolls-Royce defender that we call Sven Botman. and Dan Byrne, Fabian Shaw, brilliant players, but not quite at that level.
00:27:05
Speaker
But there is just one question that thought I'd end on, and it is a bit of ah a cheekier one. of Is the title pretty much done now? Can we just wrap up that side of the Premier League? Do you know what? This the first time all season that I've said yes.
00:27:19
Speaker
yeah And I think, ah you know, I'm someone who's very cautious about my answers um because of my past trauma against Manchester City, you know, when they've pipped us to the title by one point.
00:27:33
Speaker
um And obviously the slip that happened, the infamous Gerrard slip that happened 11 years ago, that's made me a bit cautious and a bit reluctant to properly go out on a limb and say it.
00:27:43
Speaker
But I think, you know, the way that Arsenal played against West Ham is not a team that should be threatening us for the rest of the season with this points deficit now.
00:27:56
Speaker
I know we've had a game in hand But even if they win their game in hand on us, that's still eight points. And from 11 games to go, it just doesn't seem that likely. Liverpool need to get to 90 points now.
00:28:11
Speaker
We've got 20. So that's 26 points to get there from 11 games. If we win all 11, that's 33 points. And that means that we can afford to drop seven.
00:28:25
Speaker
For 11 games the rest of the season, that just doesn't... that That seems like a very nice cushion to have. 100%. So I think we'll do it. Yeah, 100%.
00:28:38
Speaker
From my perspective, from the outside looking in, Arsenal are the team that basically, they either do it or they don't. We saw the weekend, it's 100% they're not going to. And I think they lose midweek against Nottingham Forest as well.
00:28:50
Speaker
So you could well make that gap 14. ah Hopefully you don't and it stays 11. ah but Why do you say that? Well, I'd kind of like us to get for a little bit more upfront on the Champions League push.
00:29:05
Speaker
I'd like us to do a little bit better on that front, but who knows. Oh, right. Okay. Yeah, it makes sense, really. um but I thought you were pro-Arsenal for a moment there. I was a bit worried. No, no, don't worry.
00:29:18
Speaker
I speak far too much sense to be an Arsenal fan. ah um But I think it's it's one of those, you look at sort of Arsenal's fixtures, they've still got Man Utd, Forest, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bournemouth, which isn't an easy game. I think second last game of the season, the playoffs.
00:29:32
Speaker
They're dropping at least... nine points if we're being really generous there's no way on it yeah that's very nice of you to say because i i i don't uh when it's our rivals and they're challenging us i only see the positives from them ah yeah i did i saw no positives against west ham but they are still arsenal so therefore i'm not really going out on a limb like i mentioned ah Sounds like the trauma of being up against Man City for five years.
00:30:01
Speaker
Yes. Thankfully, I've never experienced. Yes. Honestly, if you if you lose, it's the worst thing ever. um But, you know, we won off our share of trophies during that period anyway. So won't complain too much. Now, I've got one more thing for you, Michael.
00:30:18
Speaker
Are you a man? i mean, there's two types of people in this football world. There's someone who loves making predictions and there's someone who hates making predictions. Which one are you? I love making predictions.
00:30:30
Speaker
And often I fall flat on my face, but it's part of football, isn't it? Would you please be ever so kind as to make your prediction for Wednesday night?
00:30:41
Speaker
I think it is going to finish 2-2. I think Newcastle going to start the game very quickly. I think we're actually going to catch you out a little bit. You'll expect us to sit back a little bit, play on the counter.
00:30:52
Speaker
We'll do the same thing we did against Arsenal, where we'll start on the front foot. We'll get an early goal. We'll try and hold on to it, unfortunately. You'll come back two go to go 2-1 ahead and we'll score, I'm not saying late on, but 60th, 70th minute to make it 2-2.
00:31:07
Speaker
And then it'll be a little bit of a ah nice old five-a-side feel where it's just end-to-end to finish the game. Okay, well, that's very um that's very optimistic of you, because whenever teams visit Anfield, especially on a night, um oh yeah that's that's when they start getting a little bit worried, because Anfield nights are special. and I get it. Do you want to change your answer now, or you going to stick with your...
00:31:33
Speaker
I know 100% we haven't beat you at Anfield since 1994. The last time we beat you was under Steve McLaren in 2015. But when this Newcastle side are on it, they're better than any other Newcastle side we've seen in that time.
00:31:48
Speaker
It's just a question of, are we going to be on it or not? we And there's a reason. Yeah. There's a reason we've beaten Nottingham Forest three times this season. There's a reason we've beat Arsenal three times this season.
00:31:59
Speaker
So if there's ever a time that we're going to do something against Arsenal, it'll be now, but I will admit i am being a little optimistic in saying that we'll draw 2-2 and not have expected goals conceded of, what was it last year? 10, something like that. Yeah. I don't remember. was ridiculous. It was the biggest XG conceded of any team in Premier League history. Somehow we only lost four to.
00:32:23
Speaker
um But yeah, I'm confident that we'll put in a good performance and I'm more optimistic of a result than anything else. ah Fair enough. I think the one thing that's scaring me the most is Anthony Gordon versus Trent Alexander-Arnold.
00:32:38
Speaker
yeah That's just because Trent got absolutely destroyed by Doku against Man City. It's a miracle that we kept a clean sheet in that one with that battle. Because I think Trent, in that game, got dribbled past more than and any other player has been dribbled past in a football match in the Premier League this season.
00:32:57
Speaker
So yeah that worries me. And also, we also... have no backup for Trent ah as a natural right back because Connor Bradley is still injured. um Yeah. So that worries me a bit.
00:33:08
Speaker
Canate will need to be on it. And I think that right hand side is the biggest, is is the biggest, ah most interesting battle of the match. I'm still very confident in a left hand side. I think Robertson and Van Dijk, I have no issue with them.
00:33:25
Speaker
at the moment um i think anfield will carry us to a win i'm gonna say three one i can see it being 3-1 and salla will get and either a goal or an assist i'm i'm really going out on a limb and saying that that will probably happen Yeah, I have to say it wouldn't surprise me.
00:33:44
Speaker
and It's one of those fixtures where literally anything could happen. I mean, history has shown that and no one would be surprised. I will say people will probably be surprised if we pick up a comfortable victory.
00:33:55
Speaker
But let's be honest, I've watched Liverpool this season. It's probably not going to happen. But weve fingers crossed, we have hope. We've only lost once all season in the Premier League as well. Forrest.
00:34:07
Speaker
Forrest. Oh, God, that was dreadful. That was really bad. Anyway. For another one of that. ah Let's hope that doesn't happen. And we will end the podcast there. It's been a very interesting one.
00:34:19
Speaker
ah Liverpool versus Newcastle. Kickoff at quarter past eight on Wednesday night at Anfield. ah Michael, thank you very much for joining me. It's been a real pleasure having you.
00:34:32
Speaker
You too. Thank you very much for having me. And tune in soon as we will find out what happens after the match. Join us tomorrow for our review. And if you're on the Newcastle podcast, enjoy whatever they're doing.
00:34:46
Speaker
See you later. Ta-ra. Every club. Every day. The Global Sports Podcast Network.