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Champions League Preview - Reds travel to Girona
20 Plays11 days ago
It's a full house in the Daily Liverpool podcast as Jesse Sarwar is joined by Adarsh Ramchurn, Michael Lake and Tom Goward to discuss Tuesday's Champions League tie where Liverpool will go in as hot favourites against Champions League strugglers Girona
Part 1 - Form guide for both teams and how Slot approaches this game
Part 2 - Predicted line up and score prediction
Part 3 - Contract news update
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Transcript
Liverpool's Champions League Return
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm your host, Jesse Sawa. We are back in the Champions League after the weekend's postponed Premier League fixture. Up next for the Reds is an away trip.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
to La Liga outfit Girona.
Preview: Team Form, Lineups, Contracts
00:00:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in part one of this episode, we'll compare the form of both teams going into this tie. In part two, we'll talk about the predicted lineups and a score prediction. And in part three, we'll talk about the latest contract news. Joining me today, we've got a full lineup today. like the injuries are clearing up at the Daily Liverpool podcast.
Meet the Guests: Adash, Michael, Tom
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got Adash Ramchurn, how are you doing Adash?
00:00:52
Adarsh
Yeah, no, very good. I'm just excited to see Liverpool back in action. I don't know about you guys, but it feels just because of that game that we haven't played in ages, so yeah, just looking forward to seeing us back in action.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You just want to flog them every three days, ain't you, Adash?
00:01:03
Adarsh
Nah, that's not that.
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, no rest. Michael Lake is also with us today. How's it going, Michael?
00:01:08
Michael
Yeah, I'm really good. mean, I was very disappointed waking up and finding out that the, that the roadside derby had been cancelled, but I think the rest ready for this Champions League game where I think we could probably run Riot and get back on track after that 3-3. I think that'll be a good, good viewing.
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Fingers crossed. And passing a very late fitness test. We've got Tom Gower. How you doing, Tom?
00:01:31
Tom Goward
Yeah, I'm good just to echo the other two. I think I was quite disappointed. I i even managed to start get yeah managed start work a bit later for Saturday, you know managed to start at three. So when the game was cooled off, I was a bit disappointed.
00:01:43
Tom Goward
I was then just sitting around for Saturday until three o'clock, really.
00:01:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And these storms, mate, they've got they've got no consideration for for for the general public, mate.
00:01:47
Tom Goward
But yeah. yeah No.
Referee Controversy: David Coot's Dismissal
00:01:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, now, before we head into the Champions League talk, some news that just broke in the last couple of hours. David Coot, the referee, caught. Making some pretty uncomplimentary comments about Jurgen Kopp and Liverpool in general has been dismissed by the PGMOL referee's governing body. Koot was originally suspended pending an investigation investigation. The statement reads as follows, following the conclusion of a thorough investigation into Koot's conduct, his employment with PGMOL has been terminated with immediate effect.
00:02:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Coot's actions were found to be in serious breach of his employment contract with his position deemed untenable. Michael, any surprise that he's been shown the door?
00:02:39
Michael
No, not really. I think any referee that shows that amount of bias really like puts into question any decision he's made and any decision going forward. I don't think it was ever was ever feasible that he would carry on refereeing. Maybe he thought not being allowed to referee certain games or maybe it's being put as like a fourth official but to be completely dismissed I think is it' right. Like I can't see anything wrong with it.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I just don't think there was any coming back from from that incident because whatever decision he made, whether he was on the field, whether he was in VAR, you know, it would just be questioned. His integrity would have been questioned and it just undermines the whole game. So yeah, no surprise there that he's not going to be officiating in any and and any capacity in the Premier League.
Premier League Results & Postponements
00:03:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
So before we dive into the The Champions League talk will just very briefly have a quick chat about the Premier League action over the weekend. Obviously Liverpool's game against Everton was postponed due to bad weather, only Chelsea fully capitalising by being spurs on Sunday, both Arsenal and City dropping points against Fulham and Crystal Palace respectively.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, was it, you know, was it a good thing that our game was called off? I mean, you know, players getting a rest, maybe avoiding a Sean Dyche team in those conditions.
00:04:07
Tom Goward
Yeah obviously no one wants to see a game called especially a game a big game like that but it sort of puts the pressure on us but doesn't put the pressure on us at the same time because we've sort of got that game in hand.
00:04:20
Tom Goward
you know, it was good to see City and Arsenal dropping points, that's always a bonus, but Chelsea have sort of just crept, stayed in there and they've just crept up and, you know, if we do lose that game in hand, you know, they're any at the moment, let's say we did lose at the weekend, there were only four points behind us, so, you know, we had that lead and we were all buzzing about having that lead, but it's it's soon been cut down and And I do like the look of Chelsea, actually. I thought defenses are a bit poor, I suppose, at the weekend, but look like a real good side. And think I put a tweet out on Sunday about at the start of the season, Liverpool and Chelsea were given sort of no chance of finishing top four this season, you know, arguably, you know, because they've got new managers and things like that. And they're the team sitting in first and second and and probably playing the best football in the league out of anyone. So it just goes to show that just having a new manager doesn't it always mean that you're going to be playing badly.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, true. I mean, I've got to say I never bought into this, this, ah particularly the Arsenal narrative. i've I've never bought into the Arsenal narrative of of them being the main challenger to Man City because they they've literally done nothing. For me, it's it's been Liverpool that has been the the main challenger because they've challenged them in the right way in the sense that they've got plus 90 points you know on ah on a number of occasions. They've won the Premier League.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's what i what I mean by challenging Man City, not, you know, having a title run till about kind of March and then falling away. I don't see that as ah as a serious challenger. But I've got to say, I am surprised by Chelsea and Maresca has done a really, really good job.
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Coming back to that rearranged fixture though, Adash. Rearrange match.
Fixture Congestion: Challenges Ahead
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a lot of talk saying that might now be towards the end of the season. Such is the fixture congestion. They just can't find a ah ah spot for it now. Can you imagine?
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
the final Mergeside Derby at Goodison Park and it's the last couple of games of the season and and we have to win.
00:06:16
Adarsh
I mean, yeah. That would...
00:06:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can you imagine that? And the likelihood is, is if it is, you know, the rearranged fixtures are ah ah normally kind of midweek and so they tend to be evening kickoffs under the lights.
00:06:30
Adarsh
Yeah, I mean, I don't imagine it will be the last sort of week of the season only because that means we'll play the rest of the season with a game in hand on every single team, which I don't think is... I don't think the Premier League would...
00:06:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the Premier League would love it.
00:06:41
Adarsh
I don't think the Premier League would do that.
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the Premier League would love it.
00:06:43
Adarsh
I think they wouldn't do that because they wouldn't want to sort of give like an unfair advantage.
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Huh?
00:06:47
Adarsh
I mean, they would, but I don't think they would give it for Liverpool. I think it will be in that week where, you know, there's going to be a Champions League playoff round. I think that will probably be where the game comes in.
00:06:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:06:58
Adarsh
I actually prefer if it's then rather than the end of the season because there'll be too much sort of on the line and pressure and Everton will definitely be up for sort of sabotaging any sort of title charts that we're in at that moment in time. So I'm i'm i'm hoping it's slightly earlier. I think February would be a good time. I think if there's still that so-called winter break that the Premier League is going to be having, I think February seems the best time to have that rearranged fixture. And I'm not sure when we play them at Anfield, but if it's in a similar time,
00:07:27
Michael
The second of March?
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ten month ma Pick a month, Michael.
00:07:33
Michael
No, April.
00:07:33
Adarsh
Yeah.
00:07:33
Michael
Second of April. Second of April. Sorry.
00:07:35
Adarsh
Okay. Yeah. So I think it'll be good. Oh, so we're we're going to play them in sort of the running anyway at home. So I think it'll be good to get that feature out of the way and not too, not too much pressure on that.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I suppose so. There'll be a new manager there anyway.
Girona's Challenge in Champions League
00:07:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's let's let's turn our attention to tonight's Champions League tie against Girona of La Liga. It's a 5.45pm kickoff UK time. That's 12.45pm Eastern Standard time.
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Form Guide doesn't make for positive reading for Girona. They're in 9th place in La Liga. They've just come off a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid. They lie in 30th position in the Champions League group stage table out of 36 teams.
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And their Champions League form guide reads, played five, lost four, and won one. That sole victory sandwiched either side of two defeats. They haven't scored a single goal away from home. The two games they have played at home in the competition. They lost narrowly to Arne Slott's former team, final, 3-2, and then registered their only win so far with a 2-0 win against Bratislava.
00:08:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they are capable of scoring at home. you know Should we read too much into that form guide, Michael? Because you know by all intents and purposes, a lot of those games were quite close, and and they were quite unlucky too to lose a few of those games. and And their form overall in the league isn't that bad.
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So is this something that Liverpool should be really making light work of or is is this a potential banana skin?
00:09:14
Michael
I think they were they were on a very much of a purple patch all or last season. They
Analyzing Girona's Performance
00:09:19
Michael
were only promoted three seasons ago. So like the fact that they finished third in the league was a massive achievement. I think they're reverting back to to so of type. like I think i think sort of ninth in the league, which is where they currently start, for a team only got promoted three seasons ago, but has been so good in the past season and got Champions League football. I think that's roughly where they should be. like They shouldn't really be having a sniff at beating like the likes of Real Madrid. have been unlucky. They've lost to like Sturmgratz and teams like that. Like realistically they should be given a better game than that. But I mean their team that they've got
00:09:57
Michael
It's not really, it doesn't scream Champions League team. It's got Brian Gill who failed at Tottenham or is I think he's on loan from Tottenham. He's got Milovski who plays for abu used to play for Aberdeen gave them a massive win for when they bought him. They got X Aberdeen striker leading the line. He's only scored two goals all season. don't like So i don't I'm not too worried. I think obviously he can get complacent, but I think it's,
00:10:25
Michael
i'm I'm not personally as worried as maybe like I should be just so so to stop complacency, but I think it is just one of those sort of one one of those games that like is the easier ones. I think they were in part four, I think. So like this is one that we should really be winning.
00:10:46
Michael
But yeah, i think I think looking at it, there's they've got a few star players, like obviously Brian kill Gill has been playing very well, Donny Van Der Beek, players like that that. You can point to talent, but when Liverpool come to town, I think it's just going to be too much fun.
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, how how does slot approach this game? Because we are getting a few injuries, especially in defence, but you know at the same time, we didn't play at the weekend. And it's a Tuesday late afternoon kickoff, the next game being Fulham on Saturday, you want your best players in some rhythm as well, don't you? So there's a balancing act that slot needs to play here.
00:11:23
Tom Goward
Yeah, definitely. I think there'll still be some changes. I'd like to see some changes from just maybe one or two. I still think he approaches this like he's playing around with dread. You know, we we're only 15 points. Well, this is three games to go to after it's eight games, isn't it? So yeah, to to go after to tonight. So and I think they said at the start, sort of 18 points ish would get you top eight.
00:11:47
Tom Goward
safe so a win tomorrow put us on 18 points then we can sort of play the last two games maybe a bit more relaxed but there's no reason why he shouldn't take his foot off the gas for tomorrow night and and still put a strongest team out to do the job against them.
00:12:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, we'll talk about lineups in more detail the next part. Adash, you know, we're top of the group. Do you think it matters to slot and the players that they remain there? You know, the way this new champion Champions League format works is top eight teams will be seeded.
00:12:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
going into the knockout rounds. And, you know, they will get to play their second leg at home. I mean, that's that that that is massive for us to have to, you know, that we can play our second leg games at Anfield. Obviously, no one will want to play us at Anfield on on a second leg. So do you think slot is is really keen to top this group?
Strategic Importance: Leading the Group
00:12:43
Adarsh
I think I think he is because it sends a statement to the rest of Europe that we're the team to beat. I know we can't really read too much into the table and see who I mean, being first in the league doesn't mean you're guaranteed to win the Champions League, which is actually kind of crazy when you say it like that. But I do think slot will have that mentality of, yeah, like we need to top this Champions League group. We're in a great position anyway with five wins out of five so far. So I think from this position it will actually be quite crazy if we don't finish top but of the Champions League group. And with the fixtures that we've got, Girona, PSV and I think Lil at home. So I think they're definitely winnable games for for the team.
00:13:20
Adarsh
And I think it's important as soon as you start to drop that standard, I think it sets a tone for the rest of the games that are coming up. And we mentioned in yesterday's episode that this is a really important month for Liverpool. So I don't think you can go into this game thinking it's not important that we win. I think Liverpool, if you're at Liverpool Football Club, you go into every game needing to win. So I don't think slot will have that mindset at all.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you're right. I think I think the kind of stage we are in at this in in the season now momentum is so important. And you really can't take your foot off the pedal on on any game really. So, okay, it's time for a break. We'll be back after this very short message.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK, welcome back. Let's talk predicted lineups for tonight's game, as well as a score prediction. Adash, the team news looks like Alison is back in contention now, fully fit. He's going to travel with the squad. Kelleher, does he stay in goal or does Alison get a run out now?
00:14:53
Adarsh
hum I think it's a bit too soon for Allison, I think. And there's so many big games coming up, we've got such a huge couple of months. So I think this isn't the game I would give Allison. I know it's Girona, I know it's the Champions League, we're in a great position, but I think, and I think for Kelleher as well, he made that mistake at Newcastle, and I think it's a good opportunity for him to bounce back and get his confidence again. It'll be quite harsh to sort of drop him after that. So I think, I think Kelleher sticks in goal for me.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to disagree.
00:15:23
Adarsh
Really.
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't, yeah, I don't care. slot i don't I don't think slot cares about, Keller's mistake. It's just like tough mate. You know, you're, you you get on the back on the bench and you just kind of have to, uh, deal with it. I think I've come straight back in.
00:15:32
Adarsh
I yeah, it's more to do with Alison's fitness over Keller's form, but I think, yeah, if, if Alison is, he goes straight in.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he' i think if he's if he's named in the match squad, means he's that means he's fit.
00:15:42
Adarsh
Hmm.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And all it is now is his match sharpness, match fitness, which I suppose for a goalkeeper, it's kind of it's more about hand-eye coordination as opposed to kind of you know endurance.
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
right Michael, where where do you stand on Alison? Does he come straight back in? or Because the way I look at it, I mean, I don't think you can throw him back into a Premier League game. ah it's It's much more intense. I think opposition teams will be looking at thinking, okay, he's he's a bit ring rusty. He's been out for you know quite a while now. Let's kind of pepper that goal. I think this is an ideal game for him to come in and and just get back into the swing of things.
00:16:25
Michael
Yeah, I mean, I can see both sides. I'm leaning more towards the kind of give Kelleher maybe the cup matches and put Alison in the league, like just because Kelleher has been so good.
00:16:41
Michael
Obviously, I don't think Slott will think that way.
00:16:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even Champions League.
00:16:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even Champions League.
00:16:46
Michael
Yeah, I think Kelleher has been good enough. And especially for the last three group games, we've got three opponents who are maybe you could see a slightly no not on the top end of the of the table. I think not none of them are in the are in the top eight, definitely. And Kelleher is definitely good enough to handle those challenges. So I think giving him the rest of the Champions League and maybe the Cup games, that's what I used to get on the clock. And then ah kind of putting Alison in in the Premier League.
00:17:16
Michael
but would probably would be my preferred sort of format because you're given Alison arrest. He's had a few injuries. not that they're normally like one big injury per season as opposed to like little injuries, but and I don't think he's had his this season, but he is. He's not the, not the youngest, but then he's also not like it. So it might be that with age, the injuries might crop up more. So having like that deputy, to kind of take over some of the load. I mean, he hasn't played in.
00:17:43
Michael
what 14 matches or something like overall competition so like he is definitely going to have ring rough so I would say keep Kelleher in then maybe play Alison against Southampton and then from there carry on playing Alison and then Champions League and League Cup you play Kelleher that'll be my preferred format
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
Goalkeeper Debate: Alison vs Kelleher
00:18:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. We've got two for Ken here. And it's just me for Alison at the moment. Tom, what do you reckon?
00:18:08
Tom Goward
I'm going to equalise and go, Alison, I think. and I think you're right.
00:18:11
Michael
okay
00:18:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good man.
00:18:13
Tom Goward
i think I think you're right. I think what's the point? Put him in the squad if he's not going to play. Why make him travel? OK, it's not far, but why make him travel if he's just going to sit on the bench?
00:18:24
Tom Goward
As much as Kelleher deserves to play and you know we can ignore the little blip at the against Newcastle, you know he's he's been but far too good for us the rest of the season to sort of let that damage him.
00:18:36
Tom Goward
But yeah I think it'd be nice to have Hallison back and then sort of a bit of a warm-up game to Fulham who you know took you know drew with Arsenal at the weekend so they're no easy challenge for them.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:46
Tom Goward
So let's get him back up to match readiness 100%.
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
What about the back four then? Adash, I'm going Trent Gomez Van Dyke Robertson simply because I don't think that these guys, you know, they they didn't play at the weekend.
00:18:55
Adarsh
Mm.
00:19:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it it would be the last game they played would have been Wednesday night against Newcastle. And i don't think that's I don't think that's good for our team that's built on kind of intensity for these guys not to play for that long and then go into the game and on Saturday. So I think you're effectively a very, very you know first team back four, coupled with the fact that we've got so many injuries now in defence that I don't think he's got much option really.
00:19:31
Adarsh
Yeah, I think I think I'll definitely go with the sort of, yeah, first choice back four. I think when we've got Southampton next, well, this time next week, I think that's when you start to bring in changes in the defence. I think get that ribbon for the Champions League and then fulfil them at home. So I think, yeah, I'll probably go with that back four. I do think he'll probably make change towards the end. Maybe Kwanza will come back.
00:19:52
Adarsh
a right back and probably sort of make sure Trent has, you know, enough minutes because obviously he's been sort of nursing, nursing an injury since he's come back from international break.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:00
Adarsh
So I think that's probably what he will do. But I think in particular for Gomez, I think he's going to be well, at least for this next month, our starting center back with Van Dyke. So I think it's important he gets enough minutes and builds that partnership they had so, so well with him a couple of seasons ago when we were on the league.
00:20:15
Adarsh
So I'll definitely go with that first choice back four.
00:20:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael.
00:20:20
Michael
Yeah, I mean, I i agree. i could I could definitely make a case for Konza starting at centre back, but I think Gomez has started that partnership and evidently Slott wants that partnership to play together.
00:20:32
Michael
and get like, and just be set together. Like I really don't like concert right back.
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah.
00:20:37
Michael
Like I would much prefer Gomez at right back. Um, but obviously slot is wanting those two, at least until Canata comes back to be the set to, and make that partnership back when we, when they played so well together, and kind of shoehorning Quonserin to kind of fit that.
00:20:53
Michael
But I think, I think he will bring Quonserin later in the game, but yeah, so Trent Gomez Van Dyke Robertson.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's an interesting point you make, though, Michael, though, ah ah in terms of slot liking those partnerships, ah ah kind kind of a stable partnership, rather than kind of, know, getting, you know, sent the backs in and out of that position, which, you know, clock used to do quite often.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
slot seems to like this kind of, you know, partnership understanding. So that's quite an interesting point there.
00:21:19
Michael
Yeah.
00:21:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, any changes to that back line of Trent Gomez Van Dyke Robertson?
00:21:26
Tom Goward
No, I don't think we can afford to. I think, like you mentioned, the injuries. Kwanzaa, I'm not sure. I know it was good last season. I think this season he struggled in a few games that he has played. And all right, you might say this could be a good game for him to get some more minutes and build some more confidence, but also Trent's just come back from injury. So, you know, give him some more time. And then obviously Michael said about building the partnership with Gomez and Van Dyck as well. So I would, I would quite happily stick with that back four.
00:21:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think midfield is the area that's going to be interesting because McAllister's I think suspended for the Champions League as well as the next Premier League game, right?
00:22:02
Michael
Yeah, yeah.
00:22:03
Adarsh
Yep.
00:22:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, McAllister's out. you know yeah I just can't ah can't figure out whether he would he would play mc ah ah not play Michalist and Gravenberg you know in in the same game. So as as much as I think Endo should get a run out just to give him minutes and also just to kind of save the other players,
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm thinking that he will play Gravenberg next to him and then maybe Jones with possibly Elliott coming on for maybe a good kind of 30-minute spell. Michael, what are your thoughts on the midfield?
00:22:47
Michael
Yeah, i mean i i think I mean, I would like to see a bit of rotation. For me, I want to see Tyler Morton play. like He's obviously not being sent out on loan this season for a reason. He's been on most benches this season.
00:22:59
Michael
I'd rather see him play for Jones, because obviously Jones is going to be playing while McAllister's out.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Tyler Morton is unavailable. Tyler Morton, I think, is unavailable.
00:23:07
Michael
How was he?
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's an injury.
00:23:09
Tom Goward
Yeah, it got injured today, I think.
00:23:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:23:10
Adarsh
Yeah.
00:23:10
Michael
oh
00:23:11
Tom Goward
Injured mainly. Well, one day, sorry.
00:23:12
Michael
I didn't see that then. or But if he was available, I'd want him to play. But I think I still ah ah I still back maybe not playing Jones. I think he's played a lot recently. And like if he's going to be ah ah dropping a little bit deeper, so otherwise going to be playing. I think he needs to kind of like.
00:23:31
Michael
be be be rested and maybe I want to see like I hope Trey Naomi is not injured because I'm throwing him out as well maybe him in like the more solid supply position but if we got Elliott back he could also have a have a shout for that but like I think I think I would go with Graben Burch and Jones but I'd be happy with a with a Endo and Naomi midfield even just to kind of spice things up
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Adash, midfield.
00:23:58
Adarsh
think I think it comes to that point that Michael was talking about partnerships. I think because Gravenberg and Jones have such a good partnership in midfield and obviously Gravenberg and McAllister as well. I mean, the whole midfield has been really important this season.
00:24:11
Adarsh
I think he will stick with Jones and Gravenberg. And then I think it's a toss-up between Harvey Elliott and Sobsly for that sort of attacking midfielder position from my point of view. I think I'd love to see Harvey Elliott start.
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom?
00:24:23
Adarsh
I think all Liverpool fans are trying out to see him.
00:24:23
Tom Goward
I think I would love to see a more attacking line-up and I love Harvey Elliott and look, Curtis Jones has been really good for us this season, but unfortunately I didn't predict his injury, but I did have Harvey Elliott down as young player of the season this season, my prediction.
00:24:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, it's only midfield.
00:24:27
Adarsh
so
00:24:41
Tom Goward
So I would love to see him get on.
Midfield Lineup Considerations
00:24:43
Tom Goward
It's a good game to get him back in. So I'd probably go Graham and Burch Elliott and Sir Bozler, I'd go quite attacking. I know that's not sort of how we've been playing. I know you know we've had Jones on the canister playing sort of the pivot role, but you know they they they're partial to conceding a goal here.
00:24:58
Tom Goward
They've just shipped through to Madrid this week, or obviously a good side. But why not change up a little bit and go a bit more attacking? And so Boseleye does the hard work anyway. if you need him to drop back and get back, then that's the issue.
00:25:09
Tom Goward
And if it's not working, then maybe Elliott comes off after 60 minutes and and puts Jones back on. But there might be a bit of bias towards that midfield, just because I like Harvey Elliott so much.
00:25:19
Michael
Yeah. I mean, I mean, you're saying playing el Elliot deeper, but you could definitely play it's the other by deeper. He like apparently clock plays in deeper ah ah at times last season and ah for for hungry, he's played everywhere in midfield.
00:25:24
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:25:35
Michael
Like I think there's a case for him being dropped a little bit deeper. If we are going to give Jones a rest, if we're not obviously play Jones in deeper role cells by further up. But I think that's a's a decent shell.
00:25:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Moving up to the front line then, I think this is a ah ah good opportunity to to give Mo a rest. yeah Do you think that could that would happen?
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Adash is shaking his head straight away.
00:26:01
Adarsh
No, you can't. yeah I don't think...
00:26:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't do it, right? that's That's the contract negotiations over, right?
00:26:06
Michael
Hehe.
00:26:06
Adarsh
Yeah, I think he's got us. I think he's starting. I think it's more more to do with Salah's mentality. I think he doesn't want to miss a game. I think, especially in the Champions League, I mean, he's so cool talking about this being his last season, which I think, according to the rumours, I don't think it will be.
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's true.
00:26:20
Adarsh
But I think he's just going to want to get against an opposition where he's going to be confident of scoring at least two goals.
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:27
Adarsh
I think you've got to play him. And I don't really know who the ultimate candidate is.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's that bad opportunity, isn't it?
00:26:31
Adarsh
Yeah, I don't really know who the alternative is as well, because Kiese is going to miss the game.
00:26:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's not talk about Keiser.
00:26:36
Adarsh
Jotter's like, yeah, Jotter's getting back.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keiser's not well.
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Keiser is ill. You got over his injury and now he's not well.
00:26:39
Adarsh
Yeah, I think i mean ah think he plays, Salah plays, and then it's it's a toss-up between the other two positions for me.
00:26:47
Adarsh
I'll probably go... I think I would start Nunez and then Gackpo, but I don't know what everyone else thinks.
00:26:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael?
00:26:54
Michael
ah ah Well, I mean, on bench in Salah, I think, like, this is one of the only games this season that could be seen as a bit of a tapping. Like, I think this could be a game that we could rest some of the big boys.
00:27:08
Michael
mean, the other two Champions League games against Lille and who's the other one? Who are we playing against as well?
00:27:14
Adarsh
yeah
00:27:15
Michael
PSV.
00:27:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:27:15
Tom Goward
this way.
00:27:15
Michael
Yeah. So but again, like those three games out of the whole calendar, if you look at it, maybe the Southampton game in the cup, like there's not many games where you can rest players and maybe giving a shout to rest in Salah or rest in some of the attackers.
00:27:30
Michael
I think, ah correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Jayden Danz has just come back from injury. So maybe giving him a shout up top but instead of Nunes, because I think Nunes hasn't been
00:27:39
Adarsh
Thank you.
00:27:41
Michael
firing, not even chaos or anything firing, he's just been dudding. But i think I think I would go Salah in my ideal world, I'd say Jaden Dans, and then Lewis Dias, because I think Gackpo has started more games recently than Lewis Dias, so giving him a run out from the start would be good.
00:28:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, is it isn't this an ideal opportunity for newness to score
Resting Salah: Strategic Choices
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
in a game like this? or Or is he going to balloon one at three yards in this game as well?
00:28:07
Tom Goward
Yeah, I think what Nunez does is because the other stuff he does, let's just take away the goals that he doesn't score at the moment and we'll talk I'll talk about that in a minute, but the work rate he puts in, the way he gets the fans behind him, that's why we love him, right? But after that new cast again, I'm just starting to lose my patience with him a little bit, just a little bit. I'm not going against him or anything, but that chance where he sort of missed it, he slid across the goal, any decent, and not decent, but any well-respected centre forward would have just thought to just be there, like that's why, you know, okay, it's a tap-in, but that's why some of the greatest Premier League strikers have scored some of their goals by just being there, and the fact he's had to slide in for a ball going right across the front of the goal, it's just a bit like,
00:28:55
Tom Goward
I just want to see a bit more of that finish from him. I think a lot of Liverpool fans do. So yeah, I think you're right. i think And I've just said about how this team are partial to conceding a goal, so let's stick him up top. um I would probably echo Michael and go Salah, Nunez and Diaz as well.
00:29:14
Tom Goward
I don't think he rests Salah. Like you said, Salah's too important for, you know, he likes scoring. He's a bit stat padding, if you will. But, you know, he he wants to play every game and and that's not that's not a noise Salah by not playing him.
00:29:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. And you want him, you want him happy, right? And if he, if he can get a hat trick, that's just going to, you know, it's just going to set him up for the weekend.
00:29:33
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's get some score predictions in then a dash.
00:29:42
Adarsh
I'm gonna go... I'm gonna go 3-0. I don't think we'll... I think we'll I think it'll be fairly comfortable and but I don't think we'll push out the boat to get like four or five.
00:29:52
Adarsh
I think it'll just be a comfortable three nil. I think two nil up a half time or one nil up a half time and then get some gold more goals in the second half.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and the show
00:30:00
Adarsh
That's my prediction. I think Salah will get two.
00:30:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael?
00:30:03
Michael
I was going to say 3-0 so to be different I'm going to say 4-0.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:30:09
Tom Goward
I was going to say 3-0, and I won't say 4-0, so I'll go 5-0.
00:30:13
Adarsh
but
00:30:14
Tom Goward
No, I'll be sensible.
00:30:14
Michael
Come on!
00:30:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll have finish this now.
00:30:16
Tom Goward
I'll be sensible. I think 3-0 is a good score line.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll have to go for six. All right.
00:30:20
Tom Goward
We've only conceded one goal in the Champions League this season. We've mentioned we're top of the league. We've conceded one goal, which is crazy in five games, and we've paid Real Madrid as well. So, yeah, 3-0 is a sensible score line.
00:30:33
Tom Goward
Get the job done, fly back home, and move on to Fulham for the weekend.
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's hope we win because otherwise we're we're off with the podcast for at least a couple of weeks.
Contract Talks: Van Dyke & Salah
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, before we wrap up then, some contracts news. Melissa Reddy, a very well-connected journalist, reported today, quote, the anticipation is both Virgil van Dyck and Mohamed Salah will stay at the club, end quote.
00:31:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think there's got to be something in all this noise that's coming out about Van Dyke and Salah. Michael, do you think that we're edging closer to at least those two, putting pen to paper?
00:31:16
Michael
Yeah, I think those two are the other two that have like openly said they want to stay at the club. They want to like they probably want to like look to finish their careers at the club. they And we want them to do that. I think the deals will probably only be like maybe two seasons, three at a push. But I think the more damning thing is the fact that there has been absolutely no talk about trend Trent. Trent hasn't really said he wants to stay. He hasn't really said anything. There's no sort of like indication that he's like
00:31:48
Michael
coming to or a deal's getting put forward. I think a deal is getting put forward but there's no sort of indication that he's going to sign it. and But the fact that the other two there are are reports of that is is very good and I think all the work that Sal has been doing in the media to kind of pressure Liverpool has seemed to have worked it's worked for Van Dyke as well so he's probably asking him it's ah ah saying thank you to him.
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tom, your thoughts on contract news?
00:32:15
Tom Goward
I mean, if it's true, that's brilliant. you know it's been I don't like how it's long it's been left. There's only not long until they can start talking to Foreign Club if they don't sign before the end of the year. So it's still a damn no on it that it's taken this long. but you know, once the proposal's been put forward, it shouldn't take them, hopefully it shouldn't take them too long to sort of agree and go, yeah, that'll do.
00:32:40
Tom Goward
But yeah, he's worrying about Trent. I did really the other day, he was talking about, you know, he seemed to speak quite highly of Arnie's slot and, you know, he was talking about his tactics.
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:47
Tom Goward
I think he said his tactics blew him away or amazing or something like that.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:32:51
Tom Goward
So It's nice to him talking positive still and you know you would watch the behind the scenes videos and he still looks in good spirits. It doesn't look like a man that is on the way out but then he could just be being very professional and and and sort of acting like that for the camera.
00:33:07
Tom Goward
So it's good news about Salah and Van Dyke but it's still not quite the full puzzle yet. We're just trying sort of if we could hear that good trend news then pretty good.
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah da and any Any thoughts on on on this new news, as it were, from Melissa Radybout and Aiken Salah?
00:33:23
Adarsh
Yeah. i I think it's a positive. I think, yeah, it's been so long. It's it's literally been one of the the most, probably the thing we've so spoken about the most on this podcast since the other season.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
drawn out so
00:33:34
Adarsh
So it would just be good to sort of get that sorted. I think, especially for Van Dijk and Salah, two of our most senior players, two probably arguably our two most important players the team. So I think that would just put to bed all of that rumors, all of that talk.
00:33:48
Adarsh
And I think for rival clubs, they'll be they'll be threatened. I feel like they'll think, OK, this Liverpool team isn't going anywhere. It could win not just the league this season, but maybe next season as well. So I think it's good news. I think on the Trent situation, less so. It just worries me, I think, in terms of, yes, he's saying all these positive things about the manager, about the club, but.
00:34:09
Adarsh
there's there is no inclination inclination inclination from him and maybe like Tom said he's maybe just been really professional but it just puts a lot of questions in a lot of local fans' heads so I just wish he was fine.
00:34:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We shall see. We shall see. Watch this space.
Creative Contract Announcements
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I still think, if Liverpool Football Club, especially the media department, have got anything about them, December 24th, video, Christmas tree, three presents under the tree, slot comes in as Santa Claus, and then the three boys open up their presents and there's contracts there. it's It's a slam dunk for everyone.
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so Yeah, Liverpool FC, get in contact with me for any any more kind of video film ideas. That's all for today. You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool Podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Give us a follow so that you get the very latest content when it drops. Follow us on social media at GSPN Liverpool. You can email us, gspndailyliverpool.com.
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us again tomorrow for our post-match reaction to the Champions League game. Until then, thank you for listening.