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00:00:01
Post Match Reaction: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
23 Plays4 days ago
13 Points Clear at the top of the league! Join Adarsh Ramchurn and Michael Lake, who are joined by a jubilant Jesse Sarwar at Anfield, as we review the Red's 2-0 win over the Magpies.
Goals from Szoboszlai and MacAllister helped increase Liverpool's lead at the summit to 13 points, with 10 games to go. We discuss the Szoboszlai show, World Class Macca, Playere Ratings and a week off before a trip to Paris. Allez Allez Allez!
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Transcript
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Liverpool have won 2-0 against Newcastle to go 13, yes 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
00:00:17
Jesse
paul
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Goals from Sabozlai and McAllister means that with 10 games to go, 13 points clear, Liverpool are in prime position to win the Premier League.
00:00:25
Jesse
Thank you.
00:00:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined today by Michael Lake and Jesse Sawa. Michael, how are you doing?
00:00:38
Michael
I'm feeling great. I mean, we've we're we're moving forward, ah marching on. um I think personally 2-0 is my favourite scoreline. I think we are just ah we just love to kind of hold those games out and it always it always feels good to win 2-0 and in such a comfortable manner. And it kind of shows, it feels good for when we play them again in in the final. I feel like well I'm feeling more confident now.
00:01:04
Michael
I was already confident, but still more.
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's funny that you say 2-0 is your favourite score and wonder the way where you got that from ah also joined by Jesse who was at Anfield to watch the game Jesse post-match thoughts just from leaving Anfield what you how are you feeling?
00:01:19
Jesse
Yeah, absolutely over the moon. I think the whole stadium from the very beginning, from kick-off, the atmosphere was... It was absolutely brilliant. There was there were no nerves.
00:01:31
Jesse
It wasn't overconfident. um But we were just expecting Liverpool to be dominant. And, you know, and that's what we were.
00:01:42
Jesse
And as Michael said, you know, he stole that line off for you, I know, because we were talking ah before we started recording. But, yeah, just a classic... Liverpool 2-0 and Michael loves 2-0 but clearly Arne Slott absolutely loves 2-0 even though he wasn't there
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, obviously serving that ridiculous two-match touchline ban, but um didn't affect Liverpool in any way, shape or form. ah Michael, obviously going into the game, we set up with Jota starting up front instead of Jones, who was dropped out, and Simicasa left back. I mean, what did you make of the team he was going into the match? And then obviously we'll touch on the big man missing for Newcastle in a second. But from a Liverpool point of view, what did you make of that team?
00:02:25
Michael
I think Jota playing up front is like... we've got I've kind of been waiting for him to start playing up front a little bit because like Diaz has been playing there, hasn't really been working for him.
00:02:35
Michael
He is very much clearly better on the left wing out wide where he can kind of skim players.
00:02:39
Jesse
That's a lot them.
00:02:40
Michael
And when Jota's up front, he kind of he does what Jones did in the last game but is more sort of offence-minded and keeps up against the centre-backs and stuff.
00:02:51
Michael
And I think this game kind of called for... we We needed some like a focal point in the middle because I think a few times Jota was able to come and support Salah or support Diaz or kind of just like hold up the ball a little bit and do a bit of interplay.
00:03:05
Michael
I think that kind of lent to their weaknesses because it gave Sabozlay a little bit more freedom to go wherever he wants as opposed to playing in a two where kind has to stay on the right-hand side or kind of has to be a little bit more rigid. I don't think Newcastle are as...
00:03:21
Michael
as threatening as as City and I think like we didn't need to be as sort of defensively solid we could kind of experiment or like kind of go a little bit more attacking I think in terms of Simicast playing I think this is an I think him and Robertson are now at a very, very similar level.
00:03:37
Michael
I think um being able to interchange them and kind of give Robertson a rest and ah give Simakas a go kind of works. And I think Robertson plays better when we do have um those players, when we help give allow him to attack a bit more when we were playing like Jones up front and stuff.
00:03:54
Michael
um, because then he can like full on bomb forward. Well, I think Simakas is actually better at like coming deep and kind of just kind of controlling play. I think he's, he's got more strings to his bow in terms of, um, more variety. Um, and I think he, he has a little bit more legs than Robertson nowadays.
00:04:11
Michael
Maybe that, maybe I might be wrong, but, um, I think he played very well, and I think Jota played not as well, but still was serviceable. I think like they were they were both good in terms of players that just came in, but it was it was definitely a Sabozlai show today.
00:04:25
Michael
And I think dropping Jones instead of dropping Sabozlai was the right decision.
00:04:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:04:30
Michael
And I think he is our second best player in this team at the moment, Sabozlai. um If not in this game, better than Salah. Just saying that.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we'll get we'll get on to Sabozla because yeah he was outstanding once again, having a brilliant sort of last few weeks in this Liverpool team. But Jesse, coming to the Newcastle team, I think you mentioned the atmosphere Anfield and probably there must have been a few murmurs and whispers seeing that Alexander Isak wasn't in the Newcastle team to start the match. I mean, ah know you put a message out in our group chat saying that he's holding out for that move to Liverpool, which we definitely hope he he is But How do you think that impacted Liverpool going into the game? Because obviously he is the main threat for Newcastle.
00:05:11
Jesse
Yeah, absolutely. And I did my i did my best to um just spread that rumour amongst the 50-odd thousand people at Anfield. um But, yeah, look, you know, when...
00:05:24
Jesse
when eat when the opposition's main striker isn't playing, it's it's surely just going to add to the confidence that the team has already got. and you know People can say that we were lucky because last week um City were without Haaland, this week Newcastle without um Alexander Isaac. And you know ah Newcastle, even though we we did dominate them,
00:05:50
Jesse
They did have a couple of opportunities um where you just kind of think, you know, if that is Isaac instead of Callum Wilson, then even though one of them was offside, you're probably thinking that he's going to score.
00:06:06
Jesse
So, yeah, 100%, you know, it worked for us. that Isaac wasn't playing. But at the same time, I think that if he was playing, I think it just means that the likes of Van Dijk, the likes of Canate are even more switched on.
00:06:21
Jesse
um And I just think that at home, I just think that the way that we played, I think that the way that we just carried ourselves, you know, this team, people last week, people were saying that the performance against City um was a performance of champions.
00:06:40
Jesse
And they were right. But tonight, this was a performance by champions. I just think that in that first half, we just looked like a team that, it wasn't complacency.
00:06:53
Jesse
It was just supreme confidence that we're going to win tonight and we're going to go on and win the league.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely. I think we're just playing with, like you said, that supreme confidence and zipping the ball about. I think the tempo that we started the match with definitely set the tone for the rest of the match. And I think, obviously, 10 minutes in, Diaz on the left-hand side, cutting it back for Sabozlai, which went through two players' legs before going past Nick Pope, Michael. um We kind of mentioned Sabozlai a bit earlier, but...
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's kind of easy to say when he's adding goals and assists to his game, but I think we ah we've spoken a lot on this podcast about what he offers this team and what he's been offering this team this whole season, let alone the last few games. But he really did shine brightly today and he's been shining brightly and over the last few matches.
00:07:41
Michael
Yeah, I mean, he's he's been a pivotal player all season. um But I think the one criticism that could be levied at him was that he wasn't kind of contributing in those goals and assist sort of areas. Like he he wasn't getting the sort of numbers that you'd expect from a player that was so prolific at Leipzig and so creative. um And obviously he got brought in little bit more of a system player.
00:08:04
Michael
um But now it feels like he is getting into those positions because it feels like the team is a little bit more geared around sort of him. like it's It's sort of the second line behind the striker umm in front of the midfield. That sort of line of little today it was Diaz, Sabozlai, Salah, any sort of variation on that. I think that second line is the key.
00:08:25
Michael
um and like but you you know and You notice that the goals that Sabozlai seems to be scoring are identical. They're like they are kind of cut across to the edge of the box.
00:08:36
Michael
He kind of just like, he doesn't smack it. He doesn't place it. He just kind of like hits it, which sounds weird, but he just, he kind of just hits it into the, into the goalie or keeps it low, kind of directs it past the keeper. And like, it's all, he loves to, to nutmeg a few players at the same time.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:56
Michael
And like, I think it's just that, that sort of, um,
00:09:00
Michael
ability to kind of coast into the box. And I think that's where like um Jones against City and Jota against ah well Newcastle, I think both of them played their own parts in terms of like occupying people and making it so that they're not as switched on.
00:09:14
Michael
um And I think like the... that like he ah He is one of those players that like now that he's sort of... you You can feel the confidence. There was another shot like like sort later in the second half that where he kind of like it kind of curled just past the post.
00:09:30
Michael
And like I was thinking, like this is going to be Sabal's hat-trick game.
00:09:31
Jesse
Mm-hmm.
00:09:34
Michael
like he was go He was everywhere. he was getting the shots off that were like like the best chances. And i really wanted him to score more. um But like one a goal in the last two... Two goals in two games is...
00:09:46
Michael
is a very good ah very good start. And I think like he's just going to keep going. And if we can get that... That midfield three now is set. That midfield three is like in the best form they can be.
00:09:56
Michael
They're all doing their job well. They know exactly where the other people are going to be. And like the interplay between all the players, they love a little back heel. They love a like they love like a little pass around the corner, no like passing into danger where they just don't know if someone's going to be there, but someone already always is like So Bozly, McAllister, Gravenber, Salah, Diaz, Jota, all of them know where to be.
00:10:19
Michael
like This slot system is now fully embedded and they all know where they've to be where they're meant to be. And they're all they're all very good at that sort of situational adaptation where they can like, oh, there's a space there I'm just going run into it and someone might find me.
00:10:32
Michael
like they They're doing those sacrificial runs, but half the time they're actually getting it. And most of the time, the only reason it doesn't come off is because it hits the heel. Like there's about three times where like Salah or someone paid played a pass to them, to someone, and they were running forward. And then the only reason it didn't come off was because it hit the heel and went backwards.
00:10:50
Michael
Like literally if it if it's a little bit between their legs or to the side or anything, or like they take their step a fraction of a second slower, they're either through on goal or they're like in an amazing situation.
00:10:50
Jesse
Yeah.
00:11:03
Michael
and they' And that's just because they made those runs and they put that effort in. um And I think that is the key difference between this team and a lot of the other challenging teams like Arsenal, like City, like anyone there. It feels like they got complacent and they just don't want to run.
00:11:17
Michael
And our players want it.
00:11:19
Jesse
I think Sir Bosley, sorry, I think Sir Bosley, I think you're spot on, Michael, about all the things you've said about him.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, actually... No, no, go ahead.
00:11:28
Jesse
But I do really think that he's going to be key component for the rest of this season in terms of how successful we're going to be. i think we can all safely say now, I think we can safely say that we're going to win the league, um irrespective of whether Sir Bosley, yeah, I'll...
00:11:46
Michael
You said it.
00:11:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you join in with that? Did you join in with the smart, Jesse?
00:11:48
Jesse
yeah oh Oh, yeah well, I started it as soon as I finished the Alexander-Izac rumour. And then I started the chanting. um But no, I really think that irrespective of whether Sir Bosley plays in the Premier League or not, we're going to win the league.
00:12:04
Jesse
But I think if he carries this kind of form forward into the Champions League, I think we're going to be a huge, huge threat. ah because we've we've now got goals, you know, all over the field now. I mean, the the the forward line is is frightening.
00:12:22
Jesse
Whoever we play, there's there's a goal threat there. But now that Sir Bosley now is chipping in with his goals and assists, I think, yeah, and McAllister as well, yeah.
00:12:29
Michael
I'm McAllister.
00:12:32
Jesse
and And I just think that, um you know, it could be a real ah factor in these kind of closing stages of the Champions League as well.
00:12:42
Michael
Yeah.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. I was going to allude to the point that Michael made around the desire. was watching the um post-match interview and I think the reporter asked McAllister, what's this the difference between you and the other challengers?
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he literally said his desire, the desire to win.
00:12:55
Jesse
Yeah.
00:12:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And um you can see that in the midfield. And one of the things I wanted to touch on as well is I feel like each midfielder is going through their own arc this season of like, they're all having their moments. So like,
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gravenberg towards the beginning of the season was just like a revelation. We were like, oh, wow, this is something we've never seen before from from him. And then McAllister probably end of 2024, beginning of 2025. And now Sabozlai is really coming into his own.
00:13:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think, yeah, like you said, Michael, I think the the midfield is just purring at the moment and they're getting goals. And when you look at past Liverpool midfields and if you think of the Klopp midfield, yes, it was brilliant.
00:13:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was an engine room, but it never never got as many goals as we've probably seen from McAllister and Sabozlai. So, yeah.
00:13:37
Michael
Yeah. And I think they also, like, we do forget that, like, this midfield, Gravenberch is 22, Sabozlai is 24, and McAllister's 26.
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:45
Michael
Like, they're not old. They're not, like, particularly experienced in the case of Gravenberch. He's 22, and he's played for, to be fair, he's played for Ajax and Bayern before us. But, like, we've just got so much, like, ah potential in this midfield, and they can play together for years and years and years.
00:14:01
Michael
um And I think the fact that like we've also got like Jones on the bench who can slot in perfectly. Endo could play for the next until he's about 45. He loves the man.
00:14:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know
00:14:10
Michael
Never trust someone if they don't love Endo.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:13
Michael
um That's ah sort of my motto in life. But they these these players are... they They fight hard for the team. They've got energy. They're young. They can grow. They can just kind of settle in more. Because, I mean, Sabozlai took, it has you could probably say he took a little bit of time to settle in. Gravenberch needed that sort of position change.
00:14:33
Michael
McAllister has been McAllister. Like, what those those three players, as you said, they've had their moments to shine.
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:14:39
Michael
And, like, I think it's not that, like, they have their moments then they've dropped off. I think Gravenberch had his moment and now he's still at that level, but we got used to it.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:48
Michael
McAllister had his moment, he's still at that level and got used to it.
00:14:51
Michael
And I think now Subozlai has just stepped up to that that next level. And the and the fact that like he is now running games basically by himself, he is literally everywhere. He's defending, he's attacking, he's making runs, he's doing everything.
00:15:04
Michael
And he's collapsing on the floor into the ground after games. like absolutely drained, but then three days later it can go and do the exact same thing against Newcastle and have an arguably better performance. Like, he is he is going to be our midfielder for the future, and I think the fact that he is he's the better heir for the number eight shirt than Keita was, I don't think that's a controversial opinion.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now it's not.
00:15:24
Jesse
Okay.
00:15:26
Michael
I think he is, like, he's the most Gerrard-like midfielder we've had since Gerrard, unless I'm completely forgetting someone who is great. But, like, he is... he is He's one of those players that like you you take a bit of time to get used to him, but once you're used to him, you love him.
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, absolutely.
00:15:44
Jesse
It's interesting what you said about um ah Gravenberg, Michael, because you know there has been a lot of talk recently that he might have dropped off a little bit, um which I don't necessarily necessarily agree with.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:56
Jesse
um but But what i what I would say is that having McAllister next to him it It means that, you know, he he's got a World Cup winner right next to him.
00:16:09
Jesse
and And this guy, McAllister, I'm telling you, I mean, I know that Salah gets all the plaudits and rightfully so. Van Dijk, rightfully so. But McAllister is just, you know, he's one of our players of the season.
00:16:22
Jesse
And he's one of the players of the season of the Premier League because he is just ridiculously consistent.
00:16:23
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:16:30
Jesse
And, you know, you you feel like you've got to take him off the pitch on a stretcher every single game because, you know, one, he just runs himself into the ground. And secondly, he constantly puts his body on the line.
00:16:43
Jesse
um And I just think that he is just, he's a world-class player. And I think Gravenberg... um You know, I think he's improving game by game.
00:16:55
Jesse
um if Funnily enough, even when he's not playing brilliantly, just by having McAllister next to him because of that experience. um And so, yeah, I just think those two have just been brilliant. and And those three now are the, you know, they are the first choice midfielders now going forward.
00:17:13
Michael
Yeah.
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's definitely a good point. I keep thinking back to that transfer window we had. Was it last season the season before? with We missed out on Caicedo but got those four midfielders, Grafenberg, McAllister, Bosla and Endo.
00:17:24
Jesse
Yeah.
00:17:24
Michael
Mm
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Probably you're looking at it as a 10 out of 10 transfer window. It was all four of them contributing completely different ways but it all works and
00:17:32
Michael
hmm.
00:17:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
They all have their role and they all just keep shining. and I feel like this midfield is, like you said, Michael, going to be here for a long time. They're still really young. they' still got super amounts of energy. and Under slot, they're only going to get better.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and then To Jesse's point, I completely agree around them.
00:17:46
Michael
Yeah.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think mcalli ah ah feel like Gravenberg and Sabozlay will still need to get to that McAllister level in terms of being world-class. I do think McAllister
00:17:56
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
is world-class. Obviously, he's won the World Cup, so it's easier for him to have that title. But, I mean, yeah, everything he does. And we'll we'll touch on McAllister now, Jesse, because he obviously got the second goal.
00:18:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Salah didn't get his goal today, but he got his customary assist and brilliant set-up for McAllister just to swipe into the top top corner.
00:18:12
Jesse
Yeah.
00:18:17
Jesse
Yeah. And, you know, thoroughly deserved. I think McAllister is, you know, you know we've we've spoken so highly of him so often. um And he's sacrificed a lot of his um he kind of natural position to play in this, you know, slightly kind of more deeper, maybe central role.
00:18:35
Jesse
You know, he can he can quite easily play that number 10 role. And you can see that he's his set pieces, his shooting um is, you know, is just top notch. um But yeah, I mean, he he thoroughly deserved that goal.
00:18:48
Jesse
And as you said, you know, Salah, he didn't score, but he gets his assist. um And look, like you know, I don't care what anyone else says, but my man of the match... ah between now and the end of the season, irrespective of whether he plays or not, is Endo.
00:19:03
Jesse
That's it. You know, he he's just the man of the match. Anytime he comes on, literally, it if if you were standing outside of Anfield when Endo came on, and then what he was when he made a couple of interceptions, a couple of tackles, you'd think that we'd scored.
00:19:19
Jesse
um You know, the the the crowd absolutely love him. And you can see why, because, you know, he comes on and he just it just doesn't let the team down. He doesn't come on sulking or with an attitude because he's only playing a few minutes, irrespective of whether he's playing nine minutes or 90 minutes.
00:19:40
Jesse
He's just full in. um And, you know, it's great to have him there when players like McAllister need a bit ah bit of a ah breather, whether they need to be subbed off or just to have that kind of physical support um in the middle of the park because they do put in so much effort.
00:19:59
Jesse
you know, the whole team. And and I think, um ah you know, I think we mentioned it before earlier in the podcast that the difference between us and the likes of Arsenal is desire.
00:20:11
Jesse
And, you know, if if you see the work rate of these players, I mean, Luis Diaz,
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. Yeah.
00:20:17
Jesse
I mean, one, I i you know i ah challenge anyone to you know to tell me if there's a better dribbler in the Premier League right now.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah who
00:20:25
Jesse
ah But secondly, you know he's he's tracking back and making tackles in the left-back position, deep in the left-back position. um And you know you just see that desire right the way through the team.
00:20:38
Jesse
And it's ah it's a great it's a great thing that we've got in this team. And it's it's it's not easy to come by.
00:20:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. i've of I was saying after the City game around Luis Diaz and thought, he didn't get his goal or assist that game. He didn't get a goal or assist this game either, but his work rate, he's got that relentlessness about him that even when he's playing up front, I still think he offers just so much energy and Yeah, I think he he he does he does disol deserve a goal. Actually, he did get an assist today. Sorry, I ah made that mistake. But um yeah, just unbelievable. And the options that we have up front are just incredible. Being able to bring on Gakpo, Nunes, Salah. I mean, he's never really going to rest Salah, is he? Because he wants his goals and assists. But that attack is just...
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
is is looking as incredible as the midfielder that we've already mentioned. And we haven't even touched on the defence. um But we'll touch more on player ratings and we'll get our reaction to the match and how this leaves us in the title race after this very short break.
00:21:28
Michael
like that
00:21:29
Jesse
get
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So going into player ratings, ah Michael will come to you first. Alisson didn't really have that much to do, although there was a couple of one-on-ones and couple of crosses he had to come for, but another solid performance from Alisson.
00:22:28
Michael
Yeah, I mean, I think he made one save in the game. I think like he's just a very solid player. And I think like no matter what happens, i'm always like even if a player running one-on-one, I'm always kind of confident. like It's going to be sort of... It's it's it's a 50-50 if they score when it's a one-on-one, where most goalkeepers, it's like sort of a one out of ten, they save it kind of thing.
00:22:53
Michael
he's what he is He is the best goalkeeper in the world. And I think... like And he's the best but arguably one of the best goalkeepers of all time in terms of the Premier League and just in general, to be fair.
00:23:04
Michael
I'll back myself on that. um But i think yeah I think he probably was like a solid 7 out of 10 for the little he had to do. um But yeah.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Jesse, ratings on Alston?..................
00:23:15
Jesse
Yeah, I was going to give him a seven. um but that But there was a moment where he he came um and he collected a cross and his hair just looked so immaculate.
00:23:27
Jesse
um and And so I've got to give him an eight because he looked really good as well as being very comfortable.
00:23:31
Michael
Thank
00:23:34
Jesse
so And Michael's right. you know He is the best goalkeeper in the world, bar none. I think there's probably only Courtois who can maybe lay claim to that.
00:23:46
Jesse
But I just think that he's you know he just gives that stability in um in that back line, um that kind of reassurance. um You know, there's never that this kind of nervousness amongst our back four.
00:24:01
Jesse
And, you know, like we said, he didn't have much to do, but what he did do, he did it efficiently and the distribution is always good. So, yeah, ah yeah, for me, an eight.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and um meant That makes sense. Good rating ah from both of you. We'll go to the fullbacks. Trent and Simakas. Michael, ratings?
00:24:19
Michael
um I think they both had a fairly similar game. I don't think either of them were extraordinary. I think they kind of did their jobs. I think Trent was... decent defendant against Gordon. I think that could, on a different night, that could be very difficult. I mean, he was helped out by both Canate and Gravenberch and Salah.
00:24:38
Michael
um All that right-hand side worked well together. i think both of them were sort of
00:24:43
Michael
a fair bit above average. Neither of them put a foot wrong. I think I'd probably go for like a 7.5 for both of them. um yeah I think Simakas sometimes gets unfairly criticised, but I think he does his job.
00:24:55
Michael
And I think he is ah he's a very, very good secondary player, like a backup left-back. But I think and in when he steps in, he always seems to perform to a 7.5, like ah above average level. So ah yeah, how I'll give them both 7.5.
00:25:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jesse, do you agree with that?
00:25:12
Jesse
Yeah, maybe seven. You know, they they were... I think they just did their jobs. you know There wasn't anything spectacular, but they didn't make any errors. And um yeah I think Michael's right in the in the sense that Simicas, you know, his his game is slightly different to Robertson's. I think it's more suited to when we're a bit more kind of possession-based. I think you know he's he's good at kind of recycling the ball um into the kind of midfield areas.
00:25:39
Jesse
um and And the only thing I would say is that is ah Trent... The one thing that I'm i' quite surprised by is I just think that sometimes his kind of short-range passing has let him down quite a bit um this season.
00:25:56
Jesse
um But, some you know, i thought I thought he dealt reasonably well with, you know, whatever was thrown at him. And so, yeah, just a, you know, solid seven for both the fullbacks.
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I'd agree with that. The one thing I would say is that Trent passed to Salah and then Salah to, think it was Diaz, back post.
00:26:14
Jesse
yeah
00:26:17
Jesse
Yeah.
00:26:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
that those Those two passes were, i mean, that in itself makes me give Trent a slightly higher rating because that was, if that were went in, that would have been unbelievable. But um we'll move on to the centre-backs, Canate and Van Dijk.
00:26:25
Jesse
Yeah.
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Michael?
00:26:31
Michael
Um, I mean, both were imperious. I think they're both absolute brick, brick walls. I think they made Wilson look like a child. They were marshalling him. They were bullying him.
00:26:42
Michael
i think I saw him crying at one point. um
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was on the floor for a bit, to be fair.
00:26:47
Michael
He was on the floor.
00:26:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:48
Michael
He wasn't getting his eye stitched. He was crying um but because he was just getting bullied by both Canate and Van Dijk, the men mountains they are.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
sir
00:26:56
Michael
um I think I love both of them. I think Canate does so well to help Trent out on that side because it is needed and then Van Dijk is just able to cover the rest of the ground. um So I think I'd but i'd give them...
00:27:09
Michael
I'm being very lazy and giving both the same same score, but I've given both eights, to be fair. like they were They were very, very good. ah They didn't really put a foot wrong, not that I can remember, at least. So it wasn't if they did, it wasn't wasn't too horrendous. And I think they did their jobs in terms of like recycling possession and doing the occasional long ball.
00:27:27
Michael
um But yeah, as I'd give them both eights.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, i probably agree with that. Jesse, any thoughts on those ratings?
00:27:33
Jesse
Yeah, this is getting really boring, isn't it? Because i'm I'm kind of agreeing with with Michael. But so yeah, look, you know, both of those, you know, they've got such a solid partnership now. And it's really good to see because, you know, yeah you know Van Dijk had a really great partnership with Gomez. He had a great part partnership with Matip.
00:27:51
Jesse
And now Canate has come in. And, you know, they really complement each other really well. um And I love Canate. I love the fact that you know, he he sometimes gets really excited with his ah his distribution and and sometimes trying to go on his kind of Matip-type runs.
00:28:12
Michael
and
00:28:12
Jesse
um and And then he'll kind of shank the ball, um you know, and and and that that will kind of...
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
thank yeah but
00:28:18
Jesse
kind of you know, bring him down a bit and then he'll just go back to doing things the simple way. But in terms of his defensive duties, um I think you're right. You know, I think Callum Wilson did, you know, I think he was crying and I don't think it was concussion. I just think he was, he just had enough.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think they didn't want to make Isak cry because he's probably going come to Anfield. all right, Jesse. So, um yeah, no, think
00:28:43
Jesse
Apparently, yeah, there's a rumour going around, yeah.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's hope that rumour is true. But um let's move on to the midfield. We do all the ratings of the midfielders. I mean, it could be 10s all round. But Michael, what are you thinking about? so
00:28:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gravenberg, Michael.
00:28:55
Michael
um yeah i mean I mean next time maybe Jesse should go first so then so then he can not so that's that i'm not then i can copy him as opposed to him copying me I think Grubbenberge
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Yeah, we'll mix up.
00:29:02
Jesse
Yeah.
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:08
Michael
As I said, I think like he is kind of going a little bit under the radar. People are kind of saying he's fallen off a little bit, but I think that's just because the attention isn't on him. like other Other players are taking that attention away and he's just quietly kind of plugging away, doing his job. He's not quite doing those sort of last-ditch sliding tackles and just winning the ball as much, as visibly.
00:29:29
Michael
So I think he kind of does go under the radar. I'd probably give him sort of like a... 7.5. I think he was he did his job. McAllister, thought he was he was a lot better. give him sort of like an 8.5. Obviously got the goal.
00:29:43
Michael
um got like he He is just so solid in midfield. Can control the game. Helps out... helps out Gravenberch. He wins headers a lot for such a small player. like hes He drops into that back line along with Gravenberch sometimes just to help out. He does everything you need to um with him. And I think like those two complement each other really well. But i'd say McAllister had a much better game. Eight and a half. Subozlai, love the man.
00:30:08
Michael
Beautiful looking man. Can do at anything. Can't put a foot wrong. um I would give him... He only got a goal, so I'll give him a nine. But...
00:30:19
Michael
I would give him a 10, but I'm trying to be leaving 10 for when Salva scores about seven goals against whenever we play United next.
00:30:23
Jesse
wow
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jesse, thoughts on the ratings, midfielders?
00:30:32
Jesse
Yeah, um I think Gravenberg was good. i think I'm going to give him a ah seven. I think he just had a good, solid, solid game. um And yeah, you know you're right. I think that... so um you know He doesn't have to stand out in ways that um you know people think he has to. It's it's not all about kind of turning in the centre circle and running past two players when you're playing that in that position.
00:30:58
Jesse
His positional discipline and the way that he covers ah the full-back areas, particularly but with Trent, um I thought he just had a really solid game. For me, McAllister, I'm going to give him a nine because I just think...
00:31:11
Jesse
I just thought he was just brilliant in the way that he dictated the midfield area um in possession, but also out of possession as well. um And just just the kind of positions that he takes up, um you know, he's he's just such a great shield for that back four.
00:31:30
Jesse
um And then Subozlai, I'm going to give him a nine um because I just think that he was, again, he he just runs himself into the ground. He's a threat going forward now.
00:31:44
Jesse
And, you know, his defensive duties are, you know, he's, um you know, yeah he he just worked so hard for the team. um um You know, Alisson is probably only the only player in the team that's more beautiful than Sabozlai.
00:31:59
Michael
you
00:32:00
Jesse
um So for that reason, he's not he's not going to get a 10. um But, um you know, i think he's, is you know, he's he's had he's having a great season and it could get...
00:32:13
Jesse
better and better if he if he carries on this form I really do think that he's going to be such a key player for us in in this kind of final third of the season
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. I'd probably agree with those ratings. Nines for both McAllister and Bozlai. Seven for Gravenberg. But yeah, the midfield in in general is just incredible. Jesse, I'll start with you this time with the attack.
00:32:36
Jesse
ah yeah
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alain Diaz and Jota.
00:32:40
Jesse
Yeah, I'm going to start with Diaz. I'm going to give him an eight um because i and I know that, you know, yeah he didn't he didn't score and I think he could have, you know, he could have gotten the score sheet, but I just think he's all round play.
00:32:57
Jesse
um he's the way that he he dribbles out tight spaces. um And I think he's such a threat on that left. I think um i think Michael mentioned it earlier in the podcast.
00:33:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:33:10
Jesse
you know when When you do have that kind of central focal point in a... in a Jota or a Nunes, it just means that you know we've we've got that opportunity to stretch the opposition defence a bit more.
00:33:23
Jesse
And Diaz does that really, really well. And um I just thought thought that he was a constant threat um for Newcastle. But again... You know, we say this about a lot of the players in the Liverpool team, and this is one of the main reasons why we are where we are.
00:33:41
Jesse
And that is his work rate, you know, his defensive duties, the way that he backs his teammates up, the way that he was supporting Simicas in that left-back role was just absolutely phenomenal. I think there was a part in the second half where I think Simicas lost the ball in or around a kind of central area,
00:34:02
Jesse
yeah in in the middle of the park. And Newcastle are bombing down the right. And who makes that last-ditch tackle in the left-back position? It's Luis Diaz.
00:34:13
Jesse
So I'm going to give him an eight. I think Jota was...
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:34:18
Jesse
I thought Jota was but it's good in in in parts, in flashes. um But I think that you're looking at a player that's come back from injury and he's kind of...
00:34:29
Jesse
You know, he's he's still kind of finding his form. I don't think this is the kind of peak jota at the moment. um But I do think that he was he was valuable to us today. And I'm going to give him a seven.
00:34:42
Jesse
And then Salah, he wasn't his his kind of most devastating ah best, but he he got an assist. And... You know, at 32 years old, you know he he was you know, he was leaving the fullback for dead sometimes. I just think it's just phenomenal.
00:35:01
Jesse
um And so I'm going to give him an eight as well.
00:35:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely. um Yeah, I mean, Diaz, I can just echo those points that you made. I think, yeah, relentless. And Salah, like I said earlier, it doesn't get his goal, but he still contributes massively to this team. um Yeah, brilliant from those two in particular. Jota, I think I agree. He's probably still working his way up to real.
00:35:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be honest, he doesn't really need to be in top form at the moment, the way we're playing. But I'm sure later on in the season, we'll see him reach top form. Michael, quick word on any of the substitutes that stood out to you today.
00:35:35
Michael
Any of the substitutes? To be fair, none of them particularly stood out. I think Endo is always solid when he comes on. He kind of marshals that midfield, drops into into the defence when he needs to. He's always solid. And when he comes on,
00:35:50
Michael
For Gravenberts, you know we're silent we're kind kind of locking up the game. we're we'll take it it where We're taking this seriously now. We're just goingnna butre getting through to the end. You're not getting any any chances after that. um And that's always what you love to see when you can bring on a player like that and you just know that it will work.
00:36:05
Michael
um I mean, Kwanzaa got brought on just because Bradley isn't fit. I mean, he wouldn't normally be playing right back. He's fine at right back. He doesn't have to do much. just has to pass it around a little bit. Gakpo came on, didn't do much.
00:36:18
Michael
um But like he was only on for, um mean, he was on for like 30 minutes or so or however long it was.
00:36:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:24
Michael
um He's always threatening, but obviously he is also coming back from um from from an injury.
00:36:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:36:31
Michael
So I think like, I think not none of them particularly stood out. um I thought Nunes was better when he came on than when he has been. um Obviously, he was only on for like 10 minutes or so.
00:36:44
Michael
um But he was running more. He seemed like he he was making some it was controlling it better and kind of like playing the ball quicker. um Obviously, he didn't have any chances to actually score, which maybe would have helped him a bit more. But I think maybe the comments that Slott was making about him has kind of got to him and kind of kicked him up the arse kind of to get him into gear um which you hope you'd hope so I think he is still probably out the door um and I'd quite like to see Kieser a little bit more but obviously when you're on a striker you bring on a striker ah but yeah
00:37:05
Jesse
like
00:37:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:37:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but amazing. um Just before we wrap up the podcast, wanted to get you guys' thoughts on, obviously, 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Arsenal dropping points, drawing 0-0 to Nottingham Forest.
00:37:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I mean, we're in a great position. Like ah Jesse said, we're going to win the league. it was what was He started ah the chant at Anfield. But um Jesse, like what yeah how are you feeling going into these next few games? Obviously, you mentioned the Champions League. We've got a week until...
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
we we face PSG away in Paris. So, yeah, how are you feeling after this game? are you feeling about the Premier League and obviously with the games to come?
00:37:55
Jesse
Yeah, look, um I think in terms of the Premier League, um i I don't want to sound like I'm being wise after the event. I would i would invite listeners to to listen to our pre-season prediction pod all the way back um in, when was it?
00:38:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:38:13
Jesse
July, was it?
00:38:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
July, yeah.
00:38:14
Jesse
Adash, that we did that. And, you know, look, I said then, I said then that Arsenal are not going to win the league. Arsenal are not going to win the league. And um the only thing that I did get wrong was that um I thought that it would be between Man City and Liverpool.
00:38:31
Jesse
I didn't see the Man City drop-off. um But there's no way that Arsenal are going to win the league because they just don't have the mentality to win it.
00:38:41
Jesse
even Even if they're presented with a chance, they don't have the mentality to win it. And I think that their chance has gone, not this season, but the season before. They had to win something big.
00:38:54
Jesse
last season, they didn't do it. And that runners-up tag sticks and it's stuck on Arsenal.
00:38:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:39:00
Jesse
And it's going to take, I think it's going to take a few transfer windows for that to go. So in terms of the of the league, I'm not surprised they um that they've kind of fallen off.
00:39:12
Jesse
And I think that they'll continue to fall off. um And in terms of of us, I think... you know Liverpool have just got to just keep their foot on the pedal now and just keep going through those wins because momentum now is everything between now and the end of the season.
00:39:30
Jesse
We don't want to drop off and think, OK, we've got the Premier League now. Let's focus on the Champions League. Football just just doesn't work that way. They've got to keep their intensity going. and And you know the next big game now is is PSG.
00:39:43
Jesse
um And um all I can say is just ah you know bring it on.
00:39:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. thought you were going to say LA, LA, LA because PSG, but I'll say it.
00:39:51
Michael
Yeah.
00:39:54
Jesse
but Maybe it may be after the game, or not before.
00:39:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe after the game. We've we obviously got a week um till we next play against PSG in the Champions League. But um that is all for today's episode of the Daily Liverpool podcast. Thank you, Michael. Thank you, Jesse, for joining us. Liverpool are 13 points clear of the Premier League. Yes, 13 points.
00:40:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Join us for tomorrow's episode. We'll probably do another review of the match and also look ahead to the rest of the season's fixtures, starting with PSG in the Champions League next week. From all of us at Daily Liverpool, it's goodbye and have a great evening.