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Liverpool SNATCH Victory on the Opening Day of the Season! - Liverpool 4-2 AFC Bournemouth Post-Match Reaction
18 Plays20 days ago
All the main talking points after a thrilling opening day fixture in the Premier League!
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Transcript
Liverpool's Dramatic Season Opener
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 Jesse Sawa and, well, a breathless first game of the season for Liverpool has ended in the Reds winning in London.
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
in A dramatic game, which um I'm kind of hoping that this is not something that we're going to see every week, because I'm not sure if we're going to be able to take that.
00:00:32
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this game had pretty much everything, ah the good, the bad and the ugly. um And I'm here with my good mate, Louis Easton.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Louis, have you have you had time to recover from ah from this game
00:00:52
Louie Easton
ah Just about. I mean, that was quite hectic. um I mean, it we've we've seen in the first two matches now of this season, if you want to count the Community Shield, that Liverpool love to start strong and then about halfway through the second half, take the foot off the gas and just give us heart attacks...
00:01:17
Louie Easton
I mean, i thought we brought on Wataru Endo ridiculously early. We'll get into all of that later. But I mean, for a first match of the season, that is everything as a neutral we've missed about football over the summer.
00:01:31
Louie Easton
Just fast pace, action, goals, all of the adrenaline.
00:01:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:01:35
Louie Easton
Oh, what a match. What a first match back, Jesse.
00:01:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, 100%. I think you've you've hit the nail on the head there. I think...
Pre-season Reflections and New Signings
00:01:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um it's what we miss in terms of the hurly-burly of the Premier League, right? We've seen the ah the pre-season matches. you know We've seen things like the Club World Cup.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But nothing comes close to the competitive start of the Premier League with their new signings.
00:02:00
Louie Easton
with our new signings as well.
00:02:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think, you know, what what obviously obviously we'll go through in a bit more detail about the the performances of each of the players. ah But I think it's really, i think it's interesting because...
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the closed season with Liverpool being so active in the transfer market and it being so unusual fun from how we normally approach transfer windows that it's inevitable that there's this kind of level of of excitement that all these new players are coming in.
00:02:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I did say on on the podcast a couple of days ago that there is a danger that we could almost do too much in the transfer window. And then that what it means is that you've got...
00:02:44
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:02:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've got you know a couple of new players in the back four. The back four has got to get that understanding together. um And even in some of the more forward areas.
00:02:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
did Did you find that particularly in the first half where I thought we were a bit kind of disjointed, even though there were some passages of play that were really good, but there didn't seem to be that kind of fluency that we normally associate with Liverpool teams?
00:03:10
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:03:13
Louie Easton
Yeah, look, it did feel a bit scruffy. um Obviously, the Anfield pitch is a lot smaller than other stadium pitches in the Premier League. um And it can sometimes feel a bit crowded. And I wouldn't say that was just in the first half. I'd say even more so in the second half, um where it was just... I mean, I'm sure there's ah an old-fashioned football phrase for it, but um it just it did feel like...
00:03:42
Louie Easton
a bit cat and mouse at some point as well, ah when we were dominating and the ball would just go out and it would end up back with a Liverpool player. But and heading from the midfield into the final third, it sort of felt like, in my opinion, we missed Gravenberg a bit because he'd be able to carry it through seamlessly and then lave someone off to the wing.
00:03:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:04:04
Louie Easton
I thought um Gakpo struggled to get into the game a little bit at the beginning. As did Mo Salah. I think he was completely isolated on the right hand side. So this is a very different Liverpool this season um with Ekotike coming back into midfield to help out as well.
00:04:23
Louie Easton
Almost in that Firmino role um that we do miss sometimes, in my opinion. So, yeah, it did it does it does feel weird still.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:33
Louie Easton
And I still think this team needs to gel a little bit more, um especially in the Premier League. You know, it's very limited in space.
00:04:43
Louie Easton
And you've got two players coming from the Bundesliga where there is so much space in comparison in Eketike and Florian Wirtz. So they need time to integrate into the pace and space of the Premier League a bit more.
00:05:00
Louie Easton
And until that happens, I think we'll still see um this weird football that we're seeing at the moment.
Emotional Moments and Their Impact
00:05:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's go right back to the start of the game, even just before the start of the game. You knew that this was going to be an emotionally charged game. First game of the season.
00:05:19
Louie Easton
Mm-hmm.
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an evening kickoff. It's under the lights. And then obviously we've got the Diogo Jota factor as well.
00:05:26
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i mean, I've heard You Never Walk Alone sung with, you know, real passion in the past.
00:05:33
Louie Easton
yeah
00:05:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this one was just kind of spine tingling stuff. um And, you know, you saw the the emotion on the players. I mean, Mohamed Salah, you know yeah he's not someone that's really um associated with being really, really emotional.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you can see, it as as the players were in that set in that's kind of ah ah the centre of the pitch, getting ready for the game, the minute silence, you saw the tears in Mohamed Salah's eyes.
00:06:03
Louie Easton
Yep.
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so that was something really poignant. And and I'm just wondering... whether that has had an effect on the performance or is that just one of those intangibles? You just, you just, you just don't know what kind of effect that's going to have.
00:06:21
Louie Easton
Yeah, I mean, if you think, ah you can't really think of it from a player's perspective, something like that. You have to think about it from a human being's perspective, because this is a colleague, a friend of all of them.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:35
Louie Easton
And, you know, something so tragic like that, a car crash, just taken, a friend taken from you in a flash, and then you don't get to see them again. um So this is the first time back in, if you want to call it a workplace setting for these players, um without him on the bench watching you perform or him on the pitch watching you or playing with you.
00:06:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:00
Louie Easton
It's going to affect you mentally in one way or another, whether or not that's going to come out at Anfield. um In Mo's case, it did, especially after the final whistle.
00:07:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did you see him after the game?
00:07:12
Louie Easton
ah Yeah, you after the game...
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, he was he was he was vi he was visibly in tears and that was just heartbreaking see.
00:07:16
Louie Easton
he Yeah, it's it's just it's one of these moments where you have to sort of take the football out of it and put the just human being because it's a stark reminder of how short life can be.
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:07:31
Louie Easton
And, um you know, first match back, Jota's tribute before the match with a minute's silence, all the programs, a picture of Jota in black and white. I mean, this is still so fresh.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:07:44
Louie Easton
um And, you know, i so i i even I struggled to talk about it as a fan um because you just, yeah, it was a lovely tribute.
00:07:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it was a wonderful tribute, though, wonderful tribute for from from the crowd.
00:07:53
Louie Easton
And I'm...
00:07:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And, you know, Liverpool started, you know, reasonably well.
VAR Controversy and Game Consistency
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've got to go to minute 13, though, Louis. And ah where do you start with VAR?
00:08:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
With 13 minutes into a new season, how is it even possible
00:08:09
Louie Easton
Oh.
00:08:16
Louie Easton
Same old, isn't it? Yeah.
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
VAR cannot see the second part of that handball, which um he's reaching out for the ball and it takes it away from Eketike, from his path, who has got a direct line through to goal.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sorry, I don't think you're catching Eketike. If he's got a yard on you and you know the ball's in front of him, At the very, very least, you've got to concede that that is a clear goal scoring opportunity.
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you don't want send him off, I mean, I don't understand it.
00:08:51
Louie Easton
Yet...
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
But how does VAR not intervene on this?
00:09:00
Louie Easton
Well, to be honest, I just... I don't get how the referee didn't see it in the first place. Because it was...
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's give him the benefit of the doubt.
00:09:07
Louie Easton
clear as day.
00:09:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's give Anthony Taylor from Manchester the benefit of the doubt because obviously um he's he's and another one of these referees, exclusive, I should say, to the Premier League.
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. They don't support any of the big clubs. okay They always support a non-league team.
00:09:27
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
right You're from Manchester.
00:09:28
Louie Easton
It's funny that, isn't it?
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
but but i
00:09:29
Louie Easton
Funny that.
00:09:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
so you know i support this kind of team that plays once a month at the local pub. okay No one supports Manchester United. No one supports Manchester City. They're all kind of small club supporters. all right But let's give him the benefit of doubt.
00:09:44
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
The whole point of VAR... is that you are there to oversee these howlers, clear cut errors from the referee. So how is it that VAR doesn't see it and acts so quickly to say, right, yeah, move on, nothing to see here.
00:10:05
Louie Easton
it's it's It's mental to me because, I mean, if they got that wrong and it was a draw in the end and Chiesa didn't come to our rescue, we would look back at that as a moment in the match that sort of was a contributing factor to the result or a deciding factor.
00:10:22
Louie Easton
ah I don't get it because I don't think we will ever understand handball. It's become such a talking point ah over so many matches.
00:10:34
Louie Easton
and
00:10:37
Louie Easton
it's it's bizarre to me that ah he just pushes it. He pushes the ball away from Hugo Ekatsike, who would have been away.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what I mean. ah The first part of the handball, you can argue that, look, it's it's hit his thigh and bounced up and hit his elbow.
00:10:54
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:10:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
No problem. I've got no issues with that, okay? It's the second part where he reaches out and flicks the ball away from Eketike's path. And that's where I just don't understand where the VAR, at the very, very least, has got to say, Anthony Taylor, you've got to come to the monitor to have a look at this.
00:11:15
Louie Easton
yeah Yeah, it's crazy to me. I mean, the thing that they will they will say is it's not a red card. And I can accept that, but it's ah to me, even that's contestable because it was a clear goal scoring opportunity if it came to Eketike and he took the right touch.
00:11:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
but I think the referees have got to do it in order.
00:11:34
Louie Easton
That...
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think they can say, well, I don't want to give a red card. You've got to first ask yourself, is it handball? Yes or no? If it's a yes, is it a deliberate handball? Yes, because he's reached out and flicked the ball.
00:11:46
Louie Easton
But
00:11:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay the foot so the first part where it bounces up, that's not deliberate. The second one, when he reaches out to divert the ball away from Ekotike's path, It's a deliberate, clear handball.
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so if he And then you have to ask yourself, has by doing that, has he denied a goal-scoring opportunity?
00:12:01
Louie Easton
but
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm sorry, i don't see how anyone can say that that's not denying an opportunity, not guaranteed goal, but an opportunity.
00:12:14
Louie Easton
Yeah, it's ah it's an opportunity. that's That's where they would
Tactical Changes and Player Dynamics
00:12:18
Louie Easton
argue, oh, it's not a goal scoring opportunity because he could have messed up his touch or whatever. And then I just think rubbish, reinforce, reform the rules then because that's handball that the referee shouldn't be missing in the first place.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:12:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:34
Louie Easton
has decided a goal. So, you know, they need to do something about this. We can't keep on having this conversation over and over and over again until something's done about it.
00:12:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:12:45
Louie Easton
It was a handball, absolutely deliberate. And then for them to say, oh, it's not a goal scoring opportunity. We can't send him off. And that's probably what they would have said in the VAR room. I don't know if we'll ever hear that audio.
00:12:56
Louie Easton
But there we go. That's a missed opportunity now because of Anthony Taylor, in my opinion, his incompetence to spot the handball in the first place. So there we go.
00:13:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, absolutely ridiculous.
00:13:06
Louie Easton
But, you know, something should be done about it.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I thought, again, Liverpool were... ah thought we were quite disjointed in the first half. um You can see that there's there are elements now to our play, which it it there is going to take a bit of time to adjust to this.
00:13:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, Frimpong on that right with his pace... um overlapping Salah as opposed to Trent Alexander-Arnold kind of, you know, sitting on the ball, waiting for Salah to make that movement or some or using Salah as a decoy and then, you know, whipping in a a cross or a 30-yard cross field pass.
00:13:30
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:13:37
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:13:47
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
You've now got Frimpong running beyond Salah. And so Salah is what, does does he drop back? Is he cutting in further?
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that there are these kind of little kind of tactical tweaks that you can see Liverpool are going to have to adjust to. And I guess in many respects, it's it's almost looking towards the future because Salah's um pace is not always you know going to be kind of blistering. It's you know it's going to steadily decline.
00:13:57
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:14:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so maybe having someone else ah doing the overlapping run and really kind of threatening the opposition fallback is something that Liverpool ah are looking to kind of future-proof.
00:14:26
Louie Easton
yeah
00:14:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just felt that it meant that sometimes it just looked that we were a bit disjointed. I thought Wietz, again, I thought that he was... He showed some really quality touches and you can see that he's a quality player.
00:14:40
Louie Easton
ye
00:14:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But I don't think that we're at the moment, and obviously it's very, very, very early days, but we're we're not kind of facilitating his game at the moment. What do you think?
00:14:54
Louie Easton
um Well, it's a very unorthodox formation that slot plays um because its it seems to me that we still have a bit of a gap between the attack and the defence because once you're in the attack, then McAllister's quite late to the attack.
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:15
Louie Easton
We sort of rely on the fullbacks to get forward and then we have just five players completely... moving around and no one it's all sort of reactionary to me so i think we need to find some sort of structure that works for verts um and really show off the flair that he can have when turning defense into attack and his decision making i mean you're right he does have some incredible touches he has quite a knack for threading the ball through and the eye of a needle to another player and trying that. And I love that confidence that he has in himself. You can tell he moves with such vigor and it's so refreshing to see a player like that. But you're right, we do need to unlock the potential still with Verts. But we're saying this after one match.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly.
00:16:09
Louie Easton
yeah So let's not worry too much.
00:16:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to come. 100%. It's going to come. And and one of the things I do like about Vietz is that I think he's someone that he's he doesn't seem burdened by the price tag ah in terms of trying to do too much. Sometimes you see a player that who's been, let's say, bought for £100 million pounds and they think...
00:16:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah God, i've got I've got to really do something here to kind of justify that price tag.
00:16:36
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas Wirtz, you know, he he seems quite content with getting the ball and then shifting it quickly, if that's what what is needed to be done.
00:16:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and I like that.
00:16:48
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't see him ah too under pressure to kind of do something outrageous all the time.
00:16:52
Louie Easton
Yeah, and and and you can tell that he has that sort of right mentality just from the way he comes across in interviews even.
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:00
Louie Easton
He's quite humble. He doesn't seem like one of these players that's obsessed about their brand or you know how they appear to ah the media or anything.
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:10
Louie Easton
He just gets on with it, and that's everything you need with a professional footballer, a professional mindset, and I love that.
00:17:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. and And he's only going to get better. um Someone else who looks like he could get better and better. I mean, you know, the the the crowd was was starting to get up. We had 20 minutes and obviously, you know, um the crowd were singing Diogo Jota's name.
00:17:34
Louie Easton
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:17:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then on 37 minutes, Hugo Eketike gets his first Premier League goal. And, you know, he might have got a bit of luck in terms of the build up, the ricochet that fell in his path. But, you know, he is the one who made that positive move into the box, gets the break with the ball falling into his path.
Notable Performances: Wirtz and Eketike
00:17:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then the thing that really impressed me was the composed finish.
00:18:02
Louie Easton
Yeah, it was it was brilliant. And I did say at the time, almost Suarez-esque. I know that's ridiculously high praise for someone, but Suarez was a ricochet merchant and he knocked the ball against Sanessi's feet, got the got the deflection, took it controlled it perfectly, scored on the volley, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's true. You're right.
00:18:24
Louie Easton
Everything was so slick. Everything was calculated. And it was just a show of proper quality. I honestly... that if if we are going to miss out on Isak, and I'm not saying we shouldn't still go for him, you know, he clearly wants the move, but if we were to miss out on him, I wouldn't be too worried other than the depth.
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:48
Louie Easton
You know, Eketike has proven that he is Premier League quality in this match and also in the Community Shield match where he got the goal there as well. It's such a positive start and I'm seeing so many qualities with him and Hang in mind, he's 23 years old.
00:19:05
Louie Easton
He's got so many great years ahead of him. His best days are still yet to come. And he's huge, absolutely huge.
00:19:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
didn't realise how tall he was.
00:19:15
Louie Easton
Maybe needs to bulk up a little bit, but ah he moves so gracefully around. i'm I'm excited to see more of him, Jesse.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, 100%. And I think I agree with you 100% in the sense that um I said the exactly the same thing the other day, that if we don't land Isak, I don't think it's the end of the world.
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
In terms of we've got Hugo Eketike, and I think that he's a ah really, really good striker. and I think that he's going to get better. I think he's got a high ceiling. um But yeah, the the depth is the issue.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we saw that from just looking at the subs bench. ah
00:19:53
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
there wasn't There wasn't a lot there when it came to the end.
00:19:56
Louie Easton
Kiesa's the only other one that can play striker, and then after that, what, Jadon Danz?
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:20:00
Louie Easton
Something like that.
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's not a lot there.
00:20:02
Louie Easton
And
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And bearing in mind...
00:20:03
Louie Easton
I do feel a bit bad for Ekotike though, I must say. You know, all this talk surrounding Isak and when he's literally right there.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I don't. Because I think that someone, I think someone like a Hugo Eketike has got a look at that and um use that to his advantage.
00:20:11
Louie Easton
Really?
00:20:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think sometimes we underestimate professional footballers in terms of their mental resilience, right?
00:20:25
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because we just see them...
00:20:28
Louie Easton
Hmm.
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
When they become a Premier League footballer, we don't see them going through the, you know, when they're seven years old and when they're 11 years old.
00:20:36
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, you know, they they make the grade when they're 11 at that level. They make the grade when they're at the academy level. They make the grade when they're 16 and 18 and on and on and on. And this develops a real kind of mental fortitude that...
00:20:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know They're used to these yeah theyre they're used to these kind of always being challenged. you know Okay, this season, I've got this striker coming in. The next season, um I'm the top guy.
00:20:50
Louie Easton
Yeah, you make a good point.
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the next season, someone else is coming and challenging. Now I'm but um going a level up. I've gone from the German Bundesliga. Now I'm going to the Premier League champions. And I'm not going to be number one.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
i've got to I've got to make sure I'm number one. And so I think Alexander Isak coming in.
00:21:16
Louie Easton
But, yeah.
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
um or even this talk around Alexander Izak. Let's say even if we don't get Alexander Izak, but the talk has been, oh, we should have got Alexander Izak. Ekotike, I can assure you, he's going to be thinking, you know what?
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to show you guys that in chip mean two, three months time, you're going thinking, Alexander who? Because i'm i'm I'm going to be the man. So i don't I don't feel sorry for him.
00:21:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think that I've got confidence that he's gonna he's going to use that to his his own advantage. But we go into the halftime break, 1-0 up.
00:21:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
oneilla There is a situation now developing because um you know we were all wondering, what you know what is the referee doing?
Racism Incident and Player Resilience
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He's talking to Arnest Slott. He's talking to Iriola, the Bournemouth manager.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah There seems to be something that has happened. And there was a few of us watching the game thinking, oh my God, have they just realised that there was a handball on 13 minutes? Are they...
00:22:23
Louie Easton
I thought a VAR screen had gone off or something.
00:22:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
can Are they going to drag it back or something? And it appears, um you know, a ridiculous um situation developed where ah it looks like a a Liverpool fan um has been accused of racially abusing Bournemouth striker Semenyo, which you just think,
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just ah at every level, it's it's just so it's just so stupid, so utterly um to be condemned.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Not that there's any situation, not that there's any game that it wouldn't be ridiculous. But the whole world is watching. this is This is the game that Liverpool are coming back to Anfield after the tragedy of of Diogo Jota.
00:23:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
The focus is on Diogo Jota and how we as a football club are going to be responding to that and honouring his memory. And then you have a fan doing that.
00:23:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's just just beggars belief.
00:23:34
Louie Easton
it's crazy i mean it's a privilege to be there right that close to the pitch as well it's such a privilege
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, and hopefully that is revoked now.
00:23:45
Louie Easton
And but I mean, one thing I will say is I was quite impressed with how the police dealt with it quite efficiently, immediately taking the fan out the stadium.
00:23:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Quickly, yeah. Yeah.
00:23:53
Louie Easton
And it's um I was impressed by the response. But the fact that we're still having to have these conversations in 2025 around racism, I mean, I'm amazed that.
00:24:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's ridiculous. Yeah.
00:24:08
Louie Easton
we still don't see each other as different. I mean, we're all the same. ah It doesn't matter what background you're from. And there is absolutely no excuse to use someone else's background against them.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:24
Louie Easton
It's, it's disgusting. Hmm.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. On the flip side, um Louis, let's remember 60,000 people in that crowd. There's one idiot and there's always one idiot. And unfortunately, ah you know, human history um shows us quite clearly that there there's always going to be one idiot.
00:24:36
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, um you know, so so I think it's worth... um you wrote reminding ourselves that you know it was just one individual. But ah you know what?
00:24:44
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:24:52
Louie Easton
yeah
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fair play Semenyo because Bournemouth come out in the second half and Semenyo scores ah scores um and and he scores twice.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so, you know, he, I thought, really kind of um has come out of this um with with so much praise because, you know, he he he didn't kind of um crumble ah from from that horri you know horrible incident.
00:25:22
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's almost like, well, okay, if if this is what going to say to me, mean,
00:25:31
Louie Easton
Yeah, it's a great show of resilience, isn't it?
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. And and fair play to them. Obviously, we don't want any players scoring at Anfield, but um you know we've we've got to give credit where credit is due. um
00:25:41
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:25:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're worrying signs in that second half, Louis, in terms of the defence.
00:25:48
Louie Easton
Yeah, I thought Canate had a horrible game.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a horror show.
00:25:51
Louie Easton
I mean, ah but was its i mean do you think that it was credit to Bournemouth as well for opening the defence up? I mean, one of them was just a counter-attack.
00:26:04
Louie Easton
um And, you know, we're all pointing the fingers at Canate. But I thought Kirk has struggled a bit. ah Sort of game went past him a bit. Credit to Bournemouth as well, in my opinion.
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. I thought that um you know they they came out, I thought that they were really positive. I mean, certainly the first goal. I mean, ah what a ball that was.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know I don't care who you are as a defender.
00:26:30
Louie Easton
Yeah, that was a great pass.
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't care what kind of defence it is. um the ball was a really, really good ball into the box because he played it with ah not just so much accuracy. He played it early.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played it really, really early. And, you know, that that was the, I think that was the key, to to that first goal, the equaliser.
00:26:52
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Gakpo gets us back ahead. And I think Gakpo is, again, I think he's proving to be really, really useful member of that forward line.
00:27:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, yeah, remember you saying last season, yeah, remember you saying last season,
00:27:10
Louie Easton
you know, I always thought he was better than Diaz, in my opinion. I thought he was more direct... Yeah, I think he's just so effective and he turns up in the big moments.
00:27:21
Louie Easton
He did it against Madrid last season.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. he
00:27:23
Louie Easton
He did it against Man City last season and he's earned his place as that left winger nailed on now. um Obviously, great players behind him. Chies can play on the left. Dekatike may be able to play on the left. I'm still loving the look of Rio and Gamora as well, but...
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:27:40
Louie Easton
I think Gakpo has earned that place on the left-hand side and he's proving why he's earned that role with
Defensive Struggles and Future Considerations
00:27:48
Louie Easton
that goal. I mean, a lovely fake, very quick feet and a clinical finish. What more do you want from a winger?
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. and And look, my my my mistake, because my my mind is still frazzled after the after the game, we go 2-0 up, actually. Gakbo says 2-0 up.
00:28:03
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Semenyo on 64 minutes and then 76. I think the one on 76 minutes. was the one I think that Arnie Slott is going to be more disappointed disappointed by.
00:28:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, we we leap lose the ball in an attacking area, I think just literally outside the Bournemouth penalty area. And a swift counter-attack.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought Semenya does really well in terms of using two or three other Bournemouth players as kind of decoys.
00:28:33
Louie Easton
yeah
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... The sight of Ibrahima Canate just...
00:28:39
Louie Easton
Oh, it is just... it It's like he's trying to mimic what Van Dijk does with his back to the ball. It is a sorry sight.
00:28:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was a sorry...
00:28:48
Louie Easton
really It's It's a nasty watch. You just feel bad for him, honestly.
00:28:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do, yeah, really. And it was ah almost at the end where Semenyo scores and Canate just collapses in ah in a heap.
00:28:54
Louie Easton
I mean...
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's almost like dizzy because he was as you said he was trying to do the ah the Van Dyke thing um so we're now back at exactly and and a lot of people are saying that the um the substitutions
00:29:08
Louie Easton
and This was four minutes after we brought on Joe Gomez as well.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah didn't work and that they don't understand um why he made those up substitutions. I think left-back I understand because Kerk has, you know, he'd been booked.
00:29:30
Louie Easton
Yeah, it was on a yellow.
00:29:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was and And you can see he's got a bit of... He's got a bit of fire in him. You know, he's not afraid of a challenge.
00:29:37
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:29:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think Slott understandably thought, you know, we don't want a red card, you know opening game of the season. So no problem having Andy Robertson coming on for that last half hour to, ah you know, to stabilize things at the back.
00:29:50
Louie Easton
yeah
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think the surprise was taking Frimpong off. um that That's the thing that um ah that I see on social media that, you know, Slott may have...
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
taken him off too early I'm not sure I think you know hindsight's wonderful thing yeah exactly yeah yeah
00:30:07
Louie Easton
No, I think two thirds, two thirds of the match on your debut at Anfield in a difficult setting. I think that's absolutely fine. Bearing in mind, we were two nil up at that point as well when we decided to bring him off.
00:30:21
Louie Easton
What I found a bit strange was how early he put on Wataru Endo, because this is the sort of player that you bring on when you want to shut everything off
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
last five minutes yeah last five ten minutes yeah
00:30:30
Louie Easton
And we still got a third of the match to go. and you know, things like this can happen where you're 2-0 up and then you concede twice. And then you've got a defensive player on who doesn't offer that much going forward.
00:30:43
Louie Easton
I mean, that's not disrespectful to Endo. I just don't think he offers as much going forward as as Dominic Soboslay or McAllister does.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but it's true. It's true.
00:30:50
Louie Easton
Yeah. ah The real surprise to me was bringing off Florian Verts. ah I know that it turned out to be ah the right thing to do in hindsight with Chiesa getting that late goal, but...
00:31:07
Louie Easton
i was I was just surprised at the guile that Slott had the the ideas. I mean, this is a manager that you often find yourself praising ah his substitutions.
00:31:19
Louie Easton
But I don't know. we it it it worked. oh That's all I'll say.
00:31:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
It worked. mean, look, um you know, Virts came on and then look, we mentioned that we didn't seem to have that much on the bench going forward, right? Because we've had, we've got all of our attackers on, we've got Gakpo on, we've got Ekotike, we've got Salah on.
00:31:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:31:43
Louie Easton
The other one was Elliot, I suppose.
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, Yeah, but but who comes on? Who steps up? You know, Federico Chiesa comes on, who's you know hardly kicked a ball last season. but and um And you know what? this is This is the thing about Liverpool, and this is the thing about Anfield.
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
For some reason, there are certain players, and and and sometimes they they they don't play regularly, but there are certain players that we really take to our hearts. And Chiesa... I think one of the reasons why we've taken him to our hearts is that we know that he's a quality player. this he's an it He's an Italian international.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's played at Juventus. He's played at the highest level. But last season, you saw an ultra professional. He didn't sulk. He didn't moan.
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Every time he came on, even if it was just for that really annoying kind of stoppage time that managers bring you on for like the first last one or two minutes, you know he never complained.
00:32:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
He never went to the press.
00:32:44
Louie Easton
Yeah. Yeah.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know he And you can see that he's really well-liked in the squad. So he's really, I think he's a model professional. And I was so pleased.
00:32:52
Louie Easton
yeah
00:32:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was so pleased that he got the goal on, um yeah, it was around about, yeah, it was about 88 minutes, 89 minutes. My only fear, Louis, was I thought Ibrahima Kanate was going to put in his one and only block of the game and stop Chiesa's goal from going on because it it missed him by a whisker, right?
00:33:18
Louie Easton
Oh, do you know what that reminded me of? you remember the second goal we scored in the 2005 Champions League final? Smitsa smashing it. And I can't remember who it was, but you sort of moved your body.
00:33:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you know I think it was Barros. I think was Milan Barros.
00:33:31
Louie Easton
Yeah, it was it was like that.
00:33:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you're right.
00:33:34
Louie Easton
Maybe not quite the same jeopardy, but um I mean, so happy for Chiesa because that that is, I mean, he's got one of the best songs at the moment, but one of the fans' favourite songs, because even when he wasn't playing, about 10 minutes in, everyone in the stadium was just serenading
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no, really pleased for Chiesa, though. And great. Yeah.
00:33:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. Exactly.
Salah's Enduring Influence
00:33:53
Louie Easton
him.
00:33:53
Louie Easton
um Yeah, that's his first ever Premier League goal.
00:33:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:57
Louie Easton
It's that's crazy.
00:33:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:59
Louie Easton
His first ever one. And um what a time to get it. First match of the season um when we needed him most.
00:34:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:34:06
Louie Easton
88th minute, I think it was.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it was, yeah.
00:34:09
Louie Easton
um And it was a difficult goal as well because it was on the volley. Yeah.
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was an awkward height, wasn't it?
00:34:14
Louie Easton
Yeah, and he hadn't done much at all up to that point.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:17
Louie Easton
And what I find so funny is the celebrations, everyone's going crazy. And then for the rest of the match, he had a horrendous time. Every touch he had was bouncing off his foot and ah we'll let him off.
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is fine. Look, you know what? He's, you know, we'll let him off. He he got his cold and and my God, has he been patient?
00:34:32
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then look, you know, we we we we think that we're going to go through an opening Premier League game and ah see Mohamed Salah not get a goal.
00:34:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this guy was just not going to allow that to happen.
00:34:49
Louie Easton
What an assist from Wataru Endo, by the way.
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? um Someone mentioned that to me who's who um who very sneakily put Endo into his fantasy league team. And it was only after about two replays where they say, oh hang about, that's an Endo assist.
00:35:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But not a bad finish from Mo on his right foot.
00:35:10
Louie Easton
it so He had so much to do. um You know, he's so awkward to to defend against for these defenders because he does these weird shimmies that no one else does because it just looks awkward and it doesn't look like anything's going to come out of it.
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:27
Louie Easton
But yeah, a right footed finish ah through a defender's legs, I believe, as well and into the bottom right corner.
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:35:34
Louie Easton
Um, it's very Mo just to have an not very productive game and then just score and do very little else for the rest of it. But it's the goals that matter.
00:35:45
Louie Easton
And it doesn't matter how they come out as long as they come about.
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:35:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:35:49
Louie Easton
And, um yeah, he just loves the opening game, doesn't he? I think he's only had one other match in the opening game where he hasn't scored out of what, eight or nine.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's something bit ridiculous. i think he scored I think he scored 10 opening goals.
00:36:07
Louie Easton
That's just crazy.
00:36:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
of
00:36:08
Louie Easton
He got he got the hat-trick.
00:36:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's the most in Premier League history.
00:36:12
Louie Easton
It was against like someone like Leeds or Norwich a few years ago.
00:36:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, yeah.
00:36:15
Louie Easton
He got a hat-trick in the opening game, and yeah he just loves it.
00:36:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I honestly think that I know that there's been a lot of talk and a lot of concern um that, you know, particularly after the kind of pre-season games, the Community Shield game, um that, you know, oh, is is this going to be the decline of Salah?
00:36:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that you're going to see a player that is going to develop... a different kind of facet of his game again. You know, we've we've seen Mo do that.
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he's he's he's not the the same player that he was when he first joined from Roma, that kind of blistering pace down the wing.
00:36:53
Louie Easton
No.
00:36:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um You know, he's he's developed his through balls incredibly in the last two or three years.
00:37:02
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:37:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that you're going to see now with Frimpong being in the in the team, I think you're going to see further developments um in terms of his he's gameplay for Liverpool.
00:37:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and i I've got no doubts that he's going to still be ah massively, massively important part of his team.
00:37:16
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:37:19
Louie Easton
He's so good at reinventing himself.
00:37:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:22
Louie Easton
And i mean, it was I remember it was ah towards the end of Klopp's tenure at Liverpool, maybe the last season in preseason, he said something that Mo's done this summer is he's learnt how to use his right foot.
00:37:39
Louie Easton
So you can tell he just he he is obsessed with becoming the best possible version of himself at every point in his career.
00:37:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:37:47
Louie Easton
Because there was that story where he was ah he had a nasty time under Mourinho at Chelsea. And then one summer he just went and set up a goal in his back garden and just...
00:38:00
Louie Easton
worked on his finishing over and over and over again um hopefully the penalties happen at some point um anyway i'll i'll cut him some slack he's he's a brilliant play and his physical side he's looked after himself so well and we were all talking about his pace uh yourself included but that sprint he did to beat that defender to that loose ball from endo
00:38:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he wasn't favorite for that ball. Yeah.
00:38:27
Louie Easton
Not at all. But it's his hunger. It's his desire to win everything. um it's That's what's so key to this Liverpool team. And even at 33 he is now.
00:38:39
Louie Easton
ah He still could be the best player in the world.
00:38:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:38:43
Louie Easton
Easily.
00:38:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, it's another great, um ah great goal from ah from Salah. And so 4-2, you know, great opening game, particularly if you're a neutral.
00:38:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm sure Slott won't want to see that kind of defensive performance too many times this season. ah We're going to go to a very, very quick break, after which you'll hear ah some comments from ah Daily Liverpool regular Adarsh Ramchurn, who's at Anfield tonight, to give you his thoughts on the game.
00:43:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was um Daily Liverpool team, mate. Adash Ramchun coming out of Anfield there after that game.
00:43:20
Louie Easton
A very excited Adarsh Ramchurn.
00:43:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very excited, Adash Ramchun.
00:43:23
Louie Easton
yeah
00:43:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's always interesting the kind of perspective you get ah when you're in the ground, as opposed to but you know when you're kind of watching it on on television. um You know, he's kind of really kind of... um gung-ho about the fact that you know we've got this attacking prowess that we can maybe outscore everyone, um which I suppose maybe maybe that
00:43:49
Louie Easton
It's not the... it's not the brightest tactic to use, I think.
00:43:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not the brightest tactic, but I'm just thinking that I don't know whether whether this team at the moment is going to be capable of keeping clean sheets while they're gelling together.
00:43:53
Louie Easton
It...
00:44:06
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:44:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so maybe you've just got to try and score as many goals as possible.
00:44:10
Louie Easton
I think we shouldn't be so reactive over Canate because he has proven for us many times that he is capable of having a very solid performance at the back.
00:44:23
Louie Easton
However... is he reliable for an entire season? Because you do know that he can have games like this and he can have other games where he will concede penalties and he'll come off his feet when he shouldn't.
00:44:40
Louie Easton
Um... So so it it sort of does make you ask questions, especially when we're linked to someone with the quality of Mark Gay.
00:44:51
Louie Easton
um you You would want him over Kanate, in my opinion, at the moment. um But I don't think Kanate is a total write-off. I think he...
00:45:03
Louie Easton
has got the ability to, um I mean, he's had so many great matches against big opponents. um So, yeah, it's an interesting topic, definitely.
00:45:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, you're right. And and obviously this Mark Gahey talk, this Mark Gahey chatter, you know, that just kind of increases the the kind of, I guess, scrutiny over Kanate, particularly given that
00:45:27
Louie Easton
Yeah.
Contract Speculations and Future of Kanate
00:45:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's now in in his final year of the contract, he's not signing a new contract. And so it's almost inevitable, isn't it?
00:45:34
Louie Easton
Yeah. Yeah.
00:45:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have the same situation with Salah and ah Virgil. But I mean, they they were different in the sense that they were they wanted to sign it a contract and the club weren't forthcoming.
00:45:46
Louie Easton
yeah
00:45:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
This time, you're in a situation where the club, apparently, if you read or if you believe all the reports, we've offered a couple of deals, contract deals to Kanate and that those have been turned down. and and And I've said many times in the podcast over the ah you know last few days, even back in the last season, and um I said that if if we start this season and he hasn't signed a contract,
00:46:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's not signing contracts. He's leaving at the end of the season to either PSG or Real Madrid. And, you know, quite honestly, ah I don't really have a problem with it. It's not something that, you know, cuts me up.
00:46:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd rather he stayed, but if he wants to leave, no problem. Thank you very much.
00:46:31
Louie Easton
yeah
00:46:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Off you go. We've, you know, we've got Leoni in who I've got massively, massively excited about.
00:46:35
Louie Easton
Yes, someone you're a huge fan of.
00:46:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, um His stock can only rise after Canate's dizzying ah run for that second goal.
00:46:49
Louie Easton
It's but such a cruel thing to say.
00:46:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah you He's probably concussed himself like after falling. Yeah.
00:46:57
Louie Easton
He'll be licking his lips watching from the sidelines. ah This is my competition.
00:47:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:47:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And even Mark, and even Mark Gay, he should be thinking, you know what, I i don't need to have assurances. You know, I should have, um you know, full confidence that I can compete for, ah for a position in that,
00:47:02
Louie Easton
but
Looking Ahead: Liverpool's Promising Start
00:47:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
in that team. But yeah,
00:47:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is, you know, that's all for today. We're going to wrap things up now. Liverpool have gone with 1-4-2 in the opening game of the Premier League season in this top of the league.
00:47:28
Louie Easton
Top of the league.
00:47:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it's all over now, right? Top of the league. um And, you know, we'll see now what the the opposition do now. The the challenging pack who, you know, i guess it's going to be the usual suspects, Manchester City, Chelsea,
00:47:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Newcastle, Villa, maybe Arsenal seventh um But so we'll we'll see how they get on at the weekend. And we'll be back on Monday um to begin another week on the Daily Liverpool. So thank you for listening. We'll be back, as I said, on Monday. Please support the show by following us wherever you get your podcasts.
00:48:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Until next time, ah from myself and from Louis, thank you for listening.