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Friday Forecast - Crystal Palace v Liverpool preview
0 Playsin 11 hours
The Reds travel to Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace in the PL. Irby and Jesse go through all the main talking points as Liverpool look to extend their lead at the top to 8 points.
Part 1 - review of the week, Leoni injury and possible Guehi January move
Part 2 - predicted team and score and Rio's new contract.
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Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
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Transcript
Introduction to Podcast and Upcoming Match
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. It is the Friday forecast episode, so we're looking ahead to the weekend's away day trip to Selhurst Park as the Reds face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Plenty more to talk about as well with our resident football coach, Irby White. How's it going, Irby?
00:01:16
Irby White
It's going well, lots to talk about, so I'm i'm ready.
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, there's lots of talk about. It's been another eventful week for Liverpool. We were in League Cup action on Tuesday night against Southampton. We did the job, you know, beat them 2-1. But I mean, so much happened in that game that I guess directly impacts this weekend's fixture as well.
Giovanni Leone's Impact and Injury
00:01:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, i mean, we'll start with a bit of a downer, some bad news. Giovanni Leone 18 year old Italian international making his debut for the Reds after his much heralded summer move from Parma he went down with just think it was about 10 minutes to go it was around about the 80th minute and you could see the way that he reacted you could tell that this was not good and then he
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
The medical staff come on and, you know, not before long, the stretcher is out. He's on gas and air and his leg is in that, you know, horrible brace.
00:02:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's confirmed he's he's ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, his ACL. Season effectively over, I would say. yeah Irby, I thought he had such a good debut.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then this happens. I mean, it's just so cruel on him.
00:02:35
Irby White
Yeah, it's easy to say, you know, it was only Southampton and it was the Cup, but 18 years old, making your debut for Liverpool at Anfield under the lights in a competition that we effectively want to win in a rotated squad.
00:02:49
Irby White
I mean, he's been here for, what, six weeks?
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's real too.
00:02:51
Irby White
Hasn't gotten a minute, and he comes out and he looks absolutely outstanding. I think it was, you know, things I was looking at Twitter throughout the game and everyone was like, he's the Van Dyke successor, all this stuff.
00:03:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
it grew tell
00:03:03
Irby White
And he did look the real deal. He looked like ah ah it looked like a 26-year-old in his prime. you know It's easy to, like I said, it's easy to get carried away. But for an 18-year-old in the back line to make his debut and look the way he did, he was absolutely sensational. And he looked like he could be someone who could play center back for Liverpool for the next 10 years.
00:03:26
Irby White
To be honest, I didn't see the injury. I was getting ready to go to my game. I was packing up my bag and I just turned and looked at the TV and I see him on the ground. I was wondered what happened and I saw what everything on Twitter and was just hoping for the best. Maybe it was just kind of just a little knock here and there, 18 years old. You never know.
00:03:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:03:43
Irby White
Can't, can't play the 90 minutes. And yeah, I got the news yesterday, yesterday morning from one of my friends and I was just absolutely, it just, it broke my heart, you know, only not cause it, you know, cause he's just 18.
00:03:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:55
Irby White
He just made his debut, just got his big move. And it's just, the timing is, It's unfortunate. And then you look at, you know, on the club side, leaves us with three center backs only three, four weeks into the season.
00:04:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:04:08
Irby White
It's just, it's, it's not a good situation for, for anybody. And you just have to feel for him more than anything.
00:04:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. I mean, look first firstly, I mean, you know, I get your point about the three centre-backs and we'll we'll, you know, go into that in in a bit more detail. But first off, I mean, just, you know, for for his situation, as you said, it's his debut, his first minutes for the club.
00:04:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's been so much kind of excitement, I
Defensive Challenges and Team Strategy
00:04:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
think, around Liverpool signing him because... You know, in Italy, they they they were calling him a generational talent defensively, you know, almost kind of calling him a new kind of Paolo Maldini of and player.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i mean, that is some some praise. But I did see it. And it was really weird because when he first went down, I thought it was that he'd landed heavy on the back of his head.
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it was, you know, what when you you you come off the pitch and then you've got that bit of turf, which is kind of artificial and everything. And I thought that he just landed heavy. But then he starts looking down at his leg.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm just thinking, know because it the worst thing is, is when there's... and when those kind of innocuous challenges, they're almost the worst ones when it comes to ACLs.
00:05:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just the kind of way in which you land on your knee, as opposed to it being a big impact injury. But look, the The hope is that he's 18 years old.
00:05:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay it could Obviously, it can work. It can go either way. i mean, the ACL injury now is maybe not as kind of career-ending as it used to be, maybe kind of 15, 20 years ago. Obviously, medical science has come a long way now, and and you've got players. I mean, we've got a couple in our own team.
00:05:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Van Dijk, he came back from an ACL, and although it did take him a good year of actually playing time. You know, you you know you leave ah ah leave leave aside the actual recovery time.
00:06:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it took another year for him to really find his best form. And you just hope that You know, Leone, he's 18. His body's still got to grow out. He's still got to get stronger. His legs have got to get stronger. And you just hope that that will compensate for any kind of, know, loss in that nine months or 12 months it's going to take.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know that he said that he wants to come back and help the team at the back end of the season. I really hope the club don't play him this season. a really I really think that.
00:06:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just this season's just got to be written off Getting back fit, getting back strong, properly recovered, and then use preseason of next season to build his match fitness up and and hopefully get him playing again, because I agree with what you said.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
the way that he started that game, just his first touch, his position positional sense, just his physical presence. I thought, wow, you know, one, he had Marmad Ashley be behind him as well. who's not He's not kind of small either.
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought that's, it's pretty imposing and when you put Van Dijk next to him as well. So hopefully, you know, he can come back, know fully recovered. But as you mentioned, from a club perspective,
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are now back down to three centre-backs. And you know we've got Palace on the weekend and that kind of we're facing Mark Gahey. And just that kind of reminder that things can change very quickly. We've got a nice, healthy lead already in the Premier League.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But one injury to Van Dijk, or I would say more likely Canate or Joe Gomez, and we could be in trouble.
00:07:51
Irby White
I was having this excuse me having this conversation with some of my friends, two of my best friends here, our Liverpool supporters unwell and well. And when my friend Will dropped the news about Leone's ACL, he just said, I hope that we can make it to January. And then does this change the Gay-He thing?
00:08:08
Irby White
I don't think, you know, we saw it twice under Klopp where we would loan in center backs. I really hope those days are kind of beyond us a little bit where if we are going to sign a player,
00:08:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:20
Irby White
just make it a permanent move. I think it gives everyone a lift in January in terms of just where it leaves us. I think we can make it, I made the point, I think we can make it to January with Endo being option four.
00:08:32
Irby White
You know, he's so reliable. I think he he reminds me of when Lucas played back there in his last season at the club. And so, yeah, I don't mind having Endo as option four, especially if Gomez and Van Dijk and Kanate can stay fit if Endo has to play back there in and some cup matches, maybe in the back end of some Champions League group group games.
00:08:52
Irby White
It's not the end of the world, but I do think...
Player Performances and Game Strategy
00:08:55
Irby White
Gomez could miss a game or two be with that with a little nick. Kanate could get hurt on international duty. And so I think it should be a priority, whether it's Mark Gahey or someone else that they have their eye on for maybe next summer, whether it's like a young another young player like Leonie that they have their eye on or lined up for for next year.
00:09:14
Irby White
I think you just have to fast track that to January because i was listening to a a podcast this morning or an interview. with Arnest Slott, and he was just kind of talking about how maybe the reason we didn't win the Champions League was because he stuck with the same squad, not just throughout the league, but in the cups in the Champions League.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:09:35
Irby White
And we kind of just ran out of gas. Of course it was against PSG, we were a bit, you know, were a bit knackered going into, into that PSG and Newcastle final. And so you need a full squad.
00:09:46
Irby White
I think we've talked about it in prior podcasts and we've talked about it throughout the summer that we need a full squad. And I think that requires having two players in every position we had that now we don't. I mean, like I said, with Endo, he could be option four, but you, I think you have to fast track the signing of whoever, if it's Mark Gahey, I'm not sure.
00:10:07
Irby White
Gives Palace an extra chance to you know make an extra 10 to 12 million. If we want to just say, here's 10 million, can we get a deal done? I'm not sure. But I think it needs to be a priority. I'm not sure about you.
00:10:20
Irby White
But if we want to if we want to win and be in contention for four competitions, like that should be the mentality of this club.
00:10:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And
00:10:28
Irby White
three center backs in Endo, is it it it doesn't it doesn't breed a whole lot of confidence, I guess, for the fans, if you know what I'm saying. you know Come March, and those three are having to play constantly for a run-in.
00:10:43
Irby White
it it just it it It frightens me a little bit.
00:10:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i so I saw that interview as well with Arnie Slott. And I think it's, you know, look you know, you know, these guys aren't stupid, but I think as as supporters, it's always good to hear them kind of say out loud out loud what you've been worrying about, which is, look, last season, we did what we did. But we, as you said, we ran out of gas and he's fully aware of you know of of the areas that that we you know that we fell down on, which was a a shorter squad.
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so they've addressed that to some extent. I just think that i think that come January, and I think that this injury to Leonie, I think for me has changed everything.
00:11:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was quite happy for the club to kind of wait until next summer and bring Gehi in. But I think with his injury, I think the club have to go in January and just say to Palace, right, we we want to make this deal happen now and just just get him signed up now. and i the reason why I say that is not just because of the injury to Lyoni.
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think by January, we should have a clear idea as to whether Canate is really going to sign or not. if If he hasn't signed by January, we have to accept the fact that he's just not going to sign.
00:12:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So why not just get Gehi in now? OK, knowing that Leone is he's there in in, you know, he's he's he's there in the sidelines, is' he's recovering.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's our future. Gehi is our future. And if Canate is going to leave, you know what, mate? No problem.
00:12:26
Irby White
Thank you.
00:12:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Play out your last three to four months, but we're not hanging our hat on you. We're, you know, we've got our future sorted out. I just think that that that would, you know, i think that will settle all the the club. I think it will settle that defensive question for us.
00:12:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just think it will just give us that... solidity confidence just to see that season through as opposed to just really being really nervous now for that second half of the season because if anything happens to Gomez or Canate and let's face it it will okay then we're I don't think Endo can do the whole second half of the season Robertson played at centre-back Tuesday night I don't think it's his natural position. I think he could do a job again in a cup game, but would you want him playing a last 16 game in in the Champions League? No.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think that it's, I think that it means that Liverpool should, I think, go into January. and And if it is Gahy, just get him signed up now.
00:13:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's going to impact our squad anyway now because his Italy teammate now, Chiesa, who had a really good game. I thought he was excellent on Tuesday night.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
It looks like now he's included in the 22-man Champions League squad. which i'm I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted to to make it into the squad in in in these circumstances.
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think it is reward for him, the way that he's played and his attitude.
00:14:03
Irby White
Yeah, I was thinking about that on the on the ride home this morning and before we logged on. it's just I thought he was brilliant on and Tuesday night, sorry, on Tuesday.
00:14:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
you. know
00:14:14
Irby White
He's just, you know, Slot's kind of talked about it, how just way he the reason he didn't play last year was maybe a little bit of fitness, and he had he missed his own preseason kind of like the way Isak did, struggling with injuries since kind of the Euros where he kind of broke out.
00:14:28
Irby White
It finally feels like he's just building more and more fitness, more and more match time, more minutes, and he's looking more confident. He's getting assists. He's he's creating opportunities. He's contributing to goals.
00:14:39
Irby White
mean, he played 90 minutes, and 89th minute, he looked like
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:14:43
Irby White
he could have gone on for for extra time if they if if extra time still existed in that competition.
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
so Yeah. Yeah. yeah
00:14:48
Irby White
And so the and I always see it on Twitter. as just you know people are are Everyone loves Kiesa. I think our fan base is really kind of just...
00:14:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
concern
00:14:58
Irby White
he he ah Yeah, and he's solidified himself as kind of this cult hero no matter what happens in the next you know six months to a year.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:04
Irby White
whether if he's here, whether he's not, everyone's going to remember him and love him.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:15:08
Irby White
And just... You see sometimes him on the sidelines, 80th minute, we need a goal, and he's still you know in his in his big old puffer top, you know just not even getting warm. and
00:15:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:15:20
Irby White
I always say this about just whether it's coaching or playing. I think all these players always have a part to play.
00:15:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:26
Irby White
It's so early. We just talked about it with with Endo. you know Will he have a part to play at center back? Will Robertson have a part to play? Mohamed Salah is going off to AFCON in January.
00:15:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ye
00:15:37
Irby White
and There's been rumors about him going to Saudi Arabia, to Turkey. You can't do that. You cannot allow that to happen before summer. I think he's going to be very important. He's looked great. And I just hope that
00:15:56
Irby White
He gets the minutes he deserves deserves ah now in AFCON, but just when AFCON comes around, I hope he just kind of solidifies himself as, I'm going to play on the right wing.
00:16:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:06
Irby White
I'm going to play on the right wing for as long as Sal is playing in this tournament, and I'm going to play a big part, and I'm going to help this club get as many points as we can until he comes back, and I'm going to be his deputy, and I would love that.
00:16:19
Irby White
I don't want to say he's back to his best when he was with Italy and with Juventus, but
00:16:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:16:25
Irby White
the signs are are clear that he is getting better and better and he's looking sharper and he's looking more confident and, He just looks like a guy who just not only loves to play for Liverpool, he just loves the game. You see the joy when he's playing.
00:16:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
and and
00:16:37
Irby White
and don't i' think you see that as often and anymore. I think that's just kind of a little sidebar. is just I think players are just playing. i mean, they play for... You get to play a kid's game for a living, but you just see the joy on his face and the passion that he plays with. And I i love Kiesa. I love when he... Anytime he gets to play, I just love to like watch him.
00:16:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, and I've got his attitude.
00:16:56
Irby White
And I just...
00:16:57
Irby White
It helps. As a football purist, you just love to see...
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely.
00:17:01
Irby White
Adults, I'm 30 years, they're about to be 30. He's a little bit younger than me, still playing with that joy. It's a kid's game and just, I love it. I love it. he He embodies what it means to be footballer.
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and in and his attitude, I think, is just... And for me, the the goal that he set up for Eketike summed him up. you know It literally summed him up.
00:17:19
Irby White
Brilliant.
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's he's he's he's through one-on-one with the keeper. But you know what does he do? he He thinks about the team first and just sets Eketike up, who scores, and then he just completely loses his head.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you could see Jeremy f Frimpong just saying... What are you doing? What are you doing? You're going to get a red card. And Slott, I mean, he was fuming. yeah He didn't even look at him when when he he walked off the pitch.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it it does pose a an issue for Saturday because I i thought that Eketike would have been a perfect st striker to play away at Selhurst Park.
00:17:54
Irby White
Thank you.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, it's going to be a physical game. And, you know, he's got that game. He's got the physicality, but he's got that kind of, he's got that kind of X factor. He's got that kind of maverick about him to do something.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But obviously he now misses that game. and And that will impact in terms of how we now set up. But overall, I do think that Ekotike, even though, you know, he got sent off, he still showed everyone why we paid the money that we did and that he's going to be some player for us.
00:18:35
Irby White
Yeah, I just want to say my initial reaction was Kiesa, brilliant, like you said, unselfish, plays the ball for a square tap in for us to win the game.
00:18:46
Irby White
And i was I was thrilled. And I see him taking his top off and I'm just screaming at the tv what a bleeping idiot. What are you doing? Like, how stupid can you be?
00:18:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We were just laughing, me and Louis and everyone, Adash, we were on the podcast.
00:18:54
Irby White
Yeah.
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
We we were just, we we just couldn't help but laugh, but mix mixed in with the kind of frustration.
00:18:59
Irby White
Yeah.
00:19:03
Irby White
Yeah, and I get it. like You've come to the club and you're flying, right? You've scored five five competitive goals, let's say. And you do that. I get it.
00:19:15
Irby White
He's 23 years old. he's probably you know He just got his France call up. He's excited. He just won a game for late again for us. But to do something like that, I think it's something he'll learn from.
00:19:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:19:28
Irby White
and it's something, it's a mistake you can't make again. You know, we saw with Darwin a couple of years ago, the red card he did on on Anderson, where he just kind of lost his head.
00:19:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:19:35
Irby White
And Klopp came out and kind of, I don't want to say scolded him, but let him, you know, kind of made it clear. he He made a mistake. He knows that he won't make it again. And I think Ekotike will learn from that.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:19:45
Irby White
i don't yeah I don't think that's his personality to to continue to do silly things like that again. He'll learn from it. But He is a big miss Saturday. I agree with you. He probably would have been my my choice to start while Isak is building minutes.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. Yeah.
00:19:58
Irby White
So now Slott is kind of forced into this situation where Isak has to start, right? Probably play 60 minutes. I made the point to to some friends.
00:20:12
Irby White
We're going to get into a situation potentially. I hope not. It could be the 60th minute. He comes off and it's 0-0. What do you have to do then? Does Chiesa have to go and play the 9? Do you bring on Jaden Dans? Probably unlikely, but it's just it forces you into a situation where we know Isak still can't quite play 90.
00:20:32
Irby White
And so we're in a situation where it's a tight match, we're not up 2-0. We're not up 3-0 and the game's not won, but he has to come off because the physio says he has to and we need a goal. We have to play with Chiesa as the nine.
00:20:43
Irby White
Now it's not it's not my first choice.
00:20:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:46
Irby White
You'd want to bring on Eketike or vice versa. You'd want to bring on Isak to finish those 30 minutes if he was available. And so now we're forced into the situation where we know we only have our number nine for 60 minutes, 65 minutes, right? Maybe a little bit longer.
00:21:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:01
Irby White
And it's just... you know I think we're Liverpool and and and the mentality of the players should be, well, we're still going to go to Selhurst Park and we're going play on the front foot. And we're hoping by that time, Isak has to come off at the game as maybe done and dusted and we can just get some guys some minutes.
00:21:18
Irby White
But as we've seen so far, we haven't been at our best. And there're you know it's the Premier League and Crystal Palace is an outstanding team, right? They're going to fight till the end.
00:21:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely.
00:21:27
Irby White
And so you want to have... that other option of Ekotike or Isak to come on. And so it it poses a little bit of an issue. But from my perspective, from your perspective, you're hoping the game can be out of sight by then, right?
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly, exactly.
00:21:43
Irby White
So,
Preview of Match Against Crystal Palace
00:21:44
Irby White
but it is it is something that's playing on my mind.
00:21:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:21:47
Irby White
I'm sure it's something we'll all be talking about it if, you know, when the game comes around.
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. And I think that come Saturday, three o'clock, I think that's going to be the biggest lesson for Ekotike. is is that he He's missed out on a chance to really kind of further cement his his place in that team.
00:22:06
Irby White
Yeah. Yeah.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But like you said, let's let's hope that Isak is enough. I mean, you know, he he got his first goal, you know, yeah it took it really well in that game against Southampton.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so, you know, with more minutes under his belt, you do hope that that's going to be enough for us. But so we're going to go to a very short break. And when we come back, we will preview it in a bit more detail this weekend's game against Palace.
00:23:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so the Reds travel to Sejoers Park to play Crystal Palace in the Premier League. It's a Saturday, 3pm kickoff, yeah UK time. That is 10am Eastern time.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Palace have had a really good start, Irby, to the season. The manager, Oliver Glasner, has done a...
00:23:21
Irby White
Thank you.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's done a terrific job since he's been there. And, you know, look, he's seen some really top players leave. Elise, Eze, as a But Palace alongside Liverpool are the division's only unbeaten team.
00:23:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two wins, three draws from their opening five games. They're in fifth place in the Premier League. I mean, it's always a tough place to go. But, you know, this team, i think this is a team that's really looking to push on and, you know challenge for those, you know, kind of top six, top seven, eight positions in in the Premier League. So it's it's not an easy game.
00:24:01
Irby White
It's not an easy game. And I think for years since they've established themselves as a consistent Premier League side, that Selhurst Park has just been one of those games for me as a supporter. It's just when that game comes around, you no matter which year, it's always a match where it's just...
00:24:20
Irby White
it's a tough place to go for us for any big club. And so they've just lost as a they, they lost Elise a year ago and it feels like they haven't missed a beat. Oliver Glasner has been absolutely incredible, kind of been a revelation for them since he's come in.
00:24:37
Irby White
And he really has that squad just on his side. I think, I mean, I'm just looking at the table now. They've only conceded two goals. You just said they're unbeaten. They've, they've played five matches and they've only conceded two.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:24:47
Irby White
I mean, that's,
00:24:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's a joint joint best defensive record along with Arsenal.
00:24:50
Irby White
I mean, that's,
00:24:53
Irby White
it's it's I mean, that's that's amazing. I mean, considering losing Eze, losing... Mateta's been absolutely... What a sensation he's been over the last 18 months as well.
00:25:04
Irby White
But they arguably have one of the best center backs in the league. It's a tough place to go. They're flying right now. Still struggling to score some goals.
00:25:15
Irby White
But I mean, that's not going to face them at all, right? this This has every...
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're not conceding, you've always got a chance, right?
00:25:22
Irby White
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely.
00:25:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. So um in terms of Palace, I think they've got Ismail Asar is expected to return after two games out with a hamstring injury, which again further kind of strengthens their threat because I think he's ah he's a really good player as well. And i almost saw him as a, know, maybe when kind of Sadio Mane moved on, you know, a few years ago, there was a lot of talk that maybe Liverpool were looking at him to kind of kind of come in and maybe replace him.
00:25:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, as you mentioned, six goals, two conceded. They've got a very, very good defensive structure. And I just think at Oliver Glasner, he's one of these managers that...
00:26:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He just gets the best out of whatever resources he's got at his disposal. And, you know, he doesn't sit there kind kind of complaining that he hasn't got Messi or Ronaldo or whatever.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got his players and he just gets the best system to suit those players as opposed to the other way around.
00:26:24
Irby White
And he's got kind of just a side thought I've had. He just – and if we've heard rumors about it, but he just – it scares me that he could be the Manchester United manager in a year or two.
00:26:35
Irby White
His contract is coming up.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't be scared, Erby.
00:26:38
Irby White
They – I'm not – I wouldn't say I'm scared of Manchester United, but he just – he –
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Don't be scared. We're we're scared.
00:26:44
Irby White
He gives off that presence of he could be a guy that could come in and stabilize that club. Now, whether he'd be the guide for like 15 years to bring back success, I don't know. But he seems like someone that could go in and level the ship. You just said it with the resources he has available at Crystal Palace. Look what he's doing. He has them in fifth place.
00:27:00
Irby White
They just won the FA Cup. They won the Community Shield off of us. He is a guy that could go to a club like that and stabilize them and make them a dangerous team. And I think that's just credit to him and his management.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:12
Irby White
you know, it's hard to find good managers in in the Premier League anyway. I mean, there's such a crazy turnover rate anyway. And so I think they're desperate to keep him on board as well.
00:27:23
Irby White
Wouldn't you agree? So yeah, I mean, and I think they're a club that's going to just consistently get points off of teams.
00:27:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah hundred
00:27:30
Irby White
Hopefully that's not the case Saturday with us. It's going to be an absolute battle. And I'm just hoping that we can go there and and give them their first loss of the season.
00:27:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Defeat of season, absolutely. So, I mean, let's look at, you know, what would be maybe a predicted line-up for for our team. I'd say that Alisson will come back in to goal, although I've got to say Marmadashvili looked really very secure.
00:27:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought he had a really good presence about him. Huge frame, almost kind of reminded me of Donnarumma. in goal and I thought his distribution was was really good as well the way he used his throw as opposed to know just kind of kicking the ball out but you know the way he threw the ball out on counterattacks I thought was really impressive
00:28:01
Irby White
Yeah.
00:28:15
Irby White
Yeah, he looked good. I mean, what a, what a,
00:28:18
Irby White
To have two goalkeepers at that level, I mean, you know, you probably have your successor to Allison.
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:23
Irby White
i want Allison to stick around as long as possible. was having this conversation earlier. You want Allison to stick around as long as possible. You know, goalkeepers are, it's a position that where, You can see players playing until they're 35, 36 at a consistent level. But the fact that we have his one, his deputy, and hopefully his successor, he looked great on on Tuesday night.
00:28:44
Irby White
I would love to see Marmadash really rewarded with maybe a Champions League match or two coming up. therere Because, you know... There's eight games now in the in the group phase of the Champions League. And so you want to give him that experience.
00:28:55
Irby White
Allison has had his injury issues in the past. you know I don't want to speak that into existence, but it's a great option to have looking back to what Chelsea had with Courtois and Peter Cech a couple years ago.
00:29:07
Irby White
I mean, it kind of reminds me of that situation of just...
00:29:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah. Wow. Yeah.
00:29:12
Irby White
you have two keepers that you know you can rely on.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:15
Irby White
I would go with Allison, however. Allison, I mean, still for me, the best goalkeeper, not only in the league, in the world on his day. And so no hesitation to have him in the side. I think the big question for me is, I think Karakas will come back. I think it'll be Kanate and Van Dijk. It's just the right back situation.
00:29:32
Irby White
You know, we've seen Sobosly play there.
00:29:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:34
Irby White
Frim Pong, did he play 90 on Tuesday? Yeah, he but he flew he popped out on the right right wing, I believe, right?
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. You got shifted out to the right though. So,
00:29:42
Irby White
And then Connor Bradley had had of a, I mean, I think I mentioned it in our group chat.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:47
Irby White
He's brilliant. He looks like someone that could play potentially in midfield. i I think it's a bit too early to talk about that when we have the options we have. But, I mean, that's the big question. We've seen all three of them play right back this season, and I think they've all been seven or eight out of ten in that position.
00:30:03
Irby White
And so I think that's the one position in the back line that we're going to be kind of speculating about until the lineup comes out.
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:30:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Fring Pong, I would go for Fring Pong and Kerkes. Simply why one, you know I mean, Robertson, you know, he played at left back and he played at centre back on Tuesday night.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got Galatasaray coming up away in the Champions League. I would prefer to have Robertson playing that away game in the Champions League, give Kerkes the Premier League game. I just think with Fring Pong,
00:30:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would play Frimpong just because of just giving that extra kind of attacking dimension against a Crystal Palace team that are not conceding that many goals.
00:30:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, i you know, you' we'd have to kind of get around the side of them and maybe Frimpong's kind of pace, you know, we we can use that.
00:30:48
Irby White
Yeah.
00:30:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... Yeah, I mean, that that's for me the back five, Alisson and then Kanate, Van Dijk, Kerkes, Frimpong. I think the other question really is also the shape for the team from in terms of the midfield and the attack because Eketike is not available now.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And because we've got this Virts-Saboslai kind of potential question, I'm thinking then, does he do what he did against Manchester City last season?
00:31:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does he play Gravenberg, McAllister in that double pivot? Have Salah and Isaac playing as kind of almost wide forwards and then having two number 10s in Vietz and Sabozlai and basically a 4-4-2, but not traditional 4-4-2.
00:31:42
Irby White
So you wouldn't play ESAC?
00:31:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, Salah and Isak.
00:31:45
Irby White
Oh, you did say ESAC. Sorry, sorry.
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Salah and Isak as your kind of wide forward to, obviously they invert, but then you've got Vietz and Sabozlai as two number 10s in front of a double pivot, which is the same formation that we played against Man City last season at the Etihad.
00:31:47
Irby White
Yeah?
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we had Jones and Sabozlai as the two number ten
00:32:10
Irby White
It's something I could see happening. However, we're not playing Man City. you know We're not playing a team that's going to try to be dominant with the ball, and we need to close down the passing lanes and cut the gaps and kind of eliminate those forward passes a little bit.
00:32:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:24
Irby White
You just said it with with Jeremy Frimpong, you know someone to get around the back line and kind of stretch them a little bit because they've only conceded two goals. We spoke about it on a couple podcasts ago about how Salva Sly has to play, whether it's right back, whether it's in the deeper pivot role, whether it's a 10 or wide. He has to play. And so I think you're spot on with he's going to be in in in the squad. I think Gravenberg and McAllister have to play. And so I think it's between Verts or Gakpo.
00:32:54
Irby White
Now you've kind of piqued my interest with that 4-2-4, shape.
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's what i was thinking is that, you know, otherwise... Yeah.
00:33:04
Irby White
I just think you have to go for it at Selhurst Park. you know is Have you been there before? Is that a little bit of a smaller pitch?
00:33:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no. Yes, it's a... but so It's a compact ground. it It's always got a great atmosphere.
00:33:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
You it's one of my favourite... It is one of my favourite grounds ah in terms of just that kind of atmosphere. It's it's a real kind old-scored English stadium.
00:33:26
Irby White
Yeah.
00:33:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if we're assuming that... Are we assuming that Gravenberg and McAllister play?
00:33:33
Irby White
Yeah, i think I think the only question mark we talked about, the right back situation, I think the only other question mark could be, is it Gakpo or is it Verts? Because Sobosly has to play. Isak is going to play.
00:33:44
Irby White
Sala is going to play.
00:33:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, right. So you think Sabozlai plays in that midfield slot and then... So Viet's...
00:33:49
Irby White
I think he plays, I just, I don't know where, because we've seen him in all kinds of roles.
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
old
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:53
Irby White
We've seen him in the 10 role. We've seen him in the pivot right back. We've seen him, have you seen him on the left this season?
00:33:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, he's played.
00:33:58
Irby White
he He's going to play. He's going to play.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who signed a new contract?
00:34:17
Irby White
and I don't think he signed a new contract, which we'll get to, I think, as we close out.
00:34:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Most professional contracts. Yeah.
00:34:22
Irby White
It's just I do feel like we're missing kind of like that Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane type winger. And so I think there's questions about Cody Gakpo, whether he's is he a starter, is he is that position his, or is that position up for grabs?
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's up for grabs. It's got to be.
00:34:35
Irby White
Yeah, it has to be.
00:34:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that, you know, no, not at all.
00:34:37
Irby White
And that that's nothing against Gakpo. He's dangerous. He can score goals, but he's a different, he's kind of more of a, He's a better player than Marcus Rashford, I'll say, but he has that similar profile, that inside forward role rather than a traditional winger who's going to run it.
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:34:51
Irby White
like We're so used to Diaz and we're so used to Mane, those players that can just play on the shoulder of the outside back and expose that space.
00:34:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very direct and pacey. Yeah. Yeah.
00:35:00
Irby White
Rio will, I think, will eventually be that player, but it's just I think we're lacking that a little bit. And so it's up for grabs and
00:35:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:35:08
Irby White
Yeah, I think I'd go for, I think I'm, now you've got me on this 424442 and I'm just thinking about how that would work.
00:35:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
but
00:35:14
Irby White
And yeah,
00:35:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i'm thinking I'm thinking he's going to do that. I'm thinking he's going to go for a 4-4-2 with Vietz and Subozlai in the number 10 position.
00:35:20
Irby White
I would love it. I would love it.
00:35:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Salah and Isaac have kind of wired inverted forwards.
00:35:30
Irby White
Yeah.
Season Significance and Rivals
00:35:33
Irby White
I like it.
00:35:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, with with the option then to bring Gakpo on after 60 minutes for Isak, who can play that role as well.
00:35:41
Irby White
Yeah.
00:35:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, we've got Chiesa now who's who's coming to form and I think that he'd he'd relish that sort of position as well. So I think this is going to be a close game, Irby, and ah ah I've got a feeling that we are going to concede.
00:35:55
Irby White
Yeah.
00:35:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But I think it could be another late show. I'm going for a 2-1 Liverpool win.
00:36:00
Irby White
I was going to say 2-1 as well.
00:36:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:02
Irby White
i say
00:36:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
You take it, right?
00:36:04
Irby White
it's For me, I think we will concede. that The story I think of the match will be, i think we'll have two goals and we'll concede at like the 83rd minute. I don't want to say hang on, but I think we'll just be those seven minutes plus added time will probably feel like 70.
00:36:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
God. Please, no. Yeah.
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:36:20
Irby White
But that's what it feels like to me is I think we'll start fast. We'll get a goal. Maybe a bit slow seeing out the first half, slow start to the second half and we'll get them on a set piece or something like that. And then they'll push on and get one and push for an equalizer. I think we'll, I think we'll get the three points, but I don't think it's going to be comfortable.
00:36:38
Irby White
i
00:36:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hey,
00:36:39
Irby White
It's just, I don't think it's going to be comfortable. I mean, it's not good.
00:36:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're used to it now. Right. We're used to it now. So. Yeah.
00:36:45
Irby White
But it's i think it's going to be ah ah matt I think it's going to be one of the uglier games that we've seen this season.
00:36:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But
00:36:50
Irby White
We've seen some ugly ones. We haven't played a complete 90 minutes. But I think this is going to be just kind of an ugly game. And I think we'll learn lessons from what happened in the Community Shield as well, which which gives me a little bit more comfort that we'll get the three points because we've already played them.
00:37:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
it could be.
00:37:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's it's it's, I mean, we say this pretty much every weekend, but it I think it is a significant weekend because Arsenal-Manchester City played at the weekend on Sunday after we had already won.
00:37:13
Irby White
Yes.
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think we were the beneficiaries of that draw ah where both those teams dropped points.
00:37:23
Irby White
Yep.
00:37:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now we play before Arsenal play.
00:37:30
Irby White
yeah
00:37:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
so we've we've got the 3pm kickoff. I think Arsenal got the Sunday kickoff ah game So we could extend that lead even further before Arsenal even, you know, kick another ball.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so I just think that, you know, we've we've just got to we've just really got to go for it when that opportunity arises, just to really, just to really kind of drive it home to Arsenal that, look, you are not challengers.
00:37:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
You really are not. You're challengers for second and third, but you're not title challengers.
00:38:03
Irby White
we've really We've really gone at Arsenal the last few weeks, haven't we? And so I might change the conversation of at least we play before Tottenham because they're a joint second. They're on third with 10 points with Arsenal too. No.
00:38:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's a good opportunity, right, to to extend the lead again.
00:38:19
Irby White
It is. It's a good – it is. I mean, especially ah ah day before they play, there's a chance to be eight points clear of Arsenal. And they have to go to Newcastle.
00:38:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eight points, which is not easy.
00:38:30
Irby White
and not easy by any means. And they've they've been playing relatively well. I think they're starting to to gel with with, what's his name, Voltmod as their new forward.
00:38:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:38:39
Irby White
Malik Tao has looked good in the back. They're a good side. They're a Champions League team for a reason. I know they lost Isak, but
00:38:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:38:46
Irby White
there they're a Champions League side for reason. and you know They're more than just what... Isak obviously scored 20-some goals last year for them, but it takes another 10 guys to make a team.
00:38:57
Irby White
They won the Cup last year. That's a tough place to go, as we've seen in the past on our side. And so if we could be eight points clear of Arsenal, who we've all talked about as the main challenger, potential challenger...
00:39:11
Irby White
to have to go to Newcastle who haven't had the best start to the season, but they're, as as I mentioned, a good side, the pressure would be on them. Pressure be on them.
00:39:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Huge.
00:39:20
Irby White
I mean, heading close to another international break.
00:39:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:24
Irby White
We spoke about it in the early few podcasts. Hey, maybe we'll have this kind of lead and it's already playing out that
New Talent and Future Prospects
00:39:30
Irby White
way. And so we have to put the pressure on Arsenal. We have to put the pressure on Tottenham and City to to be fair as well.
00:39:39
Irby White
So, gosh, going to Palace, it it's not going to be an easy game. that They haven't lost a game, as we've mentioned.
00:39:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
The incentive is there now.
00:39:44
Irby White
But, yeah, I mean, I think it's just that'll be one of the messages, too, is we have to let the rest of the league know we could be eight points clear of those two teams.
00:39:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
The incentive is there now. The incentive.
00:39:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. I see.
00:39:56
Irby White
We could be, what, 12 points clear of City? 11 points clear of City by the time they play, or or do they play at the same time?
00:39:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:40:03
Irby White
Still, it's just, yeah.
00:40:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
crazy after six games that's just insane but so before we wrap up let's quickly talk about the breaking news that Ria Angamoa has signed his first professional contract with us I'm not sure the length of the contract
00:40:06
Irby White
Yep.
00:40:09
Irby White
Got to go for it.
00:40:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's probably not a Chelsea-like contract, like a 15-year contract or something. But, so you know, good news.
00:40:26
Irby White
hot
00:40:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and I think it's it's fair reward for, you know, a young boy that's really done well this season.
00:40:35
Irby White
Yeah, the the comparisons that I've kind of had internally to Rio are the ones of kind of the way he's come on the spot, kind of like Raheem Sterling did when he was 16, 17.
00:40:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right, yeah.
00:40:45
Irby White
I remember when Sterling, one of his first games, I don't know if it was for the U21s, the U20s, but he scored five goals or something like that.
00:40:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:40:53
Irby White
And I was just like, who is this kid?
00:40:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:40:56
Irby White
Rio, it just, the similarities are shocking and just how, 16, 17 year old coming into a team like Liverpool.
00:41:06
Irby White
We're not what we were when Sterling came into the team, right?
00:41:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:41:09
Irby White
but But now we're one of the teams that's top of world football and you have the 17 year old sensation who looks like he belongs. And so credit to him for getting that contract, making himself part of the squad, first team squad at that age. And he's getting minutes already played a big part in Newcastle. He played.
00:41:27
Irby White
Did he play the whole game Tuesday night?
00:41:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, pretty much the whole game on Tuesday. Well, he came on towards the end, but, you know, yeah.
00:41:30
Irby White
And that's, that's incredible. That's incredible against, I mean, Southampton who have been in and out of the premier league to just to, to, and that's a championship top side.
00:41:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
these are These are men, right? These are <unk>s a grown men. Yeah.
00:41:41
Irby White
Who's probably had to adjust themselves to the championship, maybe get more of, you know, bigger, you know?
00:41:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
More physical, yeah.
00:41:49
Irby White
Yeah. Cause that's a grueling league instead of, I mean, he, he held his own. He got doubled in that game many times.
00:41:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:41:55
Irby White
So great for him. just He's got to keep keep going, though. you know i and I think he's he's mentioned it before. He can't be satisfied with just a contract, just being part of the squad.
00:42:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:42:06
Irby White
it's just This is another step in your journey as a professional footballer.
00:42:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:42:11
Irby White
you know We've seen numerous 17-year-olds come on the scene and then fade out by a certain age. From our perspective, I don't think that'll happen. I don't want that to happen. I think Slott has mentioned they're going to nurture him and kind of there is a pathway for him and they're not going to just throw him in.
00:42:27
Irby White
Cause look at Raheem Sterling, who I've compared it to, he's 30, 31 years old and can't get a kick of a ball, even at training for Chelsea.
00:42:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:42:34
Irby White
It's just, you know, and I think enough time has passed after what, you know, the way he left the club is kind of just, it's whatever at this point you feel bad for a guy like Sterling.
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:42:43
Irby White
And so, 17 years old. i want to see him playing for the next 15 years at the club. And so good for him. Good for him getting his first contract and, and keep going from here, lad.
Conclusion and Look Ahead
00:42:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. And we'll we'll see what kind of impact he has for the Reds this season. But that is all for today. You've been ah listening to the Daily Liverpool podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. We'll have all the all the post-match analysis and talking points. So please do join us again after the Palace game. And then we'll be turning our attention to the Champions League and that tough trip away to Galatasaray.
00:43:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
From myself and from Irby, thank you for listening.