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Monday Review: Salah ONLY FOURTH in the Ballon d'Or + Merseyside Derby Review
25 Plays2 days ago
Louie Easton and Tom Barnes unpack a polarising evening at the Ballon d'Or Ceremony whilst reviewing the Reds' performance on the weekend at the Merseyside Derby.
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Transcript
Return from Holiday and Mo Salah's Ballon d'Or Discussion
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, you are listening to the Daily Liverpool podcast on the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's my first one back from holiday and it's also this gentleman here's first one back from holiday, Mr Tom Barnes. Great to have you. Can't remember the last time I did a pod with you to be honest. it
00:00:29
Tom
Yeah, no, it's been a while, mate. Yeah, and it's been nice being away, but it's glad to be back, you know, full focus on the football now. And yeah, looking forward getting back doing the podcast.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, good to have you back, mate. And this is a two-in-one sort of podcast because this is the Monday Review. But if you're wondering why it's not out earlier in the day, it's because we were waiting for the Ballon d'Or results to come in first. And that's exactly what we're going to start off with because Mo Salah has finished fourth. Mine, Darsh's, you know, everyone in the daily Liverpool as Liverpool fans watching him week week out, unlike these journalists, ah had him first.
00:01:06
Tom
Thank you.
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
If these journalists were watching him every week last season, Tom, surely you'd agree they would put him straight at the top.
00:01:14
Tom
ah Without a doubt. i mean We've been blessed to see Salah play of one of the best in our history to you know put up these sort of numbers for for years before. and Again, we've been baffled that he's not been higher in hiring the rankings in previous years. But I think questions in the last couple of years have started to arise whether his age is catching up with him.
00:01:34
Tom
And I think he put all them rumours to bed last year with probably... if not his best season, minus his first season with the club. And yeah, to see him finish fourth is, I think it's caught everyone by surprise, whether they want to show it or not.
00:01:47
Tom
ah But at the same time, hopefully now he's he's looking at these rankings and he's ready now to put in another season of insane numbers and put himself in even better position going into next year's ceremony.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, look, they I understand that these are the players around him in the very upper echelons of world football.
Debating Salah's Achievements and Ballon d'Or Criticisms
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um You know, who did he finish below?
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Vitinha, who, to be fair, great player, but not above Salah.
00:02:14
Tom
ye Yeah.
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Lamy Nyamow. Come on. Like, you know... throw the pr out the window there's something going on there because that is that is you know incredible incredible season for a 17 year old in any club to put up those numbers at any level but above salah i i don't understand it you know do do you know who the top scorer of la liga last season was i think it was mbappe not rafinha
00:02:42
Tom
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
00:02:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, not Rafinha, not Lamy-Nyamou. Salah, not only top goalscorer in a much harder league, top assists, players player of the year, won the Premier League. You know, yeah what more do you need to do? I understand the whole Champions League, he didn't perform against PSG, but they only beat us on penalties. we should b We should still be in the conversation regardless.
00:03:07
Tom
Yeah, yeah, 100%. And I think it's testament to not only Salah but Liverpool themselves. that The president just about a couple of hours ago at the awards ceremony has labelled Liverpool as the PSG's toughest game last year. I think that says everything you need to know.
00:03:22
Tom
and But yeah, no, I mean... We can say the likes of Salah's amongst some of the top, top players. I'm not disputing any player that's even in that top 30. They're all top players and they're there for a reason. and But yeah, I think like we were saying just before we came on air that it's almost just becoming a bit of a popularity contest now. there's There's no way anyone...
00:03:45
Tom
with any sort of football brain is ranking Laminya Mal over Mohamed Salah last year. OK, you can say he's 17, but in rankings like this, age is just a number. It shouldn't be taken into any consideration.
Ballon d'Or Ceremony: Critiques and Surprises
00:03:58
Tom
OK, he's 17, but the likes of Salah, who are 32, 33, whatever, has been questioned of his age.
00:04:04
Tom
That's just as impressive, putting up them sorts of numbers at the other end of the scale as well.
00:04:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's exactly, yeah.
00:04:09
Tom
and But yeah, like you say, you've just you've just mentioned a couple of his achievements from last year and yeah, it says all you need to know. I don't think Laminya Mal's come close to his ah fellow winger on the other side in Rafinha.
00:04:21
Tom
and Yeah, so I'd have liked to have seen a top three of Rafinha, Salah and Dembele. I think they're the clear front runners.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:27
Tom
Rafinha's been fantastic. You know, he's a very important part of PSG's team and I'm glad to see him get the recognition that he deserves because big fan of him. But yeah, listen, we're talking about three wingers that have probably...
00:04:40
Tom
separating themselves from the rest of the footballing world last season. Preferably like to have seen Salah first. But yeah, I think for me, they're the three without any argument that should be the top three in the likes of Jamal Lovettini. He should be just in that class below them.
00:04:54
Tom
So yeah, very surprising.
00:04:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, popularity contest is something that I've been seeing thrown around quite a lot at the moment. and um you know You heard the Ballon d'Or room just before it was announced, everyone chanting Usman, Usman, and that absolute joke of an announcement from Ronaldinho on the stage just saying Dembele and then walking up.
00:05:08
Tom
Yeah.
00:05:15
Tom
I know, Dan Belli. Yeah, yeah. Typical.
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Ballon d'Or ceremony, can we just talk about that, by the way? Because that was absolutely shocking. it's I mean, the long, long ad breaks in between.
00:05:26
Tom
Yeah.
00:05:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's a Liverpool podcast, but I'd just like to cover this because what other opportunity am I
Centre-Back Rankings and Liverpool Player Evaluations
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
going to get to cover this? This was an absolute joke, you know?
00:05:36
Tom
Yeah.
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
root The rude hoodlip performance coming in his blasé suit, Kate Scott's there next him. and um Just these... to the this The fact that this is the first season where we're getting the women's... ah go Getting the same awards as the men's now.
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's ah it's It's finally happened and it's good. and I was so happy to see Hannah Hampton. You know, someone ah who... I don't know her relationship with Matt Beard, but for her to mention him on the stage was really...
00:06:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah important and i was wondering if they were going to pay any tribute because it's such a fresh death and such a young death and you know um thoughts go out to his family but um i remember watching the I think it was the FIFA men's best player ceremony ah last season and this is just something I wanted to bring up they had a sort of fans trophy yes that was a thing and they had one where it was a woman who ran a hundred miles for a charity foundation and she lost to a man who just brought his baby newborn son to a game and celebrated with him after a goal
00:06:46
Tom
Christ Christ yeah yeah just no exactly
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
so that's the level that is the level
00:06:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And by the way, not on TV as well, this Ballon d'Or. It was behind a one euro paywall on the Ballon d'Or website, which you had to sign up to.
00:07:02
Tom
yeah it's becoming a joke i mean every year I'm i'm questioning why I even bother tuning in you know just I don't agree with any any of the awards anymore just looking any of the rankings whether it's the top three to the 27th to 30th rankings it's just all becoming a bit of a joke and like you say yeah it almost does feel like a slog and I should be the one getting paid to be watching it these days you know rather than giving them the money but never mind
00:07:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Van Dijk 28th.
00:07:31
Tom
yeah Like I said just before we went live, was that was the one that baffled me the most. Okay, we can take a bit of a of a silver line in the fact that no centre-back is ranked higher than him, as it should be. He remains the best in the world by a country mile for me.
00:07:48
Tom
No one comes close. and But yeah, 28th, you see some of the names... But above him, you know, the likes of, OK, I'm going mention two Arsenal players now, no coincidence, Declan Rice and Victor Jokerez.
00:07:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Go for it. Go for it.
00:08:01
Tom
These just names that coming to my head. Scott McTominay, a player that I'm glad to see in think he deserves the recognition. But Virgil van Dijk to captain Liverpool to another Premier League trophy.
00:08:14
Tom
First one with fans in the hardest league in the world. You know, it's... 28th, just baffling. Okay, I'm not asking him to be in the top five, top six, whatever, but you see some of their names knocking around there.
00:08:27
Tom
Cole Palmer, another one, eighth.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
eight Ghosted completely on the second half of last season.
00:08:29
Tom
How is he 20 spots below him? I think it just kind of says says all you need to know. Yeah, so no, that that's kind of the ah ranking that surprises me the most, but at the same time, should we should we be surprised anymore? you know There's always a couple of at least a couple of rankings each year that are just completely mild off it.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. What...
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the the fact that there are no other centre-backs on that list is a testament to how disrespected centre-backs are when it comes to these. um
00:08:55
Tom
Agreed.
00:08:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, I mean, you could have... I mean, if Gabriel and Saliba don't get in there, I'm happy. But, you know, if they were to get in there and Van Dijk finished miles of in front of them, that would make me happier.
00:09:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:09:10
Tom
Yeah.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also, one thing I'd like to say, McAllister was 22nd. I wouldn't have put him over Van Dijk.
00:09:17
Tom
No. No, neither would die I. mean, don't get me wrong, I'm... Delighted to see as many Liverpool players in there as can. not really fussed on what which order they're in as long as they're in there. ah But yeah, I think it doesn't take much arguing to realise that Van Dijk should be ahead of McAllister.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:35
Tom
As good as McAllister was, think Van Dijk took his game to another level again last year as he's carried on this year so far. and yeah i mean The more I think about it, the more infuriates me to see him 28th.
00:09:47
Tom
um alongside on company in Florian Virtue and another one arguably could be higher when you look at some of the players above him as well but yeah no I think the only kind is
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I was shocked. I was shocked by Alise being 30th
Frustrations with Ballon d'Or and Liverpool Match Insights
00:10:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
because he was the best.
00:10:04
Tom
yeah
00:10:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, you look at the stats in the Bundesliga last season. And um because I was looking this up when Eketike signed for us, I wanted to see his stats and how well he did last season. And, you know, his stats weren't that impressive. But at the top of every list was Alise.
00:10:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, that's a harder league than the French league.
00:10:19
Tom
Mm-hmm.
00:10:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, yeah.
00:10:23
Tom
Exactly. And then you look at the French national team as well. I mean, he's one of the the mainstays in that starting XI now, and that's usually ahead of ah of a couple of players that have been ranked higher than him in the rankings as well.
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:10:36
Tom
You know the likes of Douay and whatnot. and So, yeah, I mean, magnificent football. He's someone that, you know, gets you on the edge of your seat. And, ah yeah, again, I think Bayern can feel quite hard done by with a couple of their players. Harry Kane as well. I'm surprised not to see him in the top 10.
00:10:51
Tom
with the season he had but yeah listen I mean we can argue about these rankings all you want it's I think we'd be more surprised if they did get it in the right order for once
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's a sort of whenever these rankings come out for us, it's great because it's an infinite content thing. Just complaining about it because there's so much to unpack every single time.
00:11:07
Tom
yeah yeah exactly yeah
00:11:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So we won't waste any more time on it. And we'll go straight into the Everton Merseyside Derby review after this short break.
00:11:14
Tom
but
00:11:29
Tom
Thank you.
00:12:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So in the last two matches that Liverpool played, you were at the Atleti game, and this is the same for the Everton game. Liverpool score early. On this occasion, it was two almost sort of rapid-fire goals, um one from Gravenberg, one from Eketike. Firstly, that Gravenberg volley.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
This man, we were just talking about the Ballon d'Or, this man could be in the top 10 easily next year because he is just getting better and better and better.
00:12:20
Tom
yeah
00:12:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i mean, what did do you make of him?
00:12:32
Tom
I mean, as Liverpool fans now, and ah think when talking about Graven Birch and you're arguing him, Amongst some of the names that are the best in the world, you're thinking the way he can put himself into that category, if you don't already put him there already, is getting on score sheet a bit more.
00:12:49
Tom
and I think that's what TNT were covering just before the game as well. They were saying for him to make that next leap into you know the elite category, which I already believe he should be amongst already. and I think a lot of Liverpool fans would echo that opinion as well.
00:13:02
Tom
was if he's to get more goals and I think he's responded perfectly within the first few minutes, you know, scoring goal like that. I mean, it's it's top, top draw and it's come from a top, top player.
00:13:14
Tom
Shades of it Fernando Torres against Blackburn all them years at the same end, the Anfield road end.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:13:19
Tom
um But yeah, I think it's a position he's finding himself in a lot more this year. I think he touched on it after the game as well. He feels like he's got a little bit more freedom in that Liverpool midfield now and I think when I was at the Atleti game last week, you could see him and Salah linked up quite a bit. So it's no surprise that it was going to result in a goal and sooner rather than later. And if you can keep popping up in them positions, then I'm sure we're going to another the good season.
00:13:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just... do you Do you think he's the best midfielder in the world? That's something I've seen a lot of Liverpool fans online saying.
00:13:58
Tom
I mean,
Eketike's Form and Selection Dilemmas
00:13:59
Tom
if you're going off the first five games of the season, ah think you can't really argue against it. you know he's He's just carried on where he left off last year, if not got even better. I think obviously we missed him the first couple of games due to his suspension, and but I think he's come in and gave us that gentle reminder that, yeah, this is the player where I am and I'm only going to get better from here.
00:14:21
Tom
Yeah. and he said he's obviously playing with with different midfielders now. you know A midfielder in Florian Virts that's settling in, you know there's new dynamics. McAllister's not been in the team as much, so Bosley's been asked to do a shift at right-back a few times. So it he's almost been playing in a midfield that he's not been entirely used to. We were quite lucky last year to have a midfield three, midfield four if Curtis Jones started that were relatively settled and you know you knew you were going to get seven, eight out of ten performances every game from them. So
00:14:51
Tom
to come in and pick up where he's left off. I mean, I think his goal against Newcastle goes under the radar as well. That was just as good, you know, in a stadium like that against a midfield is, you know, as aggressive as they are to to pick up that position and have the audacity to just pick out a shot like that from that distance.
00:14:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
knows me it
00:15:10
Tom
I think it just speaks volume of the confidence that's oozing out of him at the moment. And yeah, listen, he's still only young and, If we're going back to them Ballon d'Or nominations, I think if you're going off last season, it's very surprising he's not in there. I feel like we almost took him for granted in a way because we started the season so well. We haven't seen much of him prior to Arnie Slott coming in. and He's someone that you he almost put his arm around and said, listen, you're going to be one of the main men for me. and You can see that in the first pre-season under Slott and the first few games. You thought, wow, this guy's got the potential and to be a world-beater for us. and
00:15:44
Tom
them eight, nine out of ten performances that we were raving about at the start of last year, we kind of died off talking about them because it just became the norm. And I don't think having a season away from football, a summer away from football, sorry, and then coming back, he's kind of been the one to give us a gentle reminder why he is one of the best in the business, if not the best.
00:16:03
Tom
And if he continues the way he's going, then he is he has the best for me. There's no arguing against it.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And he hasn't had a bad game all season. He's been incredible every single match, a goal and an assist for him, by the way, I forgot to mention he did assist that Eketike goal.
00:16:12
Tom
No.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, and we'll move on to Eketike now, actually, cause that's, uh, that flows really nicely into that topic. Um, another goal for him in the premier league this season and there's just no sign of slowing down for him 23 years old same age as gravenberg uh three goals and one assist in five matches um you you're gonna have a headache now if you're on a slot and you're looking at these big matches that we might have coming up soon and um You have to pick the pur the player who's already proven in this Liverpool team and joined us for pre-season and someone who's coming back into first team football after having not trained with a first team for the first what of three matches of the season.
00:17:10
Tom
yeah
00:17:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But is already a world class player proven in the Premier League. So you you kind of have to think about that now um with ESAC coming back into this team and going forward this season. What would you do? Would you continue playing someone who's settled in or would you want to just rotate game by game?
00:17:35
Tom
Yeah, listen, you've hit the nail on the head with Izak, obviously. He's a world-class striker, probably top two, top three in his position in the world, proving it in the Premier League and he's coming for big money. So yeah i fully expect him, when he's fully fit, to to be our starting striker. But if you're Hugo Eketike, you're doing everything right at the moment sir to tell Slott, this is why I should be starting. And it's testament to Eketike as well, obviously, a young lad coming to a a new league. I mean,
00:18:06
Tom
I knew he was going to be good. Obviously, you see clips of him, you think, wow, he could be good, but maybe one for the future. I didn't expect him to start the way he did. mean, I was lucky enough to be at Wembley for the Community Shield and he was the best player on that pitch by a country mile.
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
o
00:18:20
Tom
OK, we lost in the end, but I mean, seeing him first-hand for the first time, his little touches around the corner, his intelligence, his ability to come get it to feet and also going behind as well. ah He's just, he's very, very complete, which has took me by surprise. and it's you can't not have a starting XI when it all fit without Hugo Eketike right now because he you mean he's undroppable. His start the season has been immense.
00:18:47
Tom
I think the biggest compliment you can give him is you wouldn't think it's his first season with the club. i mean He's tucked to it like a duck to water but the problem with him is he's got Alexander Izak every day, day by day, getting closer to fully fit and I think any manager would be daft leave Izak out the team. But listen, we've seen it time and time again that Slot's a ruthless manager.
00:19:13
Tom
if If you're not... you know pulling your own weight in the team, you're not going to start. and And if if you do start, you're not pulling your own weight, he's happy to drag you off, regardless of what minute in the game it is.
Kerkes' Resilience and Team Dynamics
00:19:24
Tom
So and it's going to be a ah major headache.
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:19:27
Tom
OK, there's the option of Ekotike out on the left, potentially, and dropping Gakpo and having having that option as well. But I think just the competition for places all over the pitch now, and I think the striker...
00:19:40
Tom
competition in particular kind of epitomises how good the squad is we've got the moment and I mean you see some of the quotes that Eketike has said when being asked about Isaac he said he's looked up to him he's happy to have him there and I think it just speaks volume of the kind of characters we have in the club and we're not going to drag anyone along everyone's going to fight for the position and I think that's
00:19:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:01
Tom
a recipe for for success moving forward. So, no, it's going to be a big, big headache and i'll be interesting to see what Slott does, whether he sticks at a 4-3-3 or alters it to fit both of them in the number nine positions, which are obviously their strongest position. So, no, it's going to be interesting moving forward.
00:20:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I am inclined to think that we shouldn't be putting Ekotike on the left and instead ah having the option of Ngomou as a sort of... um Because he's proven that he's good enough on the ball, definitely.
00:20:28
Tom
Agreed. Yeah.
00:20:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Or you could even put Chiesa on the left. I still want to see him more on the left because I thought every time he's been played there, he's looked better. But so you mentioned lot ah sorry not clo slots um pulling players early ah That is something that we did see happen to Milos Kerkes against Burnley. But the way he's bounced back from that match, I mean, he's had a pretty shaky start to his Liverpool career. You know, that match against Newcastle, he didn't look too good against them. And Burnley, I mean, it was just,
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
playing with fire at the prospect of him getting booked and still going in for those challenges.
00:21:08
Tom
Yeah,
00:21:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But his performance against Everton on the weekend was just exactly what we were hoping to sign, wasn't it?
00:21:18
Tom
yeah exactly. I mean, That performance is, the like you say, the re the reason we signed him in the summer. That's what we're coming to expect of him. you know We saw it at Bournemouth Hall last year. i mean he said He's a top, top left-back, one of the best in the league.
00:21:31
Tom
There's no denying that. and okay and He's struggled. He's probably been the one signing that's struggled the most so far this season. and ah But yeah, I mean, the Burnley game, I think he was obviously subbed off because he could have walked potentially with that foul on the halfway line. And I think the Burnley fans are playing on that then.
00:21:51
Tom
They knew that he was probably one foul away and Slott was clever enough to recognise that. And um mean, Liverpool have got the luxury and now of bringing Andy Robertson into the team, probably one of the best left backs in the last 10 years in the Premier League.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:22:03
Tom
and But I think it's testament to both Slott and Kirk as the way he's bounced back and to that for the Everton game, I think it was the right decision bringing Robertson in for the, for the Atletico game.
00:22:15
Tom
Um, but yeah, the way Kirk has responded in the Everton game, you know, obviously Robertson, it's still touch and go whether he scored that goal against Atletico, but thought all in all, i thought he was very solid that game as well.
00:22:27
Tom
A little gentle reminder of why he shouldn't be dismissed when it comes to, you know, picking Liverpool's strongest 11. But yeah, think Kirk has, I think it, Again, i touched on character before, of the types of characters we have on the team and the way you can bounce back in a very big game in in the diary for Liverpool fans, for Liverpool players, the club.
00:22:48
Tom
and against Everton at home and for him to put in a performance like that after, you know, obviously the disappointment of being dragged off before half-time the week before, think it says a lot about the the man management of slot, but also the type of character Milos Kerkers
Liverpool's Tactics and Second Half Challenges
00:23:03
Tom
is. And I think they're the types of performance Liverpool fans should be ah expecting to see a lot more consistently moving forward. And these first initial games where he struggled are only going to be a rarity.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, someone who I was actually quite surprised to see in the starting 11 was Connor Bradley, uh, because I thought, uh, Slott would do his usual of putting Sobos Lai at right back and putting Verts in the number 10 position.
00:23:23
Tom
you
00:23:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Uh, obviously Frimpong was back on the bench, still coming back from that little niggle he had, but, um, Yeah, I was surprised to see Bradley and he had a lot to do against a really informed Jack Grealish.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um How do you think he handled him? Because Grealish did look a bit tasty at times.
00:23:48
Tom
Yeah, I mean, if you ask most right-backs right now who are the wingers you'd least like to face, I think Guerrilla should be right up there with one of the most common answers. you know He's a credit to him. He's gone to Everton. It's it's a bold move for him, you know leaving Manchester City. I mean, it's a step down and and you don't see that type of move very often. you know once Once players are at the top, regardless of whether they're regular starters or not, ah sir the last thing they want to do is know drop down to a club that, that kind of distant difference, you know, from Champions League, yeah, yeah, Champions League, Champions League competing teams, yeah, and but yeah, no way,
00:24:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they're way down there, Everton. Way down there.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Championship contenders, Everton.
00:24:30
Tom
A testament to him to you know go in there and there's pressure on his shoulders, you know, because a lot of people will say he's better than better than the club. What's he doing there? and And it's pressure on him, you know, to go and prove why why he should be at a higher team. And he's done just that so far. OK, wish it was for another club rather than Everton.
00:24:49
Tom
and
00:24:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. oh yeah
00:24:50
Tom
But yeah, i mean going back to Conor Bradley, i mean he's it's a very tough task. you know He's had his injury problems as well. So I think as well as Frimpong, Slott's probably took this ah gone into this week you know three games in seven days. He thought, right, let's get as many minutes into legs as I can, as well as giving them that valuable rest. and And I think yeah no think you dealt with him as good as he can you can.
00:25:11
Tom
player like Grealish is always going to get chances to hurt you, and he did at times. But I think Bradley showed his quality as well. and Because I think when he came on against Athletic, I thought he struggled and I thought maybe that's enough to ah kind of right persuade Slot into starting Frimpong once more, who I thought was very good in midweek last week.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he did. did
00:25:34
Tom
ah But no, listen, I mean, I sound like a broken record touching on character and competition for places. It's just headaches all over the pitch and, Lord, may this continue, you know.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
You mentioned character, and one of the things that Liverpool did show a lot last season is character, because we did this thing where we concede a goal and then come back from... but I mean, we did this more under Klopp than Slott, but we...
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
concede a goal and then we come back from behind and win the game in the second half this season it it's almost opposite because we score early and then in the second half we still dominate possession but we give the team a lot of the ball and they often score against us and win the score in the second half and then we'll get a late winner and that's happened plenty this season
00:26:06
Tom
Yeah.
00:26:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:26:29
Tom
yep
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that a worry, you know, for consistency through the 90 minutes to drop our level in the second half? Because it's happened again, you know, up at halftime, concede a goal in the second half and not score another one this time round as well.
00:26:47
Tom
Yeah, listen, I think, I mean, first halves, especially the last few ah weeks, I think we've been breathtaking, you know, taking teams by storm straight away, you know, two goals in quick succession, Everton being the most recent one, and you go into half-times thinking, right, OK, same again, we'll breeze these four, five, potentially six-nil with the way we performed in the opening half. So is frustrating, you know, when you when you see... a us come out and kind of, when even when we do have the ball, okay, we're giving teams much more of the ball than I think slot the players we would like as fans as well.
00:27:23
Tom
But when we've got it as well, I feel like sometimes it looks like we're just happy, you know, to keep hold of it. Okay, great, we're two in a loop. can keep hold of it for 45 minutes, you get the three points. I'm happy. and A win to win at the end of the day. But yeah, I think it is a it does raise some concern that we are almost conceding cheap goals in the sense that, OK, the goals may be good quality by the opposition team, but we're allowing them, you know, especially Atletico Madrid game being there, thought...
00:27:52
Tom
you could see a goal happening. When we went 2-0 up, we kind of just, you know, this was before half-time as well, we let them have the ball and countless times you saw the likes of Connor Gallagher, you know, breaking on midfield, getting in behind the back four and he was putting in some brilliant crosses from the byline and I just thought, if we don't pull a finger out, it's a matter of time before it goes 2-1 and the story of our season so far has been 2-0 up and once the momentum starts to shift to the opposition, you can kind of see it becoming too too before you know it and So, yeah, it will raise concerns, but I feel like at the start the season, it is a bit of a cliche, it is just about getting the points on the board, not losing.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:29
Tom
And I think, you know, obviously ah do almost like the fact that, oh, Liverpool have won six games this season, yet they're not to play well.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:28:39
Tom
I mean, if you're six out of six and the only way is up, then I feel like that that's the biggest... um That kind of gets rid of all the concerns. You know i mean you look at the level we we produced last year and and obviously that was with a squad that had been together for a few years. Slot didn't alter that at all in the summer, obviously, apart from bringing Chiesa in.
00:28:59
Tom
ah But this season he's brought in a few of his own players. This is his team now. and So there is almost that little bit more pressure you know to to get the results. and yeah He's had his first season now and listen, we've got Florian Virch, who's going to be a key figure in that midfield for years to come. He's still settling in.
00:29:18
Tom
We've got multiple players, you'd say Kirk has a struggled so far. ah he almost There was a bit of a shift in his performance at Everton, like we've just said. there's players still settling in. Players still coming back from injury, a couple that have been missing, you know, we've missed McAllister, Gravenberch through suspension, Curtis Jones has been out, we've we said about Bradley, ah we've still got to bring Alexander Izak into all this, okay he's had a first couple of games but he's not fully fit yet so...
00:29:45
Tom
I don't want to be too concerned. You know, OK, we in an ideal world, we're not giving up as many chances. and And I think that's one of the big compliments you can give Slott last year, that he set his team up to kind of limit the amount of chances teams had.
00:30:00
Tom
And I think that'll come back.
Previewing Southampton and Crystal Palace Matches
00:30:02
Tom
So right now, I'm just happy getting getting the points on the board with the wins.
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, and we have um an opportunity to rotate and give our other less experienced players a chance in this Liverpool team ah tomorrow night at the time of recording. ah Liverpool versus Southampton at Anfield, 8 o'clock, Carabao Cup kickoff. And... um If there's any time to play Southampton, it's now.
00:30:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because they have only got six points from and six matches in the championship. They won any of their last five either.
00:30:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um A loss against Hull on the weekend, 3-1 away from home. So that is the chance to bring, you know Giovanni Leone into this team ah because we have not seen him at all.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is a play I know Jesse is particularly excited about seeing, but he's seen one the ah one of Italy's bright prospects. And I love him even more because he... ah rejected Newcastle's higher offer to join us.
00:31:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
So love him already for that.
00:31:15
Tom
Yeah, already a Pan's favourite.
00:31:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure already. And Chiesa can have a chance to get in there. Isak might be able to play as well, ah starting his ah starting against Southampton if he wants to integrate into this team.
00:31:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there anyone else you you would particularly like to see against Southampton?
00:31:33
Tom
and Yeah, 100%. I mean, we've seen him a couple of times already. He scored a goal with Enger Mower. I feel like he's just going to be one of them players moving forward now that every time he's in the squad, he just excites you.
00:31:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:45
Tom
You know, I got excited watching the under-21s last year just just to watch him play. So to see him part the first team set up now and settling like he has done. I mean, yeah, I think you ask most fans that are at Anfield tomorrow or watching from home, which players you're most excited to watch.
00:32:00
Tom
I think a lot of them will say him. But yeah, no, Leone as well, obviously. Yet to see anything of him in a Liverpool shirt. Only seen clips of him, if I'm being truthful, from Parma last year.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:32:11
Tom
But, I mean, he's held in such high regards amongst Italian fans, the Parma fans. And so, yeah, it'll be exciting to to see how he does, you know, his first game. um Obviously, he's been brought in with the expectation to, you know, be a starting centre-back in years to come.
00:32:27
Tom
ah So these are the opportunities that he can take now to kind of speed up that process, you know, to kind of give Slott that message to say, yeah, look, I'm ready to start regularly for Liverpool. So be exciting to see how he does. Chiesa, again, someone that, I mean, I just love, I just feel every time he's on the pitch, you know, he just he just reeks of chances, you know, he's going to get shots on goal.
00:32:49
Tom
and But again, it's ah it' a is one of them games, they're always at the start of the season, these these cup games where you know there's going to be a lot of rotation. Some of the games I get most excited for, you know you get to see players that aren't necessarily going to get to start.
00:32:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah yeah i let's see yeah
00:33:03
Tom
It's the opportunity for new signings to bed in and what better time for Alexander Izac to potentially get his first goal and help him settle in that even little bit more, get... extra minutes in his legs. So I'll be surprised if he doesn't start tomorrow. i think it's a perfect chance for him.
00:33:18
Tom
and But yeah, no, listen, there's there's a handful of players that excited to see. Trey Nione as well.
00:33:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah training only yeah
00:33:24
Tom
we all know the quality We all know the quality he possesses. So it's a perfect and opportunity for him. And I also read that Rhys Williams as well is back in the first team fold ahead of this game.
00:33:36
Tom
So someone that I think it's 2021 that we haven't seen him since.
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rizzy, wow.
00:33:40
Tom
So let's see how he's... See what hair stylist got this time.
00:33:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wait. yeah and In an earlier podcast, me and Jesse discussed our centre-back depth, and both of us were just shocked to see that Rhys Williams was still a Liverpool player.
00:33:56
Tom
I know.
00:33:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, he's 24 now.
00:33:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
24.
00:33:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
He should be playing first-team football anyway.
00:33:58
Tom
Yeah. Scary.
00:34:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm trying think who else.
00:34:04
Tom
Yeah.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like we're forgetting someone else. um Oh, yeah, of course. The goalkeeper position. Can't see Alisson starting against Southampton. Wondering which of the other three ah quality backup goalkeepers we have will be playing.
00:34:14
Tom
no exactly.
00:34:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will it be Petzi, Woodman, or Mamadashvili? I'd like to see Mamadashvili, to be honest.
00:34:25
Tom
Yeah, you'd expect it to be, wouldn't you? You'd expect it to be.
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:28
Tom
and Again, it's just it's just mega. You know you you go in expect that starting line-up tomorrow to be full of players that are going into that game hoping to get send out a message to the slot saying, this is why I should be starting regularly.
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:43
Tom
And I think that's just... a testament to the strength in depth we've got at the moment. These players that, I mean, was it before kicking a ball tomorrow, you could argue that are good enough to start in a Liverpool shirt.
00:34:54
Tom
And the only reason they're not is because we've got world-class players across the pitch that keeping them out.
00:34:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I'll throw ahll throw another name into the hat for you as well.
00:34:59
Tom
Oh,
00:35:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe we could see Stefan Bajetic or is he still injured? I can't remember.
00:35:06
Tom
ah wow. Well,
00:35:07
Tom
well
00:35:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Because he he yeah we refused to let him go back out because we wanted him to be integrated back into ah the Liverpool squad.
00:35:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I haven't seen anything of him training with the first team. Yeah.
00:35:20
Tom
No, i just I just tend to see pitches of him in the gym rather than on the ah football pitch. So hopefully that's not anything injury-related that's been kept quiet. But especially with Tyler Morton leaving, there's a ah little gap for him because, I mean, if Tyler Morton was still at the club, you'd probably expect him to start in that holding midfield role.
00:35:37
Tom
So, I mean, we'll see, won't we?
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Curtis Jones.
00:35:40
Tom
Yeah, exactly. Especially coming back from injury. and You'd expect him to be in there. So, no, Barca is a weird one. He's another forgotten man. I mean, if he can get to the level and beyond of what he was a few years ago, um then, I mean, Liverpool have got a top, top player on their hands moving forward.
00:35:58
Tom
But, yeah, i know, it's weird. He just seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. But, hopefully, he can ah somehow re-find his form in a Liverpool shirt. But, Yeah, we'll see. Who knows? Who knows?
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, looking forward to the match anyway. We'll leave it there ah for this podcast. Once again, Tom, great to have you back. Shame about the Ballon d'Or ceremony, just all of it altogether, but I'm sure we'll find a way to move on.
00:36:19
Tom
Yeah, never mind.
00:36:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You've been listening to the Daily Liverpool podcast. Join us. ah Obviously, we've got Crystal Palace next weekend, so we'll have a couple of episodes previewing that later in the week, I'm sure. ah Stay tuned and we'll see you next time.
00:36:41
Tom
Thank you.