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Transfer Talk
32 Plays1 year ago
The Daily Liverpool team of Jesse Sarwar, Conor Jones and Karl Coppack talk about the summer transfer window.
Part 1 - Transfer rumours and speculation. Anthony Gordon to Liverpool?
Part 2 - The podcast team discuss which areas of the squad need strengthening this window.
Part 3 - We discuss the ongoing contract situation for three of the clubs most important and high profile players, Club captain Virgil Van Dyke, star striker Mohammed Salah and vice Captain Trent Alexander Arnold. Will they stay or will they go?
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Transcript
Introduction and Welcome
00:00:10
officialgspn
Hello and welcome to today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm your host today, James Salva, and we'll be coming to you every day, Monday to Friday, to bring you the very best Liverpool FC related content. Now to do that, we do need your support. If you like what you hear today, Please show us your support by leaving a generous review on your preferred podcast platform and help us spread the word about the daily Liverpool Podcast with your friends, family and on social media.
Episode Agenda Overview
00:00:41
officialgspn
Okay, on today's episode, we're talking transfers.
00:00:45
officialgspn
which should signal the end of this episode, where in any mind we've done exactly nothing in the transfer window as of now. But we live in hope and there is plenty of time for that to change before the transfer window closes. So in part one of today's episode we'll be taking a look at some of the potential targets that the club have been linked with. In part two we'll be assessing some of the areas of the squad that we think needs strengthening and in part three we'll be discussing the contract situation surrounding three of our most important players, namely Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Guest Introductions and Contract Discussions
00:01:19
officialgspn
Now to discuss all that and much more, I'm delighted to welcome back Connor Jones. Hi Connor, how you have you been since yesterday?
00:01:26
Conor
Very well, Jesse. Keeping well, still fingers crossed for that Trent contract announcement. That's what I've been praying for before I go to bed at night. So hopefully that'll be around the corner. If not, a big signing to follow. We'll see.
00:01:38
officialgspn
Absolutely. I'm making his liverpool ah's daily Liverpool debut, our marquee signing of the summer. Mr Cole Coback. How are you, Cole?
00:01:47
Karl
That's a frightening thought for everyone if I'm in the marquee sign. Wow.
00:01:52
officialgspn
How's life in...
00:01:53
Karl
I live in sunny Norwich now, yeah.
00:01:53
officialgspn
Is it Norwich? Isn't that sunny Norwich?
00:01:56
Karl
I've moved to the the fine city as it's called here.
00:01:59
officialgspn
Yeah.
00:01:59
Karl
Yeah, it's lovely.
00:02:01
officialgspn
I think I asked you this before. Have you ever bumped into Chris Sutton?
00:02:03
Karl
I have.
00:02:04
officialgspn
For some reason, any time someone says Norwich, I think Chris Sutton.
00:02:04
Karl
Yeah, I have.
00:02:08
Karl
He, yeah, I saw him weirdly in an Alan Partridge world not far from the cathedral about six months ago. I think he was weird.
00:02:14
officialgspn
Why does that not surprise me?
00:02:15
Karl
And yeah, that's what we all do. We all run around to the cathedral saying 300k or i take it to sky. But yeah, I have seen him sort of walking around looking slightly annoyed at the world in the way he does.
00:02:25
officialgspn
yeah
00:02:26
Karl
And I'm actually going to Kello Road tomorrow because they're playing so poorly of the newly promoted team for the Bundesliga. So I'm going to go see.
00:02:34
Conor
that's That's a really interesting game. They've got some Paulies.
00:02:35
Karl
I can't wait for it.
00:02:37
Conor
To get them in preseason, that's a pull for Norwich.
00:02:39
Karl
Yeah. Yeah.
00:02:40
Conor
Enjoy it, mate.
00:02:40
Karl
And I'm going to, and it's, uh, and I won't be supporting Norwich.
00:02:41
Conor
Enjoy it.
00:02:46
officialgspn
Brilliant stuff. I see a regular feature though on on the podcast, like something like Sutton Watch or something, you know, Karl Karpak's quest to meet Chris Sutton on a regular.
00:02:54
Karl
if i If I can say, if I can if see him or Jake Humphrey, who of course invented podcasts, I'll, learn I'll let you know.
00:03:00
officialgspn
All
Anthony Gordon Transfer Rumors
00:03:01
officialgspn
right, let's talk transfers. Obviously, the club is still to pull the trigger on any signings as of yet, but we would be linked to some interesting names, maybe the most interesting being former Everton winger, Anthony Gordon. Now, I've got to say, I wasn't sure about Gordon to Liverpool. I mean, there's a personal thing.
00:03:18
Conor
Bye.
00:03:20
officialgspn
It's not really the Everton thing, but he does seem like a bit of a diver to me, which I'm sure would change if he played for us. But but the more I think about it, so more i think may be worth doing, Carl. Are you having Anthony Gordon?
00:03:37
Karl
Yeah, in as much as I'm not, I've said this before, but my problem at the forward line last season is I had a problem at one stage with every single forward playing for Liverpool. So I don't think their places are, are nailed on nail honors such as such a talk of no Diaz going to Barcelona. Anthony Gordon. I had the same issue. Yeah. You'd be a great player if you just knew how to stand up properly, but he's very much a Liverpool player in a sort of Jurgen Klopp mode because he just, he's relentless, which I really like. And, you know, when we played Newcastle at their place, he was, he gave Trent hell, didn't he? He really did. And, uh, I like that sort of player. can I forgive the event and connection when, when I see him lift a trophy above his head? Yes. I'll start to think maybe.
00:04:21
Karl
and i'm a man who stole chris's house as david johnson in the 70s because he played for everything first but I can see why we're looking at him. I think he would like to come Because why wouldn't you did differ from the city? I I think i've got a feeling that's going to get done just because uh Because everyone's denied it. There's always a good sign. I think No, that's not happening. Absolutely. No way. No way we're buying chris kerfland. Oh, hello chris yeah, I think there's every chance this is going to work just because I think he's a good fit for us. I really do. I'm just, umm I'm like you. I'm just trying to get over my own individual prejudices about him. If you can stop, imagine people said Liverpool would never buy John Barnes because he dived. Turns out he was John Barnes.
00:05:05
Karl
You know, so it's it's it's a tricky one, but yeah, I think we're going to get him. But I won't be too disappointed if we don't.
00:05:11
officialgspn
Yeah.
00:05:12
Karl
I just like the fact that they've they they've looked at the profile of that, but that's sort of what we want.
00:05:15
Conor
Okay.
00:05:17
Karl
We want that sort of hassling player, really annoying player. I quite like that.
00:05:21
officialgspn
Yeah. 100%.
00:05:21
Conor
Okay.
00:05:22
Conor
No.
00:05:23
officialgspn
I just see him as that. a really annoying, just pain in the backside kind of player that no one wants to defend against. And I just also think that he's he's got he's got a high ceiling in terms of where he can go, particularly in in a team where you know he he's going to get a lot of chances and the opportunity to to assist a lot as well.
00:05:38
Karl
Yeah.
00:05:46
officialgspn
I mean, Conor, do do you think that... Here's another thing. If if we do go and get Anthony Gordon, Does that mean that... he's an addition to the forward line. Does that mean that we've got thoughts of moving on Luis Diaz? Or does it mean that, look, we've got mode for at least another year, okay? Let's get Anthony Gordon in now as a longer term replacement for Salah.
00:06:16
Karl
you
00:06:18
officialgspn
Because we we are kind of left-sided heavy when it comes to the forward line, not much on the right. So how do you see that?
00:06:26
Conor
Yeah, I think you're definitely right in terms of it's probably longer term thinking than we are all giving it credit for. That for me was the confusing thing when I first saw the link was I was looking at that left side thinking, okay, for me, I want Gackpo to really kind of have a presence on that left hand side this season. I think Slott's going to have an understanding of where he plays best and where he was at his peak. whilst he was with PSV and I think that is that left side. And then obviously Diaz, I mean, I love Diaz, I have no reason, I would never want him to to leave the club. I think he's an exciting player to watch and he makes games exciting when he's, when other players in the Ford line aren't maybe pulling their weight, he will always give it 110%, so I have a lot of respect for that and I think that's good for fans, especially in the stadium.
00:07:11
Conor
Well, I think it will happen because I think there's the the amount of conversation and movement around it. I actually believe he he is a Liverpool fan because he did play for the club for four years before he went to Everton. I think he was there from 08 to 12 in the youth set up. And then I believe there's some kind of story that he maybe got dropped or didn't get his contract offer and then went over to Everton. So I think that's why the story keeps cropping up. Whether or not I would pay 75 million for him is probably a slightly different question. I don't think he's worth that. If there was a swap deal involved, I know there was kind of rumors of Gomez going the other way. Last time we were linked with him and that didn't happen. But yeah, I mean, maybe if he could play on the right in the future or if maybe Diaz moved over to the right.
00:07:52
Conor
And then that was kind of us padding ourselves out for when Salah does eventually leave, then that makes a lot more sense.
00:07:55
officialgspn
you
00:07:59
Conor
But I do think he's a great player. Like you said, I think he's got a very high ceiling. He's very good at coming in and just causing chaos. If he sees he can tuck in into the inside and I'm cutting and have a shot, he'll do that. He's not afraid to do that. And then he's equally happy going down the outside and putting the ball in the box, which for Nunes is kind of good news. so i'm I'm happy with it either way, but I mean, a bit like you, Carl, I don't think I'd be kind of bereaved if I didn't see him get over the line. I think my eyes are kind of much more set on. We need a six coming in. He can actually kind of keep control of the ball and and play it forwards and actually kind of break the lines a bit more, which is what slot will probably be leaning towards, I think.
00:08:33
Conor
but
00:08:33
Karl
it's it's it's It's either welcome Anthony or there goes Evan Anthony Gordon.
00:08:38
Conor
Yeah.
00:08:38
Karl
Yeah. The hypocrisy.
00:08:40
officialgspn
and Where do you stand on the Diaz question, Carl? I'm like Connor, I love Diaz. You can't fault him for his work, Ray.
00:08:50
Karl
Yeah.
00:08:52
officialgspn
He's such an exciting player. He can dribble past like three or four players and just keep running you know he he doesn't run out of steam, but his end product, his numbers, I mean I'm looking at his is his number, I know that he came, i think I think we got him in the January transfer window.
00:08:59
Karl
yeah
00:09:04
Karl
No, it's not great. no
00:09:11
officialgspn
So season 21, 22, six goals, four assists, 22, 23, five goals, two assists, 23, 24, obviously a caveat of huge personal issues, 13 goals,
00:09:23
Karl
yeah Well, it's not bad if because you've got three strikers and we have four or five.
00:09:25
officialgspn
four c assist is that enough
00:09:32
Karl
but i I think you've touched on it there. I think that's why he goes firstly, he's a South American player, which means they all want to play for Barcelona on the Real Madrid. Because that's sort of just that's what your pinnacle is, isn't it? If you're a South American footballer, whether he wants to go because, you know, basically what happened to his dad, I completely understand that.
00:09:48
officialgspn
Thanks.
00:09:51
Karl
Or you might just think this is the age for me to go about a big Premier League move. And if one of the if one of the big two are coming for me, I might as well take it. And I think Liverpool probably will take it as well. We get a big a big wadja cash for it. i I think it's absolutely fantastic but again like the rest of them he frustrates the hell out of me occasionally for god's sake just just put your foot through it you know it's difficult and yet you can it's score some incredible goals. it's it's It's one of the, I'm like this with all the forwards at the moment, it's it's it's a case of, if they go, I'm more interested in who comes in than, oh my God, there goes, like, Firmino or Mane, which I was devastated by when they went.
00:10:27
Conor
yeah
00:10:28
Karl
It was the end of an era, but if
Luis Diaz's Future at Liverpool
00:10:29
Karl
they go, and you think, well, all right, well, we've we're trying something else then. Well, he's a good Liverpool player. Will Anthony Gordon be an upgrade on him? Yeah, probably. I don't know. so It's hard to say that because we obviously I've never seen him play in that system, but I like him, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if if if he went for me. Because I can understand why, because you can't just say, yes, his dad was kidnapped without knowing the full emotion of what that must have been feel like. You've got to take that into consideration. If he says, you know you know what, I'm scared, I'm going to go, then I get that completely unfair enough.
00:11:01
Conor
I also think just, I mean, to be kind of cutthroat if someone offers you over £45 million pounds for a player that's got that output, it's ridiculous to say no, I think.
00:11:05
officialgspn
for
00:11:10
Karl
Yeah.
00:11:10
Conor
If, unless he came in next season and and got, you know, a lot closer to 20 goals and a lot closer to 10 assists, anything over that number is worth it for us.
00:11:16
Karl
yeah
00:11:20
Conor
I think also with, with stock coming in, there's a chance that Gackpo actually does take to that wing and does really start to kind of excel again. I mean, in the times that we've seen him play on that side, I think he just looks so much more comfortable and he is a look.
00:11:31
Karl
I think, I don't think, I don't think Cody Gackpost got a position. and i say He's one of those footballers who's sort of all right everywhere, but not, so I'd like to see him play on the left and just see, well, you know, this is what you do.
00:11:34
officialgspn
Hm.
00:11:34
Conor
Yeah.
00:11:40
Karl
And we've seen you do it in the summer.
00:11:43
Conor
Yeah.
00:11:43
Karl
any chance you could do it for us. Cause if you, but what when Jurgen played him in central midfield, good God, so bad, so bad.
00:11:49
Conor
Yeah.
00:11:52
officialgspn
But i thought I thought he was effective on the left. He showed his best glimpses when he was on the left last season. I know that was you know few and far between. But I think that if if we do ne nail that down that position for him, I think that there is still a player there. But I'm just worried that he's a kind of player that needs to be playing every single week in order to have that rhythm.
00:12:12
Karl
Yeah, definitely.
00:12:19
officialgspn
he doesn't seem he doesn't strike me as a pair that you can you know you can rotate very much. And that's that for me is is is a question mark. but so
00:12:28
Karl
he He doesn't press enough for me, to be honest. That's my only problem with him. I went, I mean, so I was, I was out of like his first five games, something like that. And there's there's times when. the centre back would roll to the centre back and I was thinking, why aren't you standing on his feet now? And he wasn't, he was holding back and I was thinking, oh, you and I aren't going to get on a fit if that's your attitude. Like, you know, for me, there would be like on your toes now, but we've managed standing behind it. And that's how we win games. That's how we get the but the ball up so high on the pitch. the a yeah He doesn't do that. I think, well,
Cody Gakpo's Position Debate
00:12:57
Karl
maybe that's not his thing.
00:12:58
Karl
And I've got a theory about, about why we bought Gackpo and why we bought Nunez. I thought, I think Klopp bought both in a sort of, you want your classic number nine, big tall striker, head with the ball, or you want for me, you know, we'll drop deep and go and get the ball. And we don't know which one's going to work. So let's have both of them. And, uh, and I think Cody Gackpo is the sort of, you know, I'll go and win it boss. He doesn't really win it. But there's there's definitely a player that he's got, he's beautiful.
00:13:24
Conor
i I worry that maybe Cody Galbrae has been misdiagnosed as as a false nine. I don't really think that's his position. I think that that's Klopp's, I mean, ultimately I would say that is the decision process he made.
00:13:32
Karl
love yeah oh
00:13:37
Conor
I mean, I can understand the logic of it from the outside and objectively, but like ultimately, Is Cody Gackborough a false nine? Is that where he played when we bought him and when he had 20 plus goals and was captaining his side at like an incredibly young age?
00:13:47
Karl
like
00:13:48
Conor
and That's not what he was doing.
00:13:48
Karl
I
00:13:49
Conor
So I think maybe there's there's something there that needs to be kind of like, maybe the the plan needs to be torn up, the blueprint needs to be torn up with Cody Gackborough and try and give him a chance of something new.
00:13:50
officialgspn
Thank
00:13:52
Karl
love this,
00:13:57
officialgspn
you.
00:13:58
Conor
But then if Anthony Gordon comes in or if Diaz kind of kicks off strongly, then I think he's probably not going to get that chance, unfortunately, is he?
00:13:59
Karl
yeah.
00:14:06
Karl
Yeah, I did a podcast in October 2013. We'd just beaten Crystal Palace at home and Raheem Sterling stank the ground out. He was so bad. And everyone on that podcast, I won't mention names, said, and I was one of them, what he needs is six months at West End playing right wing. That's exactly what he needs. Because we don't see where he fits in. He's incredibly talented. He got bullied by the fullback every single time. And it was Palace, you know, we batted them, it was all right. But I sometimes think with with a player, they need to be, someone just needs to suddenly need jump in and say, do you know what?
00:14:42
Karl
You play you play the right up front of a three or something like that, or left on Cody's point. And I just think there are so many players who are misdiagnosed. I love that term, mis misdiagnosed. that And I think that's very, very true. And I think that's what, but the difference with Cody Yackpo is, as was the same Raheem Sterling at the time, I don't know. I don't know where he plays, but luckily there's a Dutchman who does.
00:15:01
Conor
Yeah.
00:15:05
Karl
Who knows it? Well, he's probably known him since he was eight, so you know.
00:15:09
officialgspn
Well, let's see whether Gordon comes in to to change up that or shake up that front line. lets Let's briefly go on to part two, which is just you know following on from the first part of this discussion, which is looking at what areas of the team that we think should be strengthened this window, if not the front line. I know that obviously the the DM role is is something that is is has been doing the rounds, I think since last season, since we bought Endo. Is that still the same? Has that changed, particularly with slot coming in, playing the double pivot? Do we do we still need that specialist number six, or are we going to be okay with McAllister and Jones and McAllister and Sibozleikov?
00:15:56
Karl
I think it's interesting he played Zavozlai and Jones in a deeper role and they both said they really, really like it. And he said, and cur of said you you got to you've got to be a lot more, dip you know, sort of disciplined to be able to do that. I think that's something he looks at. I think Endo, we obviously rejected a bit from our safe forum with Profit, which for a man in his thirties is quite significant. I think he plays every now and then, but I think that's what he's going to be looking at. is maybe doing a whole new formation and playing a two screen at the back. My own personal concern about places that needs to be developed for me is to send halves because I think it's fascinating at the moment and we didn't go for Lenny Yarrow and I can understand that because I think the club think we've got Lenny Yarrow, he's called Joel Kwanza.
00:16:43
Karl
and he's exactly the same profile and that's a great one. A young centre back who's going to come forward and play Liverpool for 10 years and he's had one season and he's been great and he's got one of my favourite goals as well against Villa and I think that's going to be really interesting because I think does Virgil, does Virgil retire from international football? I think that's not too far away if he's not done it already. but he's also knocking on a bit of Virgil as well. And he's still Virgil van Dijk, but it's the second the player next to him I think is the important one for me. Because I don't think that's Ibu at the moment. And we've got to replace Joel Matip anyway.
00:17:18
Conor
Yeah, interesting. I think you're probably right because the Virgil van Dijk is definitely getting to the point where I feel like it's going to be a steady decline now. Like, I don't think he's going to be a bad centre-half, but...
00:17:28
Karl
No, no, it's his first choice absolutely every single week without question.
00:17:31
Conor
It is guaranteed, though, that in five years' time, that that's not going to be the case, isn't it? So...
00:17:36
officialgspn
Oh yeah, so five years time is 38.
00:17:39
Conor
Exactly.
00:17:39
Karl
ye Yeah.
00:17:39
Conor
So then in five years' time, you need someone who's been probably playing for the club, hopefully, for like two to three seasons. You can just step into that. And then that's kind of getting to the point now where you think, okay, maybe
00:17:46
Karl
Yeah.
00:17:48
Conor
you know, then that needs
Defensive Concerns with Ibrahima Konate
00:17:49
Conor
to happen now. So I think Gerald Quanta is great. I mean, obviously, trainee only has come in and I'm really impressed in pre-season.
00:17:54
Karl
ye
00:17:56
Conor
But yeah, I think another centre-half would be good. And I also think that with Ibu there's probably that kind of constant danger that he has had turned by PSG and the and the paycheck that they offer him one day. And I think that, you know, most French footballers, I mean, I'm sure he probably grew up somewhere around Paris. That might be a that i could be completely wrong. So hopefully not. But I think
00:18:16
officialgspn
I think with Canate, the danger surely more is he's he's just unreliable in terms of his fitness. i be I'd be far more worried about Canate doing his calf or pulling his hamstring three weeks into the season than PSG coming in for him and and you know turning his head.
00:18:38
Conor
Yeah, I mean, I think that's definitely a factor. I think he has had kind of an array of injuries. Also, I think another thing is that we've kind of spoke about this on the last episode, but Slott obviously does want to play with the ball in a possession-based style. So those centre halves are going to have to be comfortable putting their studs on the ball. And I'm not sure that he actually is that comfortable putting his studs on the ball. He does worry me in possession. He does maraud a little bit like Matip every now and then, but like in terms of us maintaining possession and preventing counter-attacks, as Slott has said over and over again, I just don't necessarily know if Kanate will ever be that type of centre-half.
00:19:00
officialgspn
Thanks.
00:19:13
Conor
i mean Van Dyke obviously would put his studs on anything and he'll be happy to spray a pass if he needs to or just to find a midfielder, but I don't really trust Ibu at all. He just doesn't always look kind of entirely sure-footed, but i mean maybe that's just my eye test.
00:19:28
officialgspn
Well, let's continue with the virtual Van
Mohamed Salah's Contract and Leadership
00:19:31
officialgspn
Dyke talk. is We'll round off today's episode with arguably the most important issue for the club and that is the contract situation surrounding Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dyke and Trent Alexander-Arnold. It looks like Salah is going to stay, at least for the remainder of his contract.
00:19:44
Conor
Thank
00:19:48
officialgspn
I think he seems quite happy. He seems quite settled and relaxed. The Saudi talk seems to have yeah have died down. But do we just see that as, you know what, he's got one season left. Go and do what you do and and sign off you know in absolute style.
00:20:04
Conor
you.
00:20:08
officialgspn
all Do we see like a you know and a new chapter in the Solar story for Liverpool in that he's got one season left, we've got a new manager, does he have a slightly different role now? And that means that maybe another two to three years, Connor.
00:20:29
Conor
Yeah, I think for me, I mean, I'm sure you guys will probably agree with this. i I think if he comes out this season and and he kind of puts up the numbers he has done every season, I would still find it very hard not to try and keep him. I think it's going to be harder to replace those numbers.
00:20:44
Karl
Thanks.
00:20:44
Conor
with that money than it is just to give it to him until he stops putting them up. I think that's always a factor. I mean obviously whether or not he would want to stay is a different thing and I do think it's exciting for him as well because he's kind of got this leadership role he's very established within the squad. He clearly plays a kind of mentor role to a lot of the younger players obviously see Harvey Elliott has always kind of mentioned and nodded to that and look where he is now so I think he knows how important he is to the team in the dressing room and I think Slott's going to be aware of that as well so I think waiting and kind of like playing it by ear is probably the best call I mean he might even have his eyes on kind of like you know hero status within the club I mean not that he wouldn't have it already but
00:21:15
Karl
you
00:21:22
Conor
I think for him, maybe that kind of that peak and that kind of small window to get that big move, maybe to Real Madrid or to wherever you want to go at the time who where you think you might win more chimpanzees and have more kind of league and domestic success, that seems to have passed. I don't see him going to any other club larger than Liverpool now. So I think he probably maybe in a way that's taking some of the pressure off his shoulders to make a decision and now he can actually relax and kind of unwind and basically just can you show us what we can do for the rest of his career. I think it'll be interesting to see what happens on the slot so I definitely think you're right there'll be some kind of new chapter but we'll see what happens in my opinion we'll see.
00:22:01
officialgspn
Carl, one more season or maybe two or three?
00:22:03
Karl
Yeah, definitely one. Definitely absolutely one. And I'm sorry, I've just been looking at his stats and last year he got 25 goals. That's all right. To say he's 32 now. I think he stays for, for he's already traveled. I mean, I think you've got to think about this in terms of the way that the players work. He's done his moves. He's been to Chelsea, you know, he's played in Switzerland, you know, he's done all that sort of stuff. And he's been Rome, obviously. I think he wants records because I've never seen a man so angry when he doesn't score.
00:22:35
Karl
And, uh, and, you know, to say he's in, he's in, I was just trying to find out where he is. I know he's in Liverpool's top 10 gold scorers of all time, but every single time he goes past one, someone makes a fuss about that. And he likes that.
00:22:44
officialgspn
Yeah, he loves it.
00:22:44
Karl
that's why, i that's why I think he stays. I think he's going to be, I think he's behind Billy Little, which is going to be tricky. That's a little bit up now, but, but I think that's why he wants to stay. He's 32. He can play another, he can play another three years quite easily because he's Mo Salah. He's incredibly fit. and they I think pace is, if his pace is decreasing, his ability hasn't. it was like Obviously, he's lightning quick when he went to the famous goal against Arsenal, obviously, and the goal against Southampton and Devon, where he sprints to the whole length of the pitch pretty much. I just think he just changed his play. I don't think he moves as such. i think hes He's perfectly happy where he is, I think. And he's always been fast to say. no and yeah The last contract was about money and stuff like that, and he did the video and what have you, but I think he's just sort of quite content in where he is, to be honest.
00:23:29
Karl
And it's kind of, I
Senior Player Influence Comparisons
00:23:30
Karl
completely agree. He's a senior player. That means a lot to him. That means a lot to his culture. He wants to like, you know, help the club and bring people in and I know, and there's him and there's, uh, uh, there's Alison and van Dijk and, you know, these are senior players and most others, one of those. And I think that's why I think. The Saturday move, do it when you're 40, you'll still be most out there. And I think he knows that really, but he's he doesn't what he doesn't want to get sort of goals in in a league that doesn't count. Is anyone looking at Ronaldo's trophy poll since he went no?
00:24:01
officialgspn
I think Ronaldo is.
00:24:03
Karl
Yeah, of course he is. He's him, but you're not taking it seriously, are you? So it's I don't think there's any issue with that at all.
Champions League Potential and Talent Attraction
00:24:11
Conor
And while you're at the club, I think at Liverpool, there is always a chance that you go very deep in the Champions League and you have these big moments in these games when you can be the star and kind of score those winning goals. And I think he knows that as well. Like maybe, I mean, depending on what how everything comes. works with slot and how well everyone adapts, we'll see whether we'll be challenging for the title. But even if we're not, if you're in the Champions League and you're playing in these tournaments that everyone's watching, you're still one of the biggest players in the world and he'll always want to be there or thereabouts.
00:24:43
Karl
He's fifth, he's fifth in the league at the moment. He's 17 behind Billy Little, which he's going to get. If he, if he gets 30 goal out, he's third.
00:24:50
Conor
Yeah, which is a monumental feat.
00:24:51
Karl
only much Oh, yeah.
00:24:52
officialgspn
It's incredible.
00:24:52
Conor
I mean,
00:24:53
Karl
In this age. Yeah. And mean also, as it's important to remember this, he's not a number nine Roger Hunter, and he and Russia above him, they are number nines. They put people put the ball on the penalty spot, but then to score and they were very good at it. But he's not, he's right beside the time midfielder strokes forward.
00:25:06
officialgspn
Yeah,
00:25:10
Conor
I was thinking he could he could move into the middle eventually and kind of play more of a more of a central nine.
00:25:10
officialgspn
it's incredible.
00:25:14
Karl
He does a lot more often, doesn't he? You don't see him dead a lot last year when the whole Gackpo thing was, where where's he playing? They all had a go. Jotter played 9 for a bit every now and then, which like I quite liked.
00:25:26
Conor
Actually, I think George is great as as an iron.
00:25:29
Karl
I think he's the best finisher in the club.
00:25:30
officialgspn
Yeah, yeah.
00:25:30
Karl
I've always said that. He's just an extraordinary finisher.
00:25:32
officialgspn
I don't think it's the last shot. I think as he gets older, he's already 32, but I think if he does stay, let's say for the next two or three years, I think it's inevitable that because his pace is going to decline down the flanks, I think he's still going to be a great finisher.
00:25:48
Karl
yeah
00:25:48
officialgspn
And he's not going to be so slow that he can't move, but I think just that kind of burst of pace down the flank will mean that there will be more opportunity for him down the middle. We've already spoken about Virgil van Dijk briefly, yeah transformational signing for the
Van Dijk's Contract Situation
00:26:03
officialgspn
club. He's now 33, last year of his contract.
00:26:06
Karl
Yeah.
00:26:06
officialgspn
Personally, I don't think we can afford to let him go. because because yeah know Just because of the the the other options that we've got,
00:26:10
Karl
we come You don't mess around with that.
00:26:16
officialgspn
you've got kwansza who's who yeah it's just broken into the team You've got Kanate who's just not reliable in terms of his fitness. Matip has left. Gomez. has turned into you know he was brilliant centerback when we run the title alongside Van Dyke, but he's now really a utility player, an important utility player, but that's what he is.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Future at Liverpool
00:26:45
officialgspn
But let's but yeah move on finally and possibly most importantly to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Spector of Real Madrid still looms large.
00:26:55
officialgspn
yeah especially after his blossoming bromance with Jude Bellingham at the Euros, which was really annoying because you know it was supposed to be the other way around, wasn't it? you know The season before but that didn't work out well. So is this this is surely the one that's the most concerning out of the three, Karl?
00:27:18
Karl
a the The problem is that if a player goes to a certain point in their career, the words rail Madrid are always going to be brought in at some point bearing a mind they did by Thomas Graveson at one point. There's, I don't think it's going to be an issue. The big thing for him. that I can pick him what up on this is that he's vice captain of Liverpool. He's from Liverpool. He's obsessed with Liverpool. And I just think it's just everything about Trent is Liverpool Football Club. And the image of him you know sitting down on his phone when he won the European Cup and no messaging his mates and things like that. I just think that's just a huge part of his life.
00:27:59
Karl
And if he goes to Madrid, he may not necessarily start because Madrid are nuts. he's already been to the Euros and not started because the young Cal Walker took his position. and I just think why, why take the risk? He doesn't need the money. Then none of them need the money, but, I just think he plays Liverpool. I really do. and And again, Virgil being at age next year, Trent's Liverpool captain. And I think if they haven't had that conversation already. but I mean, that's going to be part of the contract, isn't it? You are going to be Liverpool's next captain.
00:28:30
Karl
But the thing is, we said that 10 years ago. The second you saw a trend, at some point he is going to be Liverpool's captain.
00:28:34
officialgspn
He's going to be Liverpool captain, yeah. Conor, does he stay? Does he go?
00:28:37
Conor
I think for me, I don't think he'll go now. I think if he was going to ever do this, it would be i think in the in long in the future and I don't think that and he's going to be head turned right now. I think he knows, like you said, he's got it on a plate to be the captain and I think when he does get that offer, he's then going to be tied into a contract you know for another five years. He's not going to want to become Liverpool captain and not win anything and I think with slot as well it's going to be big on his agenda coming in to get Trent onside. I think that's just in terms of if you're coming in to manage that dressing room you need him onside so you need him to be comfortable knowing where he fits into your plans as soon as possible and I think that with all the the kind of young influential players at a football club need to know where they stand so they can be happy and hopefully not cause any kind of
00:29:08
Karl
Yeah.
Conclusion and Next Episode Preview
00:29:24
Conor
ruckus.
00:29:24
officialgspn
Well look, you contract negotiations for me, very simple, just you just say Filipe Coutinho, and he stays. So look, that brings us to the end of today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. Join us again tomorrow as we put the club's owners, FSG, under the spotlight and discuss the club's ownership model in the age of state-owned football clubs. In the meantime, you can find us on social media at GSP in Liverpool, on most platforms. Leave us your comments and thoughts on all things Liverpool FC. From Connor Jones, Karl Kopak and myself, thank you for joining us and we'll see you again tomorrow.