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Daily Liverpool - 5 Games in 15 Days Reviewed!
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The Reds have come through the much talked about 5 games in 15 days and extended their lead at the top of the PL. Connor Norcott joins Jesse Sarwar as the Daily Liverpool team talk about a period of the season that may well have landed the Reds their 20th top flight title.
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Transcript
Episode Introduction and Overview
00:00:48
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 and Liverpool have a rare weekend courtesy of that shot defeat at the hands of Plymouth in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So while the players are enjoying a well-earned rest, no such luxury for the Daily Liverpool podcast team as we take stock of the last five games in the Premier League which may well have clinched the Premier League title for Liverpool.
Liverpool's Recent Premier League Performance
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So joining me today to talk about that and much more is Connor Norcott. Connor, how are you?
00:01:25
Connor
I'm good. I'm good. I'm good. You know, the weekend is nearly here. Unfortunately, the Reds aren't playing. You know, it's been, like you said, five games in 15 days is a lot. And I'm glad there's a little bit of a break. I'm looking forward to the next game, obviously. But, you know, I'm looking forward to this weekend too. How was last night? You were at Anfield, Jesse, weren't you?
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was. It was fantastic. Great, great atmosphere. It was, you know, but we'll talk more in detail about the the Newcastle game, but just in general, just the atmosphere around the stadium.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was one of those Anfield nights where the atmosphere was really, it was electric. It was a great atmosphere, but it was, there wasn't that kind of nervous energy.
00:02:02
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was a really kind of, a confident atmosphere which I think transferred onto the players I just think that City game has really kind of just changed the whole narrative and the feeling around Liverpool as we you know head into these kind of last remaining fixtures and so yeah it was a great atmosphere brilliant win A horrible drive home.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm absolutely shattered, but, you know, courtesy of those pesky roadworks. But so as I mentioned, Liverpool have the weekend off as the FA Cup returns. It means that we've got a rare chance to to to rest players ahead of next Wednesday's round of 16 knockout game against PSG in the Champions League.
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll start the build-up to that game next week, but... Today we'll look back at Liverpool's last five Premier League games, that famed five games in 15 days that most were saying would determine the outcome of this season's Premier League title race. So,
00:03:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Connor, as as an overall assessment, we've come out of those five games in 15 days with 11 points from a possible 15. We were seven points clear of Arsenal before that Merseyside derby.
00:03:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are now 13 points clear after Wednesday night's 2-0 win over Newcastle.
00:03:33
Connor
I think the key thing I've taken away from it and something I think that's been true for the whole season is that this team doesn't really lose games. You think of like the really bad moments this season.
00:03:47
Connor
I don't count the forest loss as one of them. I really don't. The Plymouth loss, you know, lots of heads went mine included. Thank God.
00:03:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:03:54
Connor
Those are group chat messages. We'll never see the light day because I was a very angry young man. then But I think the bad the bad results were the last-minute equaliser that we just saw against in the Merseyside derby.
00:04:07
Connor
I didn't enjoy that. the yeah The late it comeback from Newcastle at St James' Park earlier in the season. But they you know we still got points on the board then. And I think that's what's been so crucial to this Liverpool title charge is that the down days, we still managed to scrape something out of it, you know?
Arsenal and Managerial Pressure
00:04:23
Connor
And I think Liverpool, correct me if I'm wrong, I've still only lost one game in the league this year. We're unbeaten away from home in the Premier League, I should say. And I just think, like, this is Slott's first season.
00:04:36
Connor
It's not really his team, you know? There were so many things that he but we were so curious about at the start of the season, Jesse, when we did those, you know, preview podcasts, what's it going to look like? We were covering pre-season...
00:04:48
Connor
And look at us now, you know, it if the vibes are good. I'm feeling really optimistic. i've I've given my Arsenal supporting friends a few few digs this week. And you know what?
00:04:59
Connor
That's what football is about.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, you're spot on it in terms of Liverpool's just kind of inability to lose, their unwillingness to lose and just to get something out of a game.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think any time in a season, if you can say that your bad games are draws, then i think you can I think you're going to do well. You're goingnna have you're going to have a decent season.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... so It's interesting what you said about Arnie Slott. Do you think that with Slott coming in, because I want to talk a little bit about Arsenal, and starting so well,
00:05:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Did that put Arteta under pressure? Because you know he's been trying to get Arsenal over the line in the last four or five years. Klopp leaves.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
He must have thought, this has got to be our year now. Up rocks Arnie in his first season and just takes to the Premier League like the you know prefer proverbial duck to water.
00:06:08
Connor
I think so. I think i don't want to...
Key Factors in Liverpool's Success
00:06:11
Connor
I mean, i I did just say I've been giving my Arsenal support and friends a few digs in the last week or so, but...
00:06:17
Connor
I still think there's another, there's something about this Arsenal team that I just think like, they're so close, you know? And I recognise that. Most of my adolescent support in Liverpool and then in those early club years, we were a team that were always so close and we were great at challengers.
00:06:34
Connor
No, I don't think this Arsenal team are great challengers. I think they're really well put together team. But there's just something about them that I think they lack a bit of that confidence that we you probably felt at Anfield last night, Jesse. you know You can feel it from the fans. I could feel it through watching it on my laptop last night.
00:06:52
Connor
You could feel with the confidence in the team, in the stadium. And I just think when things are going your way and the momentum is going your way, that can really galvanize a team. And we've spoke so much about momentum this year.
00:07:03
Connor
and Well, at least I have and and harped on about how important it is and and rhythm being so important. And you look at the team that Liverpool keep starting. Look at the players like Sabah Zlai and Ibrahim Akarnati, who I think both were incredible.
00:07:18
Connor
Both have just played five 90 minute games back to back in 15 days. They're the spine of your team. They're the foundation of your team. And I think, OK, we've been fortunate with some injuries. We've had quite a few. People should notice it that.
00:07:30
Connor
The Arsenal team have obviously had bigger injuries to some players that have definitely you know hampered their chances. But Liverpool's ability to keep those players fit and and keep them on the pitch for as long as possible in those big games has really, really helped us too.
00:07:44
Connor
I think the pressure has been on Arteta, but I also think he just doesn't help himself. you know There's something... there's something where he just likes to have these little, you know, i'm not going to answer that question. I'm going I'm too annoyed. going to show you I'm annoyed. I'm not going to tell you how feel. And I just think, mate, grow up, you know?
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
AB Pamp.
00:08:02
Connor
Yeah, it is. It's a little bit like, oh, my older brother does this, so I'll do this.
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:06
Connor
Okay. All right, cool. Well, your older brother's grounded as well. You know mean? So wind your neck in. Yeah, I don't know.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, no, it's it's interesting that in in terms of Arsenal, you you know you mentioned about what it what is it that's lacking in Arsenal?
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you also mentioned our kind of pre-season preview shows. And I remember saying back then, i was convinced that Arsenal were not going to win and they're not going to challenge for the Premier League.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
because I think that they've gone they've gone past that point where they had to win something. You mentioned about Klopp. You've got to remember, Klopp came, he didn't even have a full season when he first came.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rodgers was sacked, I think it was after a Mosesar derby, but midway through, right?
00:08:58
Connor
Yeah, it was.
00:09:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And in that first season, we got to the League Cup final and the Europa League Cup final, And when we challenged, we challenged with 97 points and not win the league and 93 points and not win the league.
00:09:14
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then when we didn't win the league, we won the Champions League.
00:09:21
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:09:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, we won the big prizes. And also, you know, I was i was talking to to my son about this. And it's kind of even drilling into that Champions League win, how did we win it?
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not only did we win it losing the first leg 3-0 to Barcelona and then coming back. But in between that, people forget, in between those two games, those two legs, we were fighting City for the title toe-to-toe.
00:09:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Man City, I can't remember who they play. It might have been Leicester. But they are on the verge of drawing a game which would have given us the initiative into those last couple of games of the season.
00:10:03
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Vincent Kompany steps up in stoppage time and scores goal that he's never scored before and he will never score ever again in his career, right? Now, for any other team to have the Premier League snatched away from you in those last few seconds and then go into a second leg against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, 3-0 down, I think would have broken most teams.
00:10:39
Connor
and we should also mention without without mo salah without bobby for me now i think right yeah yes it this is why i there's like a there's like a mentality difference you know and i think i think that's the issue and i think that's what we're kind of getting at here and i don't want to make this all about arsenal because i have enjoyed watching the
00:10:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Without yeah Firmino, yeah, without Firmino,
00:10:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%. 100%. MTV's. Did you see
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
what Nuno said?
00:11:01
Connor
you know the i i really have i've enjoyed hate watching it. At halftime, I switched over and watched the Forest-Arsenal game. And I tell you what, Forest, they looked all right. They looked all right. They're going to cause a lot of issues in the in the last 10 games of the season.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
you say
00:11:15
Connor
But I just think
00:11:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
did you see what nuonno said
00:11:18
Connor
I did. Yeah, I did.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
which was really interesting.
00:11:21
Connor
i just think it's just really blunt.
00:11:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was really interesting.
00:11:24
Connor
And it reminded me a little bit of what, how Arnest Slott spoke in that first game against Man United. And everyone was like, whoa, people, managers don't speak like that.
00:11:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, it was brilliant.
00:11:32
Connor
And they were just like, we just, we just knew what we had to do and what they
Game Highlights and Emotional Moments
00:11:36
Connor
couldn't do basically. like
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was brilliant.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
If if if people listening didn't see the post-match interview with Nuno Espirito Santo after Arsenal drew 0-0, after the game, Martin Keown asked him why he changed from a back five to a back four against Arsenal.
00:11:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he says with with like a beaming smile on his face, Arsenal don't have a striker. Just, you simple as that. And I just think that that tells you that opposition managers don't really fear Arsenal.
00:12:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think that, you know, that the reason why we're talking about Arsenal, I think, is fundamentally they have not been able to put any kind of sustained pressure on Liverpool.
00:12:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
at really any point of the season.
00:12:25
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:12:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so even these kind of perceived drop-offs for Liverpool, any kind of slip-up, and they aren't really huge slip-up, they're they're just draws, but they've just not been able to take any kind of advantage over those.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're going to drill down into those five games in a bit more detail just after this very short break.
00:13:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, those five games in 15 days, it all kicked off. It literally kicked off at Goodison Park. You know, the final ever Merseyside derby at the old stadium. And it really lived up to its billing, you know, thrilling 2-2 draw.
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool leading that game 2-1 until the 99th minute when James Tarkowski... Again, another centre-back that's never going to score a goal like that ever again in his career.
00:13:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Pretty much the last kick of the game. I mean, incidentally, that game was supposed to have five minutes' time added on. So how how you know how you get a 99th-minute equaliser, I don't know. But Conor, at the time, it really felt like a defeat that game and that suddenly Arsenal have got a chance to close the gap.
00:14:14
Connor
And like we mentioned, those the bad times, the bad results, the ones that you we weren't happy with are the ones that the ones that hurt the most, I suppose you could say.
00:14:25
Connor
They are... i don't know, there's something to be said for the fact that we just kept taking points. We kept taking points. And I know Liverpool were leading in that game, but I thought we were pretty awful. And again, if you could see the messages in our in the in the daily Liverpool group chat...
00:14:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:14:40
Connor
It wasn't just me who was who was annoyed at that game. There was a lot a lot of collective head loss on in the group chat and in the on the timeline. But looking back on it now, you know i think you consider we picked up, you said, Jesse, earlier in the in the podcast, 11 points from those 15 games, from 15 available, sorry.
00:14:58
Connor
It's not bad. And I think when you consider the context and the and how that game played out, it felt like such a sucker punch.
00:15:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:07
Connor
But at the end of the day, we didn't lose. And that's so important. That is so important. And also, i think it doesn't help that... the that we move straight on and talk about the Wolves game in a bit but the performance after that kind of doubled down and made the Goodison draw feel so much worse because Liverpool eked out 2-1 win and I know you know title winning seasons or seasons where you're going for big trophies you can't be perfect every single game but that performance also felt like oh the pressure's on a little bit
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, that was a nervous Anfield.
00:15:41
Connor
yeah it was
00:15:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was a nervous Anfield, right? You know, you're 2-0 up, which is, you know, i've I'm sure we've said before, Arnie Slott's favourite scoreline, 2-0. But then as soon as Cunha scores, who I do like, i think he's I think he's a really good player.
00:15:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I really like him. But then the whole kind of atmosphere changes. And, you know, you you possibly saw the effect of that last minute equaliser from the Merzisar derby, you know, come back to haunt us and think, oh God, you know, could it happen again? Could there be more dropped points?
00:16:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, the the important thing is, is that, You hang on. You're not always going to play well. And you're not always going to get your way. But they get over the line. They get the three points.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, you know, you move into the midweek game against Aston Villa. Which, again, I've got to say, you know, fair play to Liverpool and to Arnie Slott.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even when we have a draw, they're absolute banging draws. Fantastic matches.
00:16:49
Connor
Yeah. Yeah.
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
3-3 against Newcastle, you know, 2-2 against Villa, 3-3 against Fulham, right, when we were down to 10 men.
00:16:54
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:16:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, have you not been entertained, right? I mean, you know, we have we have been entertaining... you know, and Postacoglu and, you know, winning as well.
00:17:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, going to Villa is never going to be easy.
00:17:11
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got good home record. They're very good at home. It's under the lights. They're going for Champions League qualification. And in fact, if' they're still in the Champions League as as we speak. They're in the in the knockout stages.
00:17:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And again, we go 2-1 up. Again, we get pegged back to two two Then we have that big Darwin Nunes chance that is spurned.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you just think more points dropped and people now start saying, you know, is this the wobble?
00:17:44
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is this Liverpool now kind of bottling it?
00:17:52
Connor
Mm-hmm. It's funny, though, again, and this is this is only with hindsight, because, OK, Liverpool are 13 points clear. A lot of fans, pundits, people in the industry, people in the know expect the the the season's done now, the title's done, apparently. I'm pretty excited, but I'm i'm not 100% there yet.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Peace.
00:18:11
Connor
But if that's the cracks, you have to look at it and say, OK, nine points liverpool nine pointss available, Liverpool take five, you know? It's not that bad. Going away at Goodison and drawing is not that bad if you just isolate that.
00:18:23
Connor
Going away to Villa Park, who who, by the way, they had quite a lot of defensive issues.
Strategic Changes Under Arnie Slott
00:18:28
Connor
And I think some of the big my big reasons for being annoyed at that game were the fact that Okay, Liverpool looked like they could score goals at any time, but they just didn't take their chances.
00:18:38
Connor
But at the end of the day, look at the attacking options Villa also have. you know
00:18:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:18:43
Connor
They brought in Asensio. They brought in Marcus Rashford, who I still think has something in him. I think gets an assist in that game too. But i you look at it and say, okay, Villa park away, Goodison.
00:18:56
Connor
Okay, Wolves at home wasn't great, but to still to take five points away and that's your wobble. you know i think that's where the level is because this Liverpool team has the DNA of of a team that's been pushing Man City, that had to push against perfect. you know And I think if you were to if Liverpool were to win all their remaining games, they'd be over the 93-point mark. I think they'd be around 93 points. That's the kind of level we're talking about here.
00:19:21
Connor
So if the wobbles are draws, that's it's only because... Draws worth such ah you know they were such a big deal two years ago, three years ago when that Liverpool-City rivalry was at its most contested.
00:19:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:19:32
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:19:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's true. That's when a draw really did feel like a defeat. It really did feel like a defeat. But it still, you know, it it does present that 2-2 draw against Villa. It presents Arsenal with an opportunity to close the gap further because we would play Man City on the Sunday and, you know, Arsenal are going to play West Ham, lowly West Ham on the Saturday at home.
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what happens? They lose one nil at home.
00:20:05
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And look, you know what?
00:20:06
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I get that they've had injuries. And i think people forget that we've had injuries. You know, Alison Becker was out for a good couple of months. Ibrahima Kanate was out for about six weeks.
00:20:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Connor Bradley has had a couple of stints out of the team. out of the team We have had injuries. Lewis Diaz has been out. But I think, I do think that the the way that Arnie Slott has changed Liverpool's style and brought in his own sports science specialists from Feyenoord, who had a, I think it was above 90% record terms of player availability.
00:20:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so I do think that it's not just luck. I think luck comes into it when you have kind of impact injuries, you know, like an you know an ACL or, you know, you know when Jordan Pickford went to Van Dijk, there's no legislating for that.
00:21:12
Connor
yeah
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just an impact injury. But I think when you have like calf muscle pulls, hamstring injuries, and you have more of those than average, I think that tends, you you've got to start looking then at your playing style. If you look at Spurs, Spurs is injury problems.
00:21:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think are as a direct result of the, i mean, you can't of call it high intensity. it's just It's just kind of manic intensity that Poster Coglu wants his players to play all the time, fully for the entirety of the 90 minutes.
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's just not sustainable. And so if you look at Liverpool, look at Ibrahima Canate. I think he's a great example. Canate a couple of seasons ago was fairly injury prone.
00:21:59
Connor
Yeah.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not talking impact injuries.
00:21:59
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm talking calf strains, hamstring injuries. And we've just spoken about him. You spoke about about him earlier. He's played five games in 15 days.
00:22:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just unheard of. So I do think that there is, i don't think it's completely down to luck that Liverpool have managed their players really well and that we haven't had any serious injuries.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they do lose that game against West Ham. And I think it kind of changed the the whole atmosphere of Liverpool's trip to the Etihad.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just think that as soon as they stepped onto their pitch, they just looked so assured.
00:22:46
Connor
I think, again, it it comes back to that.
00:22:50
Connor
that feeling the dna is there it's in the fans as well we're so used to our rival being man city and like not just a man city team that's stacked with incredible talent which they still are by the way but a man city team that was still hungry and still energetic and still wanted to win everything and had the you know the resources and the the manager to to facilitate winning everything which we saw they won four premier leagues in a row that's insane Arsenal aren't like that you know Arteta might be baby Pep or that we might joke about that but he but he isn't he's not that guy you know he's not and I i don't even think with a fully fit team he's that they have the resources or the facilities to go on a run like that Man City team do you look at last year i think
00:23:40
Connor
Similar thing, Arsenal go a training camp in Dubai around this time the season and come back and go on a run of winning maybe 12 games in a row. like They were phenomenal.
00:23:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was 16 out of 18. 16 out 18.
00:23:51
Connor
there you go that is incredible but what what what did that get them you know what did that what does that win them you know and like i almost feel for them if they weren't such a i'm gonna pull my tongue there you know i mean if it was different club id almost feel for them as a family yeah exactly
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know like It's a phenomenal run.
00:24:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a family show. Yeah, it's a family show.
00:24:10
Connor
I would almost feel for them because I know what it's like to support a team who's nearly men, you know, that's kind of was Liverpool's thing, especially when I was growing up. But then you look at it and you think that's, you know, the competition's changed now for Liverpool. If if Arsenal's the nearest challenger, we don't have to be perfect.
00:24:29
Connor
And I think that kind of pressure was lifted off the pressure of,
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
do that.
00:24:32
Connor
Wolves at Anfield, the pressure that came from the last-minute equaliser against Everton, the pressure that comes from us seemingly dropping points at Aston Villa, even though we were 2-1 up again.
00:24:44
Connor
The pressure's off. And then I think the Man City game, you saw they still had to be on their game to win that because Man City looked pretty good.
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:54
Connor
But they had the you know the fight in them again. And I thought, oh, thank God. Because for me, the cracks were never about the results, but they were about the performances. And I think... It doesn't start with Plymouth, but Plymouth's a great example, you know.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:25:08
Connor
it It definitely didn't start with Everton, but I think something wasn't right watching it. The pressure seemed to be weighing a little bit. And now I think post-City, the pressure seems to be off.
00:25:19
Connor
And you look at the games that are coming up now, and I think, I fancy a Liverpool team that doesn't feel shackled by that, you know.
00:25:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and and I think also the City game, I think really... i i said this too to Karl Kopach, our colleague on the Daily Liverpool podcast.
00:25:37
Connor
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I said that I think in years to come, this is going to go down as... has slots kind of statement, win and performance, because it was such a dominant performance.
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the way that he tactically changed the team, playing no striker, almost, you know, we're going to go and back to Arteta again, almost trolling Arteta, thinking,
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know what? don't have a striker. I'll show you how to play at the Etihad against your big brother. Okay. and And win 2-0 without a striker. In fact, we'll play Curtis Jones.
00:26:19
Connor
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:26:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
in that advanced position. And, you know, it was it was like a 4-6-0, which, you know, i mean, I was just, I was ecstatic. You know, i've got a I've got a real soft spot for Roma in in the Italian league.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I remember Spalletti back when he had Francesco Totti as his captain. He played 4-6-0 for lot of the season that they won the title.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was just phenomenal. I just loved watching it because it just completely bamboozled the opposition because the centre-backs are thinking, like, who do I mark? There's no striker.
00:26:58
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
so And you've just got this kind of wave after wave of midfielders interchanging. You know, sometimes it'd be Saboslay. Sometimes it'd be Curtis Jones. And I just thought it was just a great, great way to,
00:27:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know, to show the Premier League that this guy is, Arne Slott is not just someone who's inherited a great team, but he's a real, you know, he's a really, really good manager.
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And actually, you know what? I'm going to go on a rant now. But it's just, it's reminded me of the fickle nature of the kind of narratives that are bandied around by, you know, football talking heads.
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember before, when Klopp announced his resignation, rival supporters, you know, YouTubers, podcasters,
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were saying, well, that's it. It's all over for Liverpool. let you know Once Klopp goes, you know we'll really see what Liverpool are because FSG don't spend money. And it's just really down to the genius of Klopp that he's got Liverpool punching above their weight.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And once he goes, they're going to go back down to you know fighting and scrapping for top four.
Narratives on Liverpool's Future Post-Klopp
00:28:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And all the preseason predictions, if you look at the the pundits, they were none of them said that Liverpool would win the title.
00:28:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
None of them said that Liverpool would be challenging for the title.
00:28:27
Connor
Yeah.
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
They all said that if Liverpool can get into the top four, that would be a good season for Arnie Slott. Arnie Slott makes a great start. Liverpool are where they are now. And all of a sudden...
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, Arnie Slott inherited a great team. You know, anyone could have managed that team, right? And it's just like, seriously, you know, it it is a very, very tough thing to do to follow a club legend like Jurgen Klopp.
00:28:50
Connor
yeah
00:28:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ask David Moyes. You know, ask Unai Emery after Wenger. So I just found it really interesting how that narrative has changed.
00:29:08
Connor
it's changed but also it's evolved into where it did evolve into okay but he's a he is a good manager i mean he was great at Feyenoord and he did it okay also liverpool haven't played anybody yet now have they not that's so interesting that's funny let's see where we're at you know again the season is not done there's 10 games
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:26
Connor
and I've witnessed in my 20 odd years of support in Liverpool, enough heartbreak, you know, I've witnessed enough bottle jobs.
00:29:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:37
Connor
I've witnessed enough nonsense. So I'm not, I'm not, you know, I'm not stamping it as done yet. Although I do think there's, there's at least one hand and another finger on the trophy, you know?
00:29:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:29:49
Connor
but I think it's interesting. I, I, and, look Look at how we're talking now. I mean, if we were speaking like this, if we were speaking in a similar vein last week, we wouldn't have felt this comfortable being as, you know, exalting how great Arnasla is and how great this Liverpool team is.
00:30:04
Connor
The confidence is is high in the fan base and in the team. And then if you move want to move on to that Newcastle game, look at how Liverpool played in that game. But that was like...
00:30:16
Connor
I think what what annoyed me about some of the other results we've talked about is that I expect that. of That's how we have played this season. And we hadn't really seen it for a little bit. It felt a little bit stilted and a little bit, I used the word shackled earlier.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's fantastic. Yeah.
00:30:30
Connor
But then you look at the confidence. The Sabazla-Sala link-up was just like in insane.
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes one
00:30:36
Connor
Kanate, Ibrahima Kanate is becoming a colossus of a centre-back. Virgil van Dijk didn't even break a sweat. Simakas came in, gave the ball away a few times, but you know what? He was up for it.
00:30:49
Connor
And we didn't see that a few weeks ago, you know? And I think this was...
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, even when he gave the ball away, Connor, and this is another thing that we've got to remember, which is just so fantastic about this team.
00:30:54
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was a moment in the game yesterday where Simikas loses the ball. he's He's almost in like in a central midfield position. He loses the ball. He's way out of position.
00:31:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
That left-back territory is completely vacant. Newcastle bombed down that flank. Who makes a last-ditch tackle to block across? Luis Diaz.
00:31:19
Connor
Yeah, that was phenomenal, wasn't it? And I actually thought Diaz had one of his best games for a long time last night. And it doesn't surprise me that it's probably the game where you see his his defensive tracking backings really there.
00:31:32
Connor
me i i mean, I've not looked at the stats, but I bet you his ball recoveries, his interceptions, his tackles were a lot higher than they have been in the last few weeks, you know?
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:31:41
Connor
He's a player that kind of blows hot and cold, especially when it comes to M products. But I thought last night he was is special. I mean, they were all really, really good.
00:31:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there a better dribbler in the Premier League?
00:31:50
Connor
Trent Alexander-Arnold aside. Sorry. well
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is there a better dribbler in the Premier League than Luis Diaz?
00:31:58
Connor
He'd give most people a run for the money, I think. I think what suits him is when it's chaotic, you know? When the ball isn't on the ground on a really nice pitch that's a little bit wet, it's been raining a few hours ago.
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:10
Connor
It suits him when the ball's, you know, bubbling off somebody's shin and he's taking a touch and beating three players and holding off two more with his arms and He just makes it work.
00:32:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a Jurgen Klopp signing, right?
00:32:19
Connor
He's got that. He is.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a Jurgen Klopp signing.
00:32:22
Connor
He really is.
00:32:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:24
Connor
He is. and And we mentioned maybe last week, Jesse, that there's a few question marks over some positions in the team. Maybe not players, but positions. And Louis Diaz is somebody, like I said, blows hot and cold for me. And when he's cold, I'm always not a bit like, hmm.
00:32:39
Connor
you know I'm not too sure, but when he's on it, he is electric. And I think he's going to be so important going forward. And just quickly, if we're going to talk about the season going forward, the five games were pretty impressive. there is a It's a coincidence, but also it feels like there's a metaphor there that the Liverpool's first chance at silverware is against this Newcastle team.
00:33:01
Connor
And a team that, okay, they don't have two of their best players, who normally cause Liverpool problems in Alexander Azak and Joel Inton. But you look at the way they played against them, and they haven't given Newcastle a game like that in a while.
00:33:15
Connor
And I think, OK, the confidence is here. OK, all right.
00:33:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:33:18
Connor
I'm looking forward to that cut final now.
Upcoming Matches and Title Prospects
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I think it's going to be a a big one and you know as I said but but I was at the game last night and yeah atmosphere was just was brilliant I thought you know the the whole team the stadium just had this kind of air of of confidence and there's just never any doubt in my mind that we would win that game and Arsenal once again have dropped points this time and away at Forest which now leaves us 13 points ahead we've played a game extra but what it means that when we do when the Premier League returns after this FA Cup weekend
00:33:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll play first on the Saturday at home to Southampton.
00:33:59
Connor
Mm-hmm.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arsenal play on the Sunday away at Manchester United. And you'd expect that Arsenal will go into that game against United 16 points behind us.
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just cannot see. Even with the games in hand, it's points on the board.
00:34:16
Connor
I think they would be closer to 12th after that than they would be to us, if I'm right. And listen, like I said, I will keep saying it.
00:34:27
Connor
I do feel a little bit bad for it because it's it's not easy to play without your first four try attackers.
00:34:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know so.
00:34:33
Connor
I get that.
00:34:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, look, at the start of the season, Connor, he was very confident.
00:34:36
Connor
But yeah.
00:34:40
Connor
Oh, yeah.
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even though even though the calls were there from the Arsenal fan base, the calls were there from neutrals in the media saying, in order for so for Arsenal to go that one step further and to win the title, they need now an out-and-out striker.
00:34:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
because Gabriel Jesus is not going to cut it.
00:34:58
Connor
Yeah.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, those kinds of strikers are trossard. They're not going to get you 30 goals a season. And he was like, no, you know, my big brother won the premier league without a strike.
00:35:11
Connor
Yeah.
00:35:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so I'm going to do that. Yeah. you know
00:35:15
Connor
yeah the
00:35:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
but so So and i've got I've got zero sympathy. And I do expect, though, Connor, that after that weekend, if we do beat Southampton, we go 16 points clear and Arsenal slip up against Manchester United, I do expect you to come to that monday Monday podcast and start singing, we're going to win the league.
Conclusion and Call to Action
00:35:40
Connor
I was going to ask just at the end did you did you join in last night in that good on you man good on you that's what it's about we we're meant to enjoy it you know and sometimes I forget that because it does feel like you know it's only a game but we care so much about it and those draws do feel like exactly
00:35:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I started it.
00:35:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely. absolutely
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and look, when are you supposed to sing it? When are you supposed to sing? When are you supposed to sing? wait We're going to win the league. when are you going sing it?
00:36:04
Connor
you can't sing it on the last day because it's going to be done by then
00:36:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And God, you know, look, I hate this kind of celebration, police. And, you know, just football is supposed to be there to enjoy these moments and they don't come around very often.
00:36:13
Connor
Yeah.
00:36:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, oh, absolutely.
00:36:19
Connor
Yeah, I'm with you.
00:36:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to win the league. But sir that is that's all for today. Give us a follow on your preferred podcast platform so that you get the very latest content. When it drops, we are now on YouTube, so you can check us out on the Global Sports Podcast Network YouTube page, and you'll be able to see Connor singing that song very soon.
00:36:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Follow us on social media at GSPN Liverpool. You can email us gspn daily liverpool at at gmail.com. Join us again on Monday as we begin our build-up to the round of 16 Champions League tie against PSG from myself and Connor.
00:36:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you for listening.