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Tactics Tuesday: Ending 2024 in Style
16 Plays10 days ago
Here's a podcast description for this episode of Daily Liverpool:
Daily Liverpool Podcast: Tactics Tuesday
The Reds roared into the new year with a stunning 5-0 victory over West Ham! On this Tactics Tuesday, we dissect the performance:
- Dominant First Half: We analyze Liverpool's clinical finishing and how Diaz thrived in the false 9 role.
- Midfield Maestro: We praise the imperious performances of Mac Allister, Jones, and the ever-reliable Gravenberch/Endo.
- Salah's Tactical Brilliance: We delve into how the Egyptian King continues to influence games, with 17 goals and 13 assists this season.
- January Fixtures: We preview the hectic January schedule that lies ahead for the Reds.
Join Adarsh Ramchurn and Tom Goward as they break down this emphatic win.
Don't miss our Wildcard Wednesday special on New Year's Day!
Happy New Year from the Daily Liverpool team!
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Overview
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Adarsh Ramchand and today it's Tactics Tuesday. The Reds have ended 2024 in emphatic style, convincingly hammering the hammers in East London 5-0 to go top of the table going into 2025. Goals from Diaz, Gackpo, Salah, Trent and Jota brought the Reds in pole position with the frantic January ahead for the Reds. But on today's episode we'll be tactically analysing our win, looking at our first half dominance, our brilliant midfield and our sensational Egyptian king, Mohamed Salah.
Tactical Analysis of Liverpool's Performance
00:00:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
On today's episode I'm joined by Tom Gowid. Tom, how is it going?
00:00:46
Tom Goward
Yeah, I'm good. Thank you. Still sort of not recovering, but getting over yesterday's win and the start to our season so far, which obviously you said we're going to mention, and I can't wait to start talking about our season because we've been phenomenal. But yeah apart from that, I'm really good. Thanks.
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, that's great to hear. I mean, it's been a brilliant 2024 for Liverpool. Obviously, the start of this season has been absolutely insane. I'm still watching the highlights on repeat from the other day. So, yeah, we're going to talk about um the first half performance, particularly in part one of today's episode. Tom, I thought, in my opinion, that was probably one of our best first half performances, not just in terms of performance, but I thought there's been times where we haven't really killed the game and we've kind of waited for the second half to really turn it on. But I thought in that first half, we we finished the game at halftime, essentially.
00:01:30
Tom Goward
Yeah, like um I've always said, when we haven't been doing too well on the first half, I said, oh, that's fine. he sort sort He sort of sorts it out in the second half, and then we come out way better. But that was probably the fastest start we've had to a game all season. I thought the Real Madrid game, we were quite fast starting as well. um I remember, like, Nunez had that chance, if I remember rightly. So probably that game from memory is what I can remember. But yeah, really good first half from us. And and hopefully now, after the new year, we can start building on these quicker, better first halves.
00:02:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think I think you mentioned in um yesterday's episode around sort of the last three games we've actually been starting off really, really well recently. um Obviously, the Tottenham game, 3-1 half time. The Leicester game, even though it was 1-1, it could have been we could have been going into that game into the second half winning that game.
00:02:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then obviously 3-0 against West Ham. What do you think has been the change over the last few games for us to start? Because I think we have been quite slow probably before that, going into the Newcastle game we were losing at halftime, Fulham game we were losing at halftime. So what do you think changes slots made over the last few games?
00:02:33
Tom Goward
Uh, I think, I think it comes down to maybe confidence. I think those players suddenly sort of realize, okay, we can sort of beat anyone now. Like it feels like this team can beat anyone they play. Who's put in front of it reminds me of the year we won the league. Like, I just feel like we could play anyone and beat them. And maybe it's been working up to it for the last few months, but now suddenly like the players are thinking, Oh, like we we'll beat like we can beat these easily. like weve took Chances we create. you know some Some games could have been 8-0. We could score 8 goals. um like For the West Town game, for example, Salah could have had a hat trick and many other players could have scored. So maybe stops made, it obviously, one or two
00:03:10
Tom Goward
yeah know few tactical changes, but I actually think it's just confidence. I think the team are playing better. um they want to create they want you know Everyone wants to go on the on the score sheet. That's what it looks like. Everyone wants to score a goal. So I
Player Performances and Tactical Roles
00:03:22
Tom Goward
honestly think maybe confidence plays a big factor in these sort of better, quicker starts.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I definitely agree. I think, given how well we've played this season, only won the feat against Forrest, obviously, earlier on in the season. and We've pretty much given everyone a great game, and we've've we've come out convincing winners in most of those. um One player that I think you mentioned, tactically, there's obviously been improvements, but I think looking at his game in particular, Luis Diaz in that false nine position. I don't know if you managed to have a look at Monday Night Football um before recording today, but um Jamie Carragher did a bit of analysis on Leopold's front three with Salah, Gackpo and Diaz. um Won four games, drawn one, which was against Fulham.
00:04:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the goals have been spread out between the three of them. Well, obviously Salah dominating that, but Gackpo and Diaz definitely contributing a lot to that. What do you make of Diaz in that false nine position? Because it's not is not like the Bobby Firmino role, but he has he has attributes that obviously are quite similar.
00:04:18
Tom Goward
Well, I didn't think we didn't see this coming, right? I think at the start of the season, if you said by Christmas slots, play Diaz up front, I think we all would have laughed. Um, yeah, there is, you can sort of see the, like the similarities to Fumino, but it's the pace. I think it's the pace that's killing teams off. You know, we're killing teams off, you know, gap post quick, Salah is quick, Diaz is quick. Whereas you know, our famous front three before, Mane and Salah were the quick ones and Firmino sort of held it together where it's now, it's just Pace going at them. And then, you know, you had Jota in there and Nunez as well with those runs in behind. It's honestly, it's Pace that's killing the teams and it's good that we've now got a quick forwards. I mean, we've had quick forwards, but someone that's clinical, you know, maybe not Nunez, but someone that's clinical and quick as well. And I think that's really playing into sort of slot and Liverpool's hands this season and as it's showing.
00:05:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I think he's he's definitely taken that sort of number nine position as his own. um Obviously, we've talked a lot about him and Gackpo switching positions this season, with Gackpo going on the left and Diaz through the middle. I think one thing as well that was also mentioned on so some other analysis that I've seen is both all for all of our front three, including, if you want to include as well, Jones and McAllister, who are playing in much deeper positions, love to run in behind, is that a feature that, we I mean, in that first half, we were just all over West Ham. Every time they tried to go ah go and attack us,
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
it was it left it left them with more problems. Do you do you see that like running in behind are some of the biggest attributes? And with DS through the middle, that's that's obviously a lot of pace for opposition defenders to deal with.
00:05:47
Tom Goward
Yeah, we've definitely, knowing you mentioned it, we'd definitely be playing a lot of balls in and I'm thinking about like McAllister just like popping out of nowhere, way he's getting in like Real Madrid for example, he's scored that goal, he just sort of pops up there and they're like you say Jones and Zabozaj just running it and that's again, that's the pace I think that we're blessed with, you know, ah okay McAllister and Jones might not be the quickest but they're agile, nimble players and so they can just get in those positions and even like the game, the goal against West Ham where McAllister just played that ball straight over the top and Diaz is there to meet it. I think we talked about yesterday on you know on the right wing. so ah like yeah and It's obviously working like Slots found a strength in the Liverpool sides and a weakness in most defences in the league this season and exploring it and it's and it's working to our advantage.
00:06:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
do you think Do you think that front three is, well, i'll kind of we kind of mentioned it, the last five games that they've started together has been plenty of goals between the three of them. Do you think that's our ah first choice front three, or do you think Coach Jota's coming back as well?
00:06:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Does he get sort of that number nine position? We all know how clinical he is. It's it's a difficult situation for Slotball, a good good one.
00:06:48
Tom Goward
Yeah. Good one. Yeah. I think for now, that's probably the best front three to go with. um But, you know, injuries can happen. You know, it only takes one injury and suddenly it all changes. You know, Jota and Nunez are waiting.
00:07:01
Tom Goward
and they say get injured obviously, but they're sort of waiting to come on. But I would say if we score 14 goals in the last three games, then then why change it? Like you're doing something right. So I would keep that for now. And um well you know we talked about January fixtures, a lot of rotations. So there'll be chances for Jota and Nunez to get on and get minutes and as well. So it's not Bill and Endel for those two, or even Kiesa. I feel like we haven't really touched on Kiesa, which has been an interesting. Well, maybe we should maybe should cover that another time. but ah So, it'd be nice to see them get some minutes, definitely, in sort of the lesser games against, like, Aquitin Stanley and maybe some of the Champions League games. But, yeah, the front three we've got now, Gagpro Diaz and Salah, I'd keep 100%.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, they are. They are definitely clinical playing the best football. I think all three of them in their career. I'll say at this moment in time, um, just before we head to a little break, it's a good moment to sort of touch on. Obviously this is our last game of 2024 and we've seen so much improvement from the beginning of the season to where we are at the moment. Players like Gackpo and Diaz playing out their skin, Gravenberg in midfield, Jones contributing, even players like Joe Gomez coming in, how much has slot improved this team tactically.
00:08:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's a big question to ask, but there has been so much, so much, not just change, but so much influence that he's he's had that a lot of people probably aren't giving him enough credit for. So what what
Midfield Dynamics and Key Players
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
have you made of his sort of tactical insight that is embedded on this team?
00:08:26
Tom Goward
Well, I'll be honest, when we first sort of a point, it was sort of rumid he was joining, it was a point I was a bit like, like, Dutch managers never seem to have worked out in the Premier League for some teams, like Van Gogh, Tern Haag, Ronald Coombe and like, people like that. And I'm like, Dutch managers just don't seem to do well. So it was a bit skeptical. And then you watch pre-season, you play, we won all our games, you go, okay, but it's only pre-season. And then the football has just got better every week. Like you can literally see the improvement from that first game at Ipswich, like we were poor that first half of the Ipswich game. like he He pulled off Jarell Kwanza at half-time, too two sort of halfway where we played Madrid and City to like last against West Ham, our last game. The change is unbelievable and he's sort of taken that emotion out of the side that Klopp had. There's a lot of emotional
00:09:17
Tom Goward
stuff with Klopp and which was good I'm not saying it was a bad thing but he's sort of taken that out and he's just fully focused on the football and nothing else obviously there's a whole contract situation which is sort of a downside to this our success this season so far but yeah he just sort of he's serious about it he sort of just comes out he gets the job done he gives a little clap to the fans and then just goes back in and he's just like dead dead focused on essentially now winning the league and and then the other competition and and that's what I like about him he's I remember saying the second game of the season, he sort of like carried his own coat over his arm.
00:09:50
Tom Goward
And I was just like, it's just so normal. Like it sounds weird to say, obviously, but he's just so normal.
00:09:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:09:55
Tom Goward
Like there was none of this camaraderie that came around with like the clock again. No, didn't hate it. But I'm just saying like he's very, he's very serious and and I'm really liking it. And long may it continue.
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, from from my point of view, he's kind of like a cold blooded killer. I think he's just so ruthless in not just his emotion, but how the team plays.
00:10:10
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's our obviously an old fashioned quote that the team is the reflection of the manager. Obviously we're we're very ah accustomed to that with Klopp. Like that's how we played. We played like a madman on the pitch in sometimes, but but with slots, it's completely different.
00:10:24
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:10:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Another area that we're going to sort of touch on in part two is the midfield because he's improved that so much. So in part two, we're going to touch on McAllister, Jones and Graver Burke, in particular, their role um against West Ham in the second half.
00:11:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So like, like I said, in part one, we're going to touch on the midfield in part two. Um, again, another dominant performance. We mentioned players like Jones and Gravenberg in previous episodes, but I want to touch on two other midfielders in part two of today's episode. One of them being Alexis McAllister. Tom, we mentioned it on your yesterday's podcast. We both give him a nine out of 10 match rating because he was absolutely sensational. Wasn't he?
00:11:40
Tom Goward
He has been one of the best midfielders this club has seen in maybe the last 10 years. like And he's not even been there for two full seasons yet. But hit the price, to I think, because we only paid, what, 35 million, I think, for him. I know that's a lot of money. But that is a bargain for a player of his quality. And you saw how good he was at Brighton. And maybe people go, oh, he stands out a bit better because Brighton are not as good, let's say, you know, it''s it's easy to stick out, but he's walked into his Liverpool side and has slotted in, pardon the pun, by perfectly, and um and he just, ah okay, he might not get him any goals or many assists, but obviously he's playing deeper, so you expect that anyway.
00:12:21
Tom Goward
But just the creativity of him, and he has picked up a few assists in the last few games, but just like the work he does, he's a small guy, he's not quick, and he wins the ball, he can turn players, he can find a pass that no one else can see, and it's very, yeah, he is going under the radar, underrated, I think, by not just Liverpool fans, but fans, football fans, the Premier League in general. And I can see him, I don't see why he couldn't be in a team of the season coming into the season for the Premier League.
00:12:51
Tom Goward
He's unbelievable and if I'm other clubs like City or Arsenal, whatever, I'm very jealous that we've got hold of him.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, indeed, I think the one thing that with Michaelis to the stand out for me is just everything he does just uses gloss, like whether it's a tackle, whether it's a pass, whether it's keeping keeping the ball, keeping possession, dictating the play, he just does everything at his own tempo. And it's like you said, um I agree with you. I think we've not had a midfielder like that.
00:13:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
in ah in a very, very long time. I guess you could say Tiago, but we only saw it in very few, very few periods of of of the season.
00:13:22
Tom Goward
yeah yeah
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's just come into this Liverpool team and just, yeah, I think he's got better since he's he's come from Brighton. And like, I think one one of the the moments of the game against West Ham yesterday, I really stood out to me.
00:13:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know if you remember what he came off with sort of a head injury. It was him and I think Somerville. And then he he came he came off, and then when he came back on, he just won a tackle straight away immediately, and then just continued running with the ball.
00:13:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought that just epitomizes his performance and what he brings to this team.
00:13:49
Tom Goward
yeah And you mentioned Tiago there. like He's never injured. I can't remember him being like out for long periods of time. I know he was suspended the other week. That was probably the longest from memory. I can't remember last season, but he doesn't seem to be injured, which is like another bonus. yeah You've got a world-class player like that that's constantly fit and ready to play. And and it's it's good to have. It's very good to have. And yeah, I'm very glad we got him.
00:14:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, he's brilliant. And actually, the two games that he he missed was Girona and Fulham. And I think probably we weren't, well, we weren't convincing against Girona and Fulham, we dropped points. So it does show he has a big influence on this team. um Another player who has a big influence on the team, but he's not always starting for Liverpool, usually coming off the bench is Otaro Endu, Tom.
00:14:29
Tom Goward
Hmm.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um He obviously came on for a lot longer than he usually does, ah given that Gravenberg was one card away from suspension, but came on for half an hour.
00:14:32
Tom Goward
Hmm.
00:14:37
Tom Goward
Hmm. Hmm.
00:14:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I know we're winning 4-0 at this time of the game, but he still puts in He treats it like it's 0-0 every game. He just goes into the tackle with that gum shield. he's He's just an incredible player. We're so lucky to have him, aren't we?
00:14:51
Tom Goward
I think he just loves playing football. Like you can just tell like he just relishes every chance. So I think he's what, 30? He's over 30, isn't he? So he probably knows he hasn't got long left at sort of this level. So I think he's just sort of taking the opportunity if he gets 10 minutes and then do a game or like half an hour yesterday. um But again, he's a smaller guy and he's just classy about what he does. He just wins the ball, no problems, just dishes it off to a canister or Jones or someone a bit more technical on the ball and he goes, there you go, have the ball.
00:15:20
Tom Goward
He's sort of a smaller, maybe slightly lesser, Rodry, maybe. um Like, like he sort of just does it again, unnoticed and doesn't want the plaudits for it. I think, you know, we're we're the meat like us fans in general, not just Liverpool fans, but football fans are very quick to um react to players doing stuff well, where maybe that you actually go, or hang on, maybe they're not that good, but um maybe like Roger, who knows, but but he just sort of just does it, doesn't want any plaudits for it, you know, comes on, comes off again. That's it. and And that's all you can want. I think maybe he might move on in the summer. I was talking about him maybe going in January, but we need him for cover. So maybe we'll buy in. He's been a good replacement, a good cover for a couple of years, but maybe go for someone a bit younger and a bit, you know, you can last see out of game a bit more. but
00:16:10
Tom Goward
um He'll sort of go down. There's not a Liverpool legend, but you know those sort of players that...
00:16:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
a cult mirror.
00:16:15
Tom Goward
Cult hero, yeah, that's the word. Yeah, he'll sort of go down as a cult hero and and he deserves it.
00:16:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's been he's been incredible. And it's crazy. I think one of the things that stands out, like you said, he just gets on with the job. He does the simple things. But I think in the day and age where we worked there's so much tactics, technicals and players doing all sorts, he just keeps things so simple. And he knows his job and his role in the team and he gets on with it. And he he is so dedicated to the cause and it's rare that you get a player like that. You look at other teams and I don't want to just scapegoat Manchester United but you look at their players and if they if players aren't playing like Rashford out the squad you probably you can see them sulking or not being happy with it but he just has no ego whatsoever and just gets the the job done and I think when you've got a player like Ravenberg who's obviously he's played a lot of football this season it's good to have Endo in in the backup and yeah probably
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
going into 2025, 2026 in the summer for the next season. He's probably might, might, might probably move on. But as long as we've got him, I'm i'm i'm glad he's he's in a little push up just before.
00:17:14
Tom Goward
Yeah. And he deserves a Premier League, sorry, he deserves a Premier League medal as well.
00:17:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:17:19
Tom Goward
Like, like, if we're going to do anything, let's get him a Premier League medal and he can you know, sort of finished career on a high, but yeah.
00:17:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he he's like another Japanese cult hero that we've had in the past in Takumi Minamino, isn't he?
00:17:31
Tom Goward
Yeah, yeah, yeah,
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's just... Yeah, something about the Japanese... And have you... I think there was a stat in... Particularly for Klopp, but he's always won the league with a Japanese player in the squad.
00:17:39
Tom Goward
yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:17:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, it interesting it's just interesting that I read the other day.
00:17:42
Tom Goward
yeah
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But um anyway, in part three, we're going to touch on the main man, the Egyptian king. How can we not cover him? Mo Salah, and how much influence he has on these big games. We'll talk about that more after this very short break.
Mo Salah's Impact and Evolution
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Fantastic. So um like I mentioned before the break, we're going to touch on Mo Salah. Tom, he's got 17 goals and 13 assists this season. In December alone, he's got seven goals and seven assists. 14 goal contributions in December. And that's a Premier League record in a calendar month. I mean, we're talking about stats that players don't break. like These are stats that have been been going on for that i mean the last player to to get anywhere near that was Luis Suarez. And that was almost a decade ago.
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um how How can he have such a big influence on a game? And and just just again quickly on the 14 goals and assists in December, some players don't even get that in a year. He's got it in a month. I mean, it's it's ridiculous, isn't it?
00:19:11
Tom Goward
hey he is I don't want to keep sucking up to him, but he is unbelievable. He is honestly unbelievable. and yeah The Premier League has seen some great players in in all different positions, and but in that right wing sort of forward, he is a right winger. I think people think, oh, he's he's not a striker, he's a right winger. He's a forward, but he he has to be the best in Premier League history. He has to be. like people The numbers he produces, like the stats don't lie. right and the numbers he produces is out of this world. And I think we mentioned it yesterday, that he thinks every weekend there seems to be a record being broken, like from him, if it's a club record, a Premier League record or whatever. And it's just like, if anything, he was like this when he was 18. Who knows what the career could have had, right? Because, you know, let's be honest, he didn't work out for him at Chelsea and um and he was at Florentina as well. And then sort of, you know, we noticed him at Roma.
00:20:05
Tom Goward
God, if he was like this at 18, who knows what the numbers he's producing now? And and it hopefully he signs that contract and for another three years and he can do this for another three years and and go for Ananshira's record.
00:20:16
Tom Goward
and At this rate, the numbers he's producing so far this season, there's no reason why he can't go. If he carries on like that, go and break it.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%, especially if he signs that new contract. um I think, one thing I wanted to touch on, because we spoke about Salah's plenty of times on the daily local podcast, but particularly this season, like he's always been the player that gets goals, gets, gets assists under clop. He did that for a number of seasons, but this season, it seems like it's another level. It's something different. We've not this we've not seen this from Salah in terms of he's already got double goals and assists and it's December. I mean, these are 30 goal contributions.
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
by the end of December. It is ridiculous the amount of demand he's contributing. what What's changed, do you think? Because um there there definitely is something that's tactically changed, whether it's him doing less pressing. whether what What do you think it is?
00:21:05
Tom Goward
I think he's probably been given more instructions by slots because obviously we've changed tactically and players have come out like Trent and said that his tactics are phenomenal and the way he like goes what on one to ones with players you know sits him in his office.
00:21:22
Tom Goward
and I think with Klopp, I don't know what would happen behind the scenes, but I think it's unlike just give the ball to Mo and he'll score. Whereas now it's like, okay, you might not give the ball to Mo straight away, but he'll find space. He might go out left and then go right, we'll cut it in and he can tap it in instead of just finding him all the time.
00:21:40
Tom Goward
and so you can sort of pick up those pockets of space and get the ball that way like the fifth goal yesterday picked it up just beyond the halfway line and you know did that fancy footwork and just laid it off to joss him and so um i think yeah i think tactically his role with the change i don't know how you know i don't know what slot would have said but i think maybe he's actually seeing this is going to sound really weird but i actually think he's seeing less of the ball and and but doing more and and that's because he's finding space or finding a rebound like Spurs he's just that one where
00:22:16
Tom Goward
ah Gray just kicked it to him. He scored his first goal against Spurs. He was just there. And he always just seems to, I think you mentioned Jesse, he just seems to find being the right place at the right time. And so without giving him the ball and making him do stuff, he can yeah go for the overlap or he might lay it off to Trent or whatever.
00:22:32
Tom Goward
So it sounds weird, but I think he's seeing less of the ball and and and scoring and assisting more, which is crazy. But um yeah, I mean, the fact that he's just adapted as well to the new system under slot, it just shows how well class he is.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:22:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean that that takes a play of huge levels to be able to implement that sort of transition, especially at the age of what 32 is going to be turning 33 in the summer. it's it's It's absolutely insane. I think one thing as well to touch on, over the last two seasons, if we look at the last two seasons, last season was a sort of transition year for Liverpool. We had a poor season the year before. Salah was still contributing goals and assists, but he wasn't at the level, probably the season before that, where we almost won that incredible con quadruple. Obviously, two games changed and we we win that.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
but he He was at an insane level then and then he's kind of had he's still performing still producing but not at that level What do you think it's something to do with slot? Recognizing that this team needs to feed him or is it is there more? Do you see more of a contribution from other players that are supporting Salas role in this team?
00:23:33
Tom Goward
Yeah, I think more players have stepped up best, you know, how many, you know, we can talk about Grabenburch, for example, like the player he's become this season, the player that McAllister keeps being, and Jones is having a more vital role and the front three, like, I think other players are stepping up, which makes Salah step up as well. And, all right, he hasn't got load a load of competition for his spot. So you might just be like, oh, he could he could just say, oh, well, my spot's safe, but it sort of is, but he knows that he has to keep performing and You know, we've got Kayser and and yeah one person I think we should talk about is Ben Doke out on loan as well. like He'll be one, you know, he probably is the only person that doesn't want Salah to sign a contract because they'll probably want his spot. And, you know, maybe that's time for another episode, but yeah the number he's producing for Middlesbrough this season. but
00:24:21
Tom Goward
say Yeah, Salah doesn't sort of take his foot off the break. He just, he knows he's got to keep performing to stay in that squad. And, and you know, he barely, he rarely gets substituted as well. But yeah, I think you're right. I think it's like everyone's stepping up their game um around him and that's just making him elevate to another level and another level. And yeah.
00:24:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, like we mentioned before, he's got 14 goals and assists in December and the next month of January, you've got eight games. I mean, you could even get, I don't want to think about the numbers you
Upcoming Fixtures and Squad Management
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
can get in January because it's quite scary, particularly knowing that we play Manchester United next.
00:24:56
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:24:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And his favourite opposition by far. um Looking ahead to January, actually, Tom, what Like obviously we've got Karabar Cup, semi-final first leg against Tottenham away. We've got difficult Premier League games away but against Forest and Brentford, which is not going to be easy. We've got obviously Atkinson, Stanley and the FA Cup. And we've got the two Champions League games against Lille and PSV. So we're featuring in all four competitions in January, lots of games, lots of fixtures. It's going to be quite difficult for Slotsaw to manage that squad, but how do you see him sort of adjusting to that January period?
00:25:28
Tom Goward
Well, I think we've seen so far his, his man management's good. Um, the West hand game, you know, he, he, he recognized, uh, gapo and grammar virtual on yellows and hold them off after we got the fourth goal. So I think we've seen parts where his man management's good side. I'd like to think he knows he's got a good enough squad to sort of rotate. Um, I think it goes without saying against Akron, Akron to Stanley.
00:25:49
Tom Goward
and We all seem to struggle saying that.
00:25:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:50
Tom Goward
I don't know. He will play some of the younger boys. um And then Spurs, we've we're away of seeing the first leg. um So maybe just go all out and win that 6-0 again or whatever.
00:26:05
Tom Goward
And then just relax. And we're home for the second leg, which is just but what you iss ideal, isn't it? That's what you want. um The two Champions League games, it depends if he wants to finish the Champions League table top, yeah top of the Champions League table, sorry, but if he's not bothered about that and we've sort of qualified, I'd like to think we've automatically qualified then. There may be some rotation in those games ah just to sort of rest the legs of a lot of players like Graham and Burch who's played a lot this season and um Van Dijk as well, you know, I don't think Van Dijk's a Mr Premier
Transfer Speculations and Defensive Needs
00:26:39
Tom Goward
League game yet. so
00:26:41
Tom Goward
um But that again, that all depends if he wants to go all out and finish top of it top of the table. So I think we'll see a lot of rotations. So maybe younger players, some exciting opportunities. I think some of the academy boys will be looking ahead to January thinking, okay, this is my chance to sort of prove myself. um I like to see more like Tyler Morton, for example. um you know He's been out on loan for quite a few years now. So maybe this could be a big month for him, for example. ah Hopefully Connor Bradley comes back and we all see how good he is. but get him back into the sides, and if Trent's going, then maybe start playing him.
00:27:16
Tom Goward
Which would be an interest i saw an interesting question, would you? I'll ask you, would you, if Trent announces he's going to Madrid next month, do you start leaving him out and paying Conor Bradley more, or do you pay Trent the end?
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, that's an interesting question.
00:27:28
Tom Goward
Because, yeah, it's an interesting one.
00:27:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think ah think you you don't. I think you keep Trent in the team. And I think when Bradley gets the opportunities you play him, but I still think knowing Trent's character, if if he was to announce it, I think he would still want to play and contribute and get that Premier League title for the club. Like he is a local ladder at the end of the day and he's going to want to, you know, he's going to go out with a bang. So I think you still do that. And I think when there are opportunities, you give Connor Bradley a running and there's always going to be preseason for the next season anyway. And that's when you give players like Bradley who are going to feature
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
that full preseason, then he gets to start the season.
00:28:06
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:28:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
like i think I think that he will have his opportunity if that is the case. That's from what I think.
00:28:11
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:28:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But no, I think and in January is going to be an interesting month.
00:28:12
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:28:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also obviously, there's the sort of transfer rumors and speculation. Do you see Liverpool go strengthening in January?
00:28:23
Tom Goward
uh i don't know because he'd be like well i'm happy with the squad i've got but you know we're one more defender injury away from from started playing maybe endo at centre back so um i'd maybe like to see a centre back in january um or maybe one of the younger lads come through but i'm just trying to think we haven't really got any I know we have like Rhys Williams and but we did have Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips in the past, but maybe maybe I'd like to see someone maybe spend a bit of money in actually buying a proper.
00:28:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
excuse on yeah
00:28:55
Tom Goward
Maybe it's weird because you don't, Canate and Van Dyke are our starters, but Van Dyke's not going to be there forever, even if he does sign a contract. So I start looking ahead. So I'd like to see a centre back maybe for the January.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you have a dream target? Dream target? I've got one, but I want to hear if you got one.
00:29:12
Tom Goward
Dream target. I'll tell you who is the guy from Sporting that sent about in that show.
00:29:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah, Natio.
00:29:22
Tom Goward
Is it him? I think that's how you say his name. I'm sorry if I butchered that. But I know I've seen him play and obviously Sporting has done well under Ruben Amory before he joined United.
00:29:33
Tom Goward
And I've signed him on Football Manager a few times and he's never let me down.
00:29:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
right
00:29:37
Tom Goward
So it may be him, but I'm just trying to think. Who's your one?
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mine's interesting one is Ficayo Tomori. ah would i think he's I think he's quality.
00:29:46
Tom Goward
Okay.
00:29:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But I don't know, because would he come to Liverpool given the use of play for Chelsea?
00:29:47
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure. But I think he's he's so underrated. I think he's done such a good job since going to AC Milan. They've won the league with him. um
00:29:58
Tom Goward
Okay.
00:29:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously like English center back. He's got that reputation as well So I think I've always been impressed when I watched him play and I think him and if we're looking at like the post van dyke era We're looking for center back.
00:30:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was personally who I'd go for but I think it actually has a good shower as well But I don't know who Liverpool would be targeting who clock would clock who slot would be targeting all very
00:30:12
Tom Goward
like
00:30:18
Tom Goward
um so I'm sure they've got someone, you know, they' I know we didn't sign many in... in last summer and we've got Maviadash really joining but and Kiesa's one that I'm yet to see how that's going to pay up but um I'd like to think now they've been sensible you know the decisions being made so far have been sensible decisions so I'm sure whatever happens but like I said I think we're only like one more defender injury away from then playing a midfielder at centre back you know if Kaunza gets injured we've got Well Gomez is out, Canatas out, and Quanzas out, so don't be bad. So that sort of area is lacking a little bit. The forward line's
Conclusion and Future Outlook
00:30:55
Tom Goward
fine. The midfield for now, at least till the summer, is fine. um You keep Endo to the summer, I reckon. So definitely somewhere along the defensive line. I'd like a new left back, maybe not in January, but I'd like a new left back, um you know, we've talked about.
00:31:09
Tom Goward
my slating of Robinson this season so far. And I just and i just don't think Simakas is he's good enough to be a starter. So maybe, I'd like to see maybe Anthony Robinson for them, but that's for the summer.
00:31:20
Tom Goward
That's not in January, but yeah.
00:31:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No, interesting. Definitely interesting questions. Not just going in ahead to January, but going into 2025 and hopefully going to be a very successful, uh, yeah, for the reds in 2025.
00:31:31
Tom Goward
Yeah.
00:31:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
This is our final episode of 2024. So thank you everyone for listening. Join us tomorrow for wildcard Wednesday on new year's day. We will having, we'll be having a title rate ti title race special episode, um, with, um, lots of other guests from the daily.
00:31:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool Podcast, but also from the Global Sports Podcast Network. So that's all for today from all of us at Daily Liverpool. It's goodbye for now and we'll see you all soon. Happy New Year.