Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

Liverpool's biggest match of the season so far?
You'd be hard-pressed to argue that Sunday's trip to bitter rivals Manchester United isn't exactly that.
Should Jurgen Klopp's side win at Old Trafford they would move three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Even a draw would put a little bit of daylight between the Reds and the defending champions.
But it’s clear Liverpool will be facing a different United to the one they swept aside at Anfield in December.
That 3-1 victory, of course, led to Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
But since then United have won 11 of their last 13 games under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
So how has Solskjaer revived the club’s fortunes so dramatically?
To find out Paul Wheelock speaks to Samuel Luckhurst, who is the chief Manchester United writer for the Manchester Evening News.
They also talk:
▪ How Solskjaer has turned Paul Pogba into one of the best performing players in the world right now
▪ The latest on the fitness of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingaard, and which one of those players is crucial to Solskjaer
▪ How the Virgil van Dijk deal was a watershed moment for United
▪ United's respect for Liverpool and how their summer transfer business has helped Liverpool in their quest for a first league title since 1990 For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Sam Carroll hosts the second and final Blood Red podcast of the week as the ECHO shuffle their pack.
Usual hosts Ian Doyle and Joe Rimmer are both ruled out, meaning third-choice Carroll steps to the fore.
Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce is on board, though, and he's joined by two January signings for the ECHO, Caoimhe O'Neill, who is celebrating a month in her new role on the team, and Sean Bradbury, who was recently appointed as our sports audience editor.
With the massive game at Manchester United to come on Sunday, the quartet have a lot to get through and begin with Jurgen Klopp's pre-match press conference.
Klopp discussed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's work at Old Trafford since replacing Jose Mourinho and tipped the United legend to remain in the role beyond the end of this season.
Was it mind games? Or genuine flattery?
The panel are unanimous in their decision before moving on to the big debate - who should Klopp select in his midfield three against the Red Devils?
Another uniform decision is reached before tactics, Naby Keita, young stars and a lads' trip to Zagreb also make the cut.
Send your thoughts to @SamCarroll0 after listening to the podcast and join our dedicated Facebook Group Blood Red Podcast HERE. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Sam Carroll hosts the second and final Blood Red podcast of the week as the ECHO shuffle their pack.
Usual hosts Ian Doyle and Joe Rimmer are both ruled out, meaning third-choice Carroll steps to the fore.
Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce is on board, though, and he's joined by two January signings for the ECHO, Caoimhe O'Neill, who is celebrating a month in her new role on the team, and Sean Bradbury, who was recently appointed as our sports audience editor.
With the massive game at Manchester United to come on Sunday, the quartet have a lot to get through and begin with Jurgen Klopp's pre-match press conference.
Klopp discussed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's work at Old Trafford since replacing Jose Mourinho and tipped the United legend to remain in the role beyond the end of this season.
Was it mind games? Or genuine flattery?
The panel are unanimous in their decision before moving on to the big debate - who should Klopp select in his midfield three against the Red Devils?
Another uniform decision is reached before tactics, Naby Keita, young stars and a lads' trip to Zagreb also make the cut.
Send your thoughts to @SamCarroll0 after listening to the podcast and join our dedicated Facebook Group Blood Red Podcast HERE. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media at Melwood today for a press conference to preview the massive match with bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A win or a draw would take the Reds back above Manchester City to the top of the Premier League in what is their game in hand on the defending champions.
But the first question Klopp was asked concerned the £45,000 fine he will have to pay and how he will ‘learn’ from the incident.
Talk then turns to Fabinho, and whether the Liverpool manager can see a long-term future for the Brazilian at centre-back.
Fabinho is likely to operate further up the pitch this weekend given the return of Virgil van Dijk. But what will that mean for the midfield line-up on Sunday?
Klopp also gives an update on the fitness of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.
But the bulk of the presser is about the match itself, just how important it is, and whether PSG have provided the Reds with a blueprint to copy.
And Klopp also gives his opinion on the job Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing at revived United.
Enjoy – and we’ll be back later today with the Blood Red podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media at Melwood today for a press conference to preview the massive match with bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
A win or a draw would take the Reds back above Manchester City to the top of the Premier League in what is their game in hand on the defending champions.
But the first question Klopp was asked concerned the £45,000 fine he will have to pay and how he will ‘learn’ from the incident.
Talk then turns to Fabinho, and whether the Liverpool manager can see a long-term future for the Brazilian at centre-back.
Fabinho is likely to operate further up the pitch this weekend given the return of Virgil van Dijk. But what will that mean for the midfield line-up on Sunday?
Klopp also gives an update on the fitness of Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.
But the bulk of the presser is about the match itself, just how important it is, and whether PSG have provided the Reds with a blueprint to copy.
And Klopp also gives his opinion on the job Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is doing at revived United.
Enjoy – and we’ll be back later today with the Blood Red podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Welcome to the inaugural edition of... well, we’re not quite sure what we’re calling it yet, although Analysing Anfield has been mooted.
Names can be so tough.
But if you’re interested in the more cerebral side of Liverpool FC, this podcast is for you.
Focusing on the statistics and tactics behind Jurgen Klopp’s side, host Kristian Walsh is joined by scouting writer and tactics guru Josh Williams (@DistanceCovered) for the first-ever episode.
In it, the draw with Bayern Munich is dissected, with a big look forward to Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
All feedback - and podcast names - welcome.
Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the inaugural edition of... well, we’re not quite sure what we’re calling it yet, although Analysing Anfield has been mooted.
Names can be so tough.
But if you’re interested in the more cerebral side of Liverpool FC, this podcast is for you.
Focusing on the statistics and tactics behind Jurgen Klopp’s side, host Kristian Walsh is joined by scouting writer and tactics guru Josh Williams (@DistanceCovered) for the first-ever episode.
In it, the draw with Bayern Munich is dissected, with a big look forward to Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
All feedback - and podcast names - welcome.
Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It’s the morning after the night before and host Neil Fitzmaurice and trusty sidekick Joe Rimmer is joined by a man whose voice will be very familiar to long-time listeners to the brilliant Poetry in Motion podcast.
Nearly a year since he left to take over as Goal’s Liverpool FC correspondent, Neil Jones makes a welcome return to the ECHO to look back on the previous evening’s Bayern Munich match and look ahead to the even bigger game that follows this weekend.
There was a lot of talk in the lead up to the Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown that Munich were going to be steamrollered at Anfield. However, a vastly experienced Bayern side had other ideas. 
But was a 0-0 draw a bad result for the Reds? The lads discuss that before Fitzy wonders where Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing has gone and if and when it will return?
The performance of Naby Keita is debated, as is the prospect of having Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fit for the second leg, before talk turns to Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford to take on a revived Manchester United.
Just how important will the outcome be? Joe and Jonesy could not be more emphatic in their answers.
Fitzy then questions how Klopp will approach the match and Joe believes the Liverpool manager’s midfield selection will tell you everything you need to know.
One midfielder certain to make the cut – barring any fresh illnesses – is Gini Wijnaldum. But while the Dutchman is massively appreciated by Reds supporters, why is it that he does not get wider recognition?
Klopp has a multitude of options in the centre of the park. However, he does not have the same sort of dilemmas up front, which leads to a discussion over Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.
There’s also praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold before another must-listen podcast ends with an explanation why an early Champions League exit will not aid the Reds’ Premier League title charge. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s the morning after the night before and host Neil Fitzmaurice and trusty sidekick Joe Rimmer is joined by a man whose voice will be very familiar to long-time listeners to the brilliant Poetry in Motion podcast.
Nearly a year since he left to take over as Goal’s Liverpool FC correspondent, Neil Jones makes a welcome return to the ECHO to look back on the previous evening’s Bayern Munich match and look ahead to the even bigger game that follows this weekend.
There was a lot of talk in the lead up to the Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown that Munich were going to be steamrollered at Anfield. However, a vastly experienced Bayern side had other ideas. 
But was a 0-0 draw a bad result for the Reds? The lads discuss that before Fitzy wonders where Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing has gone and if and when it will return?
The performance of Naby Keita is debated, as is the prospect of having Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fit for the second leg, before talk turns to Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford to take on a revived Manchester United.
Just how important will the outcome be? Joe and Jonesy could not be more emphatic in their answers.
Fitzy then questions how Klopp will approach the match and Joe believes the Liverpool manager’s midfield selection will tell you everything you need to know.
One midfielder certain to make the cut – barring any fresh illnesses – is Gini Wijnaldum. But while the Dutchman is massively appreciated by Reds supporters, why is it that he does not get wider recognition?
Klopp has a multitude of options in the centre of the park. However, he does not have the same sort of dilemmas up front, which leads to a discussion over Liverpool’s summer transfer plans.
There’s also praise for Trent Alexander-Arnold before another must-listen podcast ends with an explanation why an early Champions League exit will not aid the Reds’ Premier League title charge. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Few would have predicted a 0-0 beforehand.
But that's exactly what was served up on Tuesday night as Liverpool and Bayern Munich cancelled each other out in their Champions League last-16 first-leg showdown.
So was it a good result for the injury and suspension-hit Reds?
Or was it an opportunity missed to take an advantage back to the Allianz Arena in three weeks' time?
To discuss those questions, and many more besides, we get the verdict of our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce and hear Jurgen Klopp's post-match press conference in full, before we hand the podcast over to the supporters.
Comments left on our Blood Red Facebook page are read out while five Koppites who attended the match have their say by phoning into the show. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices