Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

So here we are, just a matter of hours away from the Champions League final, and just like Jurgen Klopp at his press conference at the Wanda Metropolitano on Friday afternoon, our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce and reporter Ian Doyle cut calm figures in this, your final Blood Red podcast before the real action gets under way. That wasn't the case a few hours earlier when James and his fellow UK journalists took on their Spanish counterparts in a media football match that did little for international relations. But whereas our intrepid press pack went down to a narrow defeat, confidence abound about Liverpool's chances of bringing the European Cup back to Anfield. James and Ian point to Klopp's performance in front of the cameras and the experience of Kiev as reasons for that, not to mention the little matter that Liverpool are just a better team than Tottenham Hotspur. Our boys also dismiss the thought that this can be treated like any other game, express their admiration for Dua Lipa, play down fears over Alisson and pay tribute to the growing force that is Fabinho. Also on the agenda is the key selection decisions that both managers must get right, while there is your usual line-up and score predictions. Enjoy - and we'll be back after the match with the Post-Game podcast. Hopefully celebrating number six. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a very special podcast for you as our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce speaks exclusively to Rafa Benitez from Madrid. Rafa, of course, is the last manager to bring the European Cup back to Anfield after he masterminded the magical victory over AC Milan in Istanbul 14 years ago. So who better to judge Jurgen Klopp's chances of following in his footsteps in Madrid on Saturday night? The Newcastle United boss is back in his hometown for the massive match with Tottenham Hotspur and in a must-listen chat with James he discusses:▪ How he sees the final going▪ How the managers will cope with the three-week break▪ Whether it really is possible to treat this match as ‘any other game’▪ How winning the Champions League with the Reds changed his life▪ What winning on Saturday would do for Klopp and the club▪ How Klopp’s current crop compares to his 2005 heroes▪ The fitness dilemmas over Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane▪ The power of Liverpool supportersThis is one not to be missed. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a special bonus episode of the Blood Red podcast, producer Michael Pearson went onto the streets of Madrid to find just a few of the incredible stories of how thousands of Reds have made the trip to the Spanish capital for the Champions League Final.You really get a sense of the atmosphere through this audio portrait of how the city feels as tens of thousands of LFC supporters take over the city.This is a bonus pod so sit back and you'll feel like you're almost there! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The time for talking is almost over - the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur takes place at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight. But we're not done with our podcast offerings just yet. Our latest listen on the Blood Red channel is the full audio from the press conference involving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertosn, and Jurgen Klopp, that took place at the ground on Friday afternoon. If Liverpool's world-class manager and world-class full-backs are nervous, they have a funny way of showing it. The trio cut relaxed and confident but respectful figures as they answered questions from members of the worldwide media. And you can listen to what they had to say here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One day to go until the big one, the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano, and the ECHO’s reporting team of James Pearce, Ian Doyle and Connor Dunn have arrived in Madrid. Connor actually got there before James and Ian and, in this, your first Blood Red podcast from what could be a momentous and historic weekend in the Spanish capital, he describes the mood in the city and how it has been taken over by thousands and thousands of travelling Koppites. The players will not arrive until later today (Friday), which is different from last year’s final in Kiev, and James explains why, as well as giving an insight into his exclusive interviews with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reds chairman Tom Werner. Ian and James flew into Madrid from Dublin, where we staged a Blood Red Live event, and they re-visit two key questions from the night regarding Klopp and a certain Philippe Coutinho. Penny for the Brazilian's thoughts now? Also on the agenda is new contracts for a trio of players, expectations among Liverpool supporters compared to 12 months ago, the fitness of Roberto Firmino, and the very difficult midfield decision facing Klopp. Oh, and San Miguel and Sangria, too. Enjoy!  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With just two days to go until Liverpool's Champions League showdown against Spurs, it's a Blood Red podcast fuelled by equal measures of nerves and excitement. Host Sean Bradbury is joined by Paul Gorst, Caoimhe O'Neill and Dan Kay for a last look ahead (from Liverpool) to the final. The pod begins with a detailed assessment of just how much is on the line in Madrid - for the players, the fans and perhaps even for Jurgen Klopp's legacy at Anfield. The panel have their say on the threat of Spurs and the best possible way Liverpool could win, before Klopp's two key team selection dilemmas are discussed with a unanimous verdict on how he should solve them. And there is even some very welcome breaking news halfway through the recording. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Blood Red podcast took over Dublin on Wednesday night with hundreds of Irish Reds packed into the Dtwo bar for an exclusive live event in association with Carlsberg. It was a superb evening of Liverpool FC chat and the perfect warm-up to Saturday’s huge Champions League final with Tottenham Hotspur. But don’t worry if you weren’t able to get a ticket or you would have loved to have been there, because you can now listen to the Q&A section of the evening in full here on the Blood Red channel. It’s features our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce and reporter Ian Doyle, Steven Daly from the LFC Daytrippers Podcast, and is hosted by Off The Ball’s Philip Egan, a life-long Red. James and Ian give insight into the futures of Jurgen Klopp and James Milner, plans for the expansion of the Anfield Road stand, the influence of Pep Lijnders and departure of Zeljko Buvac, and the chances of bringing Philippe Coutinho back, which evokes very different reactions. The panel are also asked who’s the best, Messi, Ronaldo or Origi, name the players, apart from Steven Gerrard, from the 2005 Champions League-winning side who would get into Klopp’s current team, and discuss whether Istanbul or Barcelona at Anfield was better. Oh, and Ian also reveals the time James strangled him in the Anfield pressbox. Enjoy. And if you’d like to attend our next Blood Red Live event, which takes place at the Baltic Market in Liverpool on Wednesday, June 5 click HERE to buy tickets. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Champions League final in Madrid is upon us as Liverpool aim to become six-time champions of Europe against Tottenham Hotspur. Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams offer all the tactical and statistical analysis you need on this special episode, with the duo looking back at the previous two meetings between the two teams this season in an effort to find out just what could happen in the Spanish capital. The question of whether this will play more like a Premier League or Champions League game - and who that benefits - is discussed, as is the biggest weak link in Mauricio Pochettino's side. The importance of Roberto Firmino and Harry Kane is also revealed, while there is a run-down of just why the Reds shouldn't fear Spurs... and why there is a fair bit for the North London team to fear about Jurgen Klopp's mentality monsters. But beware of overconfidence - Tottenham are tougher than most think and there is evidence to prove it. Come on Liverpool! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just four days now till the big one, and before Dan Kay and Paul Philbin pack their things and head off on the journey to Madrid, the season-ticket holders join host Paul Wheelock for a View from the Kop fans’ podcast. Saturday’s showdown with Tottenham Hotspur will be Liverpool’s third European final in as many seasons under Jurgen Klopp and the club’s fourth Champions League showpiece in 14 years. But Dan argues that remarkable record should not be taken for granted and nor the mental strength and determination shown by the Reds to make it to the Wanda Metropolitano. There is also plenty of praise for Klopp who incredibly has still yet to lose a European tie as Liverpool manager. But with his team favourites for a final for the first time in his reign, does he need to win on Saturday? Dan and Philbo discuss that as well as whether it would actually be better if Harry Kane is declared fit to start for Spurs. Mohamed Salah will surely start for Liverpool and the host wonders whether it is written in the stars for the Egyptian King to steal the show given his cruel downfall in last year’s final. The guests, however, believe it could be another Reds forward who could prove to be the match-winner. Dan and Philbo also dismiss claims Joe Gomez should start over Joel Matip, praise the resurgence of captain Jordan Henderson, argue why Gini Wijnaldum should get the nod over James Milner, as well as giving UEFA and their ticket allocation a good kicking. Enjoy – and we’ll be back later with Analysing Anfield as our podcast build-up to the final continues. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have a look at the Premier League table. Liverpool lost just once; Tottenham Hotspur 13 times. There was a 26-point difference between the teams. Surely, then, the Champions League final should be a foregone conclusion? That's the question that Neil Fitzmaurice asks regular sidekicks Joe Rimmer and Caoimhe O'Neill to kick-off a Poetry in Motion podcast that is a must-listen for all Reds fans before the massive match in Madrid. Closer inspection of the two games between the sides that took place earlier this season should also raise confidence among Koppites - as should the experience of last year's final and, as Joe argues, the fact that the pressure should really be on Tottenham. Fitzy wonders, then, that of all the Reds' near-misses in recent seasons, would defeat on Saturday night be the toughest to take? His guests agree, but rest assured the mood is firmly upbeat, especially when you consider Spurs' selection problems, and given the fact that Harry Kane may well have undermined his manager Mauricio Pochettino. Whoever Pochettino starts up front, they are likely to face Joel Matip, who along with James Milner, comes in for big praise. But even bigger praise is reserved for Fabinho, who signed for Liverpool a year ago today. Caoimhe can't bring herself to give a score prediction, but what about Joe or Fitzy? But what they can guarantee is a warm welcome and a good night at our latest Blood Live event, the details of which are discussed at the end of the pod and which can be viewed in full HERE. Here's hoping we're celebrating number six. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices