Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

So Liverpool have started the New Year with back-to-back defeats.But given Jurgen Klopp’s side still have a four-point lead at the top, and given the FA Cup was at the bottom of the priority list, our first View from the Kop podcast of 2019 focuses very much on the positives, which there are a lot.That much is made clear by regular guest Paul Philbin, who describes the feeling in the fan base after leaving the Etihad last Thursday.Philbo is joined by fellow Reds Matt Addison, Sean Bradbury and Neil Macdonald and they discuss the defeat to Manchester City and the ‘rivalry’ between the clubs, as well the remarkable run of wins leading up to the table-topping clash, and the fixture-list quirk that could well help Liverpool see off Pep Guardiola’s men.With it being January, a lot of talk centres round the transfer window, and while Klopp has played down the chances of boosting his squad this month, did anyone see Fabinho coming, and did anyone see Alisson coming when it did?That leads the panel to wonder whether Klopp and Michael Edwards have another surprise up their sleeve. If they o, one of the guests would love Liverpool to go after a player who is seemingly set to leave the other team in the title race, as well as another defensive recruit, while there are also calls for a new striker, which in turns lead to a discussion over Daniel Sturridge’s form and future.It’s well documented that January is not always the best time to do business but Sean explains why the opposite could be true for Klopp. It’s also argued that history, and the fact that two of the Reds’ deadly front three are set for long summers once again, should also have an influence over whether the Liverpool manager sticks or twists.But buy or not, Liverpool remain in a great position, and the panel are asked whether they think this is a better squad than the ones that went so close in 2009 and 2014.It’s a good listen. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Neil Fitzmaurice is back with his first Poetry in Motion podcast of 2019, and he's joined by regular guests Dan Kay and Joe Rimmer, who returns from his one-pod ban after swearing on last Friday's Blood Red, and in turn getting the show banned from the Middle East. True story.The Reds have started the year with back-to-back defeats but the mood is positively upbeat with Dan arguing the loss that mattered - at Manchester City - could actually work in Jurgen Klopp side's favour.But the panel do wonder whether the midfield Klopp selected against City will be used again, particularly given the display Fabinho produced off the bench.Fitzy also doubts whether Pep Guardiola's team have it in them to play the same way again while Joe is confident the cool, clinical side Klopp has constructed will simply dust themselves off and get back to winning ways at Brighton on Saturday.Liverpool were unable to do that earlier this week when a second-string XI exited the FA Cup at Wolves.Fitzy was far from happy, particularly with the performance of one senior star, whereas Joe is more relaxed about the affair. Except when it comes to Alan Shearer.The trio then tear strips off Neil Warnock following his latest barb at the Reds, debate the possibility of signing a new centre-back, before giving their predictions for the trip to the Amex. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nearly 24 hours after a second-string Liverpool side suffered an FA Cup exit at Premier League rivals Wolves, James Pearce joins Theo Squires and debut host Connor Dunn for the first of two Blood Red podcasts this week.James was at Molineux for the ECHO and he analyses what, bar from the performances of the youngsters, was a disappointing night all round.Injury was added to insult when Dejan Lovren limped off early on to leave Jurgen Klopp facing a big centre-back problem going into this weekend's trip to Brighton.So will Reds boss Klopp go into the market for defensive cover? Or does the answer lie in-house?The panel discuss that, and also look at the bigger picture, with James asking whether Reds fans would prefer to win the FA Cup and miss out on a first league title since 1990 or sacrifice the cup in an attempt to land the Holy Grail?The form of Naby Keita is also debated before the trio talk team selection for Brighton.Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A chance of a first trophy under Jurgen Klopp gone or bigger fish to fry?That's the debate that rages on the Post-Game podcast after Liverpool went down 2-1 at Wolves to exit the FA Cup before the fifth round for the fourth successive season under Jurgen Klopp.With his side sitting four points clear at the top of the league, the Reds boss made nine changes to the team that started Thursday’s 2-1 loss at title rivals Manchester City.One of those changes, the Merseyside derby hero Divock Origi, who has been linked with a move to Molineux, brought Liverpool level after Raul Jiminez opened the scoring.But a superb strike from Ruben Neves, who has been linked with a move to Anfield, ensured that the Reds’ hope of glory this season now rest in the Premier League and the Champions League.But was Klopp right to prioritise those competitions?Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce has his say before we hear from the seven Reds fans who have phoned into the show – Graham Agg, Nathan Davidson, Ross Strachan, Matt Addison, Matt Whitty, Sam Planche and Simon Donnelly.And sandwiched between that is every word Klopp had to say in his post-match press conference, including his reaction to the injury to Dejan Lovren that led to 16-year-old Ki-Jana Hoever making an impressive debut. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the latest Blood Red podcast, Liverpool reporter and regular host Ian Doyle is joined by ECHO duo Kristian Walsh and Joe Rimmer to discuss the last few days of all things Anfield. Top of the agenda is the first league defeat of the season at Manchester City, how that could impact on the title race and where Jurgen Klopp may have gone wrong. There's also talk of Dejan Lovren, the midfield and a very heated chat on the FA Cup.Also includes a parting word from Kristian - who it turns out isn't going anywhere really after all. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All good things come to an end.Yes, Liverpool's superb 20-match unbeaten start to the campaign was curtailed on Thursday night when they lost a genuinely high-quality encounter at defending champions Manchester City 2-1.The loss means Liverpool’s lead at the top of the league, and over City, has been cut to four points.But it's unlikely you’d find a single Red who wouldn’t have taken that scenario at the start of December – let alone at the start of the season.And it is in that context that we bring you our latest Post-Game podcast, featuring the definitive verdict on a pulsating night of action at the Etihad from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, every word Jurgen Klopp had to say in his post-match press conference, and the thoughts of the eight Reds fans who called into the show. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here we go. Manchester City v Liverpool at the Etihad, Matches do not come much bigger now in the Premier League - and tonight's one in particular.Cast your mind back a month and most supporters, maybe even Liverpool fans included, would have had City down as favourites to defend their title.But since their mask of invincibility slipped with 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on December 8, Pep Guardiola’s side have lost three of their last five league games, whereas Jurgen Klopp's relentless Reds have gone from strength to strength, extending their winning league to nine matches to open up a seven-point gap between the teams.So what has happened to City? Did they have any inkling Liverpool could be this consistent, this strong? And would defeat, or even a draw, tonight end their hopes?So to get the answers to those questions, Paul Wheelock speaks to Richard Burns, a City fan, writer and broadcaster, who is a regular on the long-standing Blue Moon podcast.They also talk the importance of Fernandinho, the return of Kevin de Bruyne, the problems Guardiola has at full-back, the growing rivalry between the clubs, as well as having some fun with a bit of fantasy football.You will then hear from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce after he attended Klopp’s press conference, where the Reds manager responded to Guardiola’s claim that Liverpool are the best team in Europe.James also gives us the latest team news, offers his thoughts on the dynamic of tonight’s game, and gives us the reaction to the news that one-time Liverpool target Christian Pulisic is signing for Chelsea. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a time it is to be a Liverpool fan.A record start to a league season, six points clear at the top, and with the little matter of a trip to the defending champions Manchester City to come on Thursday night.Little wonder, then, that there is an air of excitement around the first Allez Les Rouges podcast of the New Year.Host Peter Hooton is joined by regulars Stephen Monaghan and John Nicolson, as well as Ian Byrne, fellow Red, local councillor, and founder of Fans Supporting Foodbanks, the partnership between Spirit of Shankly and Everton Supporters’ Trust that is doing vital and brilliant work in the community.After the 5-1 demolition of Arsenal made it nine wins on the spin for Jurgen Klopp’s relentless side, the panel question whether anyone saw this coming, and whether it’s best to keep your feet on the ground, enjoy the ride... or both!What they definitely do agree on is that Klopp is playing it perfectly, off the pitch as well as on it, where the belief he has instilled now means his players should be able to meet any challenge that comes their way.A big challenge soon awaits the Reds at the Etihad. But, with City trailing seven points behind, the lads reckon it is Pep Guardiola who is facing the biggest conundrum.The midfield section for the big clash is discussed as is the use of dark arts in matches of the magnitude of Thursday’s. Talk then turns to three thought-provoking articles that have been published recently, the first about the impact of Virgil van Dijk, and the latter two about Fans Supporting Foodbanks and the ‘Feed the Scousers’ chants aimed at Liverpool and Everton supporters by rival fans.And another must-listen podcast ends with a warm tribute to late Reds legend Peter Thompson before the panel look back on 2018 and offer their hopes and dreams for 2019.Without giving the game away, a victory over City would go a long way to making them a reality. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the final Blood Red podcast of 2018, James Pearce and Paul Gorst are joined by stand-in host Sam Carroll to sign off for the year with a bang.The trio of ECHO reporters pick the bones out of Saturday's 5-1 hammering of Arsenal as they reflect on arguably the performance of the season at Anfield.The Reds went nine points clear at the top of the Premier League with an emphatic dismantling of the Gunners and our journalists give their take on a superb end to Anfield action for 2018.Paul explains why he loved seeing Virgil van Dijk come to Mohamed Salah's rescue in the Anfield tunnel, while James reflects on a memorable year covering the club both home and away.Goal and Player of the Year awards are also selected as they look back on an incredible year for Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool squad.As ever, it's a must-listen.Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a performance. What a year. And what a lead at the top.Yes, Liverpool are now nine points clear in first place in the Premier League after they signed off in 2018 with a thumping 5-1 victory over Arsenal at Anfield this evening.The record-breaking Reds’ ninth straight league victory ensured they took full advantage of second-placed Tottenham’s shock home loss to Wolves earlier in the day.And it also ensured they moved a massive 10 points clear of third-placed Manchester City, who let’s remember, held a five-point advantage at the top just 25 days ago.Host Paul Wheelock kicks us off before you hear the definitive verdict of our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, and then the thoughts of the six excellent Reds fans who phoned into the show. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices