Blood Red: The Liverpool Fc Podcast

That was a bad, bad night at the office.But only time will tell just how damaging Liverpool’s desperately disappointing Champions League defeat to Red Star will be.What we do know is that it means Liverpool have slipped to second going into their final two group games, away to Paris-Saint Germain and at home to new leaders Napoli.And what we do know is that last season’s beaten finalists will need to improve significantly on the performance they produced in Belgrade this evening.That much is made clear by the guests of this podcast, which kicks off with the expert of our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce.You then hear from four Reds supporters, Ross Strachan, Sam Planche, Alex Watt and Mark Baker, who phone in to give their views on Adam Lallana, Trent Alexander-Arnold, the absence of Xherdan Shaqiri, Philippe Coutinho and much more else besides.And the podcast rounds off with audio from Jurgen Klopp’s press conference.Like everyone else, the Liverpool manager is not happy. For information regarding yo

Tonight is Liverpool’s first trip to Belgrade since October 1973 when they suffered the first of two defeats to Red Star to exit the European Cup.They proved to be a watershed moment for legendary manager Bill Shankly, who changed the club’s approach to European football after those nights.But while it’s unlikely the events of this evening will have such a profound effect on the course of Liverpool’s footballing history, it is a big match for Jurgen Klopp’s side.They top Group C after sweeping aside Red Star 4-0 at Anfield two weeks ago and, with Paris Saint-Germain taking on Napoli later on tonight, victory for Liverpool could see them move a big step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages.But will it be another procession against Red Star given the atmosphere awaiting them at the Marakana and given the 1991 European champions' record in front of their passionate supporters?To answer those questions, and many more, including Liverpool's decision to leave Xherdan Shaqiri at home, Paul Wheelock speaks to

The unbeaten Liverpool machine rolls on.But 27 points from a possible 33 is only enough to place the Reds in third at the top of the Premier League after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal.Host Kristian Walsh is joined by Paul Gorst and the ECHO's Liverpool correspondent James Pearce - all the way from Belgrade - to pick the bones out of the Reds' pulsating point at the Emirates.On the agenda is Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino and the midfield headache that continues to make itself known to Jurgen Klopp.Kristian asks if Van Dijk's career has been somewhat wasted up until his move to Anfield, while the trio muse on what's eating Firmino at present.Attention then turns to Champions League action as the Reds get set for a big clash with Serbian side Red Star Belgrade.A raucous atmosphere is expected in the Serbian capital but all three are predicting victory for Klopp's Reds.As ever, it's a must-listen. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

Before jetting out to Belgrade in the morning, our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce speaks to Paul Wheelock for our latest Academy Show podcast.Most of the show focuses on the Reds' on-fire Under-18s side, who made it eight straight wins in Premier League competitions last Thursday with a thrilling, last-gasp mini, mini derby victory over Everton.So who are the players standing out for Barry Lewtas' side? And just how promising is the partnership between Paul Glatzel and Bobby Duncan (pictured)?James also pays tribute to the man tasked with filling Steven Gerrard's sizeable boots as well as looking ahead to the highly rated side's UEFA Youth League encounter with Red Star on Tuesday afternoon.While the first team were drawing 1-1 at Arsenal on Saturday to move - albeit temporarily - back to the top of the Premier League, Dominic Solanke was playing and scoring as the Under-23s returned to winning ways.So what next for Solanke? And why could his immediate future be dependent on Divock Origi?James answer

What a game that was.Yes, there was disappointment and frustration that Liverpool could not hold on for what would have been another statement victory.But the Reds more than played their part in an enthralling contest and, more importantly, the 1-1 draw with a revitalised Arsenal side means they moved back to the top of the Premier League and extended their unbeaten start to 11 matches.So, to look back on tonight's encounter, this podcast kicks off with the expert opinion of our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce.You will then hear from five Reds fans, Simon Donnelly, Matt Whitty, Nathan Davidson, Peter Lally and Mark Baker, who is a coach at a Championship club and who takes a tactical look at what happened at the EmiratesAnd the podcast rounds off with audio from Jurgen Klopp’s press conference. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking forward to tonight's match at the Emirtates? I know we are!So to whet the appetite further for a game that always seem to guarantee goals and drama, we have produced a little pre-match podcast for you.It kicks off with host Paul Wheelock talking to the ECHO's sports audience editor Kristian Walsh.With Manchester City setting the bar so high, the Reds have to keep the pace with Pep Guardiola's relentless side, which they have certainly done so far this season.But how big a test will Arsenal provide? And how much of a surprise is it that the Gunners also find themselves in the title shake-up under new manager Unai Emery?Kristian answers those questions and also mulls over the selection posers Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces for tonight's game, which if his side win or draw, will see them go back to the top of the Premier League.You will then hear audio from Klopp's press conference, in which he talks the season so far, the threat posed by Arsenal, the latest injury news, and the different systems h

In the latest Blood Red podcast, Liverpool reporter and regular host Ian Doyle is joined by full-time Liverpool correspondent - both home and away - James Pearce and ECHO duo Kristian Walsh and Connor Dunn to look ahead to the trip to Arsenal, consider Jurgen Klopp's midfield options, ponder what might be done in defence, assess Fabinho's progress, remember Unai Emery and Sevilla, and revel in a derby victory.Also includes a shock revelation from Kristian. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know Liverpool are the real deal.One look at the current Premier League table and the progress they have made under Jurgen Klopp, particularly in the calendar year, is testament to that.But what about Arsenal?They go into Saturday's tea-time showdown at the Emirates on the back of 12 wins from their last 13 unbeaten matches in all competitions.In what is Unai Emery's first season in charge, can they be considered genuine title challengers, too?So to get the inside track on Liverpool's next opponents we spoke to Football.London's Charles Watts, who covers Arsenal home and away.Charles gives a fascinating insight into the start of the post-Arsene Wenger era and explains why the prolific Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is giving Emery a problem despite scoring 17 goals in 23 league games for the Gunners - and why one position in particular could decide the clash with the Reds.And of course we also got Charles' take on those reports linking Aaron Ramsey with a free transfer move to Anfield.Enjoy. For information re

What’s great about Liverpool and Merseyside is that no matter who you support, whether Red or Blue, is that people stand together on the bigger, more important things than what happens out on the pitch.Yet another example of that is the special event taking place at the O2 Academy in the city centre on Friday night.Called Talk Tonight, it features some of the best bands and acts in Liverpool, and it’s been inspired by the death of big Liverpool supporters, Michael Woodburn and Neil ‘Yozza’ Hughes.84 men take their own lives per week in the UK, and the event aims to help break the stigma of mental health and suicide – as well as raising money for two very worthy local causes.For the podcast, Paul Wheelock speaks to one of the organisers of the event, Chris Tyrrell, and then Scouse footballer Kevin Ellison.The 39-year-old Morecambe forward opened up about his own mental health issues in the summer.Back then we interviewed Kevin for a special podcast to talk about why he went public on his eight-year battle with

Mark Walters believes Liverpool finally boast a team capable of bringing the “Holy Grail” back to Anfield.Title glory eluded the former Reds winger under both Graeme Souness and Roy Evans in the early 90s but he's confident the current crop can succeed where they failed.Walters expects Jurgen Klopp's side, who are only off top spot on goal difference, to push champions Manchester City all the way this season. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blood Red podcast is back and like Jurgen Klopp, we've rotated our squad.Out goes full-time Liverpool correspondent (both home and away) James Pearce and in comes Dan Kay and Theo Squires.Meanwhile, Reds reporter Ian Doyle is playing in an unfamiliar role, with Joe Rimmer taking up hosting duties to talk about the victory over Cardiff.Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are discussed, with Joe asking whether a central role is seeing Liverpool get the best out of the Egyptian king.There's plenty of talk about Gini Wijnaldum and whether the Dutchman would get in other top six sides before the lads debate if Adam Lallana can get back to his best.The question of whether Klopp will trust Xherdan Shaqiri to start at Arsenal is asked, with mixed opinions on what to do with the Swiss winger.Theo then reveals that he's too young to listen to Take That before Ian ponders the whereabouts of Neil Warnock's eyebrows.It's a lively one. Enjoy.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more ab

It's another bumper edition of Allez Les Rouges, with Liverpool season ticket holder and The Farm frontman Peter Hooton in his regular hosting seat.Joining him on this episode are Kop stalwarts Keith Culven and John Nicolson, as well as Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman.The team look back at the Red Star Belgrade victory and contemplate what constitutes the Reds' best back line - with a difference of opinion between them.The clashes with Cardiff and Arsenal are also assessed, while there is also a must-listen story about this weekend's referee Stuart Atwell and Roy Hodgson. A superb listen, as always. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liverpool ensured there was to be no unlucky 13 as they safely negotiated Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night - and game No.14 of the season comes hot on the heels for Jurgen Klopp's side.Paul Gorst, James Pearce and host Kristian Walsh sat down to talk about that game - a visit from Neil Warnock's Cardiff - but not before our Liverpool reporter gives an in-depth insight into what he's done with his spare time this week.After James' critique of newly-released A Star Is Born, the chatter eventually turns to Saturday's game and our panel agree this represents a great chance to increase the pressure on Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.The issue of the Liverpool captaincy is discussed while Kristian reveals an surprise soft spot for Cardiff boss Warnock. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not only did the Reds get back to winning ways in European competition after a disappointing defeat to Napoli last time out, but Jurgen Klopp's men seemingly rediscovered their attacking verve as they scored four goals and put Red Star to the sword.James Pearce, Paul Gorst and Joe Rimmer sat down to discuss the finer points of the game, including individual performances from Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and more.The lads agree that Fabinho should now get a run in the side after such an impressive display, and James talks about Shaqiri's happiness at Anfield after a season of struggle with Stoke City.Paul picks out Joe Gomez after another commanding turn at centre-back, and then we discuss what's next for Liverpool in the Champions League. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Champions League football is back at Anfield on Wednesday night - and the clash with Red Star Belgrade will be special for one Liverpool player in particular.Marko Grujic is a Red Star fan who grew up in Belgrade and rose through the ranks of his hometown club before Jurgen Klopp made the midfielder his first signing as Liverpool manager in January 2016.Grujic is currently on loan with Bundesliga high flyers Hertha Berlin, but as he tells our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce in an exclusive interview, he is hoping to be back at Anfield for the match.The 22-year-old speaks about how the loan is going and the latest on his fitness after his impressive start to life in Germany was halted by an ankle injury.Grujic also shares his memories of growing up, and then playing for Red Star, and what it means to the 1991 European Cup winners to be competing in the Champions League proper for the first time.He also tells us what Liverpool can expect on Wednesday night - and in the return encounter between the teams

In the latest Blood Red podcast, Liverpool reporter and regular host Ian Doyle is joined by ECHO triumvirate Joe Rimmer, Paul Gorst and Connor Dunn to look back at the dreary win over Huddersfield Town, consider Joe Gomez's form and Xherdan Shaqiri's impact, assess the issues in midfield and ponder what to expect against Red Star Belgrade.Also includes a little chat about Jose Mourinho because you didn't think we'd let that incident pass without comment, did you? For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was far from pretty but Liverpool's hard-fought victory at Huddersfield Town this evening means they have moved level on points at the top of the Premier League table with current leaders and defending champions Manchester City.But bar from Mohamed Salah's expertly taken 24th-minute strike, which ultimately proved the difference between the sides, the Reds failed to impress at the John Smith's Stadium.But, especially with Chelsea drawing at home to Manchester United, does that matter one bit given it stretched their unbeaten start to the season to nine games?It is a question that is addressed in our latest Post-Game podcast.Like those before it, it kicks off with the verdict of the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce.You will then hear from Reds fans Sam Planche, Alex Watt, Matt Whitty, Nathan Davidson, Ross Strachan and Peter Lally, who have phoned into the show.And the podcast rounds off with audio from Jurgen Klopp's press conference. For information regarding your data privacy, vi

With Liverpool flying high in third, with six wins and two draws from their unbeaten opening eight games to the Premier League campaign, surely the trip to Huddersfield Town is an away banker?Huddersfield, after all, are winless, sit third from bottom and have not scored at home since April 14 when former Reds youngster Tom Ince secured a priceless victory over Watford.But Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been at pains this week to warn that the team managed by his big mate David Wagner are playing better than their position suggests.So to find out just how true that is, Paul Wheelock picks up the phone to Rory Benson, who covers the Terriers for the Huddersfield Examiner newspaperPaul then speaks to our own Kristian Walsh, who believes this is the start of a must-win run for the Redman.And the podcast rounds off with audio highlights from Klopp's press conference on Friday afternoon. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real football is back this weekend... and in your and second and final Blood Red podcast of the week, host Joe Rimmer is joined by James Pearce and Paul Gorst to look ahead to Liverpool’s Premier League return at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, and much more else besides.But before that – and after a shout out to Gorsty’s mum – the trio discuss the UEFA Nations League, which may have caught the imagination of the England national team supporting public, but which has not gone down well with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.The injuries piled up for Klopp over the international break, which could well lead to a return for Adam Lallana at the John Smith’s Stadium. James finds it bizarre that the midfielder has been written off in some quarters. He also finds it hard to justify throwing Fabinho into the starting line-up on Saturday. Gorsty, however, disagrees.The in-form Gini Wijnaldum seems certain to start against Huddersfield but, following his stunning solo effort for Holland, should we be expecting even more from one

Cast your mind back to this stage of the season one year ago and Mohamed Salah sat on four goals from his first eight Premier League games of the campaign.Fast-forward 12 months and Liverpool’s superstar striker has netted just one goal fewer despite having to overcome the physical and emotional effects of what happened in Kiev and before, during and after the World Cup.But given the incredible feats he achieved in his debut season at Anfield, the spotlight is now very much on Salah, and has been since the first ball was kicked versus West Ham United just over two months ago.And, while it is undeniable that we have yet to see the very best of a player who broke record after record in 2017-18, he produced a positive performance against Manchester City before the international break and then scored a stunning goal direct from a corner while away with Egypt.But he picked up an injury later in the same match which makes him a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield Town and which sums up his luck since being ta