MP Red - Liverpool F.C. A Liverpool-related, football podcast.

It's the first episode of the new season, and when you hear it we hope you'll understand why it's taken so long to get this little baby out. Hillsborough is too big a subject to address in a single take, so we've gone to town on this. It's the longest ever MP Red, clocking in at 3 hours, but we think it's worth it. First of all, we've got the news, and Simon looking back at the opening few games of the season. Simon will also give us his personal take on Hillsborough and the recent events. Our normal Kick in the grass finds Steve Clare in conversation with Conor Brennan, talking about the downfall of Rangers. Proof that no football club is too big to fail. There, but for the grace of FSG, go Liverpool. Sinbad will be taking us on his travels once more, this time headed to Rome in 2001, and taking in the scenic route as ever. Then it's over to Conor Brennan, reviewing the release of the Hillsborough panel's findings. This is an in depth look at one of the most important day's in football history, and Conor has, to use a word much bandied about, done it justice. We have exclusive interviews with Liverpool football club, barrister Max Eppel, Steve Kelly from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Margaret Aspinall from the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Steve Rotherham MP and Times' football editor Tony Evans. It's a VERY special episode. We hope you enjoy it. MPRed - JFT96. Please.

No matches to review in the news this time around, so Ali makes his debut in the hotseat in a review of Brendan Rogers' appointment as Liverpool boss. What does it mean for him, as well as the players. The panel discussion takes a look back at Euro 2012. Who did we like, who did we love, and should the Irish stick to Eurovision?   Sinbad takes a look back at his time in Istanbul. It seems like every scouser who was there in 2005 has a story to tell, and Sinbad's is one of the best.   A Kick In The Grass sees a welcome return for Michael Henderson, in conversation with Conor Brennan about the current Spain team. Where do they stand in the pantheon of greats. Better than Holland '74? Brazil '70? England '92? Another kick returnee sees Clive Toye, former manager of NY Cosmos, talking about his new children's book. It also sees an anecdote about Henry Kissinger, which may well be an MP Red first.   Our feedback section is the usual mixed mailbag. You giving feedback to us on Liverpool, football in general, or whatever's on your mind. That's why it's call the feedback section. 50 Shades of Grey, but only one MP Red

It’s the route MP Red where gets its kicks. 66. In a shorter than usual news Simon cannot avert his eyes from an awful end to the season with a Suarez hattrick at Norwich being the only bright spot. An insightful look at the why nots of the Cup Final. Overall a restrained analysis from our expert if you can believe it. The Panel sees Dev leading the line with a discussion of what else? The demise of the King. Sympathy, filtered through reality and genuine sadness here. Whas it right that he went? Was the job too much for him? Why did he go? Politics played a role? Perhaps, but so did results. And what about the impact of the Suarez affair? Any conspiracies or was it all Liverpool here? The Tales Of Sinbad take us to Bulgaria with tales of packs of wild dogs, free vodka, snowboarding and an attack by Zorro? It’s all here. Dev interviews members of the Hillsborough-Anfield Run for a wrap up of their 3 days running across Yorkshire and Lancashire over 3 days. Just a quick 79 mile jog. A dolphin and ‘Ring Of Fire’ come into the conversation. Conor Brennan interviews Sachin Nakrani about the plight of Roy Hodgson now that he’s England manager. Recorded before the sacking of Dalglish, Conor and Sachin look at the job before Hodgson and what’s likely to happen to England at Euro 2012. And as ever, as usual, we finish with your feedback. Where it’s a lot of Dalglish and who to replace him. To whom would the panel give the boot? Carragher is Hyypia? Well, Conor Murphy thinks so and he’s not hugely wrong. This time. And who likes the new kit? A yes, no and maybe. And serious doubts being expressed about the financial structure of FSG and Liverpool, but it’s all understandable. Maybe. And who’s worried about whisky? MP Red, there’s no known anitdote. It’s that good!

Pensionable age for MP Red, as we hit episode 65. In the news, Simon is dissecting recent events at Anfield. Terribly league form, and an unconvincing cup win, leave little to smile about, but we'll do our best to work out where things have gone wrong. Words like 'character' and 'leadership' keep cropping up We've got the second part of our Bruce Grobbelaar interview, as the Liverpool legend continues his entertaining amble through an eventful career. Our dear friend Scouse Paul is no longer with us, but Sinbad will do his best to fill those sizeable shoes. The latest Kick In The Grass takes the form of a discussion this time around. Conor Brennan in conversation with journalist Dion Fanning, talking us through a tale of 3 managers. A less than holy trinity of Benitez, Hodgson and Dalglish Our feedback section features Simon giving some feisty response to criticism, as well as professing an unlikely passion for Motorhead. MP Red. Never walking alone, no matter what happens against Wigan

Episode 64 is one of those special occasions where a former Liverpool player joins us in New York - this time it's the most decorated goalkeeper in English football history....Bruce Grobbelaar. Dev Saksena is playing analyst this time around, and Bruce joins in to discuss Liverpool's good fortune in the cup this season, as well as goalkeepers, transfer windows, and that fella Kenny Dalglish. No panel discussion this episode, as we give Bruce an in depth interview on his career. It's a long and winding road that took a kid from Zimbabwe to the very pinnacle of the world's game, and there were a few bumps in the road for Bruce. He also does a fantastic Bob Paisley impersonation, which sadly we didn't capture on film. This is only part 1 - part 2 is still to come. Our Kick In The Grass finds Conor Brennan and Evan Fanning in discussion about Moneyball. What is it, are Liverpool using it, and can it work in football? We are joined on the phone by Dominic Williams, who gives 96 very good reasons why a bunch of Scousers are running from Sheffield to Liverpool. We encourage all of our listeners to dig deep. Our feedback section features more tributes to Scouse Paul, an email from a Manchester United fan, and John Of Rochdale emerges from Sherwood Forest to put the team on the spot. MP Red - back from our 8 match ban, and raring to go

The first in what will be a flurry of new episodes begins in somber mood.  This episode is overshadowed by the tragic death of Paul Rice, AKA Scouse Paul.  A member of the MP Red family, and a friend of Liverpool fans worldwide, he will never be forgotten   However, we will also look back on the festive fixtures, and examine some mixed fortunes for Liverpool Football Club.  Simon is in the hotseat.  As you'd expect, he doesn't hold back in his opinions on Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll. But if he did hold back, he wouldn't be Simon, would he?   We have a very personal tribute to Scouse Paul from Conor Brennan, and have the chance to hear Paul's stories one more time.   Our panel discussion turns it's attention to the Luis Suarez affair, and it's un-missable stuff.  The panel try to get beyond the tabloid hyperbole, and try to understand why Liverpool's most potent attacking force has missed a crucial part of the season.  Racism? Conspiracy? Politics?   The latest Kick In The Grass is provided by Sachin Nakrani, giving his considered opinion on Steven Gerrard.  Club legend, who belongs with the greats?   Our feedback section will include some more thoughts on Scouse Paul, as well as musings on goalkeepers, goalscorers and goal-missers.  If you're a big man, does it take you longer to grow?

MP Red - Episode 62. As the festive season hoves into view, there is a touch of Charles Dickens about the latest episode of MP Red - the (g)hosts of podcasts past, present and future are all on display. We also have an in depth interview with Brian Reade, a must-listen for an Liverpool fan We start with the News, where Dev Saksena tackles Simon about Liverpool's recent form. Missed chances, bad refereeing, and the inimitable Luis Suarez all make an appearance. Is this turning into a season of what-might-have-been? No panel discussion this week, but we have Conor Brennan in conversation with Brian Reade - renowned journalist, author and lifelong Liverpool fan. Brian is discussing his new book - An Epic Swindle. It's an in-depth discussion about how Liverpool were almost brought to destruction by the dark forces of captitalism. A Kick In The Grass comes from the frozen north comes from as Nathan Smith and Harry Indridason wrestle with some Icelandic pronunciation as well as the thorny issue of influencing referees And finally, like a classic pass-and-move break downfield, we return to the man who started things off. Dev Saksena is back with Simon, Producer Conor and a whole bag of feedback. MP Red. Occupying the Anfield Road End before they even got close to Wall Street

Joining Dev in the studio is the inimitable Simon Davis, running the rule over the end of the transfer window, and the start of the season Back on the phones, we have a welcome return for the legendary Scouse Paul. Not talking about his travels, this time, but giving us an update on exactly what SOS are doing now that Hicks and Gillett have been run out of town. The panel discussion seems very appropriate for an international podcast - just what is the nature of Liverpool's overseas fanbase? The latest Kick In The Grass is helmed by producer Conor, who interrogates Steve Clare about all things Arsenal. As this stage of the season, they seem to be Liverpool's main challenger for a Champions League spot, but while Liverpool appear to be on the way up, are Arsenal on the way down? Our feedback is as wide ranging as ever, and you also get a second slice of Producer Conor, you lucky people.

MP Red - E'pisode 60. It's taken a while, but MP Red are back. It's been a long summer behind us, and it's going to be a long summer ahead. Simon will be doing his Simon thing, dissecting Liverpool's new signings, and it pretty pleased with what the club have been doing. We're reunited with old flame Conor Brennan on a Kick In The Grass. Always good to hear his Irish brogue, even when he's heretically wondering whether Kenny Dalglish isn't the second coming. The panel discussion is also soothsaying on the 2012 season. Shots in the dark are our speciality, and at least one of them is going to hit the mark. Isn't it? A crowded feedback sees Conor Murphy getting a few things off his chest, as is his wont. It also sees the arrival of a new member into the MP Red family. Flowers and gifts to the usual address.

MP Red - Episode 59. European football is what makes Liverpool tick. Famous European nights at Anfield have become a cliché, but that's because there have been so many of them. Despite a season of chaos and flirtation with the bottom 3, it looks like European football may be back on the agenda for next year. Who saw that coming? In the news, we will take a look at recent performances and predict some of the summer activities. People have been calling Liverpool a 2 man team for a long team, but are those 2 men now Lucas Leiva and Wee Jay Spearing? Our panel are taking a look at the kids. After a fallow period, Liverpool's academy might just be bearing some fruit. But why do so few make the grade, at Anfield and elsewhere? Jay Mwamba is back on A Kick In The Grass, looking back at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Vuvuzelas apart, maybe it wasn't as bad as many predicted. You might need Google after listening to the feedback section. Unless you're familiar with Sir Roger Casement and Jimmy Tarbuck, in which case you'll be fine. MP Red. Sticking it to the man since 2006

Spring is in the air at MP Red. It's a time of rejuvenation and optimism and a warm fuzzy feeling has enveloped the studio. Simon is playing the role of Simon to perfection. We take a look at Liverpool's memorable victories over Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as the more disappointing performances that the team have been producing. Our panel discussion will take a look at the subject everyone talks about, but nobody wants to. Referees. Should their decisions be held up to scrutiny by a higher power. If not, why not? And what does it say about the sport, when you can consider that falling over in the box is more pernicious than an elbow to the head. The latest Kick In The Grass has an international flavour to it. We dial up Harry Indridason in Iceland to ask whether a Qatari challenger needs to beat a Swiss incumbent for the good of the world's game. We round things off with a selection of your feedback. If you're Fernando Torres, you might want to stop listening now, but Liverpool fans should enjoy it. As should fans of Norwegian rock music. If you're either of these, this is the podcast for you. MP Red. Yes, we ARE going out dressed like this

It's not easy to squeeze everything which has happened at Anfield into a single podcast, but god damn it we're going to try. First of all, Simon rejoices in the Kenny Dalglish effect as we review the start of his second coming. Steve Clare makes his debut on A Kick In The Grass, giving an insight into the world of MLS transfers, and why the future probably won't be Beckham-shaped Our Panel discussion will deal with Fernando Torres, Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and huge amounts of money. Liverpool have lost one of the best strikers in the world, but nobody's too unhappy about it.... MP Red - what's wrong with being sexy?

As ever, the Liverpool soap opera rumbles on, and we will do our best to work out what's going on. Focussing on the pitch, Simon will analyse the opening games of the season, and give his considered critique of Roy Hodgson's reds. How did a team with European pretensions flirt with a relegation battle, and how do they get out of it? Evan Fanning gives a firm Kick In The Grass, talking about the grass roots fan protests. Are they really important? Or are they impotent? The panel is as meaty as a tin of spam. Recorded on the first day of the High Court battle to control Liverpool, we'll look at the events which led to NESV's ultimatley successful battle for control, and also take a gratuitous parting shot at Statler and Waldorf. A plague on both their houses. Finally, we'll answer your questions. Betting scandals, Ricky Tomlinson's gob, and is Kenny a messiah? Just another day in the office... MP Red. Let's hug it out, ladies

Episode 55 – MP Red is back for the new season, with a bumper podcast of considered reflection, wild speculation and inaccurate predictions.  Simon is in the Analysts Chair, talking about Rafa, Roy and a few more of his pet subjects.  The panel look ahead to the new season.  We tried to find some optimism after a summer of upheaval and pessimism, but find reasons to be cheerful pretty thin on the ground.  Cautiously optimistic will have to do.  Conor Brennan dials in from London, and tries to work out were Rafa sits in the Liverpool managerial hall of fame. As usual, we listen to your feedback, and try to work out with Fernando Torres' poor World Cup might be a good thing for Liverpool. MP Red - we've missed us, and hopefully you've missed us as well.

It's the start of a new era for MPRed, as Nathan Smith takes the controls, although some things never change. In the news, Simon offers his forthright opinion on Steven Gerrard, Albert Riera and...Bruce Forsyth. The panel hotfoot it from the Manchester United game into the studio to discuss 4th place, and it's importance in the modern game. What might happen to Liverpool if they miss out on the Champion's League, and has Harry Redknapp really been stealing from Spurs? Conor Brennan's familiar brogue crackles over the airwaves from London, as he explains why Michel Platini's plans are as misguided as Jamie Carragher taking aim from 30 yards. Finally, we listen to your feedback, discuss Kenny Dalglish's place in the pantheon of modern greats, and wonder how to get from Utah to Singapore. MPRed - it's free, it's less than 90 minutes, and it's finally got over the Thierry Henry handball.