Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

Jurgen Klopp finds himself in the enviable position of not having to do too much tinkering to a squad that won the club’s sixth European Cup. That’s why reports connecting Liverpool to the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Nicholas Pepe have so far been played down. But one name that refuses to go is away is that of Bruno Fernandes. After scoring 31 goals for Sporting Lisbon last season, the Portugal midfielder has also been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. But if the bookies are to be believed, Liverpool are the favourites to sign the 24-year-old. Now the word coming out of Anfield is that the club will not be spending big this summer. But it was only a year ago that Reds boss Klopp was attempting to boost his attacking midfield options with the signing of Nabil Fekir - and if there is one area you could suggest his side could improve, it is the amount of goals they score from the middle of the park, although the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should help with that. But the special guest of this podcast, Alex Goncalves, believes the Reds would be wise to follow up their reported interest in Fernandes. Alex is a Portuguese football expert and the creator of the TugaScout.com website. And as well as giving the lowdown on Fernandes, he also tells Paul Wheelock about the Benfica rookie who has also been linked with a move to Liverpool, plus the future of Rafael Camacho, and whether Klopp and his Premier League managerial counterparts have missed a trick by not going after Joao Felix. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

July is just a week away and Liverpool have yet to make their first signing of the summer. In contrast, it looks like Manchester City are about to get busy in the market with the big-money acquisitions of Harry Maguire and Rodri. But is our latest Blood Red panel worried? Not in the slightest. After squashing the latest speculation, Connor Dunn, Paul Gorst, Joe Rimmer and Theo Squires argue why it is City, and not the Reds, who have the more pressing business to conduct. But with little in the way of transfer activity, and the first friendlies still more than two weeks away, our podcasters are having to be creative, and most of this show focuses on two former fan favourites who have long departed Anfield and another who will soon do the same (well, the ECHO). Over the weekend Fernando Torres explained his decision to call time on his playing career, and Joe, Gorsty, Theo and Connor (El Nino's biggest fan) look back on the striker's Liverpool career, his departure, and the regard he is now held in by Reds fans. They also react to the breaking news that Rafa Benitez, the man who brought Torres to Liverpool, is leaving Newcastle United, as well as addressing the fact that our much-loved Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce - the man who was once asked for an autograph while interviewing Champions League winner Antonio Nunez, and who last week had Reds CEO Peter Moore asking about him - will soon be leaving the ECHO. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The latest Blood Red podcast features host Joe Rimmer alongside Paul Gorst, Caoimhe O'Neill and Theo Squires and it's dominated by a topic that gets fans' pulses racing like few others - transfers. With Liverpool linked to a shock move for Kylian Mbappe over the past few days, we try to separate fact from fiction and reveal exactly what is happening with the PSG superstar. And while the World Cup winner might not be about to pitch up at Anfield this summer, perhaps it's time Reds fans got used to seeing their European Cup-winning club linked to the biggest names in the sport? After all, given their progress under Jurgen Klopp, why can't they attract the game's superstars? There's plenty of discussion on Divock Origi's future, with Paul bringing you latest, while Caoimhe, fresh from building a statue for the Reds' Champions League hero, explains why he deserves to go down in folklore. Origi, that is...not Paul. Antoine Griezmann, Pierre-Emerick Aubamyang and Matthis de Ligt are also discussed as the gang question what is next for Klopp's Champions League winners. As ever, it's a must-listen. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's nearly three weeks since that unforgettable night in Madrid and we still can't enough of talking about how Liverpool won European Cup number six. But how was it for the people who chronicled' the Reds' Champions League triumph? ECHO old boy, Neil Jones, who is now the Liverpool FC correspondent for Goal, and author and journalist Simon Hughes, who has a written a book on the Reds' resurgence, have their say in the latest Allez Les Rouges podcast, hosted as ever by Peter Hooton and also featuring regular guest John Nicolson. But even though the win over Tottenham Hotspur is still fresh in the mind, increasingly the focus is falling on transfers and just what Jurgen Klopp will do in the market this summer. It's accepted that an additional forward will have to be brought in, given that Daniel Sturridge has followed Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings through the exit door, but Simon and Neil explain why the powers that be have faith in Rhian Brewster. Also on the agenda is the difficult full-back question and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and whether Klopp needs a Philippe Coutinho replacement. The panel also discuss Harry Wilson, and why the fact that the young Wales international's position at Liverpool underlines just how far Manchester United are now behind their biggest rivals, plus pre-season, and why the Community Shield could be much more than just a glorified friendly. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Think there is little to talk about during this dead period around Liverpool FC? Think again. Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams go off-course this week and analyse the clubs who will look to stop Liverpool lifting the Premier League title next season? In part one of an in-depth preview, the strengths and weaknesses of Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are all assessed. Can City produce another campaign like their last two? How would Frank Lampard work at Stamford Bridge? Are Spurs the Reds’ biggest growing concern? With Arsenal, Manchester United and the ‘best of the rest’ to come next week, the team also look at Kylian Mbappe and confirm what we all know anyway: he’s really, really good and Liverpool should sign him. Whether they would, however, is a different matter. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Blood Red podcast is back and the lads are discussing the Liverpool issues on all supporters' minds right now. Host Sam Carroll is joined by Theo Squires, Chris Beesley and Joe Rimmer to ask all the big questions. How do Liverpool replace Simon Mignolet? Do fans finally appreciate Jordan Henderson? Can Harry Wilson finally force his way into Jurgen Klopp's plans? And just how do you pronounce Adidas?  There's also talk about players who have left Liverpool and why the Reds won't have the same problems as Manchester United and Chelsea. Sam then asks Theo, Chris and Joe which exit left them heartbroken, before a discussion about Michael Owen's sister's dog and the Harry Potter series.  Yes, you did read that correctly. Enjoy!  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Welcome to the second part of our European special on the Blood Red channel to see how the leading clubs on the continent are going to react to Liverpool winning the Champions League. In part one, we spoke to writers who cover Ligue 1 in France and the Bundesliga in Germany, and if you missed the show, you can listen to it by clicking HERE. But in part two Paul Wheelock picks up the phone to Simon Harrison, a Spanish football expert who covers La Liga for BT Sport and the i newspaper, who tells us all about the fallout from Barcelona’s humbling at Anfield, Real Madrid’s incredible spending spree, and how it is an end of an era for Atletico Madrid. But we start by speaking to Italian football writer John Solano, who is the editor of the excellent RomaPress.Net website. Now John got Liverpool fans very excited with what he had to say about Alisson Becker prior to the goalkeeper's arrival at Anfield in July last year. So, naturally we started our conversation by talking about the brilliant Brazilian – before moving on to discuss what will be a summer of transition for Serie A’s top clubs.  Like our podcasts? Then make sure you subscribe to them - as that helps us reach even more Liverpool fans! And if you'd like to join your fellow Reds on our Blood Red podcast page on Facebook, you can do so by applying to join HERE. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

With the 2019-20 fixtures out, are we now okay to call it 'this season'? Even though 'last season' only ended two weeks ago with glory in Madrid? It's a question Sean Bradbury, Paul Gorst and Caoimhe O'Neill contemplate before getting stuck into the more serious stuff on the latest edition of the Blood Red podcast. Top of the agenda are those aforementioned fixtures and why it would be nice to bring back Luis Suarez back for the opener at home to Norwich City. The matches immediately after the Champions League group games are examined as are the crucial Premier League clashes with Manchester City, more of whom in a bit. Dejan Lovren is wanted by AC Milan but, despite his age, and despite his injury record, should Liverpool resist all bids even if they hit the defender's £25m valuation? Our panel discuss that before looking at the business both the Reds and City have to do over the summer. We also talk the role the ECHO plays in it all, and see whether Gorsty has enjoyed taking on James Pearce's 'bad news' moniker in the absence of our Liverpool FC correspondent. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Think we've stopped crowing about Liverpool winning the Champions League yet? Well, think again Manchester City fans, Tottenham Hotspur legends or anyone else who is jealous of the Reds' success, because we'll be doing it for some time yet. That's the message Neil Fitzmaurice would like to send out as he returns for his first Poetry in Motion podcast since Liverpool made it number six in Madrid. Naturally, the incredible scenes at the Wanda Metropolitano and back here in the city are reminisced over at length before talk turns to the multi-faceted genius that is Jurgen Klopp and just exactly what he will do in the transfer market this summer. The Reds boss has been linked with a string of big-money moves for players including Matthijs de Ligt, Nicholas Pepe and Memphis Depay, and given what his side have just achieved, he should have every chance of getting them. But why won't he be doing that? And so who will Klopp be going for? Fitzy and regular sidekicks Joe Rimmer and Paul Gorst discuss that before looking over Liverpool's fixtures for the new Premier League campaign as well as the club's new away kit. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Liverpool may be champions of Europe, but that doesn't stop interest in transfers being at an all-time high. But how does Liverpool's recruitment work - and what does it mean for their work this summer transfer window? Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams run the rule over the Reds' squad and figure out which positions need strengthening. Who would be the ideal replacement as a No.2 if Simon Mignolet leaves? What sort of left-back will Jurgen Klopp look at? Who is that back-up forward player capable of easing the burden on the club's fearsome trio up top? A whole host of names are assessed including Matthijs de Ligt, Bruno Fernandes and Timo Werner - while the futures of several players, including Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Harry Wilson, are discussed. A must-listen for all transfer fans. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

We very much doubt you need reminding but Liverpool were crowned European champions for the sixth time just under two weeks ago with their historic victory in Madrid sending out a massive statement of intent to the rest of Europe. So that got us thinking... how are the top clubs on the continent reacting to the Reds' win? And how are their summers shaping up? We’ll no doubt be keeping a close eye on what Liverpool’s Premier League rivals are up to throughout pre-season. So for this podcast, the first of two European specials, Paul Wheelock speaks to a French football expert and a German football expert to get the lowdown from Ligue Un and the Bundesliga. Rich Allen is a French football writer and podcaster for Get French Football News and French Football Weekly who we have had on Blood Red before. And we caught up again to talk Paris Saint-Germain, the lesson they should learn from Liverpool, the battle of egos between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, the rise of Lille, why Jurgen Klopp should not make a move for Nicolas Pepe or Memphis Depay... and, of course, how could we not speak about Nabil Fekir? You will then hear from Goal.com’s Ronan Murphy, in which he talks about the big spending already been done by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Klopp’s chance of returning to Germany in the future and whether Timo Werner will be on the market this summer, and whether he would be a good buy for Liverpool. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

We have talked and talked about European Cup number six - and we will take great pleasure in continuing to talk about it for years and years to come. But while that magical weekend in Madrid is still very much in our thoughts, our first Blood Red podcast of the week focuses on something different - transfers. Host and birthday boy Joe Rimmer is back from a well-deserved break and he joins forces with Connor Dunn, friend of the stars* Theo Squires (*Burnley and England goalkeepers) and Michael Edwards' best mate** Caoimhe O'Neill (**we don't think this is true) to assess the reports linking Matthijs de Ligt, Memphis Depay, Max Kruse, Nicolas Pepe, Bruno Fernandes, Samuel Chukwueze and Philippe Coutinho with moves to Anfield. Also up for debate is the future of Harry Wilson while Joe shocks everyone with his Divock Origi question. And it wouldn't be silly season without us talking about Nabil Fekir. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

One week on from the incredible scenes that accompanied the Liverpool’s triumphant return to the city, with European Cup number six in the bag, Dan Kay and Paul Philbin join host Paul Wheelock for a View from the Kop fans’ podcast. Dan and Philbo were both in Madrid to see the Reds win the Champions League, but has it sunk in yet? And how does the feeling differ to the last time the Reds won Ol’ Big Ears in Istanbul in 2005? The Anfield season-ticket holders answer those questions and then marvel at the big difference Jurgen Klopp has brought about in the past 12 months. From Alisson – who Philbo makes a big claim about – to Joel Matip and Divock Origi, there is plenty of praise for members of Klopp’s squad. But the biggest accolades go to the Liverpool manager himself, who if history proves anything, will be here for another three seasons at least. But why shouldn’t it be longer? Philbo and Dan discuss that and then turn their thoughts to the summer and the ‘lovely position’ the Reds find themselves in. Also on the agenda is the plans to increase the capacity in the Anfield Road end before our panel answer four quick-fire questions about what will go down as one of the greatest seasons in this great club’s history. Enjoy.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Our week of celebrations on the Blood Red channel continues with a must-listen Allez Les Rouges podcast. Host Peter Hooton is at full strength as he is joined by regular guests Ste Monaghan, Kieth Culvin, John Nicolson and Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman to reflect on Liverpool's magnificent Champions League final victory and much else besides. The match itself is covered in depth, including why Jurgen Klopp got it right and Mauricio Pochettino got it wrong, particularly regarding his decision to start Harry Kane. 'Selfless' Reds captain Jordan Henderson is hailed as is the fabulous atmosphere created inside and outside the ground by the inspirational travelling Kop. But there is also talk of the future, and what needs to happen next. John is keen to make more statement signings in the vein of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, with the big Red urging Klopp to for one of the players on the beaten side in Madrid. But the panel are also keen for the powers that be to use some of the huge funds generated by the run to the final to give the younger generation of supporters. who have done so much to improve the atmosphere outside the ground, around Liverpool and across the world, the chance to do what they do but inside Anfield. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Nearly one week on and the mood is still very much buoyant after Liverpool's incredible Champions League final win. But have the events of Madrid really sunk in for you? That's the question host Sean Bradbury asks Ian Doyle, Paul Gorst and Caoimhe O'Neill on your latest Blood Red podcast. Also up for debate is Liverpool's smart new away kit, which was revealed earlier in the day. But will this be the Reds' last strip with New Balance? Paul teases us with a potential update before talk turns to Daniel Sturridge's departure from the club and his classy sign-off message. Is there as much love for Alberto Moreno? Yes, but not in the way you'd expect. One player who does look set to stay at Anfield is Adam Lallana but what do the panel make of the midfielder's declaration of intent? Our latest Blood Red Live event is also reviewed while a demob-happy Ian does he best to wind everyone up before his three-week break. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy