Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

Liverpool are champions of Europe. What’s more, they are the best team on the continent... and they look very hard to stop. That is the overriding feeling on the latest episode of Analysing Anfield with Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams, as the pair meticulously go through the 90 minutes in Madrid - and beyond. The Reds’ long ball game is discussed as the match provides several record-breaking stats for the season - including the lowest number of passes in a single match. Josh rallies against the argument this was a poor spectacle, with Kristian keen to compare Jurgen Klopp to the good José Mourinho... except he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The likes of Sadio Mane, Alisson Becker and James Milner are also lauded, while the final question is asked: can Liverpool make it seven times in Istanbul? A must listen. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The celebrations continued on Wednesday night as we staged our latest Blood Red Live, this time right here in Liverpool at the Baltic Market. Featuring our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce and reporter Ian Doyle, Peter Hooton, of our Allez Les Rouges podcast, and hosted by Neil Fitzmaurice, of our Poetry in Motion podcast, the event kicked off with music from Kieran Molyneux, fresh from the singer playing to thousands of Reds supporters in the fan park in Madrid prior to the Champions League final. Guests then tackled a fiendishly difficult quiz before taking part in a Q&A with James, Ian, Peter and Fitzy. You can listen to the Q&A in full here - as well as some of the highlights from Kieran's brilliant set. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's the Blood Red podcast and Liverpool have won it six times. Host Sean Bradbury has done some Harry Redknapp-style wheeling and dealing to secure the services of pod debutant and news reporter Joe Thomas, who covered the final and parade in Liverpool, along with Caoimhe O'Neill who was out in Madrid for the match. Today's episode switches between the incredible experiences both in Liverpool and in Spain as we take a chronological look back at how the entire, unforgettable weekend unfolded. There are moments you may have missed from the bus parade, briliant stories from the Spanish capital and an inspirational assessment of what this all means for Jurgen Klopp's team next season. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Like millions of Reds fans all over the world, it was back down to earth for our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce when he returned to work at the office after a historic weekend in Madrid. But such is the nature of following the Reds, there is very rarely a quiet day, and late last Tuesday afternoon it was confirmed that Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno are leaving the club. And, in his last podcast before he has some very well-deserved time off, James Pearce speaks to Paul Wheelock to give his reaction to the news and look back on Sturridge's rollercoaster Anfield career, which started in a blaze of goals and ultimately ended on a glorious high. Paul asks James whether Jurgen Klopp will be targeting replacements at left-back and up front, with the answer to the latter question particularly interesting. Our man in the know at Anfield also talks the future of Champions League final goalscoring hero Divock Origi as well as key men James Milner and Joel Matip before James gives us the latest on Liverpool's pre-season plans and what is still to come. - And if you'd like to hear more from James, Ian Doyle, Neil Fitzmaurice and Peter Hooton about the Champions League win, there are still tickets available for our latest Blood Red Live event, taking place at the Baltic Market in Liverpool on Wednesday (June 5). Click HERE to buy your tickets. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Nothing will beat those scenes when Jordan Henderson got his hands on Liverpool’s sixth European Cup and lifted Ol’ Big Ears high into the Madrid sky to the utter delight of Reds supporters in the Wanda Metropolitano and all over the world. But that was just a culmination of a magical weekend in the Spanish capital. And one of the definite highlights was when thousands upon thousands of Koppites crammed into the Fan Park before the final itself. With music from the likes of BOSS Night favourites Ben Burke, Kieran Molyneux and Jamie Webster, Chelcee Grimes, a very special performance from Cast singer-songwriter John Power, plus a DJ set from Colin Murray and an appearance from The Anfield Wrap’s John Gibbons and Neil Atkinson, it was a swelteringly hot afternoon to remember. Producer Michael Pearson was out in Madrid for the ECHO and he captures the mood in Plaza Felipe II in this special audio portrait, which includes music from Webster, an interview with Dan Nicholson, who is one of the men behind BOSS night, and an interview with and music from Power, whose spine-tingling rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone closes the podcast. Enjoy! *Please note the podcast contains bad language For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's 2.15 in the morning at the Wanda Metropolitano and, with their final copy filed and the last of the jubilant Liverpool players spoken to, James Pearce, Ian Doyle and Conor Dunn sit down to record a very special Blood Red podcast to react to Liverpool's historic 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final. It starts with James and Connor giving their verdict on a match that saw the Reds crowned the kings of Europe for the sixth time before picking out individuals for particular praise. Alisson's performance, which was in stark contrast to the one produced by Loris Karius in last year's final, is hailed, as is the culmination of Divock Origi's incredible comeback. But the biggest accolades are saved for the manager Jurgen Klopp and the captain Jordan Henderson. There are also kind words for the magnificent Mohamed Salah, who banished those memories of Kiev by firing Liverpool into an early lead, and for the club's remarkabe supporters. And, after being moved from the pressbox to behind the goal where Origi blasted in the goal that sealed the European Cup, our trio select their favourite moments from a night that will never, ever be forgotten. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Liverpool are champions of Europe for the sixth time! The mighty Reds got their hands on the biggest prize in club football in Madrid on Saturday night when they beat Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano to win the Champions League. Twelve months on from his Kiev heartbreak Mohamed Salah set Liverpool on their way but it was not until Divock Origi – the most unlikely hero of this incredible season – scored late on that Koppites in Madrid, back here on Merseyside, and all around the world could truly celebrate what should be the first of many trophies under Jurgen Klopp. And we hear from some of those jubilant supporters over the course of this podcast. But as always, we start with the definitive verdict on one of the greatest nights in the club’s history from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce. You will then be able to listen to every word that Klopp – the man who picked up this superb group of players after losing last year’s final – had to say in his press conference after the match. Before we turn the show over to the fans who have called in – and the fans who have left messages on our Blood Red podcast Facebook group page, which you can join HERE. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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

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 supporters This is one not to be missed. Enjoy! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

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

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

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

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

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

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