Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

One day to go - one day until Liverpool could be crowned Premier League champions. Yes, the ball remains very much in Manchester City's court, but if Tuesday night at Anfield proved anything, it's that miracles do happen, especially when it comes to the Reds. It's fitting, then, that the latest Allez Les Rouges podcast, hosted by Peter Hooton, and featuring Kieth Culvin, Spirit of Shankly chair Joe Blott, and the ECHO's own Dan Kay, kicks off by looking back on the truly incredible win over Barcelona, which sealed Liverpool's place in the Champions League final for the second season running. But where did it stand in the long list of great European nights? And what must happen next if it is to surpass Istanbul? As well as the atmosphere, there are words of praise for Jurgen Klopp's man-management and tactical nous, so much so that they even had Jose Mourinho impressed, the bravery and maturity of Jordan Henderson, and the unlikely rise and rise of Joel Matip and Divock Origi. The showpiece showdown with Tottenham Hotspur is discussed, as is the outrageous prices fans will have to pay to get a ticket for the final and to get to and stay in Madrid, and what can be done about it in the future. And after the first 30 minutes fly by, talk turns to the last-day Premier League title decider. It's City's to lose, but if the defending champions do indeed retain their crown, the panel are in doubt that this will be the first season of many that Klopp's resurgent Reds challenge for the top prize in English football. That said, they're not ruling out more incredible drama, especially if Liverpool do one thing against Wolves. Enjoy our final podcast before the match - it's a cracker. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Liverpool could win the Premier League title on Sunday and so end the most thrilling title race - certainly in terms of points accrued - in top-flight history. But the narrative going into the final-day decider has been very much focused on the Champions League after Tottenham Hotspur followed Liverpool's lead and produced a miracle of their own. And seeing as this is our first Blood Red since Spurs overcame the odds in Amsterdam, James Pearce, Ian Doyle, Caoimhe O'Neill are asked by 'lucky' host Sean Bradbury to give their verdicts on the all-English football. Talk then turns to Jurgen Klopp's press conference, where again most of the spotlight centred more on what has happened so far this week and not what's to come. Hopefully, that's the Reds beating Wolves and current leaders Manchester City dropping points at Brighton & Hove Albion. The panel are confident Klopp's side will keep their end of the bargain but while they do try to play up Brighton's chances, they soon end up turning to divine intervention. There's positive team news from James, who also answers a question Klopp would not over the futures of Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge, which in turns leads to a discussion over how Liverpool's forward line will shape up next season. And in our final podcast of the working week, there's also condemnation for the prices Reds fans are going to have to pay to get to and watch the Champions League final. There you go, we're talking about it again. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

For the final time this season, Jurgen Klopp was at Melwood this morning to preview a Premier League match. But this is no ordinary match. Should Liverpool beat Wolves at Anfield on Sunday, and City drop points at Brighton, they would be crowned Premier League champions, which would top off an already incredible week. It is a week, of course, that started with the unbelievable Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Barcelona, which is referenced throughout this must-listen press conference; the main news line from which is the fitness of Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Henderson and Robertson picked up injuries in the 4-0 victory over Barca but with Klopp revealing the mantra around the training ground as being ‘it’s only pain’, you’d expect them to be fit to face Wolves. The Reds boss has plenty praise for the Molineux men, and for Brighton, too, but he’s less impressed by the scheduling of the Nations League Finals. Klopp also has his say on the rush for Champions League final tickets and the high cost of travel to Madrid as well as giving short shrift to UEFA’s decision to stage the Europa League showpiece, which will be contested by two more Premier League clubs, in Baku. Speaking of which, Klopp is asked for his opinion on the domination of English outfits in Europe this season, which allows the Remainer to drop a Brexit joke. He’s also quizzed on the future of Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge and the performance of Tottenham, who produced a miracle of their own to beat Ajax and set-up that Champions League final showdown with Liverpool. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's the 11th episode of Analysing Anfield - and it's safe to say it's the most buoyant one yet. No surprises what dominates the agenda as host Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams discuss all things Liverpool 4 Barcelona 0. The roles of Alisson, Trent, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum and Origi are all dissected, as well as how the Reds simply stopped Barca. There is also reflection on how, sometimes, some things cannot be analysed, plus the small matter of the possibility of Liverpool becoming Premier League champions on Sunday. Which is nice. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It actually happened. Liverpool came from 3-0 down in the first leg at the Nou Camp - or is it Camp Nou? - to win the second leg at Anfield 4-0 and seal a place in the Champions League final for the second season running. James Pearce, on this, a special Blood Red podcast, calls it the greatest night in a long list of great European nights at Anfield. Ian Doyle, who was on reporting duty from the ground alongside James, goes even further, while our football writer Caoimhe O'Neill sums up the feeling in the stands beautifully. With Sean Bradbury on hosting duties, talk then turns to the players who stood out in what James believes was the perfect performance, with Alisson Becker, two-goal hero Divock Origi and the incredible Trent Alexander-Arnold among those to get a special mention. Also up for debate are Reds old boys, the anonymous Philippe Coutinho and the vilified Luis Suarez, who James reckons deserved every bit of stick he got, and who the panel would like to face in the final - Ajax or, in what would be the 'Ian Doyle Derby', Tottenham Hotspur. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It’s very hard to put into words what was witnessed at Anfield on Tuesday night, but thankfully, we have plenty of people who are able to that magnificently on this Post-Game podcast. None better of course, than our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, who kicks us off with his brilliant and emotional take on a match that will never, ever be forgotten. Then we’ll hear every word of Jurgen Klopp’s must-listen press conference that took place after his side came from 3-0 down in their semi-final first leg to beat Barcelona 4-0 and qualify for the Champions League final for the second season running. Then we’ll get the verdict of the first of our eight callers into the show – Ross Strachan, Simon Donnelly and Matt Addison. Host Paul Wheelock will then read some of the messages that have been left on our Blood Red podcast Facebook page before we hear from two more Liverpool fans who were at the game – Sam Planche and Matt Whitty. There’ll be more messages from the Facebook page after that, before we wrap up with the thoughts of three more callers – Alex Watt, Mark Baker and Owen Thomas. It’s a bumper podcast, but we're pretty sure it’s one you’re going to enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The task facing Liverpool tonight could not be much tougher. No Mohamed Salah, no Roberto Firmino, no Naby Keita, and the little matter of a 3-0 first-leg deficit to overcome if the double-chasing Reds are to make a second straight Champions League final. So there is a dose of realism in your pre-match Blood Red podcast, which in many ways, was a bit like Jurgen Klopp's press conference at Anfield on Monday, argues our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce. We've got James on the phone for 10 minutes so host Sam Carroll quickly quizzes him on the chances of a senior debut for Rhian Brewster and who will start up front in the absence of Salah and Firmino, the midfield line-up, what the atmosphere will be like, and what the Reds must do if they are to pull off which could be their greatest ever European comeback. Sadly, there's also Manchester City's win over Leicester City to discuss, which put the destiny of the Premier League title back in the hands of the defending champions. James calls it a 'slug in the guts' before laughing off Pep Guardiola's after-match comments. It's a theme Connor Dunn and Paul Gorst pick up on after James has to shoot off, and they are in no doubt that Liverpool continue to get under the Man City manager's skin, and will continue to do so for some time to come. They also mull over Klopp's starting line-up versus Barcelona, the reaction Reds old boys Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho should receive tonight, remember Divock Origi's winner at Newcastle United, and make it clear that this team, this club and the Anfield crowd can never be written off. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

So here we go. The start of a week that could end with Liverpool winning the Premier League and qualifying for their second straight Champions League final. Admittedly, the latter is more unlikely, given the Reds must overturn a 3-0 deficit in their semi-final second leg with Barcelona at Anfield on Tuesday. And their hopes have been hit further by the news that both Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will be ruled out of the match, which was confirmed by Jurgen Klopp at his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon. With that in mind, Klopp was asked how he was going to approach the last-four decider, as well as how much attention he will pay to Manchester City's crucial clash at home to Leicester City on Monday night, which if they drop points in, will leave Liverpool with one hand on the Premier League title. But most of the talk concerns Barcelona, the possible inspiration the Reds can take from Roma, and just what exactly Klopp said to Lionel Messi on the Camp Nou pitch at the end of the first leg. And, as is customary with Champions League press conferences, the Liverpool manager was followed by one of his players, Trent-Alexander Arnold, who was a fan in stands when Klopp's side produced a stunning European comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund three years ago. The 20-year-old right-back is asked whether the Reds can repeat that performance on Tuesday night, his friendly rivalry with Andy Robertson, the prospect of facing Messi, and courtesy of a question from our own James Pearce, what it will be like to go up against his former team-mate Philippe Coutinho. Enjoy - and we'll be back in the morning with the Blood Red podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

You should know the drill by now - our first Blood Red podcast of the week arrives on a Monday. But this is no ordinary week and this is no ordinary season - one look at the Premier League table is testament to that. It is a table topped by Liverpool after their latest last-gasp victory, 3-2 at Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United on Saturday night. Divock Origi's late winner sparked wild celebrations in the travelling Kop housed up in the Gods at St James' Park and in the Reds fan base worldwide. But that will be eclipsed if Leicester City, and a certain Brendan Rodgers, can do Liverpool a huge favour and take points off second-placed Manchester City. Therefore, rather than put out Blood Red on Monday afternoon, only for it to be almost automatically dated, we have recorded a day earlier to look back on the win over Newcastle and look ahead to Leicester's trip to the Etihad. Ian Doyle was on reporting duty for the ECHO on Tyneside and so hands over his hosting duties to Sean Bradbury, who had a very good reason for not watching all of the game. They are joined by Connor Dunn, who was able to watch the game thanks to a very understanding girlfriend. And what a game it was, and one which Ian believes demonstrated the one thing the Reds definitely have over City, despite all their riches and depths of talent. Ian also expresses his admiration for a Newcastle player he reckons could do a job for Liverpool while Connor questions what must be going through City manager's Pep Guardiola's head. The panel debate what the future holds for Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri, who set up the Belgian's winner, rubbish the theory that the Reds are lucky, wonder whether Jurgen Klopp should rest players for the Champions League semi-final second leg v Barcelona (we'll be doing a Blood Red on the day of that match), and give reason for optimism regarding Leicester's chances against City. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

How is the heart rate? Settled down now? Wow, this Liverpool just don't know when to quit. On the back of what happened in midweek at Barcelona, and after Mohamed Salah was stretchered off to (potentially) join Roberto Firmino on the sidelines, they could so easily have dropped points and effectively handed the Premier League title to Manchester City. But instead they dug in and, thanks to a goal from super-sub Divock Origi that could be even more important than his derby winner in December, they secured a vital 3-2 victory at Rafa Benitez's spirited Newcastle United side. It was a victory that moved Jurgen Klopp's relentless Reds back to the top of the table going into the final week of this incredible campaign. And to reflect on it, we have a bumper Post-Game podcast for you. It starts, as always, with the definitive verdict of our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, includes every word of Klopp's press conference after the match, including fitness updates on Salah and Firmino, and also features seven of our regular callers into the show as well as a load more made-up - if emotionally drained - Liverpool fans in the form of the messages they have been leaving on our Blood Red podcast Facebook group page. Click HERE to join. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's the 10th episode of Analysing Anfield - and the first where the team have to dissect a defeat for Liverpool. After a tough and unjust 3-0 defeat in Barcelona, host Kristian Walsh is joined by Josh Williams as they look back at what went wrong - but also, as Josh is keen to point out, what went right. The decisions to start Joe Gomez and Gini Wijnaldum are looked into, while the impact of Naby Keita's injury - and what happens next - is also touched upon. There is also a few moments dedicated to the genius of Lionel Messi, and how the Reds could pull off the not-so-impossible if they keep him quiet on Tuesday. There is also a preview to the crucial clash with Newcastle, and how risk and reward could play a role against Rafael Benitez. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

A bit deflated by how it ended in Barcelona? Worried that Manchester City are not going to drop points in their final two games? Well, if you do need perking up then skip to the 40-minute mark of the latest Poetry in Motion podcast and let host Neil Fitzmaurice and his guests Connor Dunn and Caoimhe O'Neill remind you that this is a season to remember for Liverpool - no matter what happens on Tuesday and even if City do win out. But there's plenty to get stuck into before then as Fitzy, who is fresh back from Barca, wonders just how Liverpool find themselves 3-0 down going into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final. Connor reckons a series of little things contributed to the Reds' downfall, with Caoimhe arguing that Jurgen Klopp's side could well have been too nice in the face of the dark arts mastered by Barcelona, and similarly used by Real Madrid in last year's final. Luis Suarez's goal celebration and Lionel Messi's brilliance are also discussed as is Klopp's decision to start Joe Gomez at right-back - and what it would have left Trent Alexander-Arnold thinking. So can Liverpool stage one of the great European comebacks? Our panel reckon history suggests they can and call on the supporters to make it intimidating for Barca in most the respectful way possible. Talk then turns to Saturday's Premier League clash at Rafa Benitez's Newcastle. In the wake of Naby Keita's season-ending injury, and Roberto Firmino's knock, Fitzy questions what line-up Klopp will go with. Could it be time to throw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into the fray? Could the fit-again midfielder be the sting in the tail for Barca and City that Fitzy believes will come? We'll find out soon enough - but for now enjoy this brilliant pod. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp's press conference at Melwood this morning starts with some bad news - over the injury sustained to Naby Keita in the Nou Camp. The Liverpool boss is also coy over Roberto Firmino's chances of starting the crucial Premier League clash at Newcastle United on Saturday night. But don't be kidded that Klopp is in anyway feeling downbeat. Yes, his side have a mountain to climb if they are to overcome a three-goal against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Anfield on Tuesday. But it's clear Liverpool have already got over their first-leg disappointment and are now fully focused on the trip to St James Park to take on Rafa Benitez's boys - which if they win, of course, will take them back to the top of the Premier League with one game to play and pile the pressure back on Manchester City. To definitely win the league, City will have to finish on 98 points, and Klopp is asked whether that is going to be standard for every season from now on. He's also quizzed on the Reds' resilience and mood inside the dressing room, as well as the return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum's role against Barca in midweek. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Before flying back to England, our Liverpool FC reporting team of James Pearce and Ian Doyle recorded their third Blood Red podcast of the week from Barcelona, this time from the city's airport. The mood is mixed - and understandably so. The Reds have given themselves a mountain to climb by losing their Champions League semi-final first leg 3-0 but as James explains, there was much to admire about the brave, bold performance produced by Jurgen Klopp's side at Camp Nou. Sadly, the one thing lacking was a finishing touch, which is something you could not accuse Lionel Messi of not having. James and Ian wonder how you can stop the Barcelona genius and, as much as the result pained them, what a privilege it was to watch Messi at the peak of his powers. But did Liverpool and Klopp help themselves with the formation, selection and timing of substitutions? James and Ian discuss Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino before outlining why no Red can complain about Luis Suarez's antics. The duo also debate the display of Barca's other Anfield old boy, Philippe Coutinho, and why his withdrawal was such a big turning point, before talk turns to the second leg, Liverpool's chance of a comeback, and the huge match on Saturday in the race for the Premier League title. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

So how do you begin to describe that? In many ways there was nothing wrong with the performance and anyone who watched the game would surely agree Liverpool did not deserve to be beaten 3-0. But at the same time the final scoreline could have been greater had Barcelona made the most of their counter-attacks late on. Prior to that the La Liga champions had been ruthless, and particularly the otherworldly Lionel Messi, which was in contrast to the Reds, who failed to take at least one of the numerous opportunities that came their way. It leaves Jurgen Klopp's side with a mountain to climb in next Tuesday's second leg at Anfield if they are to make Madrid and the final. But this podcast concentrates on what happened at the Camp Nou as we get the definitive verdict on the action from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, before we hear Liverpool manager Klopp's post-match press conference, and then get the thoughts of six Reds fans who have phoned in. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy