Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

'What a time to be alive. What a time to be a Red' - and with those words Neil Fitzmaurice sets the tone for what it is an absolutely belting Poetry in Motion podcast also featuring Joe Rimmer and the Liverpool ECHO's Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce. Yes, at a time when Jurgen Klopp's squad has never been stronger, Fitzy has brought out the big guns, and the trio certainly deliver in what is a must-listen podcast ahead of Sunday's trip to Cardiff City. But before the trio get to that game, there's a lot to look back on after what has been a special week in a special season. There's the win over Chelsea, what James describes as the biggest of the season so far, the 'awe and wonder', to quote Fitzy, of Mohamed Salah's goal, and the Southampton victory that Joe believes kick-started a run that marked the Reds out as potential champions-in-waiting. And, with Klopp's side in the hunt for a historic double, there's also Champions League talk, including the win over Porto and the prospect of facing Barcelona and Lionel Messi in the semi-finals. No-one is fazed. Any why would they be? Not when they've got a manager as good as Klopp at the wheel. Fittingly, then, a large part of the podcast is dedicated to the remarkable job the German has done at Anfield, his record in the transfer market, and his man-management, which James perfectly illustrates with a fascinating insight into Klopp's one-to-one chat with revitalised captain Jordan Henderson. There's a lovely diversion about what Alisson Becker may (or may not) have said about Liverpool's new kit, the emergence of Joel Matip as Virgil van Dijk's partner, and just what is going through Manchester City's mind after what happened in midweek. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media at Melwood to preview Sunday’s trip to Cardiff City and talk much more else besides. Klopp’s double-chasing side will lift at least one of the two trophies they are chasing if they win their final seven games of the season, and the Liverpool manager is asked what it’s like to be in that position, how he keeps his players relaxed, and how they train at such an intense stage of the campaign. Klopp is also questioned about the damage done to Manchester City following their dramatic Champions League exit as well as providing a fitness update on Joe Gomez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dejan Lovren. The Reds boss also has praise for Tottenham Hotspur – City’s conquerors in midweek – and for Mohamed Salah after his selection by Time magazine as one of the most 100 influential people in the world. And of course there was a little bit about the game, too, and the biggest danger relegation-battling Cardiff pose. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's the morning after the night before and a 'tired' Ian Doyle and a 'sprightly' James Pearce (he may be lying) are joined once again by David Lynch, the Evening Standard's Liverpool FC correspondent, for a special Blood Red podcast recorded at Porto airport (gate announcements, saxophone playing and all). The talk, of course, is dominated by the Reds' 4-1 win over the Portuguese champions in their own backyard, which sealed a 6-1 aggregate success and set-up a semi-final showdown with Barcelona. James believes the victory showed just how ruthless Jurgen Klopp's side have become while David praises their ability to remain calm in the tough moments. Also on the agenda is Klopp's substitutes and the strength of his squad as well as the change in Mohamed Salah since he broke his duck. And while there'll be plenty on this in the next fortnight, the trio also focus on Barcelona, which includes a crazy stat from Ian, a nice anecdote from James about his only previous visit to the Nou Camp, and why the Spanish giants' style could suit Liverpool down to the ground. And before Ian races off to catch his plane, there's also a discussion about what Manchester City's exit at the hands of Tottenham could mean for the Premier League title race. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Welcome to the Post-Game podcast to react to a 4-1 win for Liverpool over Porto that sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second season running and set up a truly mouthwatering last-four clash with Barcelona. But as good as Messi, Suarez, Coutinho and Co are, they will not relish facing a double-chasing Liverpool side whose rivals for the Premier League title, Manchester City, saw their quadruple dreams ended by Tottenham, who will face darkhorses Ajax in the other semi-final. But whereas it was a dramatic night at the Etihad, the Reds cruised through 6-1 on aggregate in Portugal, meaning Jurgen Klopp, remarkably, is still yet to lose a European tie since taking over at Anfield. James Pearce has been with Liverpool every step of the way of Klopp’s reign, and our man kicks off this podcast with his verdict on yet another night to remember. Klopp’s after-match press conference follows, before we hear what Reds fans made of it. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Ian Doyle and James Pearce have overcome (possibly) a late night and (definitely) the cleanliness hotel in the world to record a special Blood Red podcast from Porto. They are joined by Simon Hughes, author and journalist, and by David Lynch, who is the Liverpool correspondent for the Evening Standard. And after Simon explains the bad blood that still exists between him and James, the quartet get down to the business of previewing tonight's Champions League quarter-final second-leg at Estadio do Dragao. Topics include how both teams will approach the tie, why the Portuguese champions' perceived happiness at the end of the first leg could be misplaced, as well those pre-match comments made by the Porto manager about the Reds being the best team in the world. And, despite the never-ending hoovering in the background, the panel also discuss whether there will be any fallout from Mohamed Salah's tackle at Anfield, why confidence abounds in the Liverpool fan base, and why Jurgen Klopp may go back to what he knows this evening. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

A 2-0 victory over Chelsea, a dominant position in the Champions League quarter-final and Cardiff City to come - life hasn't been much more hectic at Liverpool. To make sense of it all, Kristian Walsh and Josh Williams sit down for Episode 8 of Analysing Anfield, assessing the tactics and statistics behind the latest step in this historic season. Once more, the midfield balance is addressed, with a debate over whether Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum should occupy the third slot. Wijnaldum is reliable, but Henderson could be the key to unlocking Mohamed Salah once more. There is also a lot of love for the maturity of this Liverpool side - and it is something they will need more of in Portugal as an unlikely Porto comeback is assessed. The boys also talk Cardiff, as well as an impromptu episode of Exploring the Etihad, looking into just how Man City can slip up between now and the end of the season. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp was in front of the media at the Estadio do Dragao.last night to preview Wednesday's huge Champions League quarter-final second leg against Porto. The manager of the Portuguese champions showered Liverpool with praise in his press conference and Klopp's starts his with a response to Sergio Conceicao's pre-match claim. The Reds boss is also asked about inter-squad rivalry and, bizarrely, who is favourite Brazilian player is (we think). Klopp goes on to answer two cracking questions from our own James Pearce, including some really positive news about Joe Gomez. But another journalist risks the German's wrath by asking which competition - the Premier League or the Champions League - he would like to win the most. Luckily, Klopp's mood was lifted by a question from The Anfield Wrap. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

What an afternoon it was at Anfield. And to reflect on the 2-0 victory over Chelsea, Ian Doyle, Paul Gorst, Caoimhe O'Neill and Sean Bradbury have recorded the first of this week's four (!) editions of the Blood Red podcast. And why not? With Liverpool very much in the running for a dream double, every game has to be taken on its own merits. But while the panel do preview the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Porto on Wednesday toward the end of the podcast, which includes the usual line-up and score predictions, the vast majority of the show is focused on the Reds' first home win over Chelsea in seven years. It was a win that took Jurgen Klopp's side back to the top of the Premier League and piled the pressure firmly on Manchester City. The panel wonder whether there is now a clear favourite in the title race and whether Mohamed Salah's sensational strike is both Liverpool's best and most important goal of the season. Jordan Henderson set up Sadio Mane to open the scoriing and our writers discuss why the Reds skipper looks so revitalised and the reasons behind Naby Keita's ever-improving form. They also talk Klopp's post-match press conference, and particularly those 'slip' comments. Was the Reds boss right? Has 2014 now been consigned to history? Have a listen to find out. It's well worth your time. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

On another dramatic afternoon in this unprecedented, who-blinks-first race for the championship, Liverpool responded to seeing Manchester City win 3-1 at Crystal Palace by sweeping aside old foes Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield to go back top and move onto 85 points, which would have been enough to win nine previous Premier League titles. And to react to what was a superb victory, we have a bumper Post-Game podcast, which starts with the definitive verdict on the action from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce, continues with the full audio from Jurgen Klopp's brilliant press conference after the match, and features nine buoyant Reds supporters who called into the show. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Much of the build-up to Sunday’s massive match has been dominated by talk of what happened when Liverpool welcomed Chelsea to Anfield the last time they were so close to winning the Premier League. But as Jurgen Klopp made clear at his press conference, this is a different time, and this is most definitely a different Liverpool. The Reds boss did, though, talk up Chelsea’s recent good form and the danger of Eden Hazard, which was fair enough, given Maurizio Sarri’s side have won four on the spin, inspired by their talismanic No 10. But at the same time it wasn’t too long ago that supporters were calling for Sarri’s head. So to find out exactly what’s going on at Stamford Bridge, and to see if Chelsea can repeat that devastating result of April 2014, Paul Wheelock speaks to Nizaar Kinsella, who covers the club day in, day out, for Goal.com. They also talk about the racist abuse suffered by Mohamed Salah at the hands of fans claiming to support his former club Chelsea, the future of the Liverpool-linked Callum Hudson-Odoi, and why this could be the worst time to face the brilliant Hazard – providing Sarri plays the Belgian in his correct position.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's hard to ignore the parallels between this weekend's crucial visit of Chelsea and the corresponding clash between the clubs almost exactly five years ago at the back end of the 2013-14 campaign. Everyone knows what happened that day - Steven Gerrard's slip, Jose Mourinho's antics - and it would be fair to say that game could be in the back of the mind of some Liverpool supporters come Sunday. But that won't be the case with Jurgen Klopp. The Reds boss made that abundantly clear at his pre-match press conference, and his words are one of the big talking points of the Blood Red podcast, hosted by Joe Rimmer and featuring James Pearce and Paul Gorst. Is Klopp right? And even if he is, are there lessons that still could be learned from that fateful afternoon? Both questions are answered before talk turns to Chelsea's and Eden Hazard's impressive record on the red half of Merseyside. But don't worry, the mood of the podcast picks up in the second half and by the end you will have every confidence the Premier League leaders will get the job done. There's also discussion about Klopp's response to the racist abuse suffered by Mohamed Salah, and just exactly how the defence and midfield will line-up against Chelsea. *This podcast was recorded before it was announced that Liverpool great Tommy Smith had passed away, aged 74. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media at Melwood on Friday afternoon. But sadly, the first question did not concern Sunday's massive match, but the racist chanting directed toward Mohamed Salah by what is claimed to be Chelsea supporters ahead of their side's Europa League match in Prague on Thursday night. The Liverpool manager speaks strongly and passionately on the subject before talk turns to football and the visit of Chelsea. Klopp is happy to talk about the current Chelsea team, but understandably, has no interest in going over what happened almost five years to that fateful day when the two teams met at Anfield. Klopp is also questioned on the dilemmas he has over Jordan Henderson, and at centre-back now that Joe Gomez is fit, while he lavishes praise on the Reds fanbase. He also gives a great answer when asked how do you defend against Eden Hazard, before the press conference rounds off with his thoughts on the form of Naby Keita. Enjoy - and we'll be back later with the Blood Red podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

So this is the calm before the storm. Liverpool resume their Premier League title challenge on Sunday when they welcome Chelsea to Anfield in what could be a match that makes or breaks their chances of pipping Manchester City to top spot. But according to the latest Allez Les Rouges podcast panel, there is no need for concern. Host Peter Hooton is joined by Accrington Stanley manager – and big Red – John Coleman, regular guest Kieth Culvin and the ‘James Milner’ of our podcasts, Dan Kay, and all four are confident Jurgen Klopp’s side can get the job done. John, who knows a thing or too, believes that Liverpool are now in the ‘zone’ that all players and teams aspire to get into, which was best summed up by the nature of the win at Southampton. That game is discussed, as is the more straightforward Champions League quarter-final first-leg victory over Porto, as talk turns to a possible dream double, before it turns back to the showdown with Chelsea. In a quirk of fate, given what happened almost exactly five years ago, City travel to Crystal Palace immediately before the Reds host Maurizio Sarri’s side, and Dan for one, hopes a few ghosts will be exorcised. Also up for debate is the key role Joel Matip is playing – but not in defence – and whether Sunday could be the time for a change at full-back, before a must-listen podcast rounds off with details about the Sean Cox charity match.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's episode seven of Analysing Anfield after a busy week for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. After a nail-biter on the South Coast, host Kristian Walsh and tactics expert Josh Williams look at what went right and wrong at Southampton - and why any criticism of the midfield that night should be put into context. Indeed, the midfield is a big focus on the show, with Jordan Henderson's new role and Naby Keita's old RB Leipzig form being discussed. The Guinean is hailed as a unique player, while there is a fair bit of love for Henderson's change of role. The win over Porto is also assessed as the pitfalls of the second leg are considered, while there is also a huge Eden Hazard warning ahead of Sunday's Anfield clash with Chelsea. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's the morning after the night before and Ian Doyle, James Pearce and Theo Squires have overcome tiredness - and in our Liverpool FC correspondent's case, illness, despite his mid-season break - to record a mini Blood Red podcast to reflect on the 2-0 win over Porto. James believes the build-up to the match, and the match itself, underlines just how far the Reds have come under Jurgen Klopp while Ian and Theo agree the Portuguese champions were better than some pundits gave them credit for. But can Porto turn it around in the second leg? Our panel have their doubts, but they have no doubts about the improvement of Naby Keita, who set Liverpool on their way to victory with his second goal in as many matches. There's also words of praise for the captain, Jordan Henderson, and Roberto Firmino, while there is a discussion about whether Andy Robertson was missed, before James explain Klopp's rationale behind selecting Dejan Lovren. And, in a must-listen podcast, there's also VAR talk and whether Mohamed Salah got lucky. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy