Blood Red: The Liverpool FC Podcast

Jurgen Klopp may be down to the bare bones but Neil Fitzmaurice can name one of his strongest squads yet for the latest edition of his superb Poetry in Motion podcast. Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce - this one, not this one - is on board along with debutante Caoimhe O'Neill and with Dan Kay, who makes a welcome return to the panel. And they swiftly get stuck into the idea that, after the draws with Leicester and West Ham allowed Manchester City to go back to the top of the table on goal difference, the wheels are coming off at Anfield. There is no doubt that Klopp's side have not been at their brilliant best since the turn of the year. However, there are mitigating circumstances for that, particularly the injury problems in defence. But James insists the question shouldn't be why Liverpool allowed Nathaniel Clyne allowed to leave. The quartet also pay tribute to the one constant in the heart of the Reds' backline, debate Roberto Firmino's form, give their backing to Naby Keita, and discuss just how big a boost having Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back fit will be - off the field, as well as on it. Talk then turns to a huge month for the club - starting with this Saturday's visit of Bournemouth to Anfield - and our second Blood Red Live event in Liverpool City Centre next Wednesday (February 13). Just five tickets remain. They cost £5 and include a free drink - and you can get yours by clicking HERE. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce is fresh back from the London Stadium and he joins host Joe Rimmer, Paul Gorst and Caoimhe O'Neill for the first Blood Red podcast of the week. James looks back on what he believes was the worst performance of table-topping Liverpool's season so far and, given the 1-1 draw at West Ham followed another at home to Leicester, he wonders whether it is time to be concerned. Gorsty was concerned by Roberto Firmino's display against the Hammers and believes it highlighted the paucity of attacking options at Jurgen Klopp's disposal. The Liverpool manager is certainly short of bodies at the back and Joe attempts to get to the bottom of the 'problem' in defence. Is it because certain players aren't good enough? Who in particular has been badly missed? And why was Nathaniel Clyne allowed to leave? James answers that latter question and whether he is still worried by Naby Keita. But, with the Reds still three points clear at the top, is everyone being too negative? Caoimhe thinks so. Spirits will certainly be lifted if Everton do their neighbours a favour and beat Manchester City at Goodison on Wednesday. But do the panel think the Blues can do that? The silence is deafening... For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

If the first signs of nerves among the supporters were on display in last Wednesday's 1-1 home draw with Leicester City, then the disposition of Liveroool fans desperate to see their club land a first league title since 1990 will hardly have improved by what they witnessed on Monday night. The Reds, once more, were not at their best versus West Ham United, and while a second successive 1-1 draw did extend their lead at the top to three points, Manchester City will take over at the summit with victory over a woefully out-of-form Everton side on Wednesday night. But this podcast concentrates on what happened at the London Stadium. James Pearce, our Liverpool FC correspondent, gets us under way with his verdict on what he describes as a ‘desperately frustrating night'. You’ll then get the chance to listen to every single word of Jurgen Klopp’s post-match press conference. And then we hand the show over to you, starting with the thoughts of regular contributors Matt Addison, Peter Lally and Nathan Davidson, before host Paul Wheelock reads out some of the comments left by Koppites on our Blood Red Facebook page. And then we’ll go back to the callers with four more Reds - Sam Planche, Matt Whitty, Owen Thomas and Mark Baker - phoning in. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

It's back to business for Liverpool tonight as they travel to the capital to take on West Ham United. And there will be pressure on Jurgen Klopp's side to deliver the goods at the London Stadium after their lead at the top was cut to two points following Manchester City's win over Arsenal. But, judging by West Ham's recent form, and judging by the recent history between the teams, you would back the Reds to get the job done. The Hammers were well beaten at Wolves in the week, have lost each of their last three matches, have major injury problems, and have conceded four goals in each of their last four games with Liverpool. That said, they have shown already this season they can beat and be a match for the top six and, in the likes of Felipe Anderson, they boast players who could pose a problem to Klopp's injury-hit defence. But surely the Reds will have too much? To find out, Paul Wheelock speaks to Sam Inkersole, who covers West Ham for the Football.London website. They talk the Hammers' progress since their opening day beating at Anfield, their Marko Arnautovic saga, the one player they are missing more than any other, the aforementioned Anderson, and what the atmosphere at the new ground is like nowadays and what it could be like tonight. Enjoy - and we'll be back after the match with the Post-Game podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The View from the Kop Liverpool fans' podcast is back and, with the Reds having every chance of winning the club's first league title since 1990, the mood should be buoyant. But the midweek home draw with Leicester City has created some questions that season-ticket holders Paul Philbin and Matt Addison, along with long-time fellow Koppite Neil Macdonald, attempt to answer on our latest show, which is hosted by Paul Wheelock. There were mitigating circumstances for the result with Leicester, which let's remember, was the first time that Liverpool have dropped points to a team outside of the top five this season. One of which was injury and suspension, which leads Neil to wonder whether Jurgen Klopp has missed a trick in not adding to his squad during the January transfer window. Philbo and Matt disagree, but all three question the departure of one player from the club. Another big talking point on Wednesday night was the atmosphere inside the ground. Philbo, who follows the Reds home and away, has particularly strong views, Matt tries to explain why it was so nervy, while Neil remembers whether the same tension existed when the club challenged for top spot season in, season out. After the podcast was recorded, Tottenham Hotspur closed the gap on Liverpool to four points. Are they the biggest challengers? Particularly if, as Philbo believes, Manchester City drop further points in what looks set to be a big week in the title race? The panel also talk Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita and Klopp's best midfield line-up before the podcast ends with a look to the future and, unlike last month, what could be a busy summer in the transfer market. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Allez Les Rouges podcast is back, and after their winter break, regular guests Ste Monaghan, Kieth Culvin and John Nicolson join host Peter Hooton to reflect on a squandered opportunity for Liverpool. Or should that be a step closer to the club’s first title since 1990? That’s the talking point that kicks off the latest episode as the panel discuss the 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Wednesday night. There was no doubting it was one of Liverpool’s poorest performances of an incredible season so far, but could you not see it coming given the way they played in their previous match versus Crystal Palace? Peter and Co ask that question while also wondering whether the national focus on Mohamed Salah in recent weeks is giving the officials pre-conceived notions about the Reds’ top-scorer and his team-mates. As off-colour as Jurgen Klopp’s side were against Leicester, there is no question they were on the end of some bad decisions. But were Liverpool helped by their own crowd in midweek? The lads don’t think they were and explain why. They also wonder about the true strength of Klopp’s squad now that the injuries have started to pile up, and long for the return of one player in particular, before they turn their focus to Monday’s match at West Ham United. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media today to preview the trip to West Ham United on Monday and talk many other things beside. Topics included the fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, whose injuries have left Klopp with a major headache at right-back, and the departure of forgotten man Lazar Markovic to Premier League rivals Fulham. Klopp also responded to accusations of gamemanship during half-time of the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at Anfield and addressed the matter of title nerves, which certainly affected the crowd on Wednesday night. The Reds boss also talked his captain Jordan Henderson, who is on the verge of making his 300th Premier League appearance, Naby Keita, the depth and versatility of his squad, and the threat posed by West Ham on Monday. You can listen to the press conference in full here - and we'll be back soon with the Allez Les Rouges podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Blood Red podcast is back, a little earlier than usual, to discuss the draw with Leicester City that extended Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, but left fans wondering whether their side had just wasted a golden opportunity. Our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce admits it was a frustrating night, but adds that it could have been worse, which leads host Ian Doyle to question whether it was actually a good result. Joe Rimmer and Paul Gorst disagree. So often Anfield inspires the Reds to glory but did the nerves and tension that undoubtedly existed in the crowd on Wednesday night have a negative effect on the players? The panel discuss that before talks turn to the performance of referee Martin Atkinson, whether Liverpool are getting a raw deal when it comes to penalties, and how Naby Keita got on after he was handed a starting place in his preferred position. Kyle Walker’s deleted tweet, Manchester City's desire and even Brexit get a mention before James gives us an insight into Lazar Markovic’s existence at Liverpool. It’s worth listening for that story alone. At the time of recording, there was little in the way of activity in or out of Anfield on transfer deadline day, and Ian asks whether Jurgen Klopp has made a mistake by not dipping into the market, before the podcast rounds off by previewing the trip to West Ham on Monday and predicting the Liverpool line-up at the London Stadium. Enjoy.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Five points clear at the top at the start of February? Liverpool supporters would have snapped your hand off for that scenario before a ball was kicked in anger. And that's exactly the position the Reds find themselves in after drawing 1-1 at home to Leicester City. However, there was no escaping the feeling that it was a missed opportunity to truly take advantage of Manchester City’s shock defeat at Newcastle the night before. Saying that, Liverpool weren’t helped by the conditions, the referee and a strangely nervous and makeshift back four. And you also have to take into consideration that Leicester are no mugs, which is reflected in the fact that they have become the first team from outside of the top five to take points off the Reds this season. So what did James Pearce make of it? Our Liverpool FC correspondent kicks off the Post-Game podcast with his definitive verdict on the night's action before we hear from the six Reds supporters who have phoned into the show – Simon Donnelly, Matt Whitty, Matt Addison, Ross Strachan, Mark Baker and Peter Lally. Before the podcast ends with the full audio from Jurgen Klopp’s post-match press conference. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Nice one, Rafa! Newcastle United's shock victory over Manchester City means that Liverpool will go seven points clear at the top with victory over Leicester City on Wednesday night. And given the table-topping Reds have won their previous 17 matches versus teams from outside the top five so far this season, you would not bet against them from getting the job done against an out-of-form Foxes side. But despite losing four of their last five games in all competitions, Leicester have proven they can take points off the top teams, and in Jamie Vardy they have someone who has scored more goals against Liverpool than any other player currently playing in the Premier League. So to find out what’s going on at the King Power Stadium, Paul Wheelock speaks to reporter and author Rob Tanner, who has covered the Foxes for the past 10 years for the Leicester Mercury. He talks the club’s expectations nowadays after their unbelievable and unexpected Premier League title triumph three years ago, the current mood toward manager Claude Puel and his relationship with Vardy, the former transfer target who could pose a big problem to the Reds’ injury-hit right-hand side, and sadly, how Leicester are attempting to move on from October’s helicopter crash tragedy. You will then hear from our Liverpool FC correspondent James Pearce after he returned from Klopp’s pre-match press conference. James gives you all the latest team news including the straight choice between who will start at right-back. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp was back in front of the media on Tuesday afternoon to preview his table-topping side's return to action at home to Leicester City. As always, the Liverpool manager had interesting things to say, starting with the fitness of Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho, Dejan Lovren, Gini Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and potential a novel solution to his right-back problem. Klopp also addressed the 'advantage' Manchester City have been handed in the title race by the TV schedulers and Mauricio Pochettino's comments about the importance of finishing in the top four. He also talked the 'massive threat' posed by Leicester City, and in particular Jamie Vardy, who has an incredible scoring record against the Reds. You can listen to Klopp's press conference in full here. Enjoy - and we'll be back on Wednesday with our Preview and Post-Game shows. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Unlike this time last year, when Philippe Coutinho upped sticks to join Barcelona, there was never any danger of Liverpool losing one of their big guns in the current transfer window. But questions remained over when Sadio Mane would join Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in signing a new contract until the Senegalese put pen to paper on a long-term deal at the back end of 2018. Mane has opened up about the subject in a new interview - the details of which kick off the latest Blood Red podcast, hosted by Ian Doyle and featuring James Pearce, Paul Gorst and the ECHO sportsdesk's second January transfer window signing, Caoimhe O'Neill. But while we've been busy, Liverpool have been very quiet in the market, much like a lot of their Premier League rivals, and James is on hand to play down one rumour. Ian asks whether Jurgen Klopp is missing a trick by not adding to his squad this month - especially when it appears the TV schedulers are doing their best to hand Manchester City an advantage in the title race. It now appears a two-horse race, with Tottenham's lack of squad depth coming back to haunt them, and the panel wonder whether Mauricio Pochettino regrets what he said about the Reds. James also talks about his exclusive interview with Simon Mignolet before the focus shifts to Leicester's visit to Anfield on Wednesday, Jamie Vardy's remarkable record against Liverpool, and some interesting team selections. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

We picked up the phone to Steve Dawson, a Liverpool fan based in Singapore, and presenter for Fox Sports Asia, for our latest podcast. As well as being a big Red, he is also a Bundesliga expert, as one of his main roles at the station is to anchor their coverage of the German top flight. That leads him perfectly placed to give his take on issues that will be of huge interest to his fellow Liverpool supporters - starting with Naby Keita. It's not quite happened for the midfielder since his big money move from RB Leipzig, and while Steve offers an insight into why that might be the case, he also explains why there is every reason to believe that Keita will come good. Jurgen Klopp has certainly done that as Reds boss and, with host Paul Wheelock, the duo talk his impact at Anfield, how it's viewed in his native Germany, and how he has evolved from his highly successful stint managing Borussia Dortmund, who themselves are now moving on from their talismanic former manager. So much so that Klopp admitted Dortmund were the team he wanted to avoid in the last-16 of the Champions League. Instead, Liverpool got Bayern Munich, and Steve touches on that tie, before talk turns to Timo Werner, the exceptional young Leipzig striker who has long been tipped to follow Keita to the Reds. And the podcast rounds off with a little bit about Steve himself and just how big Liverpool are in the part of the world he now calls home. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Jurgen Klopp’s side may have the weekend off, but there’s no rest for the Blood Red panel as they return with the latest must-listen Liverpool FC podcast. With Joe Gomez having suffered a setback, and the injuries and suspensions beginning to pile up for the Reds, Klopp may well be counting his blessings that there's no game till next Wednesday. But unless he risks Trent Alexander-Arnold for the visit of Leicester to Anfield, the Liverpool manager still faces a selection headache at right-back. Host Ian Doyle, Joe Rimmer and Blood Red debutant – and the newest member of the ECHO sportsdesk – Sean Bradbury discuss how Klopp could solve it and why there is already a precedent. Joe then lets rip about his dislike – and that’s putting it mildly – for the FA Cup and the ‘romance’ that is attached to the competition. The reason why the Reds can put their feet up this weekend is down, of course, to the fact they have been knocked out of the cup. But they will return to action against Leicester buoyed by back-to-back Premier League wins over Brighton and Crystal Palace. However, did the latter victory prove just how important one player, who does not get the appreciation he deserves outside of Anfield, has become to Klopp? There’s also talk of the two teenage strikers ripping it up at academy level, the training ground plans that demonstrate the commitment of FSG to Klopp and the club, before the pod rounds off on Luis Suarez and the club’s best ever January transfer window signings. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Liverpool may have been sunning themselves in Dubai – and no doubt doing a bit of work, too – but Neil Fitzmaurice braved the cold to make his way to the ECHO studio to record the latest Poetry in Motion podcast, ably assisted by his regular side-kick Joe Rimmer, and by Paul Gorst, who returns after an impressive debut before Christmas. Another brilliant show kicks off with a look back on last weekend’s thrilling 4-3 win over Crystal Palace at Anfield. Not for the first time, the Reds were accused of being lucky. But Joe is not having any of it, and even if fortune has smiled on Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, he explains why. The lads then wonder what magic Liverpool manager Klopp works at half-time as well as having a laugh at Roy Hodgson before discussing the break the squad are just back from in the Middle East. Could it lead to history repeating itself? Fitzy then reopens a can of worms when he asks whether Harry Wilson will ever be good enough for the Reds' first team before Gorsty makes an interesting and very good point about Naby Keita. Talk then turns to Philippe Coutinho, those Manchester United links and whether Liverpool are now better off without him. But can the same be said of Luis Suarez, who this week has made some interesting comments about his former club. The return of Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain (don’t call him ‘The Ox’ in Joe’s company) and the talents of James Milner's worst nightmare are also discussed before the panel look ahead to what’s up next for the Premier League leaders.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy