Scouser

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return to look at everything LFC from Liverpool, and despite yet another international break being underway, there’s plenty to talk about. There always is with this club. Time and again referees get more attention than they should, but if there’s one week where the spotlight must be firmly on them it’s this week, and on one referee in particular. The official in question is David Coote, he who saw nothing wrong in some basketball in the box from an Arsenal player, he who ‘forgot’ to check if Jordan Pickford deserved a red card for almost ending the career of Virgil van Dijk. Now a video has been released, from maybe four years ago, which to many Reds suggests Coote has a deep-seated hatred of Liverpool Football Club, the city, its players and former manager Jurgen Klopp. The descriptions of Klopp in the video, “German c***”, is vile, something that would lead to a long ban and huge fine for a player, quite possibly enough to get a fan a banning order if uttered at the ground. As Jay and Jim discuss, excuses that may come out about being, perhaps, under the influence of alcohol, won’t wash, because as Jay says, drunk people tend to speak the truth in a way they won’t speak it when sober. As Jim points out, the level of hatred on show in that video makes it seem extremely doubtful that others at the PGMOL would have no inkling of Coote’s true feelings about Liverpool and its people. As referees go, there’s a long list of questionable decisions Coote’s been involved in, whether as referee, fourth official or VAR, but other referees have longer lists. For years we’ve had to convince ourselves it’s all down to incompetence, or basic human error, but the video released this week suggests there may be something more under the surface. Is there really just one bad apple at the PGMOL, or is it just none of the others are stupid enough to go on video showing how rotten they really are? As Jim says, the PGMOL shouldn’t be left to mark their own homework on this, a deeper investigation is needed to see how widespread this problem is, and to come up with solutions to avoid the integrity of the game ever being called into question to this extent again. Whatever happens to David Coote, this has to be an opportunity to improve refereeing in the Premier League. Something that this podcast has mentioned on numerous occasions is that just excluding referees from involvement in games purely based on the clubs they “officially” support isn’t enough. This should also be a trigger for the introduction of post-match interviews for referees. As Jim and Jay point out, it needn’t mean a referee facing a barrage of questions from a roomful of journalists, but it could mean the chance for fans, players and coaches to hear very quickly what the thinking was being a strange decision. A referee with integrity would surely have no fear in facing such an interview. Aside from David Coote and the video he’ll be remembered for more than anything else he did in his refereeing career, it’s been a good couple of weeks for the Reds since the last Scouser Tommies. Three wins in three games sees the Reds topping the Premier League table and the Champions League mega table. Jay and Jim discuss those games and the differences we continue to see at Anfield under Arne Slot, bringing plenty of smiles to Reds faces. Certain other clubs are also giving Liverpool fans plenty to grin about, including – of course – that lot from across the park.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return to look at all the latest on LFC from Liverpool. On this week’s show there’s a look back at the games against Arsenal and Brighton and a look ahead to the games against Brighton (again) and Leverkusen. Liverpool came away from the Emirates with a deserved point, but not so deserved if Arsenal fans are to be believed. The complaining about refereeing decisions, unless they’re on the right side of them, the inability to accept maybe they have some responsibility for their own bad days, the over-the-top celebrations after a win that meant nothing last season, they’re sounding more and more like another club we know all too well. The Reds were far from perfect in that game, there were plenty of points for the staff to take away and work on, but a point was fair enough. The next game was in the League Cup, away to Brighton, and although it was a much-changed side there were spells in that game, just like the one before, where Liverpool seemed content to sit back and let the opposition have all the ball. It’s not going to be easy watching Liverpool do this, it’s not what we’ve grown used to over the years, but so far so good, it’s bringing the results. The League Cup match was a game that gave Slot the chance to see what some of his backup players could do, and some took the opportunity better than others. Despite the win, it did show up some shortcomings amongst the squad, and perhaps some pointers on where the work needs to be done in the next window. Jay wonders if Tyler Morton might have done enough to put himself ahead of Endo as a fifth midfielder, although Jay almost thought he had a new role for Endo too, which didn’t quite work out. Slot explained what he saw Alexis Mac Allister’s role as being, and how he’s been familiar with the player’s abilities since long before he took over at Anfield. Slot’s comments on his midfield this week underline just how much he has a first XI in mind, with just tweaks here and there to handle injuries or fatigue. With what Slot already knew about his players, and what he’s learned so far, he and Richard Hughes must have some good ideas of where the gaps are and how to fill them. As Jay points out, given the lack of signings last summer, it would send out a positive message to fans if moves were made in the next window to strengthen the squad. As Jim adds, not sending that message would send out quite a different one and questions might start to be asked, not necessarily of Slot or Hughes. Next up it’s Brighton at home and, with the clocks going back last weekend, the yellow balls will be out at Anfield for the first time this season, the floodlights needed well before full time. Will it be a game with the same kind of atmosphere that Anfield is famous for under the floodlights? It’s a 3pm kick off too, a rarity that many fans want more of. After that it’s the return of Xabi Alonso, as he brings his Leverkusen side over for the next Champions League mega league match. Many wanted him to get the job that became Slot’s, so a lot will be read into how this game pans out.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back to talk all things LFC from Liverpool in the latest episode of Scouser Tommies. In this week’s show Jay and Jim look back at the home victory against Chelsea and the midweek win against Leipzig, before looking ahead to the trip to North London and Arsenal. The more we see the Reds playing under Slot the more we see the differences he’s bringing to the club. As Jim says, the squad Slot took over wasn’t that far from being a great team, but fresh eyes have found ways to improve it without changing it. Far too early in the season to say just how good a squad it is now, but it’s becoming more and more obvious just how good Slot is at managing games and instilling into his players the importance of picking and choosing when to force things. The win over Chelsea came despite some PGMOL-level refereeing, to the extent that Arne Slot’s usually calm exterior was blown away. Jim and Jay were impressed with Curtis Jones, who covered for an internationally broken Alexis Mac Allister. The local lad celebrated his new dad status with some excellent play, winning a pen, winning another pen that was somehow disallowed, and winning the game. Well, getting the winner. Has he moved ahead of Dominic Szoboszlai in the midfield pecking order? Jay has some constructive criticism for one member of the Liverpool XI who has been involved in the last couple of games, one who has been showing a trait that has bothered Jay for a while. Nothing he wouldn’t say to the player’s face over a brew, should he ever happen to be in the same place drinking a brew, but something that needed saying. And now it has been. For all that good play from Curtis at the weekend he was held back on the bench for the Champions League game, which earlier in the season might just suggest Slot was reverting to more of his favoured eleven. But with the boss saying after the game that he brought Mo Salah off half an hour from the end with one eye on Sunday, could it mean Curtis was being saved for that? Robbo also made way in midweek, for a player better at taking corners, but again does that suggest he was being saved? One player who has got a good chance of starting is Darwin Nunez. Arguably Slot’s second choice central striker, the Uruguayan has shown in his most recent minutes that there’s far more to him than that chant sung so originally by every set of opposition fans. With Jota out injured – through a foul that Sunday’s ref maybe should have punished more appropriately – Darwin could get some time to prove to Slot that he’s worthy of more game time regardless of the misfortunes of other players. With a League Cup game to come in midweek there’s plenty more rotation to come, but for those big games – the League itself and the Champions League – Slot does seem to be more reluctant than previous managers. As Jay points out, that could well be in no small part down to players being in a better position to play more minutes due to changes in training and tactics. One standout player in this regard, as Jay says, is Ibou Konate. When the boss does need to rotate, thanks to the squad he inherited he has plenty of good options to go with almost anywhere on the pitch. If there is one place that doesn’t really apply, it’s at centre-back. Slot can turn to Quansah or Gomez, both good cover, but it’s no criticism of either of those players to point out just how much better the two first-choice centre back are. The better they are the harder it is to rest them, but the longer they play the more chance there is of a fitness issue. Next up: Arsenal, a side who might be a few players short come kick-off. It’s a huge game as far as the season goes, a defeat for the Reds doesn’t bear thinking about but a Liverpool win would really open a gap up between the current leaders and last year’s runners-up. As Jay explains, a draw would not be a bad result, and it may well be that Slot sees it that way too, which may see a more cautious approach from the Reds than we’ve been used to at their place. The thought of the Arsenal boss, of course, reminds us of his days across the park, days that still give us something to smile about. Talking of which, the residents of that soon to be demolished wooden monolith have been giving us more to laugh about. Never change.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return with the latest from Liverpool on the best team in the world, the top-of-the table Mighty Reds. Another international break is finally over, and it made such an impression on Jim and Jay that they saw some of the games. Well, one of them saw some of the games. One game. Well, one clip of one game. Thankfully, proper footy is back, and it’s going to be hectic again. With yet another international break around the corner, those running the different bits of the game must squeeze in as many games for their competitions as they can before club players are reclaimed by their countries. As a result, the Reds have a lot of games to fit in, and with clashes against sides from the top end of the table, including Chelsea, Arsenal and Villa, maybe this interval between non-proper footy breaks is the toughest one so far under Arne Slot. Early last season Liverpool drew away to Chelsea and it seemed like a decent result, given the huge amounts they’d spent beforehand. Yet as the season went on, it felt more like a missed opportunity. With the London blues now back in the top four, has their latest manager has got them performing in a way that justifies all that outlay? Jay and Jim have their views. (We won’t put the current guy’s name in here because they change bosses so often it could be a new one by the time we go to press). With Arne Slot loving his early starts for press conferences. there was very little for him to give away in terms of what state his stars have arrived back from their national squads in, but Ali and Harvey aside, it could be close to a full-strength, if still slightly jetlagged, squad for him to choose from for the visit of those who think of themselves as rivals, who we see as plastic rivals. Like their flags. Arne will need to keep something in reserve for the midweek trip to Leipzig and the game against one of the Red Bull teams. Will ex-boss Jurgen Klopp be there in his new capacity as something important at Red Bull? Will he be able to give away any secrets, let them into any of the players’ weaknesses? Or could it be Pep has already shared all that on the Red Bull Managers WhatsApp group? Still no concrete news on contract situations for Trent, Virgil and Mo, but Jay is kind of hoping they’re just waiting for the right time to announce it. Until they do announce something, whatever way that might be, Jim points out that the uncertainty just feeds all those who feast on sharing negativity. Talking of announcements, there will eventually be an announcement on the new Liverpool kits from Adidas, but obviously not until Nike have had every ounce of exposure for the cash they paid for their deal, which has almost a full season to run. Until then there are rumours and leaks, and it looks like a change of kit manufacturer isn’t taking away the desire to base new kits on retro ones. As Jay and Jim recall, Adidas have made some of the best LFC kits, if not for the quality of the design, for the quality of the memories conjured by seeing one.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return after a short break just as proper football has been stopped again for another international break. As good a time as any to take stock on the season so far and how Liverpool have adapted to life under the new boss, Arne Slot, and his boss, Richard Hughes. As Jay and Jim discuss, the season has started as well as either could have asked for, with just one defeat in all competitions and the Reds top of the Premier League, still in the League Cup and joint top – goal difference aside - in the Champions League. Given how the summer window went, maybe that’s a better position than anyone expected for Liverpool. With just one player added to the ranks – in the already well-equipped front line – and many more players leaving whether at the end of their contracts or because offers were made that the club didn’t want to turn down, it was a long way from being a dream window. Maybe it’s too early to say if that will hurt as the season goes on, but Jim wonders if it was a calculated risk by the club to give both Slot and Hughes more time to really assess what the budget should be spent on? Part of the reason the club are doing so well might be down to the lack of generosity being shown to opposition forwards. Two goals conceded in the League, one in the Champions League, one in the League Cup. That’s down in no small part to Slot having at his disposal such a top-quality centre-back pairing, one which Jay argues may be the best in the world. As good as they both are, and as hard as it would be to displace them, should we be looking for extra backup for those slots beyond Quansah and Gomez? The last line of defence, when all is well, is the best goalkeeper in the world, Alisson Becker, who has saved Liverpool far too many times to remember, and that’s just this season. Sadly, he’s not the most injury-free keeper in the world, and as Jim and Jay discuss, maybe that injury record was part of the reason for signing a new keeper for next season, one who might be more than a number two to the Brazilian, without being a number one. It’s explained better on the podcast. With the Reds’ international players busy for their countries the inevitable interview quotes keep coming in, and with Liverpool fans waiting to hear if new contracts will be signed by certain key players those quotes can sometimes carry more weight than they should. It does feel as though it would take a monumental mess-up for Virgil Van Dijk not to sign for at least a couple more years, whereas with Salah it’s hard to tell what will happen, he’s still too good to drop down to Saudi football, but will Liverpool offer him enough financially to stay around? With Trent it seems odd to even be considering the idea he might not sign a new deal, or that he’d only be offered one well below his worth to the club. He’s living the dream that Jay and Jim had back when they were kids, the dream of any Liverpool fan growing up on Merseyside and beyond, so won’t that be enough to keep him at Anfield? Well, that’s where those quotes come in, with him talking about what he’s going to be looking back on when his career comes to an end. Is he hinting at going somewhere where trophies might be easier to come by? As Jim and Jay point out, would those trophies mean anything like as much as winning them in the Red shirt of his own childhood dreams? The international break also reduces the hilarity that flows so naturally across Stanley Park from the neighbours, but that’s fine, they aren’t the only side whose name begins with ‘E’ to give us all a lot to laugh about.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back for another episode of Scouser Tommies, sharing their thoughts from Merseyside on all the latest with Liverpool FC. Arne Slot got his Anfield era off to a great start but, just as the momentum was really building up, along came an international break, followed by something of a wake up call with his first defeat as Reds boss, and a home one at that. Up next was a trip to Milan for the first game in the new look Champions League, and with Slot's side a goal down within a couple of minutes, it didn't seem like anyone had woken up. What followed next was a lesson in how to win away in Europe, as good a performance as seen in any of the six campaigns that ended with Liverpool's name back on the European Cup, as the Reds took control of the game and came away comfortable winners against an AC Milan side that had few answers. For anyone lucky enough to miss the Forest game, no names mentioned, it might feel like someone has been on a huge wind-up and that result didn't happen. Opening moments aside, Liverpool looked as good against Milan as they did in those games leading up to the international break, playing in the style that has seen them retain much of what was already good with the addition of more control in their passing, more thought in their movement. For those who weren't lucky enough to escape the Forest game, it brought into sharp focus some of the issues that might be to the Reds' downfall this season if they aren't addressed. As Jay explains, Slot seems to be worryingly averse to rotating his squad, playing the same XI game after game. There were big gaps between the first few fixtures, but coming back from international duty and going into an intense period of two games a week until the next international break, Jay expected more changes. As Jim adds, the squad wasn't strengthened in the summer, more players left than joined, and it really is time to start spreading the workload around. Slot tends to leave his substitutions until late, so those on the pitch are getting a lot of minutes - and those on the bench might be rustier than we'd like when they do get to play. There's another home game up next, again against one of the sides that Liverpool would always be expected to beat. But being expected to beat a side doesn't mean the job's already been done, which maybe was part of the problem in the weekend just gone. After that comes the start of Liverpool's defence of their League Cup, but as good as it is to be lifting trophies in our second home, Anfield South, Jay hopes that Slot prioritises it appropriately and makes more use of his squad. As Jim points out, it's an ideal opportunity to give some of those lads who've mainly been warming the bench a chance to show what they can do in a competitive game. It's been a start most Reds would have been delighted with had they been offered it before the start of the season, so any criticism of Slot is still very limited, and with many Reds it just constructive criticism - and no Liverpool manager has been immune from that from the Kop at one stage or other! Across the park there's plenty of criticism, none of it all that constructive, as they stayed welded to the bottom of the table - but at least they've not got a cup run to worry about. Some things never change…

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return to discuss all things Red from Merseyside, as Arne Slot goes into his first international break as Liverpool boss with a 100% record and an unbreached defence. The transfer window didn't go as well as many fans had hoped, with only one new signing available to Slot until at least January. Jay recalls Liverpool's new Sporting Director Richard Hughes talking about how the club would make opportunistic signings, which Jay agrees they have, but everyone is wondering where the rest of them are. Not that anyone watching Liverpool's 3-0 demolition of old enemy Manchester United at their old place would have been thinking too much about the need for new signings. Slot was able to put out a side full of talent that embarrassed the hosts, a side that can only get better as it takes on more and more of Slot's ideas. The worry for Jim is that as strong as LFC's first XI might be, it won't stay strong if it gets overused over the course of the season. Three weeks, three games, few changes, nine points, seven goals, not a bad start at all. But after this international break the football is back to thick and fast, a game every three or four days, broken only this side of Christmas by another two international breaks. Some of those games are Champions League games, the Reds back in the big one, but this season sees the start of a bizarre new format that ditches the idea of playing a team home and away, at least for the first eight games apiece. As Jim says, it feels like calculators are going to be needed as the tournament unfolds, and Jay points out it just doesn't seem right that the entrants to the knockout phase won't be decided by Christmas any more. Lots more to discuss this week, as well as finding time to spare a thought for the two sides who hate Liverpool most, neither of which will want to see the number three for a while. As for Reds fans, well there's plenty to be happy about!

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back and so is the proper footy, as Liverpool get the new season and the new Arne Slot era underway with three points on the road against Ipswich. That first game was brilliant for Reds fans, or at least Reds fans who missed the first half. As discussed by Jay and Jim, it was a game between a side still getting over its summer holidays and one that was playing in game it’s been waiting years for. As rusty as it was to start with, words at half time, along with a substitution, seemed to make all the difference as what used to be Jurgen’s Reds started to get used to a new set of instructions from a new boss. The return to Premier League action doesn’t mean the end of silly season though, unfortunately, with the transfer window running a little while longer yet. Unfortunately for Reds fans hoping for a strengthened squad, Liverpool’s window seems to be made with one way glass. Talk of a new Reds No.6 has died down since the much-publicised breakdown of the last attempt to bring one in and talk of signings seems to have shifted to a new goalkeeper – but one who won’t actually join any of the club’s squads for at least a year. Meanwhile, players are being allowed to leave, in most cases youngsters that maybe weren’t realistically going to be a regular part of Slot’s plans and would sooner or later stop counting as youngsters in the squad lists submitted to the Premier League and Champions League. Joe Gomez is a more senior name reportedly set to depart, leaving the Reds painfully short of centre-back cover. As Jay and Jim discuss, it’s a long campaign and whilst there are still many youngsters at the club who could provide cover in an emergency, nobody wants to get to the point where a certain centre-back has to be called back into the first team. The long campaign includes Champions League football, but not as we know it, with UEFA showing those Super League upstarts how money shouldn’t come first, by adding an extra two games per club before the knockouts start. Jim tries to explain the new format briefly, but it isn’t a format that wants to be explained briefly. Next up for the Reds is Slot’s first real game at Anfield as Liverpool boss. The recent friendly gave him a taste of what it’s like at Anfield, but as Jay points out, it’s a slightly different type of crowd that goes to a friendly than goes to a league match. And as Jim points out, there’ll be away fans at this one. As always, there’s something to chuckle about from across the park, as Jay and Jim wonder what will happen to Everton’s trophy cabinet when they move to their new stadium.

Jim Boardman is once again joined by Jay Reid for a look at the latest from Liverpool on the Reds and as always there’s plenty to talk about. Football’s summer break is almost over, at least in terms of competitive club fixtures, but for a lot of the Reds squad there hasn’t been much time to rest at all. International commitments for many of the players mean new boss Arne Slot has had less time than he would have liked to really get a look at what he’s going to be working with. Pre-season fixtures gave him some insight on some members of his squad, but he might not get to start with what he thinks is his first-choice line-up before the season starts for real with the 500-mile round-trip to Ipswich on August 17th – at 12:30. That trip to the US was successful for the Reds, three wins in three games, opportunities for the manager to really get to know his youngsters, a first chance for a number of the first team to impress and a 3-0 win over one of the main rivals. It’s only pre-season, but a win’s a win against that lot. For Jay and Jim the transfer silly season is best avoided, but sometimes a name will seep through that’s worth a look. Strong links to a certain midfielder, a move that some on social media are happy to make things up about, suggest that the Reds might be making the kind of move they really could have done with making a year ago. Liverpool should have enough room for a couple of decent signings, not just the one in the headlines now. However, the clamour from some to get players signed early seems to be one that doesn’t really suit where the Reds are this summer. As Jim points out, it might have been possible to get some signings done sooner had Liverpool only brought a new Head Coach in this summer, or only a new Sporting Director, but it seems like it was more sensible to wait, assess and then move for new faces. As Jay points out, Slot told us this was the plan back on his first day at the club. Profit and sustainability rules have to be kept in mind of course when it comes to working out who to sign, but Liverpool have enough coming in from commercial deals, TV money, shirt sales, gate receipts and the rest of it to have a decent budget. And that’s before any possible Covid allowance is taken into account… And Liverpool would be able to do that without the need to join a consortium of clubs that were making unusual but convenient last-minute deals with each other as the deadline for PSR kicked in. On this week’s show Jim and Jay discuss all the above and more.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back after a bit of a break and ready to get their pre-season underway. A new era is underway at Anfield, but it’s all kind of low key and behind closed doors as the international Reds slowly return from their exploits in Germany and the US. As much of England reels from the latest tournament exit of their ‘brave’ heroes, this time without pens, many in Merseyside are smiling. Liverpool’s relationship with England – the club’s fans or the city’s people – has been strained for as long as most of us can remember, and not just for football reasons. But when we are talking football, it’s the same as it ever was, as Jay and Jim try to explain. For those Reds stars playing for countries who do respect them it’s been a busy spell, although only Alexis Mac Allister will be arriving back at the Axa with a winner’s medal. Diaz and Nunez both had good tournaments, as did Euros joint top scorer Cody Gakpo, at least on a personal level. Cody’s club and country skipper Virgil Van Dijk was interviewed in the aftermath of going out of the Euros to that struggling England side and asked about his future. His response, along the lines of needing to get some rest after an emotional season – and it was definitely emotional – has been twisted in some quarters. As you’d expect. However, as Jim and Jay point out, he does have some thinking to do, but it’s unlikely any of the options he has in mind including Anfield early. We’ll see. It's been a quiet transfer window so far, but with the Reds starting their pre-season fixtures a couple of weeks later than usual, with no trips to the likes of Tranmere, Chester, Wigan or Wrexham, maybe it’s not worth panicking too much about it just yet. A new manager working for a boss who’s new to the club, not to mention the other changes to the structure, aren’t exactly conditions for having half a dozen signatures done before any of the players are back off holiday. As seems to be the case far too often, Jay and Jim find themselves talking about a topic that relates to football but has little to do with what’s going on the pitch. The scenes in the Copa America, first of all with players worrying about the safety of their families, and then fans worrying about their own safety ahead of the final. Football absolutely has to fix this, as a matter of urgency, before football fans and their families once again have to pay a price nobody should pay to see a game of football. You’ve had 35 years to get this right, 35 years where you’ve found every possible way to squeeze every last cent out of the supporters, whilst doing little to look after their safety. FIFA, UEFA, CONMEBOL and each country’s FA should be putting measures in place to ensure events of this nature are handled properly. Jim and Jay have a few simple ideas that could reduce the risks we see. And stop blaming it on fans. With news also breaking that FSG have binned their efforts to buy a French club, Jay and Jim discuss whether it’s right for clubs to be run by organisations with multi-club ownership models. There are pros and cons to it, of course, and done right it could be a boost to the sport, although as Jay points out, in one part of Merseyside any talk of club ownership is a touchy subject.