Scouser

Rereleased in memory of Jan Gorski-Mescir. In this special edition of Scouser Tommies, Jim Boardman and Jan Gorski-Mescir discussed the career of Liverpool legend Ray Kennedy after his death at the age of 70. Bill Shankly’s last signing, Ray would go on to be a key part of the Bob Paisley era, instrumental in the Reds making that step up from regular league title winners to regular European title winners. In Paisley’s words, Ray was “one of Liverpool’s greatest players and probably the most underrated”

Join Jim Boardman and Jay Reid on the Scouser Tommies podcast as they dissect Liverpool's crucial, yet increasingly nervy, end-of-season run-in. With the first potential fan-attended title win in 35 years tantalisingly close, they debate whether player complacency, nerves, or even a less intense Anfield crowd are contributing to the recent dip in form, especially when compared to famous European nights. Jay, speaking from his own match-day experiences, suggests factors like fan inexperience, the distraction of phones, and the impact of hospitality might be diluting Anfield's traditional cauldron-like atmosphere. The hosts ponder potential solutions, including encouraging fans to arrive earlier to recreate the legendary pre-match Kop buzz, stressing that both players and fans need to feed off each other to get over the line. The decreasing uncertainty surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold's future, at least officially, amid persistent Real Madrid links, is thoroughly explored. Jim and Jay discuss the fan disappointment over how the situation is unfolding, referencing Paddy Pimblett's comments about a local lad potentially taking his unique position for granted, and consider if this paves the way for Conor Bradley to secure an extended run at right-back. Amid the Trent speculation, there's positive news with Mohamed Salah's new deal signed and Virgil van Dijk strongly hinting his own extension is imminent. Securing these experienced leaders allows focus to shift to summer strengthening, balancing recruitment with developing the club's own talent, highlighted by the emergence of players like Kelleher, Bradley, and Quansah. Finally, Jim and Jay put the season into perspective, reminding listeners that Liverpool have already exceeded expectations set back in August. Despite recent stumbles, the achievement remains remarkable, and the hope is to secure title number 20 convincingly – ideally at Anfield. As always, there’s plenty to laugh about from that lot across the park.

Rereleased in memory of Jan Gorski-Mescir. Dave Hendrick was joined by Jim Boardman & Jan Gorski-Mescir to pay tribute to the great Roger Hunt on the day he sadly passed away.

Rereleased in memory of Jan Gorski-Mescir. Jim Boardman was once again joined by Jan as they continued the discussion of Jan’s time as a Liverpool fan, including his move away from the city and his support from further afield. Also, Jan gets an opportunity for the somewhat tricky task of choosing his all-time LFC XI, in his case made extra difficult by having more years as a match-watching Red to choose players from!

Rereleased in memory of Jan Gorski-Mescir. Jim Boardman was joined by Jan Gorski-Mescir for another of the special “back stories” episodes. In the first of two parts, Jan explained what it was that turned him into a Liverpool fan and it is arguably the most unique, definitely the most moving, of all the stories we’ve shared so far. Once he had become a Red, what was it about Anfield that kept him going back, and what was it like to be on the Kop in the era the nation, indeed the world, found out how special it was?

Rereleased in memory of Jan Gorski-Mescir. Jim Boardman was joined by Jan for a chat that sometimes gets onto football. They talked about what sets Liverpool apart from the rest of England, at least in their view, and they don’t mean Covid restrictions, and how the current Reds boss compares to the man who turned the club around so much in the sixties, Bill Shankly. Also, did the Premier League clubs get right with the PPV plan - or could it have been even worse?

After what felt like the longest international break in football history, Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back for another episode of Scouser Tommies, as the Reds get back to winning ways and move another step closer to league title number 20, despite the PGMOL's best efforts. The win came courtesy of Diogo Jota’s Merseyside Derby goal, one with a tinge of controversy. Liverpool’s 1-0 win extended David Moyes’s miserable Anfield record - he’s won as many games at Anfield as Everton had shots on target in this match. What’s that about proving you don’t have to win to win trophies to be a winner? The controversy over Jota’s goal was minor, and as Jim and Jay point out, easily explained. According to the laws of the game, Luis Diaz wasn’t interfering from an offside position, although miserable Moyesie might need it explaining to him a few more times. Less minor was the controversy over James Tarkowski’s tackle on Alexie Mac Allister. When even Duncan Ferguson is calling it a straight red card, there’s not much room for manoeuvre. Or at least you’d think so, but many a blue will be defending that for years to come, if asked. Just before they start to rattle on about the ‘offside’ goal. Another one for their long list. The PGMOL did point out the following day that Tarkowski’s horror show should have been a red, but there was no sign of an explanation as to how Greater Manchester referee Paul Tierney, on VAR duty, failed to spot what everyone else did. Liverpool’s next ref is from even closer to the city of Manchester. As discussed in the show, the derby win was much-needed and it really sets the Reds up well, and Jay discusses where Liverpool could be playing if and when they do finish the job. Not that the job is finished yet of course, and as Jim points out, next opponents Fulham aren’t always an easy team to beat at their own place. As well as the highs of the derby win there’s time to discuss the defeat at Wembley just before this break, and Jim wonders if maybe we are taking these occasions for granted. However, as Jay points out, the disappointment of losing that game will fade into nowhere if the Reds do complete the job in the competition that matters most, one we’ve not been able to take for granted for many a year. In addition this week, Jay and Jim discuss the Scouser in the team, Curtis Jones, who played at right-back in the derby and was on the receiving end of a lot of praise from his boss. There’s also a discussion on the Scouser out injured, Trent Alexander Arnold, whose future was under even more of a spotlight during the international break. Has he already played his last game for his boyhood club? With this show coming so close to a derby, there was always going to be a mention of the neighbours and their comedic acts.

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid return with an episode of Scouser Tommies that rides the highs and lows of a rollercoaster week for Liverpool. It stung to be knocked out of the Champions League, but with a League title still very much in our own hands, thoughts now turn to the potential glory of a Wembley final. The midweek clash with PSG ended in the bitter disappointment of the lottery that is a penalty shootout, one that didn't go the Reds' way. Despite the disappointment, Jay and Jim reflect on a campaign that exceeded expectations, even if it ended in a game that might have been a final were it not for UEFA’s weird seeding system. Darwin was one of the heroes of the first-leg, but when it came to the shootout did the Uruguayan striker sense the collective anxiety of a packed Anfield Stadium? Before that the Reds faced Southampton in the league, and went behind after an uncharacteristic mix-up between two of the stalwarts at the back for LFC. But something we’ve seen from Arne Slot since he took the reins at Anfield is his ability to make key changes during a match, especially at half time, and that’s exactly what he did this time, with Darwin on a rollercoaster and ending the day with a smile. The league game before that saw the Reds beat Newcastle 2-0 in a convincing victory under the floodlights. Now Wembley is calling and that’s who stands in the way of League Cup glory for the second year in a row for the Reds. Also for the second year in a row, Trent is out injured. With Ibou also a worry, Jay and Jim discuss LFC’s squad depth and tactical flexibility. Is Quansah ready to fill in at right-back, or will Arne Slot’s suggestion of playing one of the left-backs there come into being? Liverpool fans always find a way, but once again there have been travel woes for those lucky enough to be heading to Wembley, including a train strike that was called off yet hardly made things better. And, for some reason, it seems there’s been a lot more good will shown to the Toon Army than anything the travelling Kop has ever had when it comes to public transport options for the journey south. That said, the costs involved are eye-watering whichever side of the Pennines you’re travelling from. As for the final itself, Jay and Jim are confident as long as Liverpool are at their best, the way they’ve been for most of this season. Hopefully there’s enough experience in there for nerves not to be an issue. Next up for the Reds is a long break from matches, at least domestically, before the Anfield derby next month, and if Slot’s men do bring that Milk Cup home, maybe it would be a good time to show it off to the fans. Maybe one person in particular could show it off…

Jim Boardman and Jay Reid are back to discuss all things LFC from Liverpool, as the Reds move a little bit closer to a Premier League title and get ready for a tough trip across the channel for their first Champions League knockout game of the season. The Reds are now in a very strong position to win the league, having won crucial games against Manchester City and Newcastle. They are now 13 points clear at the top of the table, having played a game more, but as Jay and Jim discuss, at least some of that can be credited to a certain side from North London failing to capitalise whenever Arne Slot’s men did have a blip.If you can call it a blip. It’s been good to see the players are talking about a job still to be done, rather than talking like it’s a formality, but what has stood out to Jim and Jay has been the efficiency of the performances and the ability to do exactly what is needed to win games, game by game. It’s not always the same recipe. They also talk about the upcoming Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain, the first of the two legs being an away one. For those fans who are travelling for the away leg it will bring back fresh memories of a traumatic experience off the pitch. On the pitch it might be the most difficult opponent so far in this competition, one having a very similar season to the Reds domestically, but if Liverpool approach the two legs the right way they can progress to the quarters. That said, Jay wonders if maybe the seeding system needs a rethink. Also this week we got to hear the latest financial figures as Liverpool released the annual report. With a loss of £57 million is it something to be worried about, and with the explanations given by the club what should it mean for the current period? There’s also some discussion of the upcoming change in kit supplier from Nike to Adidas, a return to the manufacturer that was with us through so many iconic moments. As always, we can rely on the neighbours to give us something extra to smile about.

In the latest episode of the Scouser Tommies Podcast, Jim Boardman and Jay Reid have loads to discuss, including the Champions League draw, the trips to Man City and Newcastle, the games against Wolves and Villa, and some comedy from the neighbours. It was hardly a surprise when the draw was made that Liverpool got PSG, and so Liverpool fans are facing another trip to a city that was the opposite of welcoming last time the club were there. Those were different circumstances, a final no less, but being back there will stir some unhappy memories that had nothing to do with football. As for the football itself, Jay and Jim are broadly in agreement with Arne Slot about what the challenge will be, and how those trophies don’t win themselves. Our words not his. Before any of that though there’s a trip to the far side of Manchester for the game against Pep’s faltering heroes. Fresh from embarrassment against Real Madrid, is this one of the worst times to play them? The league table suggests their hopes of silverware this season rests completely on the FA Cup, but they won’t want to make life easy for the team currently in prime position to take that Premier League title from them. Recent games for Liverpool, whilst not including a single league defeat, haven’t exactly shown the Reds at their Arne Slot best. But is that not just been Liverpool’s way for years when playing against supposedly easier foes? As Arne points out, unlike other European leagues, there’s quality all the way through the Premier League, but at times it does feel like that message hasn’t got through to the players, and, sometimes, the fans. By the time players have turned up and the crowd has turned it up the fight has already started and damage has been done. When it comes to the biggest games, there’s a version of LFC that is capable of beating anyone, anywhere. Here’s hoping it’s the one that turns up down the M62 this weekend. Those last two games include a win against Wolves, albeit with a slightly nervy ending, and a draw against fellow members of the Champions League top eight, Aston Villa. Jay and Jim discuss those games, and as a result the injury list that is just starting to grow. Despite Cody Gakpo missing through injury and Darwin Nunez just missing, there are still players to choose from up front, even without sticking Curtis Jones up there as an experiment. But it’s at the back where it feels like there may be worrying times ahead. So far so good in terms of how well the squad has coped with the never-ending list of back-to-back fixtures, but it’s hard not to think Liverpool have been tempting fate by keeping their hands in their pockets during the most recent transfer windows. And it’s not just in terms of having cover and competition for the positions where the Reds have some of the world’s best players. It’s about having options when up against different types of team. As for Darwin, is it time to accept he’s not going to become the player we thought he might, or is there still something there? And are we handling him right as a club? Now we know when the Champions League games will be played we have a clearer view of how the fixtures are going to pan out for the Reds from now into April, and none of it looks particularly easy - but nobody ever said it was easy to win cups. As always, that lot from across the park (soon to be that lot from the middle of nowhere down by the docks), provide us with plenty to chuckle about.