It’s a huge six-point showdown at Anfield on Sunday when Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Premier League.
Reacting to Jürgen Klopp’s pre-match press conference this afternoon, and debating Jordan Henderson, Spurs’s status as a big club and Virgil van Dijk’s fitness are Gareth Roberts, Craig Hannan and Ian Ryan.
Also on the show, Spurs fan Sean Farley speaks to Neil Atkinson about how Tottenham supporters are feeling about putting an end to an awful Anfield record that shows just two wins in 25 matches in L4.
Aerial duel percentage won per league game this season:
Matip: 74.14%
Van Dijk: 76.92% (only 1 app)
Lovren: 64.41%
Klavan: 55.93%
The “Matip not good enough in the air given his height” line passed around a bit too much. He’s not particularly weak in the air. There’s more to evaluate than his height vs aerial dominance anyway.
You’re right, and it’s becoming a worrisome trend: a ‘line’ is put forth, people do not check out its veracity or even its plausibility, it gets repeated ad nauseam (Ryan, Hannan and Nevin are the absolute worst when it comes to just repeating the same shi*e over and over and over again, on multiple podcasts, etc) and it becomes a “talking point” and taken-for-granted fact.
Also, for supposedly having decided to get over the transfer period fuming, worrying, whinging and moaning, way too much time was spent doing exactly the same, all the while pretending otherwise.
Someone should count the number of times Ian Ryan says “Listen, …” during a show. Invariably, absolutely nothing of substance or interest follows that ‘admonition’. Jejune, trite, boring commentary, sprinkled with “whilst”, “to be fair” and ingenious renditions of our players’ last names. Enough!
Spot on…especially when followed up with qualifying statements about how great Henderson is…Klopp says what he must…but the rest of us can talk about what is actually visible on the pitch…when you go back to 13/14 era pods …you can listen to the same statements espousing the quality of downing, spearing and adams…Can is expendable to some, while Hendo is essential…strange ideas for strange times
Really hope that the 24 hour difference works against Spurs. They subbed Alli, Son & Dembele all after the 80th min. Tiny advantage that we can be that much more fresh
Matip is shite full stop . What’s he good at ?
He’s a bit of a shit house to boot .
No, he’s not. He’s a classy, talented footballer, an excellent reader of the game and has a deep understanding of tactics. His vertical mid-to-long-range passing is almost Lucas-like (i.e. outstanding), as well. And, under no circumstances is he a “shit house”.
Although Spurs have finished 2nd and 3rd in recent years, I would argue that in those seasons they still never really challenged for the league in the way that we did in 13/14′. That was an actual title race, whereas Spurs’ never threatened Leicester. We’ve also come closer to winning cups being runners’ up in the Europa league and League cup. That’s three major European finals in what twelve years? Although these comparisons of relative failure, are really not too much to shout about for either club, I don’t think we’re doing that badly in comparison. That said, Spurs are a very good side, and I like the way they have come to prominence. I think both clubs should be looking to vie for that 2nd place this season, and hopefully condemn United and Arsenal to the Europa.
Everything that was said about Spurs and how they could lose their manager and best players if they don’t win a trophy any time soon, the same could be said for Liverpool.
Liverpool pay their players bigger wages and generate more money as a club. Spurs also have a stadium to pay for.