The Liverpool Girlies | A Liverpool FC Fan Podcast
We’re three American girlies who love Liverpool FC, and this is our Liverpool FC fan podcast. The Liverpool Girlies brings you match reactions, season recaps, and real fan conversations about everything happening at Liverpool Football Club.
From chaotic group chats turned real-life takes to unfiltered opinions and vibes-only analysis, we talk tactics, players, arrival fits, and the emotional highs and lows of being an LFC supporter.
Whether you’re here to break down a match, celebrate a last-minute winner, or just scream with fellow Reds, you’re in the right place. Expect weekly episodes, fan-focused content, and plenty of love for Liverpool FC from across the pond.
The Liverpool Girlies | A Liverpool FC Fan Podcast
Liverpool vs Man City Match Reaction | A MO-ment Like This
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Stephanie, Annika, and Molly Anne reunite on the Liverpool Girlies Podcast to process the news that Mo Salah has announced this will be his last season at Liverpool, reflecting on his legacy, leadership, and the emotions of an era ending as other senior icons may follow. They share lighter moments (MLS jokes, April Fools posts) and discuss recent club content, including an “Inside Training” video highlighting team chemistry and the Legends match featuring Thiago and a return cameo from Jürgen Klopp.
The hosts cover a trivia question about Liverpool players who won the World Cup while under contract before recapping Liverpool’s 4–0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City, focusing on fragility, resilience, and leadership challenges. They look ahead to PSG in the Champions League, mention supportive comments about Arne Slot, and close with players of the week.
The Liverpool Girlies Podcast brings weekly Liverpool FC match reactions, Premier League and Champions League analysis, and fan-first football conversations with personality, humor, and plenty of Reds energy.
Come hang out with us on socials!
Check out our TLG Match Day play list!
Ep 32
SPEAKER_00If you're listening, Seattle's a great place. The MLS would welcome you with open arms.
SPEAKER_01Hey everyone, welcome back to the Liverpool Girlies Podcast, a place where we welcome anyone who loves to obsess over Liverpool FC. My name is Stephanie, and I'm here with Annika and Malianne. We are three friends who share a love of Liverpool, a dream of one day having a cup of coffee at the AXA Training Center coffee bar. It's been a couple of weeks. Welcome back, everyone. How are we doing?
SPEAKER_00Just a little emotional check-in. No, I'm very excited to be back. And yesterday was really hard.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I would agree. I think it was not helped by being such an early morning game for me. It honestly feels like a fever dream at this point. I'm like, what? Did that actually happen? But it did. And, you know, we've got more things ahead of us. So we'll talk about it, but also gotta keep moving forward.
SPEAKER_01The day keeps going. It's been a couple of weeks since we've been here, and quite a lot has happened. The main one being Mo has announced that this is his last season with Liverpool and he's leaving. We're not really sure where he's going just yet. How are we feeling?
SPEAKER_00I if I'm thinking back to like the day that it was announced, I felt like I was more in shock than maybe most people. Like when when it like I know like my dad was like, yeah, it's about time. And I was like, I'm sorry, what? I'm in like I'm in tears. Like I So I do think it's you know, the I think as the season goes on, I think the decision makes sense. It's sad because it's you know, just like part of he's such part of like an iconic season and time at Liverpool. And as those like older players start to leave, you know, that just starts to change. And we'll have a new iconic group ahead of us. Um, but it's sad to see some of that go. And and somebody that's just so influential within like the culture of the team. So yeah, I definitely cried. Not as much as when Klopp announced he was leaving. That one really took me out for like shocking. But um, yeah, I had some feels.
SPEAKER_01I feel like it's just a reality check because we're gonna start losing Virgil and Allison and Andy, like just those major senior icons of this team of like what we know Liverpool as, like our first like core people. It's just it's like, yes, it is time for Mo to move on, but it also just makes me I'm sad about it because it's like, okay, no, this is reality. Like, we're gonna have to, we've already said some really hard goodbyes, but it's there's more coming, and that is gonna be hard.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. Yeah, it hadn't like super been on my radar. And at the same time, as soon as I saw the video, like before we even watched it, I was like, I know what this is. And so it was one of those where I feel like I got to the place of acceptance actually pretty fast of like, no, I'm happy that this is on Mo's terms, that it wasn't like a big news hub before, and like rumors and rumors and rumors, like he's getting to um say goodbye in the way he wants to say goodbye. And I think that that's so important and like just for his legacy at the club. And yeah, I'm grateful to have been a fan when Mo was on our team and get to see some of his like best moments and and celebrate him. Um and also excited for whatever is is next for him. But it is, yeah, there's a distinct sense of like if this season wasn't already communicating to us that a new era is arriving, like the signs just keep appearing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Anika, like you said, I'm really glad he gets to do it on his own terms. And you
Marker
SPEAKER_00know, if you're listening, Seattle's a great place. The MLS would welcome you with open arms.
SPEAKER_01It would become a Seattle Sounders fan.
SPEAKER_00I was like, I would buy yeah, us and everyone else to the Seattle Sounders, all the matches, I would be there. So, you know, if you're just thinking about where your next move is all Roth Rock. Yeah, I would love to just put it out there. We would love to have you in the state of Washington. Yes, similar climate to Liverpool, a lot of similarities. You'd feel right at home.
SPEAKER_01I mean, even if he ended up in Portland or something, like that's not difficult for us to make it to those, you know.
SPEAKER_02Honestly, if he's anywhere in the MLS, I'm gonna be like, and my second love, that team.
SPEAKER_00Sorry, I don't know that's really where I'll land. I think I have a hard time imagining Mo in the MLS, but yeah. You know, Messi's here. Like Suarez is here. It's true. You never know. You never know. I did feel please. Please don't go to Miami.
SPEAKER_01Please don't go to Miami. No. What if what if Mo Salah ends up at Orlando City? Would we move back?
SPEAKER_00They just got Brieesman.
SPEAKER_02If they got Mo too, I'd be like, guys, I do feel pretty proud that uh I didn't fall for any of the Mosala transfer announcements on April Fools. So I resisted the rage bait. And my favorite one though was I saw an AI image of him signing to AFC Richmond.
SPEAKER_01Yes.
SPEAKER_02Which would be the only thing. And that was even before April Fool's.
SPEAKER_01It was literally, it was literally right after he announced I was like, oh, that makes sense 100%. Let's do that.
SPEAKER_02That was great. But no, it's definitely an emotional time. It's I also feel like gonna be hard. This kind of jumps into our game, but like he's just gonna want to end as best as he can. And there are a lot of things, whether it's within his control or outside of his control, that are kind of up against us this season. Um, and so I don't know what that will look like for him, but like it was so beautiful hearing um Anfield sing for him yesterday. Or I guess no, it wasn't Antfield, we were at the Etiad, but they were singing so loud for Mo. And and just getting to, I hope we get to just continue to celebrate him each game.
SPEAKER_01So it is really interesting seeing the difference between um Trent announcing that he's leaving and how even the club was posting about it and how the fans were posting about it compared to Mo deciding that he's leaving. Um it's just very curious. Like again, I'm always really curious about how the media team chooses to tell their stories, how they choose to post because like the stuff with Trent, it was just Trent is deciding to leave the club. And that video of Trent announcing was saying, hi, I'm leaving and I'm going to Real Madrid. And now with Mo, it's just no, I'm leaving, and this is really important to me. Like, it's just so I'm just so cute, and like it's fine. I'm not upset with Trent for doing that, but it's just really curious seeing the the general essence around it. There wasn't a ton of media stuff that was happening. Um, there was an inside training this week. I did not watch it.
SPEAKER_00We have to say one more thing about Mo. What's that? Without Mo Salo, we wouldn't have the Axa Training Center coffee bar. Oh we can't move on yet. You are so right. We have to cheers.
SPEAKER_01Cheers to Mo for that.
SPEAKER_00We have to, yeah, like Mo gave us that coffee bar. He's given us. I mean, I think the moments we maybe love most about this club.
SPEAKER_01Dang it. That just makes me so sad. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Like when I think about Mo, that's I think my first impression, like the first thing I remember like knowing about him is like being a girl dad.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And just like that energy. And then I just think like, you know, yeah, what he's given to like the fans just getting to watch like how they interact, especially at the coffee bar, is what I love the most.
SPEAKER_01He's only brought good. And even I'm sorry, I'm gonna say it. Listening to Lun the London is Blue podcast, like going back to their first couple of episodes and how much they dogged on Mo Salah 10 plus years ago when he was at Chelsea, and hearing that and knowing the Mo that we know now, it's like you guys had no idea. You had no idea what you had, he just needed to be in the right place, and yeah.
SPEAKER_02Well, and it just says so much about Mo's mentality and his fight, and like I've always admired that and respected that in him where he's like, I wanted a chance to come back to the Premier League and to have a different story because I wasn't performing the way I needed to before, and watching that be such a success for him, like what a cool um testament to his effort, but also just like what an athlete's journey can look like.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. And he is somebody that has put in the work, like he has talent, but like I mean, the number of obstacles he has overcome through his whole life to be the most solo that we know now. I mean, I think he's the only one that could do it. Like, I just don't know how many humans have that type of determination and commitment. He's exceptional. He's only brought good to the club.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Really. Like the crime rates went down, our stats went up, the way that he has influenced players, the way that he's been a leader, bringing new teammates in. Um, the how much he talks about mentality and how important that is, the way that he's always the first one at the gym, and everyone recognizes that, like, yeah, he's always here first. Like, I just know that he has inspired drive in both his teammates and thousands of kids around the world to push really hard for their dreams and knowing that, like, look, if you work really hard, you can make it happen. Um, whenever I think of my wife, I also sometimes think of Raj and how much he's obsessed with those abs.
SPEAKER_02So just yeah, and to have been Liverpool fans during the Mo Sala glow up era was also pretty epic.
SPEAKER_01Oh, when he shaved his head last year, mind boy. It was like, this is not Mo. And then it was he had his best season ever. Like that was incredible. It's all about the haircut, it's the Virgin Van Dyke effect, guys. Yeah, really truly. So, no, that's a really great thing.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I was like, we have we have to thank him for that contribution anyway. But yeah, just thinking like I was like, okay, maybe we need to move on. I'm getting a little teary over here and just like thinking about it. But yeah, it's just really like it's incredible how somebody that you don't know, but just get to observe, like, can be so impactful in people's lives, you know? Yeah. So yeah. Thanks, Mel.
SPEAKER_01We're grateful for you. Because we know you're listening. Well, there wasn't a ton happening off the pitch over the last couple weeks. We had international break, very exciting. Um, we did have uh inside training this week. I did not watch it, Balian. You did.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I got to watch it. It was just so fun to see everyone back and just like how much they love each other and love the staff. Like Hugh goes in there hugging Debbie and Caroline from he's trying to get in on the action, and they were like, no, no, no, sir, this is our love triangle. Um, so it's just like I love I we got to see so much of them just like coming back after being away for two weeks and welcome each other and and have that support, which was really sweet. The thing that stood out to me though, that I actually had a moment where I was empathizing with Isak because you know, as we're watching everybody come back to the training center, they're in training, uh they're a very like huggy, touchy team. And as somebody that is not a very touchy, physical, touchy person, I was like, I actually very much empathize with Isak because I get the sense that he is not a toucher either. And to be around a group of people that are constantly like yeah, I was like, that has to be really hard. I see you, Isak, and I understand you.
SPEAKER_02So yeah, and like he also hasn't been like out on the pitch being like physical with them, and he's Swedish.
SPEAKER_00Okay, yeah. I was like, it's just it's not who he is, and that's okay, it's not who I am either. So, but it was just I was like, me and Isak, we see each other.
SPEAKER_01I love that. I never would have ever predicted the day, never ever.
SPEAKER_00My jaws on the ground, but it was a good inside training, just I think maybe even after yesterday's loss. It would just like gave good feels. And I think if you haven't watched it, I would say go back and watch it because it's just a good reminder of like they're a great team, they really care for each other, they love each other. Mac walks in with like his you know, his new haircut, and everyone's rubbing his head, and um, so it was good, it was just like great team energy.
SPEAKER_01Now my prediction of Matt getting being the next one on the headband train no longer gonna happen. I saw that bus cut and I was like, it's done.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, because with Hungary was starting to like swoop his hair back. So I'm like, is he gonna go man bun? But anyway, go back and watch inside training. It just like this is good. It gave really it was just like really it was a really sweet one, like really good energy. You could see how much like again, they care for each other, they have great relationships. Um, so if you haven't watched it, I think maybe post FA Cup loss, it's like maybe a better watch.
SPEAKER_02I need a zhuj before we hit PSG because I need a zhuzh.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think inside training will do it.
SPEAKER_02I love that.
SPEAKER_01We also had the legends match. I didn't get to watch it, but I've seen lots of clips. That was really fun. Getting to see Jurgen again.
SPEAKER_02I was like, that's also that's both really great and also this is both exactly what Anfil needed and exactly what Anfil didn't need. Yeah, I but it was a lot of joy, it just was so fun to witness and celebrate. And that's the thing, it's like the club is so much bigger than what's happening this season, and having that perspective is beautiful.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I got to watch, I think most of the match. What was really fun to see was Tiago was playing, and our first season as Liverpool fans was Tiago's last season. We saw him play for maybe 60 to 90 seconds, and then he got injured again. And so it was just, I love getting to watch him. Phenomenal. I'm like, sir, I I think you could come back. Like it was so good. Um, so that was really great. Yeah, and then just the Jurgen of it all. They had a video that they put out where he was going around and like visiting uh people again and saying hello. And I mean, I love and respect Arnie Sla, and he is not, he would never be Jurgen Klopp. Like there is only one. But yeah, just seeing that, you're like, oh, there's just like a a heart and an energy that not it's especially because not everyone can do it. Um that but I wish we had it. I wish there was some some of that energy was back.
SPEAKER_01Especially on a season right now for someone where we just need a little bit of encouragement and like, hey, it's gonna be okay. And someone who is touchy feeling, like just gives everyone those big hugs.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01But it's you're not gonna get that from Rne. Yeah. And I'm not asking RNA to do that, but it's just like, oh, I'm just kind of like creating that just a little bit. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And it, but it's always gonna be hard to follow the the whoever the person was, you know, like no matter who came in after Klopp, they're always going to be compared to what Jurgen Klopp was and what he did. And no one can live up to that. You know, I think about it in like college American football, like you have Nick Saban leave Alabama. It doesn't matter who you are coming in after that, you can't live up to what was before you, you can only show up as who you are and know that it's gonna get compared, and that's really hard. And I think it speaks a lot about that he would want to come in and take that on, you know, it'd be much easier to be the the person after the person, after the person, you know, like give a little distance. It's easier to come in then. So um, but yeah, it was just Legends weekend, it was really fun. Great to see Jurgen back, and also kind of hard to see Jurgen back at the same time. Should we do this week's trivia question?
SPEAKER_02Let's do it.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um, coming off of international break, we now have we know all the teams, all the countries that have officially qualified. So I'm kind of like half still in Premier League season, and the other half of my brand's moved on to World Cup. So we're gonna go kind of a balance of these two with the trivia for today. How many players, while under contract with Liverpool FC, have won the World Cup?
SPEAKER_01That's a great question. Historically, yeah, ever.
SPEAKER_02This is not multiple choice.
SPEAKER_00No, I'm gonna let's let's we'll see.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Mac was not a Liverpool player when he won the World Cup, so he's not the most recent one.
SPEAKER_00I don't know that y'all know any of these players.
SPEAKER_02I was gonna say, I don't think that I know who's won the World Cup. Yeah, yeah. So just you know But France won eight years ago, right?
SPEAKER_00Yes, the one before Argentina.
SPEAKER_02Yes, you're right. But did was Kanate on do we have a French player? Kanate wasn't on our team.
SPEAKER_00It wasn't France, it's two countries. Okay, so these this number of players represents two different countries. Two countries.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna say three.
SPEAKER_02I was gonna say is this since pro the like the Premier League in the 90s or like ever? This is ever.
SPEAKER_00Okay, I'm gonna say four. Okay, you're very close. It's five. Ooh, okay. So we had in 1966, England won the World Cup. There were three Liverpool players on that team, Callahan and Byrne and then in 2010, Spain won. There were two players, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina.
SPEAKER_02Okay, I know Fernando Torres.
SPEAKER_00That's what I thought. I was like, if you know any of those names, you'll know Fernando Torres. Yes. Okay, I love that. Yeah, so five. There have been obviously more Liverpool players that have won the World Cup, just not while under contract. Yeah, not while they were officially associated with Liverpool as well.
SPEAKER_02And could this be the year that we add more? I say yes. If the Netherlands were it would like double.
SPEAKER_00I mean, I think the chances for Netherlands, France, Argentina, yeah, obviously all really good.
SPEAKER_02And we have two French players, one Argentinian player, and for yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00You know, and there's also other really like Jeremy can can get fit again. Yeah, yeah. Other strong teams. So wow. Okay, I love that. There we go. All right, so this week's Trebia question is sponsored by Mo Sala's iconic eight-pack.
SPEAKER_02Okay, you guys, let's talk about our match yesterday, our departure from the FA Cup. Um, and maybe just like the FA Cup in general, because I know our game has a sad essence, but there are things you know other people also had a sad essence, and we could celebrate that we could celebrate their sadness. I'm so sorry that I'm in such a dark place that this is my hope right now. I apologize, but that is just where we're at, okay? So we had um I think pretty similar viewing experiences, if I was to guess. Uh the game was at 4.45 our time. Which when you're playing Oh yeah, thank you. Appreciate that clarification. When you're playing when you're where we're at in the season and you're playing Man City at 4.45 in the morning after international break, and uh it's a knockout game, there's a certain level of like crazy you have to be to wake up for that, I do think. Uh and we've arrived at that crazy. I will always wake up. Yeah, I know, I will too. I have a confession, which is that I did watch I think 50 or 60 minutes of the game.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so my experience is um I had set my alarm for 445. Wake up right when the game started so I could turn my TV on. Uh my pregame anxiety woke me up at 4 40, turned the TV on, got the game going, closed my eyes, and I was conscious for the first half. I was hearing the I was listening to the broadcast. And so it's hearing the names going back and forth and back and forth. And I didn't hear the penalty, but then I like happened to like open my eyes and look, and I saw that Holland was about to take a penalty and I went, oh no. And then I heard that happen. And then I heard the second goal happen and I said, I'm done. And I turned off my TV and I went back to sleep. So I watched the first half. And then I thought that's gonna be the best for my physical health, my mental health, my spiritual health. Like we gotta protect that right now. Um, so I did not, I also did not watch the entire game. If that makes me a bad fan, I'm really sorry, but I'm still gonna show up, you know.
SPEAKER_00I had a very different experience because I woke up at 3:30 in the morning, not trying to, but was awake, watched the whole pre-show, watched the whole game, made myself breakfast post-match, and then went back to sleep.
SPEAKER_02So you win. Yeah. I mean, or recently. Uh try to wake up that early, but I just was awake. I woke up and watched it on my phone. I actually was very awake through the entire first half. Like I was I was very much present to the game. And then at halftime, I turned off my phone and was like, I'm just gonna like take a little nap for a second while we're at halftime, turned it back on, and could just tell things were not going well. And so after the third goal was scored, I was like, I think this is my cue, that it's okay. Woke up in time to see a text message from Molly Ann that said this is not real. Assumed that meant that there was a fourth goal. Uh, checked the score, said yep. And I was like, Yeah. And I fell back asleep. And when I woke up, I was like, Did I have a fever dream that Liverpool played in the FA Cup and lost 4-0? I think I did. Yeah, I think that happened.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01Now our group chat was eerily silent because usually when it's this bad, we're talking about it. And this time all of us were just like, that's just how it is, got nothing left to say.
SPEAKER_02I don't have a ton to say other than just like the feelings of like coming back, feeling a little down, knowing that we have PSG coming up, knowing we have Everton coming up. It just is like, okay, take a deep breath. This is part of the journey. Um, you know, Man City's been in good shape and they are a good team, and they beat us bad.
SPEAKER_00I I did think looking at the starting lineup, because we had some changes. Flo is out on the left. Yes, Cody Gakpo didn't start, and I'm not saying like that is, but I just I really liked this lineup. Curtis was starting, yeah, Joe was there, you know, like so I didn't go into that match. I mean, I knew like it would be tight because that's how we always play with Van City, but I felt really hopeful and I was like, okay, I like this lineup, yeah. You know, we've had a little break, and I really thought the first 30 minutes, like we had great possession, but we you know, it just but it was again one of those moments where you knew if we didn't score first, it was really fragile and it was just gonna it was gonna burst whatever the the bubble was. And I mean that's ultimately what happened. It was just like that's what happened. Yeah, it's like as soon as that penalty kick PK went in, like it was like, oh, I think we're just kind of done.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, Marmy has saved a Holland PK before. So even when he went to take the PK, I was like, okay, like this we could lock in still. Um and even after just that first one, I was like, it's not good, but if we go into the half nil or one nil, like we could squeak something out, or at least because I was like, at least it wasn't a goal from like from open play from right, like there wasn't a true defensive.
SPEAKER_00I mean, we gave up the penalty kick. I understand that, but like there wasn't like a true like breakdown in play to cause it. So I get I felt the same. Like I was like, the bubble has burst, but like it's not totally done. Once they once Samenyo scored that second one, though, it was like I was like scored the second one. It was like, oh okay, well, this is over, yeah. Which is hard, but like there's just such a a mental, like a resilience problem. And I think that's honestly the harder thing to fit to have to try to fix.
SPEAKER_01I think the word that you have used a couple times now is fragile, and that is the perfect way to describe their mentality this season, is fragile. And you're totally right, that is the most difficult thing to fix because Arne is so tactical and moving things around in a tactical way. He's a genius at like him last season with the players that we had and the mentality that we had and how everyone was locked in, he could do what he does super well, but it is so hard to fix this. And yeah, I don't know what the answer is. I don't think anyone knows what the answer is.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I also this morning I was like, you know, just trying to think through that mentality component. And obviously, footballers are young, like that's how you are a good football player, is because you have youth on your side. But, you know, I also think we're just in a moment of seeing a really young team that they have to build that belief in themselves as individuals and as a team that they can overcome these moments. And I think, you know, the last couple of years we've had a team that was leaning a a little bit older in the span of playing football, but they had experienced really big moments together that they were able to overcome. And this team doesn't have that. And, you know, I I just think they're yeah, just trying to learn that for themselves as individuals. They're trying to learn that together. And then I think when you are so under fire every single week, it's harder to think of the team aspect. And I think it's easier to think like, what can I do to not be the one that you know, social media attention gets pulled towards to call out, you know? And so it becomes just a little less like team. And I don't think any of this is intentional, and I don't know if it's true, I'm not one of those players, but that's just like what I can imagine. Like, I don't want to be the one that everyone's coming at after this match to like let me try to do my best. And I think when some of those individual decisions are made, just kind of the bigger picture gets sacrificed a little bit.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and I just wonder how much just with the difficulty that this season has been, and it feels like right now, like, well, obviously FA Cup's over. I don't really know how much hope we had for the FA Cup anyway. I mean, I know Smidgeon, but we were gonna have to be Man City and potentially also Arsenal. Not actually, but you know, um it feels like so much pressure, right? Or not pressure, but like any level of hope for this season is lying in the Champions League, which is yeah, pretty interesting. Um, but I so I wonder how much and to be fair, when we play in the Champions League, I see a level of resilience and want in our players that we don't see during other games or we haven't seen during other games for the most part.
SPEAKER_01We've said this pretty much all season. When you see, and it's been rare this season, when you see them decide that they want to win, they're unstoppable. But that decision, that confidence has been so rare. We saw it against Real Madrid. Like that is the biggest one to me, where I was really concerned going into that match. And then we ended up winning 2-0, and then we lost 4-0 to Man City that weekend. So they try when they choose that they want to win, it's they're unstoppable.
SPEAKER_02I just wonder how much of each player's mind is like invested in certain things like Champions League or I have World Cup ahead of me, or you know, when you kind of understand, like, okay, Premier League, nothing good's happening. FA Cup, Carabao Cup, you know, I don't know. It's just interesting to see, and I'll it was fun to see during international break a lot of our players' individual successes on their country's team, like and to be like, oh good, like confidence building.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, insane.
SPEAKER_02Which flow was great yesterday too. It just everyone has to be great. Everyone has to be great, and the confidence has to be there the whole time from everyone. Yeah. I well, I just feel like I'm feeling for Dom. Like he brings that mentality, he brings that push, he asks that of others. And this is the like second or third game in a row where Dom's comments afterwards are basically like, yeah, we have to want it. Yeah. And I like that would be really frustrating as a teammate to be like, I am physically so present. Like, no one is doubting Dom's effort.
SPEAKER_01Um imagine what Dom's snatch would look like this season if everyone showed up.
SPEAKER_02This would be Dom's Mo season from last season. I mean, it already is. Like, Dom has played incredibly, he's one of our top goal scorers.
SPEAKER_01Like I mean, we played three games against Man City. We have scored one goal, and it was his free kick on the second game. And they've scored what 10 goals against us in those three matches. Like, that's bad.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I also think for Sobo, like, if he wants to be that leader and if he wants to be the captain, this is this is the time to learn how to do, and I know he's been captain for hungry, he is a leader, but like I do think there is a step he has to take right now in like not just like you have to deliver your best, you but you also have to figure out how to get that out of your team. And yeah, he's young and they're all learning. I think again, like we're saying, that's part of this resilience problem. But I I hope, you know, Verge, Mo, like there are people around him working with him on like, okay, it's not just you can't just storm off the field and be like, nobody wanted it valid, but like, where does that translate in other places? What are you doing on the pitch during a match to help call out to like start to fill that Virgil role where we've seen, and I don't think we've seen it as much from Virgil this season, but like last season, Virgil is like navigating where everybody's going, you know, and so but who starts to fill that? Like somebody has to start to be that presence on the pitch. And I just I hope it is dumb. I think a lot of people want that, you know, and so I hope he can not get so bogged down in the frustration, but like yeah, can be part of the solution in fixing whatever this is.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, totally. And I would I want to make a point of saying all of these problems are not one specific person's fault. Like they're everyone as humans, we want to place blame, we want to look for that, especially when we're really frustrated. But it is not one person's fault. We talked about it on the last episode about yeah, RNA is the coach, but he is not the manager, like he's not making all of the decisions the way that Jurigan did. I saw a tweet this morning, maybe yesterday, of oh no, it was this morning. Um, someone said Jordan Henderson would have never let the locker room get like this. Our captain is not doing his job. And I was like, do not dare drag Virgil's name through the mud because Virgil is incredible and he's doing everything that he can. I 100% believe that. Every person that is on our team has proven to us that they have the character and they all belong here and they have the talent to really be champions. I believe in every single one of them. But the most frustrating part is that there's not just one answer and it's not consistently the same thing that's wrong over and over again. And we're just in a place where, like, we just don't know. There's just so many unknowns.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Kenaj gave a really great interview over the international break. And one of the questions the reporter was asking him was, What, you know, why basically, why is this season the way that it is? And he was saying, you know, I think people forget we worked for years to get to be the team that wins the Premier League. Our first season as Liverpool fans, he was like, Two years ago, we were playing Europa League, we didn't qualify for Champions League. Nobody talks about that anymore. He was like, We've moved on from that. Like it's you know, so he's like, it just takes time. And I think there is it is just that really hard balance of it takes time and everybody wants it now. And we just, you know, when you don't look good repeatedly, like it's just harder. But I thought it was really valid of like yeah, no, everyone forgets like everything we did year over year to get here. It doesn't happen in a preseason, it doesn't happen, you know, in two weeks. So yeah.
SPEAKER_01Anyway, no matter what happens on the pitch, like, yeah, it's it's disappointing. And I I am just I've been trying to figure out like just asking that the existential questions of like, why is why is it important to people? Why are people getting so upset about this? Like, why do people feel that they're owed a really good game from the players? And like, sure, it's entertainment, it's really entertainment, and the big picture, I will forever support this club. I will forever show up for them and support them and cheer them on. And this year, it's not as entertaining, and that's okay. It it makes it a tougher blow because last year, at this point, we were like, we're gonna win the league. There's like this many games until we play Tottenham and we're gonna win the league. Thank you, Everton, for drawing with us because we got to win the league at home against like at this point last year, like the sports girly judge was so strong. Everyone was just living. We were so, so happy. And like this is honestly, it's an average season. It's frustrating, but this is an average season. But because of how amazing and how much fun it was last season and the entertainment levels, it adjusted everyone's expectations. And so it makes this feel worse. But no matter what happens on the pitch, I'm going to show up for them because what they have given to me is community. The fact that the three of us get together and talk about this and meet people all over the world who are also fans, the way that it has given us new friends, the way that we get to show up to the pub and commune and like get out of the house in the winter. And the amount of joy that they have brought me, no matter what happens on the pitch, that is what means the most. And that is why I love this club. I love what they stand for. I love um the humans that run it from behind the scenes, from the guys that we see on the pitch. It's just they will forever bring me joy, no matter what the scoreboard looks like. And I wish that that was something that was talked about more often. And I wish they were given a little bit more grace. Um, but I also understand that people get frustrated. Like people spend a lot of money to go and see them and like they want to be entertained, they want to do well, and they're not taking anything away from us, you know? So I just really appreciate this club, and um, it's gonna bring me joy no matter what.
SPEAKER_00I agree. Well said, nothing else to add.
SPEAKER_01Um, any other thoughts about, oh, before we move on, yes, we lost 4-0, but you know who else lost and is out of the FA Cup? Arsenal. That was my I was like, when I heard that, I didn't even see it on the internet. Uh Annika's the one who told me, and I was like, don't even care about getting out of the FA Cup anymore.
SPEAKER_02I saw it and I was like, hope exists.
SPEAKER_01There was some Arsenal fan who's on Twitter who has a pretty decent following. It was just like that was a fluke win. And Southampton FC responded to their tweet and said, Enjoy the quadruple. I I love Southampton's social media, they are ruthless. Like, oh my gosh. Anyway, it's we love seeing Arsenal blues.
SPEAKER_02My other favorite tweet from yesterday was saying uh Chieza fell over trying to put to put his track pants on, and that pretty much sums up how today went. Yeah. I didn't see that personally, but that tweet did bring me a laugh. And I was like, you know what? Sometimes we just have those days. I have those days where I'm like making breakfast and I'm like, why do I keep dropping everything? Like I can't hold on to anything, I'm falling over, everything's going wrong. That does not define everything. Like, you know, sometimes you fall over when you put your pants on.
SPEAKER_01Oh, next game that we have is against PSG Champions League. Crossing the fingers because we've been doing really well in the Champions League. Article loves the Champions League. And who knows what's gonna happen. How are we feeling? Are we feeling optimistic?
SPEAKER_00Always feeling optimistic. My hope is kind of the same, like with the Galatasterai two legs, where if we can go and ideally keep a clean sheet, whether it's like a nil-nil draw, or you know, just if we're only down by a goal. I maybe this is where my I'm not as optimistic. I do have a hard time thinking we're gonna go to PSG and come out winning. Like I think a draw or just like down a goal. Yeah. Would I would feel really good coming back to Anfield. If we I don't know, I think maybe I feel a little nervous if we win at PSG. Like, I think we need to keep a little fire. Like, I mean, don't lose on purpose.
SPEAKER_02Draw, but just draw. Okay, if we win at PSG, let's win like five mil. You know? And then score five more goals at Anfield. Like, yeah. So I definitely think if we did that, people would have no idea what to do with Liverpool.
SPEAKER_01That was another tweet that I saw that was like, man, I just really hoped uh they do really well in the Champions League. So it's really everyone's really confused about what to do with RNA slot. And I'm like, yes, 100%. Like, please. Another thing that happened on the media, Gary Neville and Steven Girard and a couple other people were on a podcast. Did Molly Ann did you see this that I sent to the group chat? Okay. Um, Gary Neville basically was like he asked Steven Girard. He was like, I haven't really asked you this whole podcast. I wasn't really gonna bring it up. But like there's just talk about everyone wanting you to coach, and like you ex Javi Alonzo, like, what are you thinking about that? And I really appreciated Gerard because he said, I want to make it very clear. I do not want Arne Sla out. I want him to be given the opportunity to fix this because I think that he can. So that made me very happy.
SPEAKER_00And that goes a long way within this community. You know, I think I'm really glad because he obviously he knows he carries a lot of weight. Yeah, and rightfully so, has earned all of that. And you know, hopefully people can listen.
SPEAKER_01Gary Nebel also said, I don't think that Right needs to be sacked. Like, I think that he can do good things at the club. And Steven Girard also recently said that he hasn't really enjoyed watching Liverpool this season.
SPEAKER_00So, like, yeah, like yeah, it can be both. Neither.
SPEAKER_01It's not as been, it's not, it's not been as fun, but yes, it can be both. Well, I'm also glad that we still have the home leg second. That is gonna be good.
SPEAKER_02This has been the redemption tour of the Champions League, is our second home leg. Oh so I'm I feel cautiously optimistic. I feel I feel sure that at minimum we will put up a very big fight and I will feel proud of the effort. Um, because PSG is a very good side, and this is gonna be hard.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think I do struggle with the people after yesterday's match being like, and now what are we gonna do? I do. I'm like, okay, not great, but like, have you not? Well, you've seen us play not great before and then show up in the Champions League.
SPEAKER_01So that's the part, it's so confusing. It's so confusing. It really is.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. So I think little to no sense, but yeah.
SPEAKER_01I start traveling for work on Tuesday for like three weeks, and so my viewing experiences will be a little bit different over the next little bit. So hopefully, especially next week when my event's going on, we're just gonna have my phone up, checking people in. Sorry. I'm watching Virgil Vidyke score a header and all right.
SPEAKER_00Well, as we look, finish our look back and looking forward. Who are y'all's players of the week? Steph, do you want to go?
SPEAKER_01Um, mine is not a player. I would like to give my player of the week to the media team, the Liverpool media team, because their job is very difficult. They have to figure out how to stay neutral/slash positive, but not be too positive. But also, people have to like monitor comments, maybe. I don't really know what it looks like for them, but they have to choose what to post. And last year we got to hear so many stories and there was so much content. And Liverpool had like the most media interactions of any team in the Premier League and the Champions League. Like they did incredible. But this year they have to tow a very, very fine line of still celebrating the team and making people aware of the things that are going on. But also they're just not doing very well. And so they have to face, I really hope that there's not anyone in the comments all the time because they have to face a lot of interesting comments and blame and just a lot of negativity in that. Um, and they have to get really creative about the stories that they share. So they're doing a really great job, and I'm so curious about it. And one day I hope I get to ask them a lot of questions, but um, I would like to give it to the media team.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's such a good point. I'm so grateful for the media team because they remind me of the heart of the Liverpool Club and why it is so fun. And like they just do such a good job of pointing back to who they are and their identity. So that is a great pick.
SPEAKER_01They're phenomenal storytellers and the way that they handle PR is incredible. Like they stay true to their story and their identity in a way that is really inspiring to me. I yeah, I could go on and on about it. So good job, Liverpool social media team. Slash media team, period, storytellers.
SPEAKER_00Onika Hooter, player of the week.
SPEAKER_02Well, speaking of comfort, uh players of the week, I picked Curtis Jones. Okay, because when there is only darkness in my life, I look to Curtis Jones and he is the son. So thank you. Um no, but honestly, in a season where I felt so confused defensively and so confused with the forward, honestly, the midfield has given me some sense of peace of mind somehow. Um, and I think Curtis actually played for what from what I watched yesterday. So I do apologize if it really went down in the end of the game. But I thought he played great. And again, his mentality. Curtis has mentality and fight, and I love seeing him get to start um recently. So Curtis, pretty usual. Great choice. Good trend and true. Yeah. How about you, Molly Ann?
SPEAKER_00All right, my player of the week this week is Ryo Ngamoa. Uh one, because I think he just brings like something new and some energy when he comes off the bench, but I also think every time he comes off the bench, he's being asked to kind of do the impossible right now. You know, there aren't many times where he's been able to come in and like we're up and he, you know, just like gets to enjoy that. Like he's usually being asked to come in to try to find the answer that you know his senior players couldn't find. Um, so it just I think it's a big ask. He comes like he gives it his all every time, but it's a hard position to be put in week in, week out to have to try to come on the last, you know, 10-15 minutes and see if you can be the one to change the score line. Uh and you know, the very first match of the season, nuke, right, or first or second, like right in the beginning, he did do that. Like he came in and and found that goal. And so I think it put a lot of expectation on him that like he could just kind of come in and make those things happen. And he he makes an impact, but uh he's not always set up with the most success in those moments, and so I just think I want to give him a shout out of like we see what you're being asked to do, and you have the skill and talent, it's a big ask sometimes.
SPEAKER_01He is replacing the chaosness of Darwin Nunez and the steadiness and consistency of Diogo. Like, those were the two players that I was like, okay, they're great replacements. We need some new energy, bring them in. They can usually put something together. Um, so you're right. The the weight of expectation on Rio's shoulders is pretty incredible.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Yeah. And I don't think anyone's like, oh man, Rio didn't, you know, didn't pull this out for us. But I think as any player would, and I think especially as young as he is, like he wants to prove himself. He wants to show like what he can do. And um, I hope he just gets some more chances, whether it's later this season or start of next season, to be the initial impact maker and not the one that's like, you know, just really trying to do the best he can with what he's given.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Absolutely. Well, great picks, you guys. Grateful to get to talk Liverpool with you as always. Um, but yeah, I think that's all for this week's episode. We will be back next week. But until then, you'll never walk alone.