PODCAST: Liverpool 5 West Ham 1 - Match Reaction

[tlw content]

The Reds eased into the League Cup semi-finals with an impressive 5-1 win against an acquiescing West Ham side at Anfield.

 

Chris Smith is joined by TLW Editor Dave Usher and John Brennan to assess a near-perfect night for Jurgen Klopp's side ahead of the top of the table showdown against Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday night.

 

 

 

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[JohnnyH]

I was really enjoying the pod, but then John had his stats nightmare and it just ruined this, and all pods, for me. 
 

But after an hour I calmed down and put the pod on again and Chris announced we’d drawn Chelsea in the semi-final and I fucked my phone down the toilet. 

[johnsusername]

[Pete]

Regarding Moyes. Are you suggesting he looks like Gollum? 

[dave u]

2 hours ago, JohnnyH said:

I was really enjoying the pod, but then John had his stats nightmare and it just ruined this, and all pods, for me. 
 

But after an hour I calmed down and put the pod on again and Chris announced we’d drawn Chelsea in the semi-final and I fucked my phone down the toilet. 

 

What Chris did there is exactly the kind of shit that happens to me all the time now that I'm old. We'd had a couple of minutes conversation about the draw before we recorded and he was saying how much he wanted to get Chelsea over two games instead of one. He had all sorts of reasons to back up why getting Fulham wasn't good, and then we start recording and he says that!

[JohnnyH]

1 hour ago, dave u said:

 

What Chris did there is exactly the kind of shit that happens to me all the time now that I'm old. We'd had a couple of minutes conversation about the draw before we recorded and he was saying how much he wanted to get Chelsea over two games instead of one. He had all sorts of reasons to back up why getting Fulham wasn't good, and then we start recording and he says that!

John’s the real disappointment. I expected so much more from him. 

[JohnnyH]

And with the fan atmosphere issue. Chris made some good points on that, but I also think it’s down to nerves. We’ve seen it a few times in recent years when we’ve been challenging for the big pots. The crowd gets antsy and if we’re struggling a bit on the pitch then it transfers itself to the atmosphere. The expectation that goes with being one of the best teams in the league doesn’t sit well with our nerves sometimes. It’s a lot easier being mid table shite. 

[dave u]

There's definitely an element of that on the whole, but I don't think it applies to Sunday. I maintain that the crowd were fine, the problem was the toothless performance from the attacking players. 

[deiseach]

If I felt awkward about physical greetings with other men, I wouldn't move to France.

[lifetime fan]

Whoever it was mentioned players slipping and wearing the wrong studs/boots was spot on. 
 

I mentioned it in the match thread. 
 

Was the same against the mancs and plenty of other home games this season. 
 

So bloody frustrating. 

[Creator Supreme]

I'm very disappointed with getting Fulham next as it will be two tough games, and even if we get through its likely to be the Chavs in the final and I've no doubt they'll beat us this time (I reckon Palmer and the rat Sterling would score in a 2-0 win for them).

 

That said, even if we got Boro, I'm sure we'd turn up thinking it was already won and fuck it up.

 

Would much rather have had the Chavs in the semi's.

[Paul]

Really enjoyed this one boys. Think Smithy was brilliant in the way he drew a line under the Trent noise. On the crowd thing, again, I think Chris nailed it: it’s a combination of disappointment from the big near miss the season before last/falling off a cliff last season, and this squad not really having got fully into gear yet. I certainly don’t think nerves have been a factor. Also think John was spot on about Jurgen. It’s none of his business. 
 

Finally, I agree with all three of the lads about the significance of Saturday’s match, as well as its potential to be a classic. In terms of the key players for that game, for me, it’s our three biggest and best outfield players: Virgil, Trent and Mo. I think all three will be crucial and each will very much rise to the occasion. Regardless though, we must take the intensity and fluidity from last night into the rest of the season as it’s the only way we will punch at or above our weight.

 

Final point about Saturday: I would definitely go with Joe Gomez at right back and Trent as the number six. However, I’ll be amazed if Klopp does that.

[No2]

Great Pod again lads. Question for regular match goers, when we have 3 home games in 6 days, is it tougher to be really up for it by match 3? I have sympathy for Klopp, he's a great human, he wouldn't mean to upset or offend anyone. His choice of words wasn't right but the principle is spot on, we need you for 90 minutes.