1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,547 Speaker 1: from newstalksb. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:16,227 Speaker 2: So, Liverpool have five games left and they're twelve points 4 00:00:16,307 --> 00:00:20,707 Speaker 2: clear at the top. Second placed Arsenal have just four 5 00:00:20,787 --> 00:00:24,867 Speaker 2: games left, so that means Liverpool need just one point 6 00:00:25,027 --> 00:00:28,947 Speaker 2: so a drawer from their remaining five games to clinch 7 00:00:29,027 --> 00:00:31,747 Speaker 2: a second title in the Premier League era and a 8 00:00:31,867 --> 00:00:36,747 Speaker 2: twentieth top flight title overall. They host Tottenham tomorrow morning 9 00:00:36,827 --> 00:00:40,467 Speaker 2: at what will be, no doubt a celebrating anfield. Let's 10 00:00:40,467 --> 00:00:44,147 Speaker 2: bring in Andrew McGoff, chair of the official Liverpool Supporters 11 00:00:44,187 --> 00:00:47,227 Speaker 2: group of Wellington. Andrew, thanks for your time. That almost, 12 00:00:47,387 --> 00:00:51,027 Speaker 2: as I'm explaining, it sounds too easy. It's almost a 13 00:00:51,067 --> 00:00:54,067 Speaker 2: fader complete. Does that dilute the achievement at all? 14 00:00:55,747 --> 00:00:58,747 Speaker 3: Absolutely not, Like I really hope that it is a 15 00:00:58,787 --> 00:01:02,867 Speaker 3: celebration at ntil tomorrow and I guess it's the Huges 16 00:01:03,187 --> 00:01:06,867 Speaker 3: assumption that Liverpool will go ahead and at least get 17 00:01:06,907 --> 00:01:11,347 Speaker 3: a draw against Fers on Monday morning our time. But 18 00:01:11,427 --> 00:01:14,547 Speaker 3: I'll tell you what, it's been a great old season 19 00:01:15,227 --> 00:01:19,547 Speaker 3: for Liverpool and certainly not one that a lot of 20 00:01:19,587 --> 00:01:23,307 Speaker 3: fans would have expected, particularly with Jugen Klopp leaving at 21 00:01:23,307 --> 00:01:24,187 Speaker 3: the end of last season. 22 00:01:24,267 --> 00:01:25,747 Speaker 2: Yeah, I want to talk about the new boss, Anna 23 00:01:25,787 --> 00:01:28,827 Speaker 2: Slott in just a moment. But in terms of the 24 00:01:28,867 --> 00:01:31,987 Speaker 2: dominance of this team in the Premier League such that 25 00:01:31,987 --> 00:01:34,307 Speaker 2: they are going to probably or or could well win 26 00:01:34,347 --> 00:01:37,147 Speaker 2: it with four games up their sleeve, what have been 27 00:01:37,147 --> 00:01:39,627 Speaker 2: the reasons for Liverpool's dominant league form. 28 00:01:41,227 --> 00:01:43,907 Speaker 3: I think there'd be a couple of things that kind 29 00:01:43,907 --> 00:01:47,747 Speaker 3: of stand out to me. Piney. One is whilst we 30 00:01:47,827 --> 00:01:51,267 Speaker 3: have had our injuries, we haven't had the muscle injuries 31 00:01:51,267 --> 00:01:54,027 Speaker 3: that Well always had under clop with his style of football, 32 00:01:54,067 --> 00:01:56,467 Speaker 3: and I think the back room staff that Slot's bought 33 00:01:56,547 --> 00:02:00,347 Speaker 3: and with him have managed the players extremely well. And 34 00:02:00,667 --> 00:02:03,587 Speaker 3: we just seem to have been so consistent over the season. 35 00:02:03,587 --> 00:02:07,507 Speaker 3: There's only one loss that towards not Ingham Forest in 36 00:02:07,547 --> 00:02:10,067 Speaker 3: the first half of the season. We had some huge 37 00:02:10,107 --> 00:02:13,467 Speaker 3: results in the Champions League as well, particularly that one 38 00:02:13,507 --> 00:02:17,027 Speaker 3: over Real Madrid that fans remember so well. It's been 39 00:02:17,587 --> 00:02:20,547 Speaker 3: a team that we haven't enjoyed playing over recent years, 40 00:02:21,347 --> 00:02:23,627 Speaker 3: but I just think it's the consistency. There's some stats 41 00:02:23,667 --> 00:02:25,587 Speaker 3: coming out where our first half and second half of 42 00:02:25,627 --> 00:02:28,627 Speaker 3: the season have almost mirrored themselves, and there's a lot 43 00:02:28,667 --> 00:02:32,467 Speaker 3: of chats in the UK media in particular and fans 44 00:02:32,507 --> 00:02:35,427 Speaker 3: on social media about Liverpool's drop off in the second 45 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:38,107 Speaker 3: half of the season, and it kind of has felt 46 00:02:38,147 --> 00:02:39,747 Speaker 3: like that in a way, I guess it felt that 47 00:02:39,867 --> 00:02:42,667 Speaker 3: the season wasn't as dominant as the first half, but 48 00:02:43,147 --> 00:02:46,467 Speaker 3: as I say, the results almost mirrored themselves, and Slot's 49 00:02:46,467 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 3: been able to bring in that belief and the side 50 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:55,107 Speaker 3: and keep those key players playing at the at a 51 00:02:55,307 --> 00:02:58,107 Speaker 3: hugely high level. You look at Mohammed Sala and what 52 00:02:58,267 --> 00:03:02,347 Speaker 3: his output has been again, particularly in the first half 53 00:03:02,347 --> 00:03:07,027 Speaker 3: of the season is just almost unplayable and it's been 54 00:03:07,067 --> 00:03:09,227 Speaker 3: it's been epic to see really just to see how 55 00:03:09,907 --> 00:03:12,507 Speaker 3: we've been able to just well say were I mean 56 00:03:12,547 --> 00:03:14,507 Speaker 3: now of c of course, have been able to go 57 00:03:14,587 --> 00:03:19,027 Speaker 3: through and just really just just dominate and what is 58 00:03:19,827 --> 00:03:23,787 Speaker 3: against some salty fans belief has been a really strong 59 00:03:23,907 --> 00:03:27,707 Speaker 3: Premier League this year where there's been upsets from bottom 60 00:03:27,747 --> 00:03:30,347 Speaker 3: half teams beating top half teams. And you have to 61 00:03:30,347 --> 00:03:32,907 Speaker 3: look at the Champions League with aston Villa and Arsenal 62 00:03:32,987 --> 00:03:35,267 Speaker 3: in particular doing so well. They're just to show what 63 00:03:35,307 --> 00:03:38,067 Speaker 3: a what a strong Premier League it is. So let's 64 00:03:38,147 --> 00:03:41,307 Speaker 3: just be the icing on the on the cake, having 65 00:03:41,307 --> 00:03:43,267 Speaker 3: Liverpool winning such a strong Premier League. 66 00:03:43,347 --> 00:03:45,387 Speaker 2: You mentioned the departure of Jugen Klaub at the end 67 00:03:45,427 --> 00:03:49,467 Speaker 2: of last season. He was such a popular manager for Liverpool. 68 00:03:50,067 --> 00:03:53,107 Speaker 2: Can you remember what your expectations were at the start 69 00:03:53,147 --> 00:03:53,707 Speaker 2: of the season. 70 00:03:55,467 --> 00:04:00,827 Speaker 3: I know they weren't high. Pinely like, I wasn't particularly 71 00:04:01,787 --> 00:04:04,907 Speaker 3: overwhelmed intact that was underwhelmed by it by Slot coming in. 72 00:04:05,027 --> 00:04:07,907 Speaker 3: I admittedly I didn't know huge lot about them, but 73 00:04:08,907 --> 00:04:10,827 Speaker 3: it wasn't one of those big name managers that you 74 00:04:10,867 --> 00:04:14,747 Speaker 3: thought would come in and win the fans over and 75 00:04:14,947 --> 00:04:18,947 Speaker 3: be able to sign some marquee players. But while he's 76 00:04:19,027 --> 00:04:22,427 Speaker 3: really proved me wrong, and I honestly thought that would 77 00:04:22,467 --> 00:04:26,427 Speaker 3: be scraping into Champions League this season. I thought this 78 00:04:26,667 --> 00:04:30,267 Speaker 3: probably would have been Arsenal's title to win. Man City. 79 00:04:30,307 --> 00:04:34,267 Speaker 3: We know that every year. Well that's such a formidable side, 80 00:04:34,267 --> 00:04:36,987 Speaker 3: they usually take the title out and I really thought 81 00:04:37,027 --> 00:04:39,427 Speaker 3: Chelsea would would have given a bet of showing to themselves. 82 00:04:39,507 --> 00:04:42,107 Speaker 3: So yeah, for me, it was sort of looking to 83 00:04:42,147 --> 00:04:45,787 Speaker 3: scrape into that fifth spot and hopefully clinch Clint Champions 84 00:04:45,867 --> 00:04:46,387 Speaker 3: League's place. 85 00:04:46,947 --> 00:04:49,107 Speaker 2: Well, it's certainly going to finish off a lot better 86 00:04:49,107 --> 00:04:50,867 Speaker 2: than that in terms of the Premier League. The last 87 00:04:50,867 --> 00:04:54,547 Speaker 2: time Liverpool wanted, of course, was during COVID and you know, 88 00:04:54,667 --> 00:04:57,467 Speaker 2: a lot of fans, not just Liverpool fans, will remember 89 00:04:57,507 --> 00:05:00,827 Speaker 2: the trophy being lifted in front of nobody. Basically it 90 00:05:00,947 --> 00:05:04,707 Speaker 2: was a very odd, odd time for us all. How 91 00:05:04,747 --> 00:05:08,467 Speaker 2: much more will this mean, you know, and presumably at 92 00:05:08,467 --> 00:05:10,467 Speaker 2: some point they will get the chance to lift the 93 00:05:10,867 --> 00:05:13,027 Speaker 2: trophy itself at home. How much more will it mean, 94 00:05:13,667 --> 00:05:17,707 Speaker 2: you know, given the more traditional environment of you know, 95 00:05:17,747 --> 00:05:19,627 Speaker 2: a huge fan base for this football club. 96 00:05:21,107 --> 00:05:23,827 Speaker 3: Well, I've been looking at some interviews from Ana Slots 97 00:05:23,827 --> 00:05:26,827 Speaker 3: and Vijeben Dyke and just saying how important to them 98 00:05:26,867 --> 00:05:30,667 Speaker 3: it is that they'll be able to perform and hopefully 99 00:05:31,027 --> 00:05:33,387 Speaker 3: clunch the Premier League in front of a pack Danfield, 100 00:05:33,827 --> 00:05:36,587 Speaker 3: It's been thirty five years since I've been able to 101 00:05:37,227 --> 00:05:40,307 Speaker 3: well to win the title at home in front of 102 00:05:40,307 --> 00:05:43,907 Speaker 3: a packed house. Obviously, as you mentioned, that was in 103 00:05:43,947 --> 00:05:47,627 Speaker 3: front of an empty stadium in the COVID era. And 104 00:05:48,147 --> 00:05:51,187 Speaker 3: I guess one of the big things for fans were 105 00:05:51,227 --> 00:05:55,427 Speaker 3: Liverpool fans over in the city is they really gathered 106 00:05:55,427 --> 00:05:57,107 Speaker 3: that they couldn't have a parade for the team and 107 00:05:57,427 --> 00:05:59,427 Speaker 3: the team. I know the team felt that as well 108 00:05:59,467 --> 00:06:01,507 Speaker 3: from the interviews that have come out, and I've got 109 00:06:01,827 --> 00:06:04,467 Speaker 3: friends over there who are really looking forward to to 110 00:06:04,507 --> 00:06:07,907 Speaker 3: be able to be a part of that, and you know, 111 00:06:07,987 --> 00:06:10,427 Speaker 3: just be able to do it at anfield, as I say, 112 00:06:10,507 --> 00:06:12,667 Speaker 3: like in front of the fans, not relying on other results. 113 00:06:12,707 --> 00:06:15,307 Speaker 3: I think if you remember back to the nineteen twenty season, 114 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 3: there's videos went around of the Liverpool team watching the 115 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:21,107 Speaker 3: Chelsea City game and Chelsea got up there, which Clint's 116 00:06:21,147 --> 00:06:23,827 Speaker 3: just clinched the league for Liverpool. So just be about 117 00:06:23,827 --> 00:06:26,467 Speaker 3: to do it under our own steam will be will 118 00:06:26,507 --> 00:06:30,747 Speaker 3: be pretty epic and yeah, what an atmosphere it will be. 119 00:06:31,347 --> 00:06:32,827 Speaker 3: It'll be on Monday morning. 120 00:06:33,427 --> 00:06:37,707 Speaker 2: Any chance at all Tottenham win this game and delay 121 00:06:37,707 --> 00:06:39,467 Speaker 2: the celebrations by at least a week. 122 00:06:40,547 --> 00:06:43,827 Speaker 3: They could, they could. I think it's what we always 123 00:06:43,907 --> 00:06:46,187 Speaker 3: used to do to joke amongst friends of mine that 124 00:06:46,747 --> 00:06:50,627 Speaker 3: when you're putting on sport malties, never to include Tottenham 125 00:06:50,667 --> 00:06:53,667 Speaker 3: because they would lose the ones that were lose, the 126 00:06:53,667 --> 00:06:55,987 Speaker 3: ones that they're obviously going to win, and win the 127 00:06:55,987 --> 00:06:58,867 Speaker 3: ones you wouldn't count them. I think probably what works 128 00:06:58,907 --> 00:07:02,227 Speaker 3: in Liverpool's favors. They've got a Spurs. I've got a 129 00:07:02,227 --> 00:07:05,907 Speaker 3: big semi final coming up a couple of days after. 130 00:07:06,707 --> 00:07:10,187 Speaker 3: I hear that Son's not playing either, which he's always 131 00:07:10,187 --> 00:07:13,947 Speaker 3: been a bogey player for Liverpool, and I guess it's 132 00:07:13,947 --> 00:07:18,747 Speaker 3: never felt easy against Tottenham. But surely they can. Liverpool 133 00:07:18,787 --> 00:07:21,707 Speaker 3: can just clinch a point based on their existing form 134 00:07:21,747 --> 00:07:24,627 Speaker 3: throughout the season and hopefully that should be enough to 135 00:07:24,627 --> 00:07:26,507 Speaker 3: do it. I just really hope it's not a not 136 00:07:26,587 --> 00:07:28,867 Speaker 3: a nervely ninety minute. It'd be nice to be able 137 00:07:28,867 --> 00:07:31,147 Speaker 3: to watch it comfortably. 138 00:07:31,267 --> 00:07:33,507 Speaker 2: It's kind of an unfriendly time though, isn't it for 139 00:07:33,587 --> 00:07:34,947 Speaker 2: us over the side of the well? Was it three 140 00:07:35,027 --> 00:07:35,907 Speaker 2: thirty tomorrow morning? 141 00:07:35,907 --> 00:07:38,907 Speaker 3: It kicks off as sure as an early startin. I've 142 00:07:38,907 --> 00:07:40,627 Speaker 3: got my first day of work on a new job, 143 00:07:41,547 --> 00:07:44,467 Speaker 3: desperate on this first day back at school to watch 144 00:07:44,507 --> 00:07:46,387 Speaker 3: the game. So yeah, we'll be We'll be in our 145 00:07:46,467 --> 00:07:48,947 Speaker 3: lounge at three point thirty in the morning watching the game. 146 00:07:49,787 --> 00:07:52,867 Speaker 3: I understand the liquor licensing laws and why they are 147 00:07:52,907 --> 00:07:54,707 Speaker 3: how they are, but it is a real shame that 148 00:07:55,507 --> 00:07:59,627 Speaker 3: ends can't come together to watch this game and enjoy 149 00:07:59,627 --> 00:08:00,707 Speaker 3: the moment together. Yeah. 150 00:08:00,707 --> 00:08:04,867 Speaker 2: Well, I'm sure that will follow when not not as 151 00:08:05,027 --> 00:08:07,147 Speaker 2: when Liverpool do get this point over the next five 152 00:08:07,427 --> 00:08:10,347 Speaker 2: games and win the Premier League. Hey, Andrew, look, I 153 00:08:10,827 --> 00:08:12,787 Speaker 2: was going to say sleep well tonight, You'll probably get 154 00:08:12,787 --> 00:08:14,267 Speaker 2: a couple of hours cup then get up. You're not 155 00:08:14,307 --> 00:08:15,587 Speaker 2: going to push through, are you. 156 00:08:16,307 --> 00:08:18,307 Speaker 3: I certainly won't be pushing through. I'm so old for 157 00:08:18,347 --> 00:08:21,547 Speaker 3: that now. But I'll try and get an early night. 158 00:08:22,187 --> 00:08:24,347 Speaker 3: I'm fair to say it. It will be uh, it'll 159 00:08:24,347 --> 00:08:26,787 Speaker 3: be pretty broken sleep. But yeah, I'm really looking forward 160 00:08:26,747 --> 00:08:30,707 Speaker 3: to three thirty tomorrow morning and watching that with my 161 00:08:30,747 --> 00:08:35,427 Speaker 3: oldest son and hopefully hopefully just getting that point so 162 00:08:35,547 --> 00:08:38,147 Speaker 3: we can celebrate the twentieth title for Liverpool. 163 00:08:38,267 --> 00:08:40,227 Speaker 2: Good man, Andrew, great to chat mate. Thanks for taking 164 00:08:40,227 --> 00:08:41,187 Speaker 2: the time this afternoon. 165 00:08:41,787 --> 00:08:43,587 Speaker 3: Always a pleasure, Pinty, Thank you so much for having 166 00:08:43,587 --> 00:08:43,827 Speaker 3: me on. 167 00:08:44,347 --> 00:08:47,507 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 168 00:08:47,627 --> 00:08:50,907 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 169 00:08:50,947 --> 00:08:52,507 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.