Carrick's Job to Lose?

16:26FC crew:We are following you. But that's not the right example.

16:28Dimitar Berbatov:Mario, you think about Chelsea dressing room you're in. There weren't many timid characters there in comparison to those at Spurs. How would they have dealt with this situation?

16:37FC crew:We had the smallest guy, you know, in the team was maybe the biggest character was Dennis Weiss. You know, if you would do something like that, Dennis was like, he was way shorter than me. But if you would do something like that, yeah, he will come and talk to you. if it needed because, okay, let's say if Dennis had to talk to Desailly. Okay, Desailly is a similar situation. You understand, Marino, he went through because he won the World Cup. He won the World Cup as well. So you go and talk to him. You just say sometimes like, okay, as a captain, you will be like, hey, come on, guys. You cannot do certain things like that.

17:09FC crew:The only thing in this situation, what I don't want to happen to him is that his game is being played with passion. And I understand the passion. He needs to control his passion. because I think if you take away the passion out of him, I think his delivery and the quality that he puts in his game will get less. And I'm worried for that because I don't want that to happen. But the only thing is like things like this can happen. Captain, second time in the league, but you're going to get four games now. You're not only hurting your team, you're also hurting yourself because people sometimes say like, hey, he's hurting the team.

17:43FC crew:But also yourself, four games, watching your team play. You don't want that. You want to be part of that. So for him, if you want the biggest trophy that we wanted to win, there is more out there. And the only way to win that is not to do stuff like that because it's going to get you in trouble.

17:59Dimitar Berbatov:Dimmi, how much does this fall on Thomas Frank? Does he need to be stronger as a manager?

18:04FC crew:In a situation like this, definitely. I can see him almost suppressing anger sometimes when he's doing press conference. I can see that he's angry at some of the situations. He doesn't always allow himself to express that anger so everybody can see. But I think it's there. And of course, you should be angry in a situation like this because you basically lost the game the moment that record happened. And I think a conversation honest with your captain could happen because this is the guy that is translating your ideas to your team. This is the guy that leads. So in a situation like this, be honest, be direct.

18:49FC crew:You need to be as a manager there and say, look, you're the captain. That's wrong what you're doing. And I know that he likes him because the way he speaks about him and he should be, but he needs to be direct with him and say, this is cannot continue. Four games now you're going to watch from the sidelines and we're going to miss you.

19:08Dimitar Berbatov:Overall, Dili, as someone who's well connected at Spurs, how sad is it to watch them play at the moment?

19:16FC crew:Like a team, you mean? It's painful because when watching United and Spurs, I'm split in the middle. And because I respect both teams, I love both teams. But Spurs, right now, in this moment, if the results don't go their way, they'll be in relegation battle. I mean, come on. It's unbelievable. And they have a good team. They can surprise you, but they can disappoint you. So it's always been the same story with Spurs, I think, that consistency, they cannot find it. They can have a great game, surprise everybody, but the next time, disappoint everybody. So if they don't find that consistency, they'll be in trouble.

19:53Dimitar Berbatov:Yeah, indeed, they could be dragged into that relegation scrap. A lot more on what happened at Old Trafford between Man United and Spurs on the latest edition of the Gab and Jules show. That is available now to listen to as a podcast. Oh, Jules looks like Don today.

20:12Dimitar Berbatov:My coffee, my schedule, and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self-injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains F-Gartigamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit VivgardMyWay.com. That's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T MyWay.com. And talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hytrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. Rich Eisen here. The tax deadline will be here before you know it. And you just want to know your taxes are actually being handled. But the old way? You hand everything off and then silence.

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21:29Dimitar Berbatov:Because your TurboTax expert is handling it and keeping you in the loop. So this tax season, get your best possible outcome and every dollar you deserve without the guesswork. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real-time updates only in iOS mobile app, only available with TurboTax full-service experts. We talked a lot yesterday about the controversial decisions and what happened with Manchester City and Liverpool big picture. One thing we didn't talk too much about, which I think we need to just focus on a little more. and Demi I want to start with you was Sobhushlai's free kick. How impressive is this?

22:10FC crew:Look at that beauty yeah it's unbelievable. I think it's a bit underestimating from the from Duna Ruma because he's a good goalkeeper he knows he's a good goalkeeper and he's like ah don't worry about it I have this but he underestimated how Sobhushlai was was gonna shoot and it was It's a bit special though, Mario. It's pure technique, you know? And what Diva said, it's perfect because the way he hits it, if you see the way the goalkeeper is standing, he stands in the middle and he puts two guys in the wall. When a goalkeeper puts two in the wall, you already know. That means I got it. And then they try to block his vision, but the way he cuts across that ball, look, I can tell you right now, there's not a lot of players that are going to stand behind the ball, is going to hit it like that because he knows the technique he's going to deliver he doesn't know it's going to go exactly you mean he has practiced it so he believes that he can he's capable of doing it but then also it comes off because it's the way it makes the curve to the right side it's almost impossible to hit it normally you do it with your left and then it takes a lot of time to get there but he cuts across with his right i was like wow this was something special in the end

23:25Dimitar Berbatov:though doesn't matter liverpool lose the manager of the city of course going to anfield and getting the victory. Part of their win was Erling Haaland scoring the penalty. Of course, he hasn't been scoring at the rate in which we've been used to since he arrived at the Premier League and he discussed that, talked about fatigue. This is what he had to say after the game about getting the goal today and his run that he's had so far in January. He talks about the fact that fatigue is involved and also a little bit of confidence as well, which is interesting, Dimi, because you think of someone like Haaland, you think, well, he's never going to get tired and he always thinks he's going to score.

23:59FC crew:Yeah, because we everybody we are robots and we don't need breaks, etc. Of course you need to recover after the games. Of course you need time to get your muscle firing up again. Even when your name is Erin Haaland and when your expectation is sky high, people will always ask questions when you don't score. It's always the same story. So he knows this. There's no excuses because he set the standards so high with the goals he's scoring but I'm not worried this guy is a machine this guy know how to score how to find the ball the ball finds him of course from time to time you're going to have moments where you're not going to score you're going to miss a chance here and there you're going to miss a penalty but when you have the quality that he possess I'm not worried about him he's going to score goals for many years to come you've been in

24:47Dimitar Berbatov:that situation as well do you need advice from people as people said something to you that's or is it just a case of, look, leave me alone, I know what I'm doing?

24:56FC crew:No, that's the wrong thing. Leave me alone, know what I'm doing. It's like basically saying I am God, you know. You don't do that. You have people around you. Is it the manager? Is it some of good friends in your teammates? Is it your agent? Is it your dad sometimes? You have someone who's going to give you advice. Depends on you if you're going to take it or not. So what sort of advice did you receive in the past that was actually helpful at the time? Stay strong in the head. Right. I think that's one of the most important stuff as a striker, in a striker perspective, when you don't score goals, because people will be on your back.

25:29FC crew:Why are you not scoring? Yeah, you can go up and down the pitch chasing, defending, but your main objective is to score goals. So when you're not scoring, people will be on you, media, fans. You will be on top of you asking questions, am I good enough, am I still good enough? So stay strong in the head. It's the most important thing.

25:50Dimitar Berbatov:I think it's a little surprising that actually Harlan said it affects his confidence. He may not have. I can't remember the quote. I was kind of generalising. Right. So don't throw me on anything. It's just the one thing that I don't think I've ever heard any striker actually admit to anybody. That they're not quite feeling as confident as they are. Here it is. Fatigue's a lot in this. I haven't scored enough goals since the start of this year. And I know that I need to improve. I need to be sharper, better at all of this. and this is something that I have to work on. I have to keep going because this is what everyone deserves and expects.

26:21Dimitar Berbatov:So there's nothing to be confident in that possible. What nonsense I'm speaking today.

26:31Dimitar Berbatov:We'll edit that out. Mario, overall, of course, Manchester City get the victory. We don't have a title race, though, do we? They're not going to catch Arsenal.

26:42FC crew:Listen, listen, we got it. Look, okay, you know, you watch Liverpool, you don't care because both teams, it's not like you, but you want the best to win. That's what you want. But if there is a title race going to be, of course I want City to get closer to it because I don't want to give the league already up now. I want to enjoy my football. So if them getting closer to each other, that's the battle that we like to see. Liverpool done it so long with City. Now Arsenal is doing it with City, so I want to see that. And that's why they enjoy it. That's why when I was watching the game, I thought like, OK, Liverpool is going to do it, the press.

27:16FC crew:Then City took over and then I was like, OK, then at the final end, you saw City coming back. So let's see now.

27:23Dimitar Berbatov:Arsenal are going to win it, Demi. It won't even be close.

27:26FC crew:Well, I think that the title race is going. I don't, of course, think that Arsenal is going to get that easy. City are very experienced in a situation like this. Arsenal already had a couple of years back when they were first and then, you know, missed games, dropped points here and there and then didn't win the Premier League. But I think probably in the end it's going to be there because it's time. I think in a way they play. I like watching them. They have a good team, good coach. But the race is still on at this moment. Talk to me about Xhorel, Demi.

28:05Dimitar Berbatov:Is he world class?

28:08FC crew:Not yet, unfortunately. Although he has all the attributes for a striker, for a center forward. But again, guys, it's come down to the confidence of a striker. The confidence comes when you score goals. That's it. Top end, ugly goals, beautiful goals. You don't care as long as the ball is in the back of the net. And I was happy for him to score two goals, especially coming from the bench, because now he's asking questions from Arteta. Boss, I need to play next game. You know, I scored two goals. In his mind, he's starting next game.

28:40Dimitar Berbatov:Trust me. The problem is, though, if he doesn't start and Kai Havertz and Jesus is preferred, if you're third on the rung when you arrive in the summer thinking you're going to be the big man, again, in his head, that's going to be a bit strange, isn't it?

28:53FC crew:That's why I said, now in his mind, he's starting next game. Right. And the moment he sees, maybe in the training session where the teams are playing, because in training session, you know how it is. You're going to see who he's playing, who he's starting. and if he doesn't start, then of course he's going to be disappointed. If he's more outspoken, he's going to go to the manager and say, boss, what is going on? You know, I came here to play, I scored two goals last game. I mean, I want to play. So you have that problem sometimes as a manager, but that's why you're the manager. You need to know how to manage these type of players.

29:24Dimitar Berbatov:Arsenal, of course, involved midweek, looking to try and extend their lead at the top of the table. And then this weekend is all about the FA Cup. You can see every single game live on ESPN. Plus, we'll cover you over Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, including likes of Wrexham against Ipswich, Liverpool against Brighton. Arsenal-Wigan is our late game on Sunday. And we're at Monday, Macclesfield against Brentford. And of course, plenty of content over on our YouTube channel. Be sure to go and check out ESPN FC.

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30:38Dimitar Berbatov:Control the daily operations of your business and transform your maintenance program. Go to maintainx.com slash sports. That's maintain and the letter x dot com slash sports. Quick time out. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak frozen power waffles and flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it, and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving, a good source of fiber, and crafted with 100 % whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you. And there's depth on the roster.

31:19Dimitar Berbatov:Buttermilk and vanilla, blueberry, chocolate chip, even gluten-free options. Breakfast that delivers. Snack that delivers. Find Kodiak frozen waffles and flapjacks in the frozen aisle at your local grocery store. They're the ones with the bear on the box. Real Madrid are not very good. Kylian Mbappe is very good. And at the moment, he is the reason they are still very much in the title race in La Liga. He scored again, of course, against Valencia at the weekend. This was to guarantee a victory at Mastaya after another rather lacklustre performance. But his numbers are absolutely incredible so far this campaign.

31:59Dimitar Berbatov:This is a player who has scored 38 goals in 31 games with a team around him that seemed to be on and off the pitch falling apart. Just how good is he, Dimi?

32:14FC crew:Well, look, in football sometimes you have individuals that you can see from early age they are special. You know, Mbappé, Neymar. I'm not even talking about Messi or Ronaldo, you know. But Mbappé, Neymar, Yamal. This individual, when you see them, you straight away know this is a diamond. You know, this is the guy that can do great things. In the case of Mbappé, of course the figure speaks for themselves. but you know, you just know that he knows how to play football, how to explore the space, how to score goals, how to control, how to sprint, everything. So I'm not worried about him at all. I'm not worried about Real Madrid.

32:52FC crew:You know, the thing is just watch him, enjoy. This is the teams like Real, like Manchester, Barca, the big teams, when you have someone to coach you, basically they need to know how to manhandle you, to know how to speak to you. Because Mbappé knows how to play football. You just need to win him on your side. And then when you win him on your side, he's going to go out there and perform for you. That's the secret, in my opinion.

33:17Dimitar Berbatov:If you were building your own team, who would be first pick for Berbatov FC? Haaland or Mbappe?

33:25FC crew:No, man, that's a trick question. But probably with slight, slight head start will be Mbappe, to be honest.

33:34Dimitar Berbatov:Mario, how do you deal with him as a defender?

33:38FC crew:It's very difficult because you're facing a player that's very confident, is very quick, and he also has the skill to beat you. So I think as a player like this, you've got to find the moment when you want to be short at him and sometimes you've got to give him the distance because if you know that you're two of you, you can take a step back. But if you're just you on your own, you've got to be close. Don't let him turn. The one key thing I can tell you, when a player is that good, that quick, and scoring-wise So deadly don't let him turn that should be any defender focus because soon as he turns He's got another opportunity because now he can face you and he can make make you make the decision And when you make a decision for him, you have a problem.

34:19FC crew:Look at his stats. His stats are crazy I mean, of course Kane is also incredible But Mbappe is just like a joy to watch because it's not only that he can score He can also you know if you play him on the outside He doesn't play that that often anymore, but he can do that position and he can play striker This guy is just, man, he's just a joy to watch.

34:38Dimitar Berbatov:How do you coach against him? Numbers. Right. It has to be numbers. Numbers and you can't go one-on-one. You can't face up with him because his feet are too quick. He's got too much pace. And he sees everything so quickly and so easily and so clearly. So it has to be a numbers game. Yeah. Because one-on-one, forget it. You're toast. I'm trying to call it a week off, of course. Copa del Rey, meanwhile, in Spain. Dimitar, thank you very much. You get to go to sleep now, mate. Good stuff. Thank you, guys. Don't forget to call Sesco before you go to bed. See you later, guys. See you later. Thank you very much.

35:37We'll be right back.

36:02Dimitar Berbatov:Barcelona. Lots to talk about on Football America's tonight. Some of the U.S. men shining ahead of the World Cup, obviously domestically at the weekend. Hurricane Ali will break it all down at 8.30 Eastern.

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36:38Dimitar Berbatov:or long-term contracts required. Sign up to learn more at amazon.com slash hub delivery. That's amazon.com slash H-U-B delivery. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities.

37:14Dimitar Berbatov:Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by. Thank you very much, Mario. Of course, they will stay with us for extra time, which is coming up next. We'll be answering some of your questions. That was a tough one. It's not easy, but they're the big decisions that the big boy has to make and I made it. There we go, stay with us.

37:44Dimitar Berbatov:Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. Mario is here, Stevie as well, to answer some of your questions. Stevie, in your playing career, did you ever experience a season like this from Liverpool after winning the league the year before? Yes. No, I wouldn't say quite as bad. OK. But similar. Right. You know, we were inconsistent, but we still managed to get results. We didn't win the league. I think it was... I think it was 1991. So who was in charge? Dal Gleish? Dal Gleish, and midway through the season, Kenny resigned. Right, OK. mainly due to carrying the trauma of Hillsborough, which happened in 1989.

38:31Dimitar Berbatov:Yes. And so we won the league the year after Hillsborough, and then the following year, we just, our consistency disappeared. We weren't poor, but we just weren't particularly great. Okay. And to win the league, you have to be at a certain level every time you step on the field. And we weren't at that level. And it felt horrible. And nobody knew how to fix it, basically. Is there an Alan Hansen story when Dal Gleish got sacked? Did he tell you something? Or am I making that up? Is that a different scenario? No, he said he was getting the job. Yes. Well, he took me down. Glenn Hussain was the captain at the time.

39:19Dimitar Berbatov:Alan Hanson was an absolute wind-up mountain. Yes, especially with you. Yeah, and what happened was he came up to the dressing room. So Kenny had left, we didn't have anyone in place. All the talk was Alan Hanson's getting the job. Right. So all the apprentices, all the Irish guys and all the young kids were all running down because there was only one phone in the building. You know, this is like 1990. Yeah. So there's only one phone in the players' lounge and there's a queue. Well, the young kids phoning home, get money on Hanson, getting the job, blah blah the whole thing so i'm sitting in the dressing room next minute now big al had retired just retired right and he'd been in the club for something and he came up to the dressing room and he's like how are you doing and he went camber what were you bumping i was like that i'm just talking about other world i went okay so he said come with me i'm like what's going on here so we got out of dressing room he said come on down to my office and i'm like no so we walked all the way down the office.

40:18Dimitar Berbatov:And as we're walking all the way down the corridor, my head's spinning. Right. Because I'm like, this is up. This can't be true. This is up. Right. Why was it so far from reality, you thought? Because in theory, you know, just retired, knew the club inside out. It wasn't that. It was because it was him. Right, because he was your mate. Aye. Aye.

40:42Dimitar Berbatov:So I get down, he says, right, in you come. Go past Sheila, the secretary. Goes into the office. he walks in he says can you shut the door so I shut the door behind me and I'm at a spinning and he goes I've got the job and I went right he winded me up he went no I've got the job I've got the job with a new manager I'm like really he went yeah I went okay he went you don't seem too sure I went that's a wind up innit he went no it's not I went all right he goes right he says listen I'm going to go up and have a meeting with the lads he said I'm going to meet you captain I'm going to take it off Glenn.

41:18Dimitar Berbatov:He says, I want you to say something. And I'm like, what do you mean? What do I say? He goes, no, just like, we're in this together. Now, as soon as he said that, because I knew when he said something like, we're all in this together, I knew it was a wind-up. Right. But there was still half of me knew that it actually might be true. So did he walk you back? So he said, just go back, I'll be up in two minutes. and I walk back. So I get in there and I'm sitting there and my head's burning. Yeah. He comes up the corridor. Now by this time Ronnie Moran and Roy Evans had come up and got all all the pros into the first team dressing room and all the kids to go all the way into the reserve team dressing room.

42:05Dimitar Berbatov:Right. So it's the first team squad and all the all the senior pros or all the pros and he comes in and we had a table in the middle where people used to get our Robert stuff. So he stands there and he's going right, he said, just to let you all know, I've got the job. And there was one person started clapping, it was Bruce Grobelak. So Bruce started going like this, and then he went. And nobody else was going. Nobody else did it. Now listen, him and Bruce didn't exactly always say eye to eye, by the way. Which is the most ironic, I thought. So Bruce went like that. And Al goes, yeah, we can't continue this way.

42:42Dimitar Berbatov:He said, things are going to have to change. He said, Glenn, I'm sorry, but I'm going to make Steve Carter. Steve, he ended up saying I was like that. I was like that. And then he went, right, he said, look, first of all, he said, we're going to be coming in on a Sunday. We're going to start doing video sessions. We're going to have to fix... It's the only way we can fix this out, sort this out, and fix what the problems are. He said, you boys over in the Whirl, half the boys lived in the Whirl, and half the boys lived in Southport. Okay. He said, yeah, you boys in the world, he said, you know, the Vicky, the Hotel Vick, Vicky Lodge, all these spaces.

43:20Dimitar Berbatov:No more. It's okay when you're winning, but you can't do it. Same with the boys in Southport. No more. No more pubs, basically. Anybody get anything to say? Nobody said it, and he went, all right, we'll see you in training. And he walked up. And how long did this go on for? Well, there was silence for about a couple of seconds. And then Rushy stood up and went. I think he is telling me where I can drink and when I can't drink and all that. And then because everybody started talking. And then about two minutes later, the door opened and Hanson walked back in. And because everybody went silent and he went, just kidding, lads.

44:01Dimitar Berbatov:Yes. He walked out. Yes. He got the whole playing staff. Now, what happened was we found out the day before he did all the coaching staff. Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans, John Benison, Tom Sonder, he got them all in the wee room that they have down the bottom and he did it the day before you know he just walked in and they all went hi how are you doing? Ronnie can you shut the door? Ronnie's like shutting the door. Same thing he's went just letting you know I've just been with Peter Robinson and the chairman Mr. Smith and I've got a job because they were all madgey shaking his hand and yeah bro yeah and he did the same with them he said look I'm going to I'm going to meet with the person tomorrow I'm going to tell them no more of this drinking all this carry on we're going to be coming in on a Sunday we're going to be doing video session I know they don't like it blah blah blah right and he goes anyway and to see they were like no no congratulations he went okay and he walked out and shut the door so we stand again listen at the door of course Ronnie and Ronnie and I'm going okay come on talking He said the same thing.

45:08Dimitar Berbatov:He chapped on the door, opened the door up and went, only kidding, lads. Up he went. Very good, Stephen. Honestly. Well, I'll wind up, man. Congratulations. You won the title within that story. That is the end of the season. We're now focusing on the World Cup. Mario, what do you think about Mark Gay's performance since he arrived at City?

45:28FC crew:I was very impressed in the sense of like, especially because if you see the game that they played against Liverpool, how much pressure Liverpool was putting on them from the start. And he stayed that calm. Okay, I know you got Silva, you got Rotary in the team, so it helps because they had the calm figures. But actually, it's kind of funny that you asked me that because I looked at him and I was like, that calm. It's not only because he was that calm, it's also, it shows you how confident he was prior to City. And he carried that confidence with him. And I think he's playing like that with a lot of confidence and he believes in himself a lot.

46:01FC crew:So that's why I feel like, yeah. I'm impressed how he settled in so quickly.

46:05Dimitar Berbatov:Now, don't get me wrong. I wish Liverpool had signed Gay. Right? Yes. But he should have been sent off in the game. Right, yes. Full stop. Aside from that misdemeanor. Well, you can't say aside from that. Right, OK. Because he did it. Well, I can, I just did. He did it and he got away with it. I guess getting away with it's the key. But, yeah. He wasn't that cool and calm when he was doing it. All right. Bitter. Sorry, Mario, just saying. No, okay. For Stevie, who is sold first in the summer? Alison, Salah or Canati? Oh.

46:43Dimitar Berbatov:Well, Canati won't be sold because Canati's contract's up, and I don't believe he's interested in signing another one. So I think we can take him out of the equation. Right. The question is, is it Alison or Salah? So the only way... Oh. Oh, my goodness.

47:04Look, there's no question that Salah has really had a torrid season.

47:10Dimitar Berbatov:Alisson has been OK.

47:15Dimitar Berbatov:God, this is a tough one because Kvarit Skeller, not Kvarit Skeller. What's the name of the reserve goalie again? No, I'm sorry. Ah, it's him. could be time for him yep he came in a bit didn't he when Ellison was injured aye he did I think you'd have to say Salah because because the only way Salah's going is if he goes to Saudi right and they'll probably pay a good chunk of money yep so I guess I would have to probably say Salah because not only do you get a chunk of money you get what's he getting something stupid 500 grand a week or something A lot. So. OK. We'll have to see some. Steve, rank in order, most to least likely.

47:59Dimitar Berbatov:City to win the Premier League, United to finish top three, Liverpool do not qualify for the Champions League.

48:16Dimitar Berbatov:Well I think City's not winning the Premier League so I'm going to put that least likely. I'm going to put that least lightly. OK. It's very difficult to sit here having watched United under Carrick, particularly because they're just playing Saturday to Saturday. They've still got problems, but the fact that they're going to be fresher basically than everybody else means they can get away with some things. and right now Liverpool are looking as all That's quite the pose Well it's a tough question I mean Right now It's longer than the Alan Anson story Well right now Liverpool are sitting in sixth place and they're in sixth place because they deserve to be in sixth place So Liverpool's the most likely to happen

49:15I don't know

49:17FC crew:Mario, what's your thoughts on this? I think, I mean, Arsenal should win it because it's not only like, so that's why I would like the City one. I can understand that because that doesn't mean like I don't think they can win it. But I just think Arsenal, they get all that help. If they don't win it this season, it's really a big change. United is in that rush, you know, of Carrick, you know, if he does it again this week, it's like, guys, he's like, it's in the up level. And Liverpool is shaky, so Liverpool, not to qualify for the Champions League. Yeah guys, because you know why, because then Chelsea goes.

49:56Dimitar Berbatov:OK, so we're going Liverpool, United City. For Mario, Stevie. Didn't you say yesterday that Liverpool weren't going to qualify in the top four? Right now, they're deservedly in sixth spot. OK.

50:16Dimitar Berbatov:I'm gonna have to say that. Liverpool. Wow. Okay. Mario, what's the best free kick you've ever seen in person?

50:26FC crew:In person, best free kick. I mean, I don't know. I've seen so many of Gianfranco Sola that I was like, wow. Yeah. Do you understand? So I have to say it must have been one of him because the way he hit that ball, It was the way I said about Saberslai. Even if you guys didn't agree with me, the confidence behind the free kick tells me exactly how that person's going to hit it. And he had a lot of confidence, exactly like Mr. Saberslai. Thank you for showing us how he's supposed to be hitting and striking a ball.

50:56Dimitar Berbatov:I'm going to go with Jan Molby at Anfield. I can't remember whether it was Ipswich or Norwich. But it was... And again, I'm talking the late 80s. So, you know, he's not hitting the ball, the make of ball that Sobberslay is. It's created so that it does move. You know, Jan's hitting the old Adidas classic. Anyway, so goalkeepers set up the wall, left the gap, just normal. He stands in the gap and Jan hits it straight in the gap, right in the top corner. And the goalie never even moved. He never saw it. Never smelt it. It was that powerful. Fantastic. Did you ever take free kicks? No. Why not? Not my game.

51:47FC crew:No? Dan, you've got to be good at that. It's not for everybody, my friend. I wanted to do something like Stevie too. I would love to strike it. But sometimes people are just better than you. You allow them to do it and you just watch them how they do it.

52:02Dimitar Berbatov:I don't know that feeling, Mario. But there we are. I suppose you do. Picking all done. It's called a pecking order. Stevie, if Liverpool win the FA Cup and miss out on the Champions League, will this season be considered a failure? Given they're not winning the Premier League, obviously. It's a failure. FA Cup isn't a band-aid. It doesn't make you feel better. In a short term, the euphoria will feel good, but the truth is, if Liverpool don't get in the Champions League, they're seen as a failure. Oh, dear. For both, please share the moment. Dan has been the most annoying to you, but you just accepted it because he's still a lovely person.

52:43Dimitar Berbatov:Oh, what a lovely message. Mario, we've never met in person, so you haven't quite had me properly. Just here.

52:52FC crew:No, man, I don't know what kind of person. Maybe, you know, the energy is good like this, but I don't know how it's going to be if I sit next to you, man. I mean, Stevie is a no-brainer, but Dan, you might pick on me, man. I might go like, hey, this guy is totally different.

53:05Dimitar Berbatov:Mario, there's a reason why the chairs are a certain distance away. So I can't reach them. No. On the couch, you tried to hit me a few times. I cut the time. When we had the old couch. And the final question, Mario, do you ever not have a smile on your face? No. No.

53:21FC crew:I don't need to not have one. You know why? Because I tell you then, look, you know when you wake up, you know, the way your family treats you, the way life is, you understand, we all have ups and downs. Don't get me wrong. I have ups, I get downs as well. But I look at and I think the world, while I have a short period to live, I might as well enjoy it.

53:40Dimitar Berbatov:What a beautiful sentiment and what a rare sentiment. Very rare. Craig Burnley is back tomorrow, don't worry. I thought I had Craig come to that little bit. We'll be looking back and of course Chelsea are in action tomorrow. Spurs as well. Be sure to join us as we reflect on those midweek games in the Premier League.

54:03Dimitar Berbatov:From 30 for 30 podcasts.

54:13FC crew:Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman from Miami.

54:16Dimitar Berbatov:Gunned down. The key to this case, it's Brian. Boy, he's ripped him. An hour before he died, he was on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit. You want the truth. They just want a conviction being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now.