No Punishment for Vini Jr.

27:49That would be my wild guess. It's midweek, it's late in Spain. The opposition are at home. 75th minute now. Who wants to see Valencia this year? Exactly. Yeah, that's true. Well, this was a big win for Valencia. Dan Juma makes it 5 and they win this one 5-0. There's plenty more Copa del Rey games coming up on ESPN+. Here's a look at what we have coming your way tomorrow.

28:16The world's biggest soccer tournament has arrived and you can trade the entire tournament on Call Sheet. On Kalshi, you can trade every match from the opening stage all the way to the final. Spain is currently trading at 17 % to win it all, meaning a$100 trade pays out over$550 if they win soccer's biggest prize. On Kalshi, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code FC to get$10 when you trade 10. K-A-L-S-H-I Call She Trade on anything 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned For more information, see callshe.com slash regulatory So your team just got knocked out of the FIFA World Cup Brutal, right?

29:12Well, the good news is you're not done It's time to jump on the Lays bandwagon And nobody loses on the bandwagon No upsets, no heartbreak, no stress Only good times. So join Lays on the bandwagon. Grab a bag of Lays. Get ready for the next match. Cheer for whoever you want. Lays keeps the party going. Lays' official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

29:38All right, so there's Carabao Cup as well coming your way on Wednesday. Liverpool taking on Crystal Palace, but also Arsenal. They're flying high in the Premier League. We'll see exactly if they can take on what could be a test from Brighton. We do know that Brighton definitely can put up a good fight. Well, they've got a bit off Man United at the weekend. Oh, but the mighty Man United, right? Yeah. Newcastle Spurs as well. Swansea up against Man City and Wolves. Chelsea round out the fixtures. But I want to stick a pin in the Liverpool Crystal Palace fixture, Stevie, because what are you expecting from this game?

30:17We know that Crystal Palace have actually gotten the better of Liverpool in their last two games, of course, in the Community Shield. We know that the Carabao Cup for Liverpool has always been one where they rotate. But considering the fact that Liverpool haven't been or have been in a bit of a slump now, does that change it? Does the Carabao Cup have extra importance now? Well, I guess Anish Lott's the only man that can tell you how important it is. But at the end of the day, I would suggest that winning the next Premier League game is way more important than the Carabao Cup. And there's no question in my mind that Liverpool will put out a so-called, if you can call it that right now, weak inside.

30:53And Crystal Palace won't. No. And as you've just said, Crystal Palace have outplayed Liverpool twice already this year. So there's absolutely no reason to think it won't happen again. I would love somebody to explain or tell me how this is going to be any different than what Liverpool have been doing. Other than the line of, well, eventually it has to change. Well, maybe eventually it does have to change, but nobody knows when that's coming. And there's absolutely zero to suggest that it's going to come in this game. So I have no confidence in Liverpool right now. On the other hand, I've got every confidence in Crystal Palace.

31:30Anybody who watches them, regardless of whether they win or lose, they are always in the fight. They're competitive. They're organised. They're dangerous on the counter. And if there's one of the... If you were to pick out Liverpool's biggest weakness, I would say it's getting countered on. They look at an absolute shambles defensively. And there's no question, Liverpool's at home. That means, regardless of who they play, they're going forward. Which absolutely plays into Crystal Palace's hands. So, I'm sorry, right now, I don't see how Liverpool can beat a Crystal Palace side that I think will be a strong team.

32:08Craig, do you agree? Do you think Liverpool should put out a weekend team? I think they will. Well, your question about the Carabao Cup, I think with Liverpool's form, it has gained less importance for them. Because they need to put a team out that's fresh and ready to go for Saturday, where they play, or at the weekend, they play Aston Villa, who have got up ahead of steam. I think Stevie said before we came on here, have won five in the bounds. beat City at the weekend, beat Tottenham away. We'll sit in, we'll try and suck Liverpool in and we'll hit in the counter-attack, which Liverpool have just struggled like hell with this season when they've been caught on the counter-attack.

32:54So if he makes five or six changes at least, and they're slot that is, is that strengthening or weak in this already struggling Liverpool team? It's weakening. And if Oliver Glasner comes with pretty much a full team, because they're not going to be anywhere near relegation this year, they're way too strong. even if they have a bad season it'll be mid-table then they've already got a community shield and an FA Cup in the last few months and they might look at the Carabao Cup Crystal Palace and say do you know what the Liverpool's of this world the city of this world the Chelsea's and the Arsenal they might all they'll all rotate for this competition so why don't we as somebody that's tasted Wembley tasted Cup success twice two of them from the end of May to the beginning of August, why don't we just go hell for leather for this competition?

33:41I think Palace might have that mentality to try and add the Carabao Cup to the other two I mentioned because they know the team's going for the title, we'll rotate. So there may be an opportunity there. Okay, it's not easy. You've got to go to Anfield. You just don't know what you're going to get from Liverpool. But I think that's what Palace's mindset will be. They've got the taste of Wembley and the success. And for Liverpool, I think it's just making sure he can put his perceived best at living on the field against Villa at the weekend. So for that reason, I think you'll probably see a lot of changes in this Liverpool team for this game tomorrow.

34:16Frank, what do you think Liverpool should do? As Craig and the boys are saying here, that they should prioritise their next Premier League game and make a lot more changes for this one? Yes, I think they should. They should be caught on top of it. Arnaud Slott can find maybe with maybe five or six new players somebody better than the one who normally plays and say, okay, well, you know what? I've got better players on the bench than I have on the field. So maybe I will change, you know, uh, during the weekend and, uh, big competition and maybe relaunch a little bit, uh, the, the, the motivation that the player don't have right now.

34:49So it could be a good idea. And I think it will do that because I, uh, I really think that they need some, uh, freshness as well from, uh, some, some players and again, to see how the others are behaving. And I just want to put a one point on the, on Crystal Palace, you know, that's going to be tricky for every player. They scare everybody, every team. We saw Arsenal struggling at the end of the game in the last 10 minutes, being a little bit shaky because Crystal Palace were pushing forwards to get it back. And so it's going to be tricky for Liverpool. There is no good answer right now. Having the normal team, the so-called first team, is not a perfect idea and it is not a perfect answer.

35:30So I think it's better for Anaslau to give some rest to some players, give some chances to some others and see what's going on. I said to Stevie when the international break was on, if they come back, Liverpool that is, and lose at home to Man United on the run they were on, that's just going to be huge for them. It's going to be a huge, and they did. And then on top of that, they have the game at Brentford, which they lose and don't play well and there's mistakes all over the place. So you throw Villa into that? I mean it's not quite the Man City Falling off the cliff of last year I think theirs was eight games Or thereabouts But it's getting towards it It's not far off Having spent A huge amount in the summer I mean if anything They're actually I mean look at it Look at the run Oh wow Oh my god You might be looking forward to the City game As your best chance If anything Man City weren't as bad I mean Man City at least Was scoring goals for fun when they had that hard-endest run.

36:34But unfortunately, they were losing more goals than they were scoring. But at least they were scoring goals. Right now, we're kind of scratching our head. Who's going to score a goal? I mean, that's so... The way they're playing, they could conceivably lose those four. The way they're playing, they could conceivably lose those four games. I mean, it probably won't happen, but there's nothing that would fill you full of confidence to say, no, not a problem. then we're in the realms of the manager batting more questions away at press conferences. I'm going to be interested to see what the atmosphere is like as well if it doesn't start great.

37:10Because right now everybody connected with Liverpool in terms of who supports them is absolutely as I said the other day shell-shocked. Nobody knows what to say because we can't believe what we're seeing because we thought we were going to see the next coming of whatever and all of a sudden, somebody's pulled the trap door. And so if Liverpool don't start this game well, the atmosphere, it's not going to be toxic. It's going to be quiet. Well, interestingly enough, I asked everyone for predictions for this one. We all gave our predictions and just have a look at what everyone had to say. Not one person chose Liverpool, not even Stevie Nicholls.

37:53Stevie, surely, as Craig was saying, If Liverpool go on this run Win Well not win tomorrow Something's got to give How much pressure will be on Arnaz Slaught? No none Still? I don't mean no pressure Listen I will absolutely tell you That this This time next year Arnaz Slaught will be the manager of Liverpool Confidently Yes Yes But In terms of right now I've forgotten your question In terms of right now, well, I started off by saying, could somebody tell me why Liverpool can win this game? And I'm not in any other position than I was when I started with that. So I just, I am sorry. I'm completely bamboozled by what Liverpool are giving us on the field.

38:48I'm a little bamboozled with some of the decisions, although I've kind of stuck in up on the slot. the fact that... You were saying he was saying all the right things at the start of the season. They've been so bad that he's been forced into making five changes every game, which I don't necessarily in the long run help, but then he's been forced into because of the form of the players that are actually playing. I don't know what to tell you. I'm lost. I don't know what to tell you. I'm lost. I have no idea. So is he by the looks of it? Aye. I said it a couple of weeks ago. I've never seen Stevie this ruffled in loss.

39:24There are players who have had some injuries and have lost a bit of form. But listen, every club has that. Every team, every manager is dealing with a crisis in confidence or an injury or whatever it is. And I'll go back to it. For the bulky last year, he didn't have these issues to manage. And he is a manager, so he didn't have to manage them. Because he pretty much knew the Liverpool team. 1-11, maybe give or take. pretty much now I think a lot of people are looking at him and it is very early but a lot of people are looking and saying does he know in his head what the right decisions are and I'm not sure he does I think I think the one thing that he has to do and I don't think it's got anything to do with tactics or anything like that is man management because he has to figure out how he gets these players going and gets them playing and to me I don't think it's got anything to do with tactics around like that.

40:20It's about man management and getting around the players and doing what they need. Figuring out what they need in order to be at their best. That's his job right now. I don't think tactics is the problem. Guys. Go on, Frank. Go on, Frank. Guys, don't you feel that we already have seen that story about a team winning the Premier League and being out of order the year after and not knowing how to resolve the problem? That wasn't far away. That was Manchester City last season. That's absolutely crazy. When you have a team dominating the rest, and that can be a warning for Arsenal already, but how to rebound the year after.

40:59Manchester City was out of order last season. It's getting a little bit better. Liverpool is only the shadow of themselves this season. That can say something about the Premier League and the inconsistency we are seeing for the past two years. And something has to happen to make sure that the big teams, because they are big teams in history and in the current form, let's say, they have to evolve. Something wrong is going on right now with teams dominating so much the Premier League and having a bad season the year after. Yeah, but in all fairness, Frank, Man City did... Show signs. No, they did do multiple back-to-back.

41:40Back-to-back. For the trial. They did for the trial. But they'd seen that movie. Got in trouble. You know, this is different. I mean, Frank was at Wembley for the Community Shield. I was there. You and Stevie were in the studio. Before the game, it was going to be Liverpool and somebody else. And then we watched the game and we all said pretty much the same thing. The dynamic between Kirkes, who struggled, there's no doubt, and Van Dijk, who hasn't really helped him a great deal as a senior player, that was evident at London that day. But it was a week before the start of the season. So that's OK.

42:18The balance in midfield with Florian Vils. We kind of looked at that and went, right, how's that going to work? Now, where are we? August, mid-August, September, October, two and a half months, right? And that's two and a half months on the training field to figure that out. Whether it's Van Dijk and Kerkhe's figuring it out, whether it's the backfield, whether it's the manager, whether it's all the coaching staff. They've had two and a half months to figure out the issues that we all saw at Wembley a week before the season started. And they haven't. So whatever they're doing on the training ground, because they must be doing something.

42:55They're not just going, hey, see you next week, lads. They've got to be working on it. So we saw it against Palace. And they've not been able to do anything about it. That comes down to the players, though. You know, I mean, there are only so many things you can do on the training field, right? and he'd have to think that Arna Slott will be doing a lot of the same things that he did last year and so a lot of it has to come down with the players individually I mean we're talking about we're criticising Pep for overcoaching you know what I mean I mean there's got to be a balance and so yes you can you can show players what you want you can show them what he's going to do so you can react where should you be when he's over here when the ball's here you should be there.

43:42But at the end of the day, players step on the field and they've got to do it. And so I just don't see how right now we can look at Arna Slott and blame Arna Slott. I mean, we all sit here. I've certainly said that a thousand times. The best time to strengthen is when you're on top. And look what's happened. Their opponents tomorrow, Crystal Palace, if we sit here and laud Oliver Glasner for the work he's done, what's the difference the other way he's been able to work with less and have that organisation and at the moment the Liverpool manager is struggling I mean Palace would have taken Kierkegaard in a heartbeat he's struggling I mean it's different going to Palace than it is going to Anfield I understand all that and it's a bit worrying when your inside partner is Virgil van Dijk and everything he's done and you're a young lad and I get all that.

44:41But if we're lauding managers for getting more out of less, at some point, if this continues, it's going to come round on the manager. Well, Frank, we're going to give you the last word on this one. Yeah, yeah. It's just I try to go into an old slot defence in a way that when is the time you have to work on the chemistry that you can find with players and new players if it's not during the summer? So we know that they travel a lot. they do something. Liverpool didn't have to do the World Cup, I think, the club World Cup. Crystal Palace neither, so they had the time to work. But when you have passed that time, it's really hard, especially when you have Liverpool to play every three days, because if you don't have the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup midweek, you will have the Champions League.

45:25Then if you don't have the Champions League, you will have international duties, and most players would be involved. So it's almost impossible when you are seeing that at training session, they have to work. When do you work? You play on Saturday, Sunday it's off, Monday you start training a little bit, Tuesday you put some set pieces, Wednesday you play. Thursday it's off or it's a warm down and then Friday you start preparing set pieces for the next game. That's almost impossible for the team unless they work during the summer to put something down where it's going to call automatisms. So it's really hard for Liverpool right now to cope with the situation and to try to reverse what's going wrong.

46:08No, no, before we move on, let me just say, we cannot, so what we're saying is, we've all sat here and been critical, although things have picked up, of Ruben Amarim, right? So to Frank's point, are we saying we should not have criticised Ruben Amarim because he didn't have time to work, if Liverpool's got no time to work on the training ground or anybody else, then Man United have got no time. So what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Because you've got to have some accountability. And we've all piled on, when it was bad, Ruben Amarim. But there's a time frame, isn't there? There's a time frame.

46:42I don't think the time is right to turn around and say, right, Arnaud Slott has to change it. Because that's what we said about Ruben Amarim. We didn't say Ruben Amarim wasn't working with players. We didn't say he wasn't doing this. Well, he has to change something. And we kind of, you know, but eventually when you keep banging the same drum and it doesn't work, then you have to change it. But we're not, I don't believe we're there yet we are in the slot. That's why I'm not, that's why I'm saying that the players have to take a good chunk of the responsibility. Because I don't believe slot, I don't believe slot has had enough time yet to get to the stage where we're going, right, you need to change the system.

47:21I'm not talking about changing the system. but I'm talking tactics, whatever you want he's not figured out whether to play a number 10 inverts or play three midfielders he's not figured out who wants to play it right back he is hedging his bets with his other full back so you know my argument for that is I think the reason for that is because of the players so what's the difference between that and Man United? I'm telling you it's time it's a time thing for me you have to when you try to put your ideas over and particularly when you have so many new players, you have a certain amount of time to do that.

47:56And then there comes a point where you have to go, right, you know what? This isn't working. Either I change them, or I change how we play. I don't believe Arnaz Slott's reached that stage yet. But he's been in the job longer, has he not? Than Ruben Amarim. And Ruben Amarim, to be fair, he also has a bunch of new players this summer. Yeah, but they couldn't get any worse. my point my point it's not the same it's not the same heritage why is it not the same thing why is it okay to not look at the Liverpool manager when we have absolutely ground the United manager to the ground wow when he has we're talking about nine games Craig's thinking of for United lovely we're talking about nine games I'm just saying though well what's the difference he's working with it's only nine games that's the difference but it was only nine games for Ribbon and Ream no he's been dead alright well I'm pretty sure we're going to talk about He's been there longer.

48:52He's not been there longer. So you're only talking about... So we're not counting last year. One second. So we're not counting last year. What do you mean? He's been there 12 months, Amarine. And he's not changed the way they've played. No, he's not. And we banged on about how he needs to change the way he's played. Yeah. And he hasn't changed the way they've played. And they've picked up. Yeah, what? The last three weeks. They were rotten to start the season. My point is, if it's good enough for... I don't think we're getting each other's points. It doesn't seem so. No, I'm not. I'm not. if we're just talking about this season alone and it's because Arnley Slott's working with new players then Ruben Ramirim is also working with some new players alright he hasn't changed the system and we've all been critical I'm not talking about Liverpool changing the system but he hasn't figured out what Liverpool's best team is you've said well there's only nine games there's only nine games for the other guy so we can't sit here I don't think we can sit here at this desk and say no it's just the players on one manager and the other manager it's him No?

49:51I don't think I was saying it was the players. I was just saying a lot of it. We'll leave it at that then for the moment. So if Liverpool do lose tomorrow, like every single one of us have predicted, that will be six losses in seven games. Oh, wow, Stevie really didn't have any hope. But be sure to join us for extra time. The boys will be answering all your questions and Frank will be let back into the chat by then, I promise. Are you looking to rebound from your high-interest credit card debt? A SoFi personal loan can help you get back on track. Consolidate your debt with a SoFi personal loan into one loan monthly payment, and you could save money on interest over time.

50:29And with as soon as the same day funding, you could hit the ground running ASAP. Apply today with no fees required at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. Loans originated by SoFi Bank, NA member, FDIC. Terms and conditions apply, NMLS, 696891. Fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash Debt Rebound. From first call to final invoice, Service Titan is the only integrated intelligence that automates your entire workflow. Built for visionaries, ready to stop operating and start automating their success. Service Titan, AI for the trades. All right, boys, let's get into it, shall we? Here's a look at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

51:12hearts all the way. Eight points flying at the top. Our Mark Donaldson will be very, very happy. Celtic there in second. And we're going to continue on Celtic because Brendan Rogers has resigned. Not sacked, resigned as manager. And Dermot Desmond, the Celtic owner, had this to say about Brendan Rogers' exit. He says, his words and actions have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fueled hostility towards members of the executive team and board. Craig, that's pretty damning. What's going on at Celtic? I have absolutely no idea, which really intrigues me how we're going to get into this.

51:53We have the perfect panellists right now. The last time I watched a Scottish Premiership game was before I moved this side of the pond, and that's over a decade ago. I can only tell you what I've been reading from some of the journalists that I've still followed I've known for a while is there's two sides to every story and there's no doubt Brennan Rodgers was piping up about this that and the next thing but you go and ask Celtic supporters about their board you go and ask the journalists about the board that Celtic who are quite happy because Rangers are struggling and they keep sacking managers and they've just sacked another one that because of that and because they've won so many championships and titles easily the board just won't spend money and you go and ask any Celtic fan how happy they are with the Celtic board including Dermot Desmond who can say all he wants because he's not even the majority owner I think he owns 35 or 37 % so it's a board decision he's got no overall control of that club so he really shouldn't be coming out and making the statement on his own but you ask the Celtic as much as a lot of them probably they think it's time for a change with Brendan Rodgers If you ask 99 % of them where their anger is directed at, it's the bold.

53:09As I say, there's two sides to every story. The problem is, Hearts have had a great season. Derek McInnes has gone in there. Tony Bloom has got a big involvement now with the Brighton owner. I think he's a minority owner, or might be a majority. And they're using this sort of data that they use at Brighton for signing players. and we know how successful Brighton have been to go out and buy all these players from different parts of the world and then good players sell them on for a fortune. They're bringing that kind of model to Tyne Castle. It's working great for them. That's piled more pressure on Brendan Rodgers or on Celtic.

53:45That piled the pressure on the manager. But they are the best team in Scotland. They're just not getting the best results. But the fans' ira is at the board. If you ask any of them, it's the board that's annoying them. Stevie, as a Rangers man, are you enjoying this? Absolutely. Unfortunately, as bad as they are, we're still looking up the league at them. You know, the thing with Brendan and the reason that they've officially said that they couldn't listen to him self-serving himself, complaining about everything else. The one thing I would say about that is when you're the manager, you can take the opportunity after the transfer window's closed, and suggest, tell, however you want to put it, that, you know, we needed to do more in order to be more successful.

54:36That's fine, you do that. But you can't, week after week, keep harping on about it because the players read it, hear it and listen to it. And when they're talking about a toxic atmosphere, the atmosphere he's talking about is one of, well, we don't have the best players, we're not good enough, we didn't do enough, and that seeps down to the players eventually. and then it gives them an excuse when they're not winning. You know, all of these things add up. And so the fact that Brendan's gone shouldn't be really a big surprise. As Craig said, the Celtic fans seem to be getting after the board, but at the same time, when you're making it even worse for the board and they're your employer, then you shouldn't be surprised when they put so much pressure on that you think that you have to resign.

55:21This was a Celtic team that last year conceivably could have beat Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. Yeah. But did not, but easily could have done. So they have the best. Whether they spend enough or not, they have not spent enough for the fans liking. They still have the best players in Scottish football. They're just not getting the best results. Hartabed Lothian are at the moment. So, yeah. And Brendan Rodgers is not the most popular because after his first tenure, when he was there and had a lot of success and basically undying love for the club and then jumped ship. And let me tell you, like a lot of fans, Rangers and Celtic, they don't forget.

55:59No. I know that. So they don't forget and so I think a lot of them think it's ready for a change but yeah, it's a tough school when you're up in Glasgow. It's a lot of pressure from a player's point of view and a manager's point of view because when it starts going wrong you're going to get it and Brendan Rodgers was getting it but so are the both as I say but they only have to look over to Ibrox and see the situation is not that bad. Chill himself off. Alright, well word is up Martin O 'Neill has taken over as interim manager. He has ruled out a long-term stay there. He was on the radio two hours before he knew he was getting a job and said, Hartz will win the league.

56:38And then he got a phone call to say, we need you as interim coach. Recant, recant, recant, Martin, recant. Anyways, for more of our ESPN FC content, make sure to check out our YouTube channel. And while you're there, you know what to do. Hit that subscribe button.

57:02All right, here's a look at the top half of the Serie A standings. You can see that Napoli are doing quite well, as many expected. They were up against Lecce today, and Napoli came out as winners. And Milan actually also were in action, and they could only manage a draw. They're in third position, level on points with Roma.

57:25Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. Summer work travel can feel like extra innings. Long days, late nights, and not a lot of room to stretch out. Especially when your hotel room feels more like the dugout than the clubhouse. But when you stay at La Quinta by Wyndham, you can step up to spacious suites that give you room to relax, recharge, and get ready for the next day. I always feel like I need that when I'm traveling on the road covering ballgames. Plus, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Because when you've got space to unwind, you're always playing at your best.

58:01Tonight, La Quinta. Tomorrow, you shine. Book your next work trip at LaQuinta.com. Terms and conditions apply. Save money on your next oil change with O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Get a$15 O 'Reilly gift card after rebate when you buy five quarts of Mobile One full synthetic motor oil for just$35.95. Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts. Friendly. Well, I'm sure they'll be looking back on that. Plus, plenty more tonight on Football W. Special guests joining the likes of Christina Alley and Jeff Kasup. The legend that is Kristen Press and Manchester United's very own Fallon Tullis Joyce. but also the U.S.

58:43Women's National Team's very own. Oh, that's got some budget. I know. All right, guys, ready for extra time? Not really. I feel like there's some more hearts questions. Squeeze this lemon enough today. That's it, but don't go anywhere. Extra time is next.

59:04All right, welcome into extra time. Let me just get my papers in order. Not much in order in my life. So why do you need papers and a Mac? Well, because, well, when it's here, it's like kind of small. Do you know what I mean? I kind of like it. All right. Too slow with the answer. All right. You're not a fan of my laptop, are you? I don't care. Oh, love that. All right. Oh, yes. Frank LeBouf is still with us, Frank. I'm so sorry. Yeah, yeah. And I'm going to jump on. You know, we saw at the end of the show, we saw the women, English women winning against Australia. Yeah. Do you remember that shirt reminds me, 82 World Cup, you know, with the beautiful Mr.

59:46Mariner, striker of England. That was the beauty. And they made me thought about him. So I have a thought for him. But I have a thought also for the national team shirt. That was for me the worst national team English shirt ever. That was like a backhanded compliment in that one. All right. Let's get into the first. many things matters over the years but beautiful wasn't not one of them. Beautiful, he had quite beautiful schnoz didn't he? Nose. Nose. He loved it, he loved it. All right first question, start, bench, drop to play a match in. Freezing cold, lashing rain or blistering heat? Ah, lashing rain.

1:00:32I'd rather play in the rain. You'd rather what? I'd rather play in the rain. Would you? Aye. Well, you can't eat plain in heat. You can't eat run. Well, you don't have to then. In the cold, you can't eat run either because your body freezes. If it's blistering heat, then the chances are both teams are not running. I think you can get away with that. Well, we'll find out at the World Cup next year. The rain I don't like because the cold you can heat up. You can... I'm saying you're getting very cold in Scotland. You might try playing in New York in the first week. Do we get really cold in Scotland?

1:01:03No, a little, but not like here. No way here. Oh, really? No way here. Frank, what about you? Definitely the rain. I don't mind. It's nice. You can tackle on top of it. It's very nice. And after, I will go for the freezing cold, and I will definitely drop the heat. I mean, when you're too hot, there is nothing you can take off. You cannot take your skin off. When you're cold, you can bring some clothes and try to cover yourself. But the heat, it goes into your head. I mean you you start to be hot everywhere you can you cannot deal with that you make a header you have a you have a It hurts. I hate the hit.

1:01:42I hated the hit when I was playing Come commando today as an address. I know Frank you come very Yeah, GI Joe like the status quo like the status quo would say I mean I'm in the army now Oh, okay. Do you have there? Do you have your friends? Yeah. Yeah Kind of it. No, we get it. Okay, the song, the song, in the army now, the song, the song, status quo. Go on, sing it for us, Stevie. Come on. I need a guitar. Yeah, we know the song. We can't do it, a guitar. We know the song. I actually didn't, but I'm going to pretend I did. You don't know that song? Next question. I think I do when I can hear it.

1:02:19What's the second line? Oh, nobody's going to sing for me. I am in the army now. It's status quo. Come on. Oh, status quo is a good one. It only did one line. This whole song's one line. Yep. The entire song is just, in the army now? Pretty much. Like most of their songs. Pretty much, yeah. Pretty much. So the group's called status quo. Yeah. When did that song? You know, that's a bit that's a long before your time. Oh, okay. And you've got to do that the whole time. It was to denounce the Vietnam War. The whole thing. It's like, oh. That was to denounce the Vietnam War. What was the F-Min song again?

1:02:52That's why. And here we are and here we are and here we go. Here we go. Rocking around the world. We're rocking all over the world. Oh, I know that one. And I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, I like it, and I like it. Oh, here we go. Our producer, Luis, says to shut up so we can move on. And after that, you repeat it, and then repeat it, and then repeat it, and that's all. I think I only know that song because it was turned into a football chat. Didn't you just say we're moving on? Yeah, I was just making sure because I know it was turned into a football chat. Next question. Over the weekend, two goals were scored directly from corner kicks.

1:03:25Is this type of goal the flukiest of fluke goals, or do players actually try to score directly from corner kicks? Craig? Well, you shouldn't be scoring directly from a corner kick. If you are, the goalkeeper is absolutely made a mess of it. Shotgun traffic. So, yeah. Players may try, but it shouldn't happen. Goalkeepers should never allow that to happen. All right. Next question. Liverpool were deemed lucky to win the league last season without much competition from their rivals. Will Arsenal face the same narrative if they go on and win it this season? No, you can't say that. There's no competition.

1:04:05No. No, you can't say that. I don't remember. No, you can't say that. There's absolutely competition. And Liverpool did it last year and Arsenal have done it so far. They've done enough to be better than the opposition. but there's been a competition absolutely 100%. So even though the points might be sufficiently different, you've got to compete to win every game. Frank, you agree? Yeah, I do agree. I mean, we saw Arsenal. They won, they got the three points against Crystal Palace, they suffered, it's never easy. And it's true that because City lost, Liverpool lost, but you have to do the job.

1:04:52You have to be consistent. That's why Liverpool won last season and it's why Arsenal, I think, are going to win. It's because they are more consistent than the others. All right, next question. Craig's going to love this one because it has to do with percentages. What percentage do you give hearts of winning the Premiership? 50. Oh. Well, there's eight points ahead. There's a heck of a long way to go. So, I say 50-50 at the moment. Craig, I have a question. How long has it been since another team, but Rangers and Celtic won the championship? I think, I stand corrected Frank, but I think it's 40 years.

1:05:40No. 30 years. Really? Aberdeen. Really? Yeah. I think it's Aberdeen in the 80s. Dundee United never won it They won a European competition under Jim McLean Hearts have never won the league Oh wow They lost to Dundee It was 86 85-86 I think It's around 40 years Since one team Wow amazing Has basically knocked one of the big So when Rangers Were relegated Celtic kept on winning Yes Wow Wow But then obviously There was less competition At that point But yeah It's a long time And that's why There's a long way You know From a heart's perspective Great little club Tyne Castle Fantastic place to go and play It's not huge There's always a really good atmosphere I always loved going and playing there When I was at Celtic But there's a heck of a long way to go Do you know what I'm saying You can easily Drop Eight points easily Aberdeen 1984, 85 alright 40 years alright wow so hearts have won the Scottish Cup they won the Scottish Cup in the year I was at Celtic yeah Hibs have won it 1998 Hibs have won it but the league it's been Celtic and Rangers dominant since Sir Alex Ferguson wow wow that's a great one oh well we have another percentage question percentage chance of Barcelona ending the season trophy less.

1:07:24How many trophies are they? They're in four competitions right? Yeah so Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España. And the Supercopa is just the one that's usually the semi final straight to the final. It's got to be small.

1:07:41It's got to be Less than that. 15? Frank says 15. Yeah, I'll go with Frank. I'll go with Frank. All right, 20. Oh, Craig's going with 20. I was thinking 20 or 30, to be fair. Oh, see, I thought 30. Well, it depends on if the high line continues, I guess, and everyone's going to get them out. Well, it's continuing. Yeah. It's not changing, you know. Hansi Flick will just say, we just need to do it better. A lot better. Oh, boy. Next question. Based on form just this season, How many Liverpool players make United's 11 that aren't currently injured? It really might just be Eketike and Saboslay. Van Dijk and Salah seem like a stretch.

1:08:21The goalkeeper. Alisson or Mamedash. Hold on. Making Man United's team? Yeah, but just going off of what we've seen just this season alone. We have... He's ready. He's ready. I mean, is this recency bias? All of them. Up until the last three games, Manchester United, and the last three games have been much better. Burnley? No. Sunderland? Sunderland. Liverpool. Liverpool. And Brighton. Brighton. Up until that point, their form was worse than any Liverpool player. They were absolute pants. So, have a think about that. What Liverpool players would get in? The United team? As bad as Liverpool have been, by their standards, up until the international break and just before it, United were way worse.

1:09:17Yeah, maybe Van de Ligt has been better than Conaté and Van Dijk so far, let's say. And I love Ahmad Diallo. Ahmad Diallo, for me, is absolutely a jury. And when he plays, it's a different Manchester United because he brings something. so but for the others Van Dijk would still get in United's team but Man United couldn't win a game they've won three I get that they've won three they could not win a game why is this why has their form has been terrible up until recently you wouldn't pick Harry Maguire ahead of Van Dijk tomorrow one scoring goal no listen I'm joking I'm joking I just have to wrestle I'm just rattling.

1:10:09As bad as Mo Salah has been. Oh my God. He's been bad. Yeah. Amad Jalloh, Salah? Craig, Amad Jalloh, Salah? Right now, Jalloh, yeah. Okay, wow. All right, shall we get to the final? Let's be honest, it's not a hard answer, is it? No, no, at the moment. Final question for the panel. Today is National Chocolate Day. What's your favourite chocolate dessert? Oh, I don't eat dessert. My favourite chocolate... Chocolate? You like chocolate, right? Dairy milk. Dairy milk. Oh, I agree. Straightforward or fruit and nut? I love fruit and nut. Oh, no, that's Cadbury's. Oh, Cadbury's dairy milk, I don't want to talk about that.

1:10:48But it could be a chocolate dessert. So, dairy milk, not a fan of the fruit one, but they do one with the... Can you rock in it? Yeah, oh, what would you describe that as? Have you had the new one? There's caramel. The caramel one. No, I prefer the straight chocolate. I prefer the straight... I prefer fruits and nuts. I feel like a grandma, but I love me a fruits and nuts. Fruit and nuts, aye. That's your favorite? Fruit and nuts. Even out of desserts? I don't do desserts. Oh, okay, wow. Which is hard to believe. I know. I was going to say, but I didn't want to say it. He's doing a lot of other stuff.

1:11:17Well, someone who has an elevated case for chocolate. Don't feel sorry for him. Well, I'm a crazy... I'm a crazy chocolate eater. I can eat a tablet a day of 70 % black chocolate for cooking. Not a dark chocolate. You know, for cooking chocolate when you make a cuisine. Yeah. I love them. 70 % black because it's healthier than the rest. Less sugar. But on holidays, when I go to the airport, I buy the big tablets of milk chocolate, fruits inside, you know, craziness. I love those. you know you can find only at the airport and I I buy two big tablets and I I eat them you know nicely on the holidays on my bed I forgot about Bourneville do you like Bourneville Frank dark chocolate?

1:12:08no no no no it's it's I forgot the the the the trademark do you like Bourneville? no no no I'm not crazy about that I really like to to feel the chocolate. There was the Toblerone. Toblerone is nice as well. I love the Toblerone. I don't know if you know that. All right. We know the triangles. Craig's got his one out. I'm enjoying this. He's ready. I'm really enjoying this. Long story short, we all love chocolate, so if anyone wants to send us some Cadbury fruit and nuts or dairy milk or anything chocolate, to be honest, we will eat it. And if none of us eat it, Stevie will. As long as it's not ticking.

1:12:44Not cooking chocolate. As long as, yeah, as long as it's not ticking. Ticking. Don't send anything in. All right. Well, we'll be back for more ESPN FC tomorrow. Kay Murray will be back, so make sure to tune in.

1:12:58Good energy in. Good energy out.

1:13:06Storm. Zero sugar, 200 milligrams of caffeine, and immunity support. Storm. Energy for life.