Michael Bublé and the Velociraptors

0:00Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Avnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. From one of the fastest growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch. Read, watch and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S.

0:32national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this... Well, I think the problem is, if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more. I tell myself, it's not about comparing.

1:01But then I start wondering, what can they lift? Are they adding more weight to their barbell than I am? And suddenly, I'm not training. Then I realize, my journey is not theirs. I've earned every step. So I smile. My smile is the shape resilience takes to keep me moving. To put more smiles out into the world, Colgate has supported female athletes for over 50 years with the Colgate Women's Games, The nation's longest running indoor track and field series for girls and women. Colgate, your smile is your strength. You know what I keep seeing online? People finishing college degrees way faster than you'd expect, like months instead of years.

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2:39Luke Moore: Sure. Once upon a time, a mom needed a new car. Was she brave? She was tired, mostly. But she went to Corbana.com and found a great car at a great price. No secret treasure map required. Did you have to find a dragon? Nope. She bought it 100 % online from her bed, actually. Was it scary? Honey, it was as unscary as car buying could be. Did the car have a sunroof? It did, actually. Okay, good story. Car buying you'll want to tell stories about. Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. Hi, it's Mark Bittman from the podcast Food with Mark Bittman. It is getting warmer and it's time to go outside and start grilling.

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3:42Luke Moore: Just another Manic Monday, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble! Arsenal are on the verge and Forrest and Leeds are staying up. It's Monday, 11th of May. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Luke Moore. And I'm Derek Cartlidge.

4:06Luke Moore: Hello everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. What a weekend, everybody. What a weekend of football we've had. Winners and losers. Some people drew. We're going to start with West Ham 0, Arsenal 1, David Cartlidge. Controversy right at the end. Let's go to it. The talking point of the weekend. That's how we're starting the show. Was it a fail for you, David? Yeah, it was. Oh, my God. Honestly, it was a fail. I'm surprised at that. Which one? Yeah, yeah. I mean, which one? It's like a fucking Royal Rumble. I came to you, David. I know you did. I thought Manchester City fans need somebody to back them up here but no, you're not going for it.

4:45Luke Moore: You thought it was a foul. I think everybody's in agreement it was a foul or not. It's everything else that everybody's disagreeing on. That's my interpretation. The consistency of the law and how it's applied and the number of fouls that were going on in there. So I think that's what's up for the bit. I think everybody's in pretty much agreement that it was a foul on the goalkeeper and Rye's being pulled down. Right. You know what I mean? Did Rye do that classic Sunday morning stuff anyone at MREF? Yeah, exactly. So there's not much debate. then you think it was a foul. I mean, Gary Neville said it's the biggest VAR call in the history of the Premier League.

5:16He also said he thinks it's a foul. Yeah. Even though he got a lot of stick from Arsenal fans about it.

5:19Luke Moore: Roy Keane thought it was a foul as well. But I mean, Luke, it seldom do you get that type of drama. I think the problem, yeah, it was amazing drama. Yeah. It was, it was, it was, you know, basically what we all pay our exorbitant subscriptions for. Those of us who don't steal our streams. But yeah, those people aren't here to defend themselves today. Pete, for example. So, Maybe one. You're dropping your£138 a month for Sky. Right. This is the kind of drama you expect and that you want. I think it was a foul. I think there was another foul from Tadibo behind him putting his shirt as well. It was Rice as well.

5:52Rice was doing the grapple. He had both arms. But there's so many. But I mean, there was two fouls on Rea specifically. Oh, right, okay, right, okay, okay.

5:58Luke Moore: I mean, that's still as well with the forearm across the neck. The thing people, as David kind of mentioned, the thing that people are complaining about, it seems to me, is two-fold. One is that this stuff is happening all the time. So the obvious example would be when Arsenal played Man United and Bayern D was fouled in basically a similar way in the goal school. Yeah, that was doing the rounds on X and everything. And then also you've got the second part of it, which is that there are so many fouls happening in the penalty area. When you start putting a microscope on it in the form of VAR, it almost becomes a farce because what you're asking the VAR to do is look at one specific keyhole.

6:38You're not looking at the whole pie, right? Where there's like a foul there, a foul there, a foul there, a foul there. And I honestly don't know what the officials or the people who run the game in this way are going to do about it medium to long term. That was my big question as well. Because what I then was reading was like, oh, it was the first foul of the sequence. So therefore it has to be given. So the ones after done, right? Yeah, it's kind of like that. But you might as well just say, okay there's there's three fouls on that side three fouls on that side crack on with it and then Darren Kan who's the ex assistant referee was saying that you know the only way you can I'm not endorsing this opinion I'm just putting it into the conversational pot as a bit of seasoning he said the only way he sees it working is they just have to ban players from being in the six yard box for corner which is never going to happen but the only thing I'll say before I throw it back to you is that I think it was a foul therefore I guess by the letter of the law it is rightly disallowed and you can't talk through your pocket on this stuff.

7:36You have to, you know, I would have quite liked West Ham to get a point for all the obvious reasons because I'm a neutral in this and it would make it more interesting. But I think it was a foul. But the issue is, you know, honestly, Ben White has made a whole season of doing this. Ben White has been put on the opposition keeper every single corner he's played. All season. And he seems to be the master of being able to badger them and annoy them and get in their way without actually committing a foul. Or, the VAR just doesn't intervene. So it's really, really inconsistent. It's going to be a problem to deal with going forward.

8:09Luke Moore: He's saying White could be a weapon at the World Cup. Yeah, for the opposition. But specifically in a corner we're attacking, he might better do something. Right. I remain terrified of Ben White starting games for England in the World Cup. Just leave it there. Right, David. I mean, look, I'm going to get on my high horse about VAR again. I just think it's a shame that a decision of this magnitude and what was on the line comes down to VAR again. And then like, look, this is how it was crafted. It was crafted to introduce all this drama and that's what it's become. And that's, you know, and I keep talking about all these referees of shows, all these special ref cams and all this, and explanations and announcements in the stadium and things like that.

8:47It's all part, it's all engineered to create VAR's this entertainment spectacle. And it's just, it's absolutely rubbish. What do you think about chemtrails, David? Sorry, David. It's a conspiracy. Well, now you mention it. So yeah, and it's just, I think it's disappointing to see a title or a relegation come down to this and how long it takes as well. What was it? Nine minutes, 26 replays or something like that? It's a shame. Do you know what? There was a rugby league semi-final on yesterday. It kicked off at four o 'clock. It finished at ten past six because of all the coaches' challenges, because of all the video reviews and everything like that.

9:21Football's not too far away from it. Trust me, games are going to get slowed down even more. I mean, that is terrifying.

9:25Luke Moore: The last thing we need is more rugby. Yeah, I agree. Yeah, nobody wants that. I agree. I don't agree with the conspiracy theory element of what David's saying there. And which camera am I on? That's the opinion of David personally, not on the Football Ramble. But I do think... But I do... I think they're trying to... I genuinely think they're trying to be better. I just don't think they're very good. I think the intention of VAR was noble. I just don't think it's very good. I think it was noble as well in its purest form. But what it's become, it's magnified so much. They want to control the game entirely.

9:58that's my issue with it

10:00Luke Moore: do you know I think it comes down to they want to be tough on fouls and tough on the causes of fouls is that what it is could we hug a striker maybe can we hug a hoodie every goal's checked nowadays though like every goal and that's my issue inevitably well I mean as of this morning West Ham are set to contact referees body the professional game match officials Pokemon absolutely over that equalising goal they you know they will raise concerns and request further explanation following the controversial decision. I don't think you could be writing a letter to Puggers over this decision. I think it's a bit silly.

10:37Luke Moore: You're not going to get a retrospective point. But I understand that goal is being disallowed. I still love to write a letter as well. Well, they do. They do. Maybe Mikel Arteta had drafted one already. What was your take on it, Marcus? I thought it was a foul. I thought it was the right decision. It took a long time to get there. And I think that frustrates people. I mean the only sort of measly defense you could say is that they want to make sure it's absolutely correct and that's why it takes a long time but I don't think you need to see that many replays to see it as we're getting caught up in it man like I say too much time spent on them man I think it was five I think it was about five minutes yeah and it is arguably the most important refereeing decision of the season and if you're in that yes if this is how we're doing it yeah you've at least got to try and do it properly Yeah, it's a measly defence at best, but I think it's the only thing you could say.

11:29Look, I think for me watching that, I just sort of think to myself,

11:36Luke Moore: sadly, I think I've been institutionalised and I just expect VAR to take that long. The right decision, I believe, was made. And that's what VAR is for. You don't have these goals that perhaps shouldn't have stood. But that's fine. Yeah. But the issue, the wider issue is that you can't necessarily take it in isolation and say, the foul that was on Raya is a foul, therefore it's the correct decision. Because, as I said at the top of this, the broader discussion is there's about 15 ,000 apparently. It's the consistency, it's the interpretation of each VAR crew who we're on. And it's being interpreted poorly and inconsistently from game to game.

12:17And I don't know what you do about it. It's like you can't unring a bell, right? So what do they do about it?

12:22Luke Moore: Yeah, but I mean, that's the thing, but the laws are subjective. And so... But you're trying to layer an objective process onto a subjective issue. Exactly, it can't be subjective, that's the problem. Well, indeed, but you're always going to get subjectivity of those who are in the room doing VAR. And that's why people come out with things like, well, that's a foul in European competition and it's not a foul in the Premier League. You won't be able to change that. All VAR does is highlight decisions. It highlights and amplifies this so-called inconsistency. But the inconsistency, again, is utterly inevitable.

12:59Luke Moore: The reason why we get offside is now not subjective. It's if you are a toenail, if you are doing 30, I've used this analogy before, it's not brilliant, but perhaps you'll understand what I mean. If you're doing 31 miles an hour in a 30 limit, you're speeding. Whether you're doing 31 or you're doing 40, you're speeding. You know, if you're a toenail offside or you're, you know, a leg offside, you're offside. But you know, the chief constable in the county in question does have jurisdiction to give you leniency based on how they feel about it. I didn't say it was a perfect analogy. This is sport, though.

13:32It's not driving. Fine. Do you know what I mean? We need natural flow, man. We've lost the natural feel of the game.

13:37Luke Moore: So, I mean, look, ultimately, we're going to come down to is you want to get rid of that. You know I'm like this. I do. I don't think it should have ever been poor in existence. I think there's absolutely massive tweaks you can do on things like offside goal line technology. I completely get that. That's fine. VAR, absolutely. I never wanted it at the start. And I want it less now than I ever wanted it. I want it gone. Absolutely. Shimmer scrap. Completely. And I think with regards to clear and obvious, forget that now. Forget it now. Because clear and obvious, they will look at the decision and they will look at that decision.

14:10Luke Moore: They won't go, I can see why I've given that. If they look at the decision again and think, I actually know that is a fail just about. then they'll give it. So forget clear and obvious now. Doesn't count. With regard to what you're saying, David, it really is, do you want VAR or do you not? It's here to stay. And the reason why it's here to stay is because you cannot have huge games of football that hinge on obvious bad decisions. Like really, like take the Zidane headbutt in the 2006 World Cup. There's a little conspiracy theory about that was he the first one to actually go VAR. You cannot have that happen and get away with it.

14:45Luke Moore: that's why VAR is there we've got to be careful because at the World Cup aren't they going to do corners and I believe second yellow second yellow as I can see I think they may even be VAR in corners at the World Cup I've read words for that effect right so I think you've got to be very careful with that kind of thing so you're saying it can't be scrapped for those reasons right I say it won't be scrapped for those reasons but I don't think it exists when you've got a group of guys in a room making subjective opinions and different opinions to each passing game week on different decisions for me that's as bad as what you're saying Yeah, but I get that the referee has a feel for a game, whereas if you're in a room miles away, then you don't have that, and that sometimes.

15:21Luke Moore: But the idea of, as I say, consistency, you will never get consistency whether you have VAR or not. Even if you had robot AI bloody things refereeing the game, you're not going to get the consistency. Tell me more about that.

15:38Luke Moore: I perish the thought. What do you think about it? We're never going to solve this here. No, exactly. We must move on to the game. What do you think of the game? Yeah. West Ham had chances to score This was the big one for Arsenal Because Burnley at home Arsenal should put that to bed And as I said Palace away Palace have a final A few days after that Man City I'm sorry But I think It's done This game I think Arsenal Ultimately Probably good value for the win But my goodness Mateus Fernandes He should have scored You've got to score And that's 1-0 And it's in the second half I genuinely don't think They were good value for the win Sorry about the one I thought they were I thought Arsenal were rubbish.

16:15I thought they were really, really poor. They created nothing against West Ham.

16:20Luke Moore: I mean, Trossard might have scored when he had that header off the post. They just didn't turn the screw. They didn't turn it up or anything. Odegaard was very good when he came on. Only when he came on, things changed. But I thought, generally speaking, Arsenal were really poor. I thought it was crying out. I said this at the time. I thought it was crying out for Odegaard to come on and try and pick a lock. He's not played as much this season, but he has been effective when he has played. Or I thought it was made for Dalman to get some chalk on his boots and just get the ball in as an out there and just try something different.

16:47So I kind of agree the combination with both of you really. I thought Arsenal were the better team but I think David makes some reasonable points as well. On the Fernandes chance he overthinks it. He's got to score. If you look at it again there's so much of the goal open for him to put it in and he tries to give him the eyes and come the other way. It doesn't need to.

17:03Luke Moore: It's one of those lovely ones for a forward where you kind of go oh I don't need to think about this because the mind is already made up. It's interesting. You don't see many players going near a post like that with a keeper like that. and I know you try to give him the eyes but I think he tried to whip it across him do you know what you don't need to because the space is there Ryan's already committed I think a player like him as well who is not a natural he's not a centre forward he's not a striker if he's in that position I just think yes of course absolutely don't overthink it you're not like a fancy number nine you can't just give somebody the eyes just put it where you think but it shows you the pressure on obviously both sides and this you know if Spurs win tonight my goodness they are you'd have to back them to stay up and what a turnaround that would be but yeah West Ham look they battled and the goal again Trossard scores it's not a classic it goes through a crowd of players and what not but look when all's said and done we can criticise Arsenal and people will criticise them and say oh this that and the other there is no more evidence needed that this is this season the season is not going to be won by a side player in beautiful football David Ryan may well end up as Arsenal's player of the season you know that kind of tells its own story as well it is all about getting over the line when all's said and done Arsenal get out of this game with a 1-0 win yeah it's exactly the kind of result you want in that situation you have to give them credit for that they found a way to win when all's said and done in this immensely crucial part of the season they've come away with three points they did something that a lot of people have criticised them for that they haven't done so they showed that great they showed that champions mentality that type of result that type of performance Manning Eich did that so many times under Ferguson where they just grinded it out by hook or by crook and got the win and Arsenal have done that.

18:43Luke Moore: But Arsenal have done that quite a lot hence they've been top of the league for the vast majority of the season. I think again there's still a bit of a hangover from the great Pep Guardiola Man City sides Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool and last season it was Salah who really made the difference and gave us some awe-inspiring moments and performances. We've not had that from Arsenal and I think people are kind of going well this is rubbish look at the teams before. The fact is you don't have to be one of the greatest sides in Premier League history you've just got to be the best team that season and that's what they are and it will be astonishing now if they don't get over the line for reasons you've already said in a way though it does bring its own pressure this expectation that we're expected to roll these teams over and that's going to be the end of it they've got nothing to play for and all the rest of it I mean they lost at home to Bournemouth I know Bournemouth are a really good team but they lost at home to them and they shouldn't have and that wasn't that long ago so obviously you can't be putting the ribbons on the Premier League trophy yet but they are I mean, they're in the...

19:41I said to you a few weeks ago... It's a lovely little run in the two games. It shouldn't have even been a title race anyway, in my view. But they should get over the line now. That was the big hump to get over. You could tell that they knew that because of the way they celebrated and how much it meant to them. Not just the dramatic VAR caught the end, but just the way that they all exhaled at the same time. Jeez, right, we got through that. And now we can move on. So it was a massive, massive day for them. Particularly after Man City had kind of turned Brentford over relatively easy, particularly in the second half the day before.

20:10It was all there for them.

20:11Luke Moore: It was. And that West Ham loss and Nottingham Forest Point means that Forest and of course Leeds United are mathematically safe. And again, that is very good news for Tottenham Hotspur tonight. Yeah. Because if Leeds go into that game thinking, all right, you know, we're only a few points. I'm not saying Leeds are going to phone in the performance, but there's going to be a different atmosphere there. So you do worry for West Ham. Yeah, because the way Spurs played against Villa was actually relatively decent and they really made a lot of changes. Villa were dreadful but Spurs were good and Spurs got it done at Wolves as well so they kind of got a bit of momentum but how the tide has changed in that battle because it's funny with the title race when Man City win at the Etihad everyone's thinking oh blimey Declan Rice is there it's not over it's not over trying to G them up now look at it Arsenal are very much on the home straight and with regard to relegation well Forrest and Leeds are fine we thought they would be West Ham they had the momentum and now that's changed around very quick mention for Elliot Anderson who scored for Forrest great goal against the team he's obviously had his it was a terrible game it was a terrible game will he be playing for the team we think will finish second this season in the Premier League next season there's the big heavy links to him going to a bigger club than Forrest I hope he doesn't go down the road that other players have been in the past you think in Calvin Phillips yeah but just it's not just Calvin Phillips and Man City it's like we do have a bit of a bad habit in this country, none of us in this room are to blame, obviously, but we do witness it.

21:44There's really good midfield players going to massive clubs and just not fucking playing. And it's not just Phillips at City. It happened at Chelsea over and over again with Sidwell, with Drinkwater, with Parker. So we just want to be careful about what we look at there because I'd love to see him at least just play every week. That's the minimum you should be expecting for a player of his ability.

22:05Luke Moore: Yeah. But Man City did beat Brentford 3-0, David, the day before Arsenal. played. Jeremy Dock who seems to be on a one-man mission to keep Man City in the start of the race. Unbelievable how he's playing. It really is. And City know it as well. I noticed he received 41 passes in the final third. Did he? The next player after him was Semenyo with 19. Blimey. So it just goes to show how much they're... Give it a JD. Yeah, just give it a JD. He's a glorious player at the moment. He is. He's brilliant. And I quite like these comments midweek as well where he made a comment about Raheem Sterling and his finishes and he just said he basically needs

22:39he's worldies where he wants to score more tap-ins and he liked that about Sterling's game and how he Stirling went for a really big phase of when the ball was down the other side he'd appear at the back post and always just be there and I guess that's what he's referring to Little run little inside run yeah Doku always needed to post numbers basically if you look at attacking players in these amazing super teams effectively you mentioned Sala there last season they are capable of posting astonishing numbers and Doku's always looked dangerous he's always been a level above the kind of players he used to sometimes to get compared to, but his numbers aren't amazing.

23:12What he's been doing the last three or four weeks, it's a lot to ask, but if he can do that across a longer period, he's going to be a devastating player. I actually think if you take Harlan and his goals out of the equation, which is obviously a big thing to do, Docky's arguably been City's best attacking player. I've seen him in Cherky, probably. I think Cherky probably is edges for me, but Docky definitely in this pretty business end of the season. Cherky's numbers are better, but I think Docky's been the thing about Docky is he's relentlessly positive and he always wants the ball and he's always a threat and Cherky can I mean Cherky's numbers are better and obviously he's been brilliant and it's his first season here and I get all that but he can drift a bit he can so I think pick your favourite

23:55Luke Moore: well indeed I mean whoever is managing Manchester City next season it's unlikely going to be better but if it is Mr Maresca or something he's got some players at his disposal as you would expect of course which is why he's taking the job alongside the money just make that absolutely clear and that's fair isn't it yeah oh you've got some great players here I'll seriously consider this I'll seriously consider waiting doing nothing for nine months until you give him the call to be fair if you've managed Chelsea you do need a big old bit of an R and R after that do you not that's true probably yeah but I would just picture him the same way I pictured Emiliano Martinez in the transfer window just sitting on the train going by the phone waiting for May not to ring and the call never happening tears rolling down his cheeks because that's Moresca at the moment.

24:38He's in the hallway at his house.

24:40Luke Moore: He'll be back. The phones always used to be in the hallway at the house, didn't they, back in the day? A little notepad next to it in a seat. He's sitting there right now, and he has been for months. Yeah. Right, well, I'm sure he will have already got the call. Now, coming up after this, Southampton get caught spying, allegedly.

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26:55We'll see you next time. throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S. national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this...

27:10Luke Moore: Well, I think the problem is, if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more. Amazon Health AI presents Painful Thoughts. Why did I search the internet for answers to my cold sore problem? Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole filled with images of alarmingly graphic sores in various stages of ooze. I can clear my search history, but I can never unsee that.

27:51Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care, fast. Health care just got less painful.

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28:36Thank you, everyone. Come on, you hired.

28:42Luke Moore: Welcome back to the Football Ramble, everybody. Thanks to Friend of the Ramble, Geoff, for sending us that clip. You can become a friend of the Ramble too. Search patreon.com forward slash football ramble or click that join button on YouTube to get involved. gentlemen let's talk about Liverpool won Chelsea won Maresca's former side of course Liverpool stayed in fourth position four points above Bournemouth who are in sixth they're on equal points with Aston Villa who could only draw with Burnley of course a funny old time at Anfield it was David sound like Yoda then a funny old time it was a funny old time at Anfield it was boo the manager they did and I know this reference despite never watching us.

29:24I'm always moving in my life.

29:25Luke Moore: Pardon me. Call that sound. But there was no, if you will, Va-Va Binks controversy. Come on, move it along. Fucking hell. That's actually a lot, everybody. Set of nerds like... Set of nerds. Loro here. What are you going to do? Give us a Chinese burn-off. He's in a headlock. Still on pogs. David did try to bogwash me the last time we were on the show together. He gave me a wedgie. Yeah. I mean, look Liverpool are going to qualify for the Champions League next season I think it's very unlikely that they're going to drop out of that however the theme of their season continues I mean why would it change with their third to last game of the season but they went a goal up against Chelsea it looked okay, they completely sat back and a Chelsea side who were on had they lost that game it would have been a record breaking loss and again it was just flat and the boos were there for the side and for the manager.

30:27Luke Moore: The boo boys have made a very permanent home at Anfield in this back end of the season you have to say. I mean what do you make of it all? I mean here we are again saying the same thing about Liverpool and yet all the reports say that they're going to stick with Arna Slaughter and I tell you what not often do you see the Liverpool fans make their opinions very clear about a manager in such a way but you've got to say it's a very bold slash unwise decision to keep on a slot, would you not? Oh, I think so, yeah. You asked me before and I said I think you should go, definitely. That point hasn't changed your mind.

30:59No. Some scintillating stuff to a plane there. Yeah, I think the frustration just really built up and Slot, I mean, so the big chorus of boos came when Rio Engamoya was taken off. Well, Slot said that

31:15Luke Moore: was because he was... Cramp. Yes. Because he said he had cramp and apparently he signalled the bench a few times to go off. Right. okay and Liverpool fans in the stand they don't really they might have not seen that they don't know that he's got cramp but I think it wasn't purely that isolated incident I think it was just frustration they were really pooed they retreated all game here against this Chelsea team that were like you said on the verge of a historic winless record and I get the frustration I get the boon it wasn't pre to watch and you've taken off the most exciting player look it's a lad from the academy and what have you it's the most exciting player they've got at the moment they've taken them off and it takes their excitement their enjoyment away and there's nothing left and when you've watched that and think it was they had just three attempts on target I think it was it was just really really poor once again it really is and had they have won that game again we fully suspect them to to not be usurped by Villa and Bournemouth and qualify I know there's all sorts of permutations if Villa win the Europa League blah blah blah but you know you finish in the top five, you're definitely fine.

32:20Luke Moore: I would still expect them to do that. But look, at home against this terrible Chelsea side, get it done. They did the same thing against Spurs, didn't they, a couple of months ago. Spurs were in this terrible rut, couldn't get out of it, and they somehow get a point at Anfield. I think it's quite interesting, really. I mean, you say that Liverpool fans don't normally do this kind of stuff. I mean, they do sometimes. Maybe we haven't seen it for a while because Klopp was in charge for a while. Yeah, quite. Liverpool fans get a reputation for sticking by managers and stuff like that. and you know Klopp they stuck by Klopp to be fair they did tough on that tough call that Ulio was Ulio was targeted Hodgson was targeted Rodgers towards the end yeah yeah you come at Roy the boy you come at all of us what I'm trying to say is what I'm trying to say is if if it's going well if the manager is shit the fans are unhappy I don't think that's unique to Liverpool but look the point about Rio and Gamora being subbed off is kind of interesting though because fine he had cramp or whatever you could say well Slott you know that's a convenient reason for Slott to say what he said Ultimately, though, it doesn't really matter because what the boos are saying is that the fan base just don't trust the manager.

33:22It's not like he's done it after half an hour. It's like 20 minutes left.

33:26Luke Moore: Also, if Liverpool are playing well and they're playing some nice football, if one of your best attacking outlets goes off, you might question it. But, well, okay, let's see. They're basically saying, well, if he comes off now, what spark do we have? Which is an absolutely... Cordy Gakpo into it. Which is an absolutely damning assessment of them given the amount of money they spent on attacking players in the summer. I mean, how are you in a situation where, you know, the player who came on for Ukema was fucking Alexander Ezer. I know. So it's not like they've not stuck their hand in their pocket.

33:54But I think ultimately though, Slott has made, I wasn't really a kind of subscriber to the idea that Slott was able to walk the league with Liverpool because of Salah and because of Klopp. I just don't think it works like that. You have to give him credit. Slott is turning up every day at training and working with his players for a whole year. Ultimately, he's still going to make a contribution to this right and it's not like muscle memory we've just walked the league in the way that they didn't do the season before by the way but I do think he has made them he's tried to make them more technical and he's definitely made them less physical and I think that what that's the way that's manifested itself is they do cede control it happened against Chelsea it happened against Spurs it almost comes from nowhere and in this game against Chelsea they score a goal really it's a great goal by the way Graven Burch who's been one of the players outfield players at Liverpool who can hold with his head high this season.

34:45I think he's been good overall. And yet they just take their foot off the gas totally. And Chelsea are there for the taking. You're at home. It should be pumping on the Saturday lunchtime to beat a team who they've had a kind of recent historic rivalry with really, yet it's just all a bit meh and a bit kind of flat. And it's happened too often. I thought Slott's words after were really strange as well when he said about the set-up. And like, you see why this happened. Chelsea came with no wingers, so they packed the midfield with lots of central midfielders. and I'm like wait you still have subs you can still change that you can still change and also what players are they doing that with they were doing that with Palmer who's been dreadful they were doing that with Cucurello who played further forward who didn't really have an impact on the game Andre Santos who got dragged off because he didn't have an impact on the game either it's not as though it's not as though they're coming up against like you know as I said Guadalajara's Barcelona the pattern is there

35:36Luke Moore: the pattern has been there for the majority of this season it's going to take quite a lot for them to get out of that because again is so uninspiring. I appreciate what he's done will be enough for them to qualify for the Champions League, but so it should be really with the money, the squad. You know, that's, you have to say that's bare minimum really, especially with that, the amount of money he spent. They have to have a big summer. I think that, you know, they've obviously got a number of very good players in that squad. I think they've got, they have work to do in the summer. I wouldn't say overhaul necessarily.

36:06Luke Moore: That may be too extreme. There's minor tweaks. There's minor tweaks. You're talking about Elliot Anderson. They're definitely the centre midfielder. Yeah, so they need something. It feels flat. It is, considering how industrious and how effective it was with Klopp for that last season of his, although they didn't win the league, but they were going for it for quite a long time. Yeah, work to do for Liverpool. I'm personally surprised that they're going to trust Slott with that. I think it's a boneheaded move, but we don't know what's happening inside the Klopp. I mean, the odds are saying, obviously, Xabi Alonso's name being linked a lot.

36:39Luke Moore: Second favourite, Luis Enrique. I think a lot of people are sort of thinking, well if he wins the Champions League with PSG again like what more can he do well he might be you know if you get at latter stages the Champions League possibly even winning it and you're living in Paris and all the rest he might go do you know what lads are you suggesting Liverpool's not a very nice place to live Mark no I'm suggesting Paris is yeah yeah because Arsenal not Arsenal you know Man City was the talk of Luis Enrique even Chelsea he's linked basically everywhere because people are expecting him to go so he's second favourite and Donny Iriola is third favourite and once you get below that really I mean you know Jurgen Klopp and Steven Gerrard are mentioned so not this time you'd love Wright to be there wouldn't you oh that interim manager for the last couple of games last couple of games while he's finished in Bristol Rovers Bristol City sorry City sorry about that it's disrespectful to a proud city up the gas sorry sorry about that but yeah look poor from Liverpool a good point for Chelsea though they remain in ninth and I mean Chelsea you look at the sides around them I mean Bournemouth my goodness they've got a huge win at Craven Cottage they are what's a big win what are you laughing at all eyes were on that this weekend it's a dictionary definition of a common or garden win how dare you it's just a win isn't it massive win for those do you know what it is it's a win where you there's a lot of football going on this weekend you have a look around and you go oh Bournemouth won at Fulham and that's literally the only focus you have on it there's two proud football clubs there They're both wanting European football next season.

38:13Luke Moore: It's huge. One of them wants it more than the other, by the sound of it. David scoffs because his side have dropped out the European run-ins for a while. For them in 11th, they've won one of their last four or something. There's no way they're getting in Europe. No, I don't think they are, but that basically knocked them out. So Bournemouth, but my point was to bring it all the way back to Chelsea. Chelsea now, I mean, looking at it, Brighton four points ahead of them with four games. They may well require snookers to get into Europe next season. They've obviously got the FA Cup final, but there is a distinct possibility that Chelsea may not have European football next season and if you think about that all the bollocks that's going on at the club to not have European football next season it would be rather rather negative for that football club Chaps, before we talk about the spying and Southampton and all that business the Football Writers Association Men's Footballer of the Year was announced on Friday and it's Bruno Fernandes.

39:11He's won it.

39:12Luke Moore: He did. What do you think of that, Luke? I think it's fair enough, isn't it? If he's on for equaling or even breaking the assists record in a Premier League season and a part of that was under Ruben Amarim, you have to give him an enormous amount of credit. And the way the football's been this season, he's basically, if he gets the assists record this season, it's like killing a general with a bow and arrow in the First World War. It is, yeah. There's so much going on. Yeah. So much machine gun fire. Totally, yeah. people in the mud and he's like pristine clean and taking a precision bow and arrow and taking someone out it's amazing that he's been able to do it this season really he's been I think I was thinking of candidates for it you know he beat Declan Rice by 28 votes yeah I was going to say I'm not sure would I have Declan Rice in their play Declan Rice has been a very important player I was going to say Raya would be another one they were votes for the Arsenal players I wonder if that's gone against Rice they might have split the vote a bit do you not think any other Man United players were in the running.

40:12Luke Moore: What about Big Maguire towards the end of the season? I mean, why is Erling Haaland not being talked about? Because he's not had a very good season. By his standards. He's got 26 Premier League goals. Fine, but he went on a bit of a drought. Again, by his standards. 26 Premier League goals. I stress by his standards. I mean, Igor Tiago, again, was more of an outside bet. Harry Wilson sadly dropped out of the runnings in recent times. Harry Wilson had that like two and a half months. He's like, fucking hell, he's brilliant. Three and a half months. Three and a half months, sorry. Okay, you have a bit of respect yeah exactly ultimately I think it's fair enough I actually think I mean despite what I just said about Liverpool I think Dominic Sabal's life has been brilliant as well again but yeah he's not going to get it well I mean even someone like to throw David a bone Granit Xhaka but it's not about the first six months of the season you've got to be consistent I'd give you Siddiqui or Xhaka but we're not getting into that but no I've got a problem with Fernandes getting this honestly it's just wherever I don't really care about individual awards anyway right okay whatever well you'll be not attending the Rambo of the year ceremony again no absolutely not okay you've got no chance in that I'll be hosting and winning it if I fancy it.

41:10The whole thing is a procession. It's like when Putin does that military thing. Just Marcus, pictures him everywhere. He shags a trophy, everything. Is there going to be a show of your military strength? Yeah, Marcus military might, yeah.

41:22Luke Moore: Yeah, it's Kim Jong-un-esque. Right. He's a bit taller than you, isn't he? Slightly, yeah. More defined centre-parting as well. Middlesbrough nil, Southampton nil. A bunch of words no one wants to hear on a football show. The first leg of their playoff semifinal ended nil-nil. It's a huge game, of course, for Eddie, a championship side in the playoffs. But this game was dominated by accusations of spying. Middlesbrough claimed that one of their training sessions had been spied on and secretly filmed by a member of Southampton staff who was allegedly found in the bushes next to Middlesbrough's training ground on Thursday.

42:00Luke Moore: And on Friday, the EFL charged Southampton. Charge! Spine. Jabs. Do you remember this one in Italy? And there was a photo of the bloke and they found him in the bushes and he's looking up looking all sheepish. I can't remember when it happened in Leeds and Bielsa. Oh, yes! And then Bielsa did the PowerPoint presentation. Yeah, for hours. Unbelievable. But didn't Bielsa basically go, well, yeah, obviously we spied. Do you not do that here? But the thing I can't get away from is that if I was doing something in some bushes that I shouldn't have been doing, this is exactly the kind of excuse I'd come up with.

42:29Luke Moore: Well, Barra fans were chanting, we saw you wanking in the bushes. Of course. I mean, was he that sort of pleasured by the training that he saw? I love the way they play football. He had full kit and everything, though, like a little dispatch back to Eckhart and what have you like. Apparently, Wi-Fi. No, he did. He was FaceTiming. He was FaceTiming. Naughty. I think everyone associated with not just the club, but the city of Southampton is a total pervert anyway. Right. So I'm not surprised this has happened. Not Theo Walcott. Is he associated still? That's why he's gone. that's why they don't want to be a part of it anymore Adam Lallana I like Adam Lallana not bothered about Adam Lallana I was going to say he's a little is it possible to have any kind of strong opinion about Adam Lallana I would argue no it's not it's not possible I really really like him so there you go there's a strong opinion the most average bloke to ever lived that's harsh and that's me saying he plays for England yeah he can't be average he plays for England Millsborough boss Kim Helberg said I couldn't believe my eyes or ears when I heard it.

43:31Luke Moore: I couldn't believe it when they told me for the second time or the third, but it was quite clear that they tried to spy. Tonda Eckert repeatedly rejected suggestions that the issue had been a distraction for his players. And the second leg will be played at St Mary's on Tuesday. I like the idea that Tonda Eckert is like, look, I've never really managed before. So it would be helpful for me to find out what other managers are doing. So can you get up there and help me out with that? I mean, to do all that and just not come away with a win is embarrassing, though. You know what they're doing. But they didn't lose the game.

44:02Yeah, but you don't go and find out what the other team are doing to not lose, do you?

44:05Luke Moore: It would be too obvious. Yeah, exactly. It's a good point, actually. Like the guy who cheated at who wants to be a millionaire. Exactly. Get half a million. No one's going to notice. You're fine. You're half a million pound up. Yeah. No one's going to mention it. They got greedy. Too greedy. They were ultimately charged. What could be the interesting part of this? The Guardian whistleblower, obviously, where all this is coming out of. Apparently, the clubs in the championship are also unhappy, and they suspect that they have been spied upon as well. That's Eckhart's secret. He's come from nowhere.

44:30He's not playing by the rules then. That's why. Did they spy on Arsenal before they knocked...

44:34Luke Moore: And Fulham, they spied on Fulham. You're on board now, aren't you? Big time. Told you, they're all perverts. We should be in that final. Chelsea, do the right thing. But the solid West London charity. West London charity, we'll be there. All right, enough of the bollocks. Coming up after this, another title race is going down to the wire.

45:03If you work in university maintenance, Grainger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip-off and Grainger is your trusted partner. Offering the products you need all in one place from HVAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock so your team always gets the win. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, visit grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered.

45:44From one of the fastest-growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch. Read, watch, and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S. national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this...

46:13Well, I think the problem is if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more.

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47:09Luke Moore: Welcome back to the Football Ramble, everybody. Blimey. The Scottish Premiership title race. Oh, I can't. Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 at Celtic Park. Crying out loud, Rangers, you could have done Hearts a solid there. But fair enough, when Maeda scores a overhead kick like that, you kind of think, all right. It was great. Okay. The angle was so good. This is what's happening, is it? Yeah. So it's a great win for Celtic. To put Rangers away 3-1, even with regard to goal difference, I know it may or may not come down to that. But just watching that. I mean, Hearts obviously drew 1-0 with Motherwell the day before this game.

47:48Luke Moore: And everyone's wondering, is it two points dropped? is at a point gain because for those who don't know and Motherwell actually have been very good at home this season and Motherwell are quite a good side even though they're not in the title race so Hearts go in there they did their traditional routine of going a goal down and coming back they got the equaliser Shanklin's been superb if Steve Clarke needs any more evidence to start a striker who actually can score goals for Scotland at the World Cup then my goodness he probably won't do it but Hearts get the point and you think okay because a part of me was a bit like you're thinking go on go and win the game but at the same time you're thinking don't bloody lose the game as well because you're still ahead if you get that point and then if Rangers have beaten Celtic then Hearts against Falkirk at home on Wednesday night you think surely win that but Hearts have not won the league since 1960 like come on that's way that's way longer than I thought and I was reminded of the league title in the 80s where Hearts lost it on the last day to Celtic on goal difference when they lost 2-0 and Celtic won like 5-0, I think it was.

48:56Luke Moore: I just, I have nightmares of Hearts being 1-0 up at Celtic Park in the last day and Celtic score two late goals. Like, do you know what I mean? It just, it would be such a crying shame if Hearts can't do this. I think it's up for Celtic to win, it really is. I think they're going to, Celtic fans, right, honestly, obviously you want to win this title but they must be pissing themselves. What, like, this has been a disaster. I know, total disaster. It's an epic mess yet they still, that they're still there. And they knock out Rangers with that. I mean, Hart's effectively knocked out Rangers at the title race.

49:24Luke Moore: Celtic certainly. But how could... This final phase, Rangers lost every game. Yeah, yeah. Well, Rangers were brilliant. So Danny Roll got them going. Yeah. And he managed to turn it round. But they've choked at the final furlong. And as you say, with Celtic, yeah, it's been a terrible season for them. And yet here they are. How confident to know, as a Celtic fan as well, like next season, it isn't going to be as mad as this season's been. So like, you just know you can still be there. Well, this is why it's such an opportunity for Hearts because, you know, Tony Bloom, you know, for Hearts only, he was giving it the big one before the season going, oh, we're going to split the old firm and blah, blah, blah, blah.

49:59Luke Moore: Well, they have split the old firm. And the last person to do that was, of course, Derek McInnes at Aberdeen, the current Hearts manager. Oh, come on. Like, if Hearts beat Falkirk on Wednesday and Motherwell beat Celtic, Hearts will be champions. Motherwell's got a big client clearance again. And yet, as you say, David… It feels quite a long way away. you know what I mean it's just all that needs to happen as you say David you look at that game at Celtic Park where if Hearts and Celtic both take care of business then even even if Hearts were to lose and Celtic were to win obviously then Hearts can still win at Celtic Park but it's just like there why there but the thing is they take that though wouldn't they they start the season if you said right you'd bite every limb off you'd bite every limb off for that of course you would yeah absolutely final day of the season you can win at Celtic Park to win the league well it's the old adage it's the old you know what Rory McIlroy's caddy said to him, you know, with the pressure and so on, and oh, have I messed it up?

50:51Luke Moore: And like, oi, you'd have taken this before that. Right, so be thankful you're in that situation. yeah. But anyway, yeah, it's a crazy tight race, and it's just a tight race we just haven't seen. It is, yeah. It's gone for so long, so yeah. Come on, boys. Yeah, we'll be tuning in. Bloody right, Wednesday night is massive, and Jim and I will be doing a Reacts on Thursday morning. Not, there are other Premier League games in England going on, we'll definitely be talking about well if Hart's winning the league we'll be bloody leading with that I'll tell you a title race was wrapped up though in European football Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 they've won La Liga with three games remaining I love that this is coming up the classic home which Barcelona win the league we'll do that after Hart we'll squeeze that in after Hart 43 minutes in we're only mentioning it because Marcus Rashford scored what a goal it was by the way always lovely to have a Marcus in there it was a great goal beauty of a free kick absolute beauty Beckham-esque it was well he's going to be dynamite in North America yeah well we'll see we're allowed to be a little bit disappointed that the game didn't carry on in the way it started because Barcelona just called two great goals in the first 20 minutes and after that it was a bit flat yeah well yeah they got a job done of course just kind of said to each other alright come on take it easy we've had a bad week Barca come on I don't think legendary classico reputations are forged in the idea that well we've got what we need now we'll just stop yeah we'll forget that do you think they should have put him to the absolute sword yeah that would have been good it would have been good well maybe they felt sorry for Real Madrid after the punch up that they had what I mean speaking of teams who are having bad season I mean this is one thing you've got to respect about Real Madrid is when they do it badly even they still do it the whole way they do David and I were struggling to remember all the fights they've had this season on Friday it's been a remarkable season you have to say you really do have to say this is of course if you haven't heard about this there was an altercation between Federico Valverde and Arleyan Chiumeni and Alvaro Albalo was obviously fielding questions about this and he suggested that the conflict in the dressing room is not unusual generally speaking I mean apparently they came to blows I mean Val Verde had to go to hospital in a concussion protocol he said it's because he fell over a table or something like that something about a table he basically said the equivalent of you should see the other guy and everyone goes well we have because he's famous and he looks fine so what's happened to you and I don't want to other people Marcus and David other broadcasters would subscribe to this kind of quite unfair stereotype that a nasty little Uruguayan and a few digs Is there any other type of Uruguayan?

53:23Luke Moore: Quite a big guy and got his comeuppance. Other broadcasters might say, well, fuck around and find out. I won't say that because I think that's unfair. But some people have suggested and it's a World Cup year so we might want to go along with that idea. Right, okay, fair enough. Is there any other kind of Uruguayan? Spell is right in there. Yeah, up yours. I admire that. David you're a fan of the Uruguayan surely that's your cup of tea I would be surprised if the way that Val Verde got his injury he had to go to the hospitals he probably tried to bite Germany or something or do something quite underhand and it backfired it backfired well Albelo as I say suggested that conflict in the dressing room is not unusual that's something we know and quite incredibly oh this is brilliant his Real Madrid manager when talking about two very very high profile footballers he referenced the famous Craig Bellamy John Arnauriza golf club incident.

54:14Luke Moore: He said, I've had a teammate who picked up a golf club and swung it at another player. Yeah. Who could that be? I love the idea of a little Spanish journal just like in the press room when he said that like, what did you say? Type it up. He was like, what was that? Well, and of course, Bellamy did the celebration at the Nou Camp. He did. He did. The big swing. It all makes sense in the end. Heritage. But I mean, it has been a... I mean, presumably, put it this way, it's become so bad for Real Madrid, the reports will not go away about them trying to get Mourinho back. I love the thought process of going, that'll sort it.

54:45The guy who famously was like poking people in the eye and grabbing other managers' noses and basically being the most volatile manager in world football when he was good and it's got worse and worse since he's become quite shit and they want him back. Amazing. I'll rate that. Their commitment to the narrative has got to be respected. Can we get

55:05Luke Moore: Vinicius Junior's opinion on that? Do you know what I mean? What on earth are they doing? I mean, look, and to hammer home the point how bad it's been Barcelona 91 points to the good in La Liga Real Madrid 77 I mean they're way behind it's embarrassing yeah yeah it is an embarrassment it really is I think it's the first time they've won back to back titles since 2018, 2019 Real Madrid is still comfortably second though yeah of course right everybody we're going to finish with some news and it's news we can all get behind I feel this finally we are actually going to properly talk about the World Cup I've tried to get it in there before but we are doing a dedicated section.

55:41Luke Moore: This, David, warms your pockets. A dedicated section. You wait and hear what this dedicated section is. Michael Bublé will perform at the Canadian opening ceremony at the World Cup, as will Alanis Morissette. No room for Adams. No. Where's Big Bri? Michael Bublé. Big Bri's on the undercard, maybe. He must be. He's here with a couple of velociraptors, backing singers. I thought Bublé...

56:17Luke Moore: Do you know that one, David? Yes. Yeah. You have to explain it. Do the youngsters in the room know that reference? They don't know it. They don't know it. There was basically this blog, right, back in the golden age of the internet, for no reason at all. And it was Michael Bublé being chased by velociraptors, right? And it would be press shots of Bublé at the mic, and in the background, like a little angle, with a little velociraptor's head looking at him. What was it called? Just Booble and velociraptors? Just Google that, you'll find it. Oh, what a dog. Imagine that though, back is thing as a couple of raptors.

56:49Luke Moore: Yeah, it can't be that. It's too close. It's got to be more subtle than that. Be behind a cage. Sat next to Gianni. Yeah. Joking aside, Booble is the man for the big occasion. Yeah, Christmas. Yeah, he's a Christmas guy. I thought he was only brought out Christmas, isn't he? When he nans on the couch. It's a bit like Christmas for adults, isn't it? Yeah, I suppose so. I do take David's point. I don't mind Bublé being there, however. I do think Brian Adams can feel particularly hard done, but I think Brian Adams has walked so that Michael Bublé can run here. We have to say that. A last run of sets involved, which is great.

57:24I think it's great that she's involved. She was at Glastonbury last year and she was fucking excellent. Yeah, it's a bit of a vibe killer for a World Cup though. He's got to use the right tunes. Angsty pop, do you know what I mean? The only opening ceremony that I will be able to get behind will be... Gambino. Yeah. I was going to say Infantino fired out of a cannon. Well. But into a brick wall, presumably. Yep. But I think Gambino would be good. Gambino would be good as well.

57:49Luke Moore: Yeah, okay. Well, they have announced that the three host countries will have their own opening ceremony for the first game played in their country. My goodness. Absolutely milking its drive. It's pretty far all over the three opening ceremonies. So the US ceremony will feature Kevin... I nearly said Kevin and Perry there. They've got Kevin and Perry. It's strange. Katy Perry and future. Yeah. But the Katy Perry one's really interesting, though, isn't it? Where's Pitbull? Well, first of all, should we address that first? Yeah. That's piss poor. It is piss poor that Pitbull is not there. Genuinely piss poor.

58:22But isn't Katy Perry in a relationship with Justin Trudeau, the ex-Canadian Prime Minister, who is the bet noire of Donald Trump? She picks him, doesn't she? So she could do a really... She got an opportunity there. Because if Trump will be there, she could walk... She could get Trudeau out. and Trump would be fuming about that.

58:37Luke Moore: Let's hope Trudeau's not in fancy dress. Agree. Absolutely agree. The Mexican ceremony will have J Balvin and Tyler. J Balvin's good. That's good, I like that. I don't know who either of them are, but great. He was old Santana, is he Mexican? What a reference. Carlos Santana. He's Mexican, isn't he? He's listed as Mexican-American. He'll also be 79 years old at the World Cup. Right, is he alive? He's alive. Is he still kicking? At the time of recording, he's alive. I thought you might have got Ricky Martin. No, he's from Puerto Rico. Yeah, no, but I meant for the Latin sort of vibes. No, but you've got these, what, Balvin and Tyler?

59:17Luke Moore: Are they not Latin vibes? My Balvin is, yeah. Well, there you go. Tyler doesn't register. I'm not too sure there is. Okay, fine. Please be covered that anyway, guys. There we are. As we promised the listeners, there's a dedicated section. There's a dedicated section. Go on then. If you could go to one of the ceremonies, where are you going? I'll go to the Canadian one. Yeah, big time Yeah, I'd go to the Canadian one Because I know who they are Yeah I like Elias Morissette I genuinely like her music So I'll go to it Katy Perry, man I'm going to Mexico Of course you are I knew you would, yeah Little Modelo Bit of Balvin Yeah, Mexico The Mexican one's going to be The best time Obviously For sure In the hope that Santana Comes out as well Yeah Just a little riff Just a little solo I love the idea You at the front Just going Santana Santana I would be saying Santana Sorry, yeah Santana Sorry, yeah You would be saying Santana how dare you yeah my goodness oh Kim Jong-In's here will the comparisons never end I hope not thank you for listening to the Football Round we're part of the Acast Creator Network I'm back tonight with Vish to react to this massive game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can Spurs do it take a huge step towards Premier League survival we will find out subscribe so you do not miss that right until then thank you very much Luke Moore thank you very much thank you David Cartlett Thank you, D-Leader.

1:00:34Luke Moore: And thank you, Michael Boogley.

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1:01:28Immersing yourself in all things soccer ahead of this summer's World Cup? I'm Alex Abnos, senior sports editor from The Guardian. Whether you're a soccer beginner or you know the game inside and out, we've got you covered. From one of the fastest-growing soccer newsrooms, The Guardian brings you in-depth World Cup coverage that gets into the winners and losers on and off the pitch. Read, watch, and listen as our journalists connect the dots between the games, the cultures, and this political moment. We'll have daily newsletters throughout the tournament, a global perspective, and a squad of Americans, including me, on the ground with the U.S.

1:02:00national team. Plus, if you want to test your soccer knowledge, try On The Ball. It's a game in the Guardian app, and it's really, really fun. And if you're into stuff like this... Well, I think the problem is if you give footballers an inch, they will take a mile. Is it too much when it's this close? It's a bit much. It's a bit too real. Maybe you could just talk with a slight delay. Be sure to listen to our Football Weekly podcast for on-the-move expert analysis. The Guardian, bringing you the whole picture on soccer. Search Guardian Soccer for more. What if you could finish your college degree faster and save thousands while doing it?

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