Languid Liverpool, Olise On Fire & A Pivotal Week for Arsenal

0:00It's crunch time at work and you need to bring wings to your workday.

0:04Gary Lineker:Visit RedBull.com slash GettingItDone and answer a couple questions about your work style to get a Spotify customized playlist tuned to your productivity. Plus, score a can of Red Bull on us while you go from to-do to done. And remember, Red Bull gives you wings. Supplies are limited. Terms apply. Visit the website for more information. All I can say is Michael Alise. Oh my goodness It's a bit of a smash and grab really but if they're to win at the weekend I think that'll set them up perfectly for the rest of the season Do we need to humble ourselves though a little bit? If you look at their players player for player PSG have got better players than Liverpool Who would have thought Newcastle went to Paris and battered them as well should have won He's got Newcastle in

0:49Alan Shearer:He's got me I don't like her I don't like her

1:00Alan Shearer:Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker, recording this on Thursday morning after two nights of Champions League football. But before we get to the games, Alan, you were working on Tuesday. You were in Sporting, so you're in Lisbon, I should say.

1:21Gary Lineker:I got back from Lisbon yesterday afternoon, four-hour delay, stuck at Heathrow. So, yeah, but Lisbon's lovely. Were you drunk, Piau? Just a little bit, Gaz, yep.

1:32Alan Shearer:I saw a thing this morning. Is there some sort of special anniversary today, Alan?

1:36Gary Lineker:38 years ago today, lads. 38 years ago today was when I scored my hat-trick, made my debut at 17. 38 years, man. Oh, my God, what's going on? Oh, that wasn't for Southampton, wasn't it? Yeah. You're 87. It's just madness.

1:54Alan Shearer:Bloody hell. It goes quick. 38 years, doesn't it? Yeah, and I remember seeing it. And I was at the end of my career nearly. Time flies very quickly. What did we make of the overall of the quality of the Champions League games? I thought Bayern Munich at Real Madrid was probably the best game. So many, so many chances both ends. Not great defending, but it was great to watch.

2:21Gary Lineker:Yeah, still a lot to play for that game. I mean, the number of chances that I saw was unbelievable from both teams. All I can say is Michael Alise. Oh, my goodness. Every time I watch him, I'm thinking, how have Man City not got him? How have Liverpool not got him? Early, though, and I don't mean just now. I mean early doors. I remember Alise playing against City thinking, this guy's something special. I know there was a few concerns around his injuries and stuff, but he's taking his game to the next level. He's almost, almost Lamin, the dreamlike.

2:56Alan Shearer:Similar, similar level. Obviously, he was at Reading, wasn't he, before Palace got him. Can you remember he cut in off the right-hand side as he often does and scored that unbelievable goal? I think I called it as goal of the month winner. And then within an hour, someone scored one that was even better. I remember you rubbishing me in the studio. but and I remember having because obviously friend of the pod Steve Parrish who'd had him at Palace and I remember discussing with him in the early days when they had both Elisa and Eze and I was talking about both and he went he said Elisa is unbelievably special we all think he's going to be a superstar so he was spot on on that and you could see that incredible talent it really is very special this episode is powered by Fuse Energy.

3:47Alan Shearer:Before we kick off, a quick pre-match warm-up from Fuse. Today's question is which club recorded the most clean sheets in the Premier League last season? Was it A. Manchester City B. Liverpool C. Aston Villa or D. Arsenal I'm going to play reverse psychology here. Why would you put Villa in there? Is that your answer? No, it's not. I'm going Liverpool. Liverpool. That was a quick change there, wasn't it? Alan, who are you going for? Villa. Mike has sucked you in there, hasn't he? Yes. That is not the answer. The answer, the team that recorded the most clean sheets, of which neither of you even gave him a mention there.

4:30Alan Shearer:You know what? I know it. I don't know it. It's Arsenal because Raya got the golden glove, didn't he? Correct. It's Arsenal with 13 clean sheets. The best sides don't give things away. should be the same with your energy. Get more than just lower rates at FuseEnergy.com slash football. Use the code FOOTBALL, all uppercase when you sign up. Save around£200 on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football questions on the pod. Full terms and conditions at FuseEnergy.com. This feels a bit negative, unless you're a PSG fan, but starting with Liverpool and their season of woe continues in many ways because I mean he played obviously tried to change things played five at the back I think it's the first time I've seen him play with a proper team I think he did it with his youngsters in a cup tie I mean he's also slightly ironic because he's been very critical of teams playing a low block against Liverpool and said I'll make it difficult for us and then obviously went out to do exactly that against PSG I suppose when it suits you it's fine But, I mean, I don't think they had a shot on target.

5:43Gary Lineker:No. He said that himself afterwards. It was damage limitation, wasn't it? But, I mean, they had a right result, only getting done 2-0. It could have been 4-5-6, should have been, with the chances that PSG had. I didn't mind him trying something different because clearly what's been going on beforehand hasn't been working because they've been terrible defensively. They were last night. They were awful again. But at least he's trying to do something different. He knows that going in against those players, that forward line of PSG, that because of the way they've been playing Liverpool, that they were going to be under the caution.

6:17Gary Lineker:He said it himself, it was damage limitation. It's going to be a big ask going back to Anfield with those forwards. But Anfield's a dangerous place when it gets going. But I don't know, they're massively up against it and going to be difficult for them to turn it around. It's just they're all over the place, Liverpool.

6:34Alan Shearer:It was very similar to the game when they met last year in Paris, wasn't it? but well, Liverpool nicked it on that occasion. But there wasn't much difference because PSG bossed it last year as well. But somehow they managed to get a result. It's funny when things are going well, you can do that when they're not, not so often. Yeah, exactly that. I totally agree. I also agree with Alan in terms of the manager trying something. The only thing is when you play with a five at the back, and I've played in a five at the back, people think when you just play a five at the back, You could have offensive formation, you could have a defensive formation.

7:10Inter Milan did it really well where they dropped in, but then when they went, they all went. Rotations were brilliant. The only thing yesterday with Liverpool was when they was at the five at the back, because of the movement of PSG, Van Dijk had to step out and Canati had to step out into places where they didn't want to be. So the reason why you play with five at the back is so you're stable at the back. But then when the ball goes into midfield, you've got to jump early. But because PSG are so electric, it was so hard for them to get anywhere near it. And once you sent a raft steps out and then Kanati misses one and they've got the pace of Nudo Mende and Hakimi, it was just a recipe for disaster.

7:55I would have gone with five at the back, but my wing back stay. Because what they was doing is sort of getting caught in between and then four in midfield in front of them. because if you actually look, they went a 5-3-2 when all the width was left to PSG and that's where they was the strongest, you know? So it was too hard for Liverpool's midfield to get out. I understand why they had Sabozla a little bit higher because they wanted to press. But once they got through that line of defence, it was impossible for them to get anywhere near PSG.

8:30Gary Lineker:He'll go back to four next week at Anfield and Salah will be back in the team. I agree. I agree, yeah. But big game at the weekend for Liverpool and of course next Tuesday. We're doing that game as well Tuesday so it should be great.

8:43Alan Shearer:You look at it at the moment and you think, I don't give them much chance. But it is Anfield. It is under the lights and it is a Champions League night and we know what they can do. I've witnessed it myself at Anfield on a couple of occasions. But at the moment, it's a team that looks fragile, slightly bereft of confidence defensively in particular, I would say. And they're not the customary threat going forward, but I know one-off you can turn that around. Don't forget PSG will have a rest at this, this weekend. The French league looks after their teams in the Champions League rather than whining.

9:23Alan Shearer:Perhaps the Premier League could do something similar at some point or if they could, I think it's difficult. but we have so many games and they can win the league anyway, easily enough with any kind of rest. Do we need to humble ourselves though a little bit? Because do you remember earlier on the season, PSG are not quite at it. Yes, they were holders, but they played a lot of games in the Club World Cup and all that sort. Every time it comes to this day, even if Liverpool were to go through, of course you have to say they deserve to go through. But in terms of the game yesterday, they got absolutely battered.

9:55it could have been four or five and when we just think Liverpool great Liverpool side okay couple of players are coming towards the end because we're not watching PSG every single week we sort of dismiss the quality if you look at their players player for player PSG have got better players than Liverpool they have yeah it's as simple as that

10:15Gary Lineker:who would have thought Newcastle went to Paris and battered them as well should have won

10:18Alan Shearer:he's got Newcastle in he's got to be in his riker I've done that headphones have been thrown off Mike is storming out of the room I love it Mike I love it Mike I love it he's back he's back he's back he's a temporary oh god hey we've

10:41Gary Lineker:I was at that I was at Anfield for that for that Barcelona game the comeback and it was it was unbelievable I mean very very different now of course but if Liverpool get the first goal you can imagine what it'll be like. But I just can't see them, the way they are defensively at the minute, I cannot see them keeping that forward line out and PSG not scoring.

11:04Alan Shearer:Last time they played a year ago, actually Liverpool were much the better side at Anfield, weren't they? They didn't turn it around, and somehow, if I remember rightly, Don and Roma had an absolute incredible game, didn't he, in goal, kept them out. And then they sneaked it. That's some good, I'll tell you how I like. I don't know whether he's slightly underrated. He doesn't seem to get mentioned in the... I mean, he does, but not as much as he should do. Kravatschkeliar. Cool. What a beautiful footballer he is.

11:32Gary Lineker:Some ability. I mean, talking about the, what do we call him there? The Oracle. I did mention him. I did mention it. Early doors, I did mention it. Yeah, Alan was like, yeah, he's good, but he's not that good. I told you, when he was at Napoli, I saw it. you know because I'm the Italian correspondent now do you know what I mean

11:52Alan Shearer:I watched a lot in Italy as well they used to call him didn't they Caradonna Caradonna yeah because of Napoli and obviously Maradonna played there Caradonna that's not what I picked out that was just you could see it everyone could see it when they won a league it was him wasn't it and awesome so yeah to see him go to PSG and he went for a lot of money I think it was 100 million I think it was might have been dollars though but he's just lived up to it They're just so...

12:20Gary Lineker:Mike is up to his old tricks again, the old chief scout. Someone goes for 80 million. I know I spotted him early.

12:28Alan Shearer:He had him on football manager when he was 12. I told you so. He's the best winner in the world that I've scouted. Eight goals and four assists this season in the Champions League. He's been absolutely brilliant. I mean, that is a hell of a talented forward line. I know Dembele didn't have his... missed a couple of chances. one in particular, missed a really glaring opportunity. But Dwayne's a talented young man, a bit fortunate with a goal. Can I give you one more suggestion? Warren, Zaire, Emery. I don't know, we've sort of hinted at it before. I think, didn't Thierry mention him? Correct. When he came on, well, it's quite a while ago now, as a young up-and-coming player.

13:10But you know them young players who do well, and they're sort of, they're out of the team because Fabian Ruiz is playing. but him I thought he was the best player on the pitch he absolutely ran it he ran how are you running the midfield at 20 but not just like tackles technically running forward passes everything he was superb he really was

13:32Alan Shearer:so all to do for Liverpool Arsenal tell us what it was like there for a start Alan you were there in the stadium

13:40Gary Lineker:great brilliant atmosphere lovely stadium Lisbon's a lovely place but they weren't brilliant Arsenal but I think from what we've seen for a while now they did enough but I've got to say the save was from Raya early on in the game I mean that just that makes a huge difference I guess if Kepa's in that goes in and they're 1-0 down and it's a totally different attitude different game the importance of that save I can't say enough about it it was a fantastic save at a crucial time as well because that gave them a little bit of a platform they were tough they were resilient He made a couple of saves again in the second half.

14:18Gary Lineker:But we go on about Arsenal's squad. And Arsenal's squad worked this time. I mean, he brought bringing Martinelli on, bringing Havertz on, bringing young Max Downman on. And that did the trick, you know, with Martinelli cutting inside the little ball into Havertz and the finish. And it was a bit of a smash and grab, really. But they go again at the weekend. And I think if they were to win at the weekend, I think that'll set them up perfectly for the rest of the season.

14:47Alan Shearer:While you're on about Raya, I think we all rate him in this country. I think worldwide, though, it's slightly different. He's not even generally first choice for Spain. Simon, who plays at Bilbao, is first choice goalkeeper at the moment. So, God, they must have some good keepers if he's not their number one. But Simon is amazing. He is a good goalkeeper, yeah. Yeah, he's top. But Raya's good as well.

15:15Gary Lineker:He pulled a couple of good saves off second half as well, particularly one down to his left. He sort of parried one, was up sharp to get the rebound. So, yeah, I mean, that's the discussion about playing Kepa in the two cup games, the Carabao and the FA Cup. And of course, they go out and make some mistake and go out in both of them. But he brings them back in for the biggest one, I guess. And he was absolutely outstanding.

15:38Alan Shearer:He really was. I mean, 1-0 to the Arsenal. that used to be a thing didn't it 1-0 to the Arsenal and then it was it's a bit like the old George Graham days I think that's when they really started to get that reputation but it doesn't matter does it? No I think there'll come a point where Arsenal find a little bit of a form they've ground out a result there they've not done that in the previous two games so I think result was way more important than anything else in this it always is obviously but even more so perhaps in this game to get it over the line confidence from a victory if they get one at the weekend again then all of a sudden the world's a better place and I can see them playing some better football I think they've just been through a sticky spell and that might be a little turning point winning that game away

16:28Gary Lineker:I think this weekend is key again I mean they're back under huge pressure again against Bournemouth huge pressure again to win the game and if they can win the game with City going to Chelsea the following day then I really do I think this weekend is key if they win this weekend I think it'll set them up for the rest of the season and you'll see a better Arsenal Totally agree Al I think this whole week is key not just what you've mentioned also Atletico Madrid which we'll talk about a little bit later Barcelona if you're thinking Arsenal-Barcelona you'd say Barcelona but Arsenal can beat Atletico Madrid if they go through against Sporting without doubt so what looked a horrible couple of weeks for them could turn into something really positive if they was to get the win against Bournemouth get through the sporting and then Atletico was to beat Barca over the two legs it's going to be interesting yeah

17:21Alan Shearer:very very interesting we'll discuss those in the two quarter finals when we come back Hi there

17:28Gary Lineker:Alistair Campbell here from The Rest Is Politics and I'm here to tell you about a really important interview that's out now on our podcast channel The Rest Is Politics Leading this week I spoke to one of the defining political figures of our time, President Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine. It is a fascinating interview, reflects on his upbringing, reflects on his political rise, reflects on how he stayed in Kiev during Russia's invasion, redefining leadership in wartime. And he warns us very much against anyone, not least Donald Trump, falling for Vladimir Putin's lies. Warns that ceasefires may serve as a strategic pause rather than a sign of genuine peace.

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