Manchester City Win The Carabao Cup

18:35Alan Shearer:No, it's worked for them so far.

18:37Gary Lineker:That's why, isn't it? They're not changing, Micah. I'm not saying they need to change. They just need to take more risks in certain areas. And I was watching the Arsenal game. I've been looking closely at Arsenal because I'm thinking about the whole... You always get that question towards the end of the season. Who's better equipped to win the league? So then you end up watching more games and watching more games. And I'd say eight weeks ago, Arsenal was sort of just sitting in. There has been occasions where Saka has been let free, but then he comes back in the inside and then he doesn't want to...

19:14And Thierry actually did a really good piece on Monday Night Football where he's in certain positions, but he's sort of, I don't want to say programmed. So you know how Pep talked about Grealish. When it goes in wide areas, it's almost like don't lose the ball. And I think that's what Arsenal have them at the moment is just don't take the extra pass. Just wait and don't force it. That's what they're doing. And I think now players are going to have to take it upon themselves to say, no, actually, if there is a one-on-one situation, I will take it. Yes, Gaz is completely right. They're not getting as much opportunities to do that.

19:49But when they do get the opportunity, they have to take it. The car relied on young Downman to get him out of trouble Redknapp was calling for him At half time And I was like That's all well and good But he's a 16 year old kid You know Jokeres we bought for big money Trossard's coming to the team And everyone's been raving about him Martinelli All these players Saka They need to turn up In the big games And I think that is different They need to take responsibility Is what I would say And They're still Top of the league They're still going well The route to potentially The final In Champions League is looking good for them.

20:23And then they've got Southampton away in the FA Cup. So they're still in a good place. Of course they are. Now they have to put all the outside noise to the side because you know, there's going to be a big overreaction. All the fans are going to be piling into Arsenal saying, our Tetris bottled it again. But they need to use that instead of feeling sorry for themselves, use that to an advantage and say, well, that's not going to happen again when we go into a big game.

20:47Alan Shearer:Yeah. The world's against us. Use that one. The old Alex. Correct. Technique down the years. Pep Guardiola, I mean, it's yet another trophy for him. And before we move on to other things, I mean, his enthusiasm and energy and his desire that you see on the touchline, let alone obviously his tactical genius and brilliance in terms of football, he's remarkable, isn't he? Five League Cups. It's just astonishing.

21:12Gary Lineker:I mean, it's like absolutely ridiculous. The success of that man has just been phenomenal. So huge respect. You could see though, I don't know if you saw the pictures when he was watching the game, but his celebration. Yeah, you can tell it means. How animated he was on the touchline. He knows what it means. That's why I said it, Micah. I love to see that part of him as well because sometimes after a win, it's standard for Man City winning over the years. But then when things don't go well, then he gets very emotional. But I like the emotion in that way to say he still cares. It still means a lot to him.

21:47Alan Shearer:I also think, Micah, I also think that he would have thought if we can win this it just puts a little glitch into Arsenal and their belief and going forward and it might even though they're still obviously massive second favourites for the league just gives them a little bit of something doesn't it? He's playing mind games so often I don't know if you heard he said well you know I'd rather be in Arsenal's dressing room you know nine points clear he's already planted little seeds and you know like if Man City win their next game and then they was to beat Arsenal There's only three points in it.

22:22And Arsenal are still favourites, aren't they? They just need to overcome this hurdle. Of course they are. But you know Man City, if they sniff something, they're going to be fighting all the way to the end. So it sets up the league really nicely. It done half out when you've seen their been there and done it.

22:38Alan Shearer:Yep, absolutely. It really did. Well, that was the first bite delivered by Uber Eats. But I just want to move on to actually the England squad. Firstly, what did we make of the fact? was it it's almost very difficult not to be in the squad so many players exactly I told you that's why I'm getting called up he's not that fucking desperate yeah if only those knees were still good Mike you'd be guaranteed to be in the squad but what I will say is that with all ways when we talk about England squads and it'll be the same when we go for the World Cup you generally tend to spend most time talking about those that don't make it rather than those that perhaps do, for obvious reasons, because you're looking to say, oh my goodness, Trent Alexanderano's not in the squad, which personally I find that difficult.

23:28Alan Shearer:There's stories in Spain running tonight, actually. We're doing this on Sunday night, obviously, that he didn't play. He's on the bench for the game against Atletico. They're one down at half-time. He's on now, Gaz. He's on now. All right. There were rumours in, I think, Marca, the newspaper there, I ran it that he was late for one of the training sessions towards the end of this week. And that's why he didn't start him. Now, I don't know how that's true, but that's what Marca says. But for me, looking at the squad and the fact that he's not put him in this squad when he's obviously been playing a bit now in Real Madrid, it suggests to me that Tuchel's not having him.

24:05Alan Shearer:If he suddenly plays brilliantly and they go on and win the Champions League and stuff, he'll probably be forced to put him in. But what I will say, I think without Trent, it lessens your chances slightly, very slightly, even if it's like half a percent, whatever. If you're 15 minutes to go and you're playing in the quarterfinals of the World Cup or the semifinals and you're 1-0 down, I mean, and he was on the bench and you could put that delivery and that passing ability, something completely different. I can't see why you wouldn't want that asset, even if you don't see him as a starter because you're worried about him defensively.

24:39Alan Shearer:That would be my point. I know I'm a huge Trent fan. It's given me a lot of joy watching him play and he's passing and he's crossing over the years. What about if I chuck this at you? Go on.

24:50Gary Lineker:Me and Wayne were talking yesterday. Jude, Bellingham and Trent are a pretty powerful couple. Would there be a point in Trickle's mind where he thinks that if those two are together, I'm not going to play either of them or may play one of them or one of the other, that then they have an influence on the squad?

25:11Alan Shearer:I think that would be bizarre. What I will say, what we might be thinking is that he left Bellingham out, didn't he, in the previous squad, maybe to send a message. Maybe he's leaving Trent out just to send another message, but we're getting quite close to the competition now. I don't know. I don't know whether they're problematical people to have in your side. What I do know is that two unbelievably talented and brilliant footballers that have delivered over recent seasons. So, I mean, it's impossible for us to know what the connection is or lack of connection between Tuchel and those players, what he thinks.

25:45Alan Shearer:There's only one man who decides. He picks the squad. It's up to him. And what I was talking to, I was talking to John Terry, actually. I interviewed him for the podcast that will go out sometime in the next few weeks. I said, what do you think is missing with England? And he went, I think it's been someone that absolutely is the boss and is not worried about egos, not worried about, you know, he is in charge and he thinks that Tuchel is that kind of person so if it works we'll all applaud him if he doesn't we'll do what we usually do we'll be critical but what did you think of the idea of the massive squad and it's like half here and some will get a rest I think it's a good idea I think it gives them a rest at a good time I don't think you want to be overplaying I mean our players are largely knackered at this time of year anyway so I think I thought it was a good idea

26:31Gary Lineker:I think it's a good idea I think it's pretty sensible to say you have a few days rest before then come in and play your bit or if you've played the first game then you have a rest after. I like that forward thinking and also in terms of the squad I also what is he going to take a squad of 26 and he's named a squad of 35 on this occasion. I also look at the centre forwards and I think Welbeck who's 35 who's the top Englishman scorer in the Premier League this season scored two again. I also think Ollie Watkins got a goal today. I think maybe he's looking and thinking, okay, I know what you guys can do, particularly Watkins.

27:10Gary Lineker:I'll have a look at you, Calvert-Lewin. I'll have a look at you, Solanke. I'd be amazed if either of those two were to go instead of Watkins. Solanke's three Premier League goals this season. He's been injured a lot of the season, let's say that. Calvert-Lewin's got two in his last 12. I'd be really surprised if those two were picked ahead of Ollie Watkins

27:30Alan Shearer:in a squad of 26. Yeah, it sounds like Harvey Barnes. I think Harvey Barnes it's breaking news I think he's been pulled into the squad because Ezzer Ezzer's out injured so Harvey Barnes turned down obviously the chance to play for Scotland so what do you think of that Alan as a Newcastle I think he's he's had a really good spell he's been he's been in cracking form

27:51Gary Lineker:yeah he's been in decent form and clearly he had the choice to make and he said no to Scotland in the hope that his form or his ability would somehow get him into the England squad and he's been called up now so he's another one that has now got an opportunity to impress and I hope he does it because he's done well for Newcastle. Yeah what jumped out for you Micah? Yeah just going back to your Trent Alexander-Arnold one I think there's a couple points to look at really if you look at someone like Marcelo or Roberto Carlos or whatever as a coach I think it's your responsibility to be able to get the best out of world-class players like that.

28:37And it's not happened for him at England, and he's not performed at his level, and he'd be the first to say that. So that's the first thing. However, we was sort of lauding the fact that Tuchel was coming in to make difficult decisions. And what we said around Southgate in-games and in-game substitutions, And Tuchel, we know tactically he has that, you know? So if I'm in Trent's camp, I'm disappointed. As a pundit, I think he should be in. And I feel as though top managers should be able to accommodate that type of player because other nations would be taking their top players. Again, a little bit Trent has to look at himself.

29:23He's been injured and then he's got to look at form as well. Could he have done better? But then Southgate has been to two finals, did ever so well. We've praised him for that, but couldn't get over the line. The whole point of being Tuchel is to get over the line. And we're not managers. We're fans. We want England to do well. But that's why he's a manager, because he sees things that we can't see. Or maybe we can see them, but not brave enough to say them or implement them. I think that is the difference with Tuchel. So now I have no problem with it. But the problem becomes, like again, let's take it back to the Arsenal game today.

30:01If they go and it doesn't work, then we can have the questions. But if they go and win it, it's going to look like his decision is justified. So I think two things can be right at the same time. But me as a fan and a fan of Trent, I'm disappointed not to see him there because I think he's an incredible talent. and back to your point, Gaz, even if it's just that 1 % or half a percent, he can create that and that's a disappointing thing.

30:31Alan Shearer:But, you know, someone's going to be left out. There'll be a lot more disappointed people and we'll talk about that. But there's a lot of talent in there, Alan.

30:38Gary Lineker:Yeah, absolutely. But I do think there's a part of him that thinks I know about him and I know about him so I perhaps might not put him in this one and I'll have a look at him and then when I have to name in my 26 I think there'll be players will look back on in this squad

30:56Alan Shearer:and say well that's probably why he's done that yeah Micah we've already recorded the first half so thanks for joining us late on but well we're going to take a break now but I've just noticed that the game has come to life in Madrid it's now Atletico 2 Real Madrid 3 and guess who got an assist for Vinicius Junior the aforementioned Trent Alexander-Arnold well Hope you're watching, Thomas. We'll be back after the break. It's Gary Lineker here from the Rest is Football. Do you love the show? Why not come and see us live on stage at London's South Bank Centre in September? On Friday, the 4th of September, Alan, Micah and I will be reviewing the World Cup and taking you behind the scenes of the tournament.

31:43Alan Shearer:Buy your tickets now at southbankcentre.co.uk. This episode is brought to you by Microsoft 365 Copilot. Guys, where would we be without our teammates? Who's your favorite teammate?

31:58Gary Lineker:Mine would have to be Teddy Sheringham, guys, with England. It's just one of those partnerships that worked, that clicked. For you, Micah, Pablo Zamoleta by any chance? How did I know he was going to say that? I would have to pick Johar just on the pitch. If I made a mistake, I just knew he had my back. I'm sure you kept him very busy.

32:18Alan Shearer:I would probably go probably Peter Beardsley, who I had amazing partnership with England. I think I was about a goal again when he played. Well, Microsoft 365 Copilot is that level of support off the pitch. It's your AI assistant for work built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 apps you use, helping you quickly write, analyze, create, and summarize. Learn more at microsoft.com slash m365copilot. This episode is brought to you by Whoop. In the modern game, of course, there are a lot more games and that feeling of being slightly off by Monday. And that's how it shows up. Not as an injury, it's just fatigue creeping in.

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33:37Alan Shearer:consistency beats intensity every time if you want to understand your health better and how your daily habits impact you over time head to join.whoop.com slash t-r-i-f to get started with whoop welcome back to the rest is football with just alan shirer and me gary linica now much to discuss um i went um obviously as i said i've been uh up in the northeast alan on the one time when you were down south, you were down south. So unfortunately, we didn't get to share a pint, but made a few days of actually a bit of a food trip. Good. Started just outside York at a restaurant called The Black Swan. Right.

34:21Alan Shearer:Tommy Banks is the chef there, and it was absolutely marvellous. Nice. We had fish and chips and a lay-by, which was extraordinary. And then we went to Pine Restaurant. Now, do you just know that? Lovely, yeah. Beautiful restaurant. East in Man U absolutely sensational did the game and then had a lovely Indian after somewhere you've probably been to

34:41Gary Lineker:Dabawal Jaff did he look after you I'm pretty sure he would wouldn't he

34:45Alan Shearer:Jaff looked after us fabulously as did Newcastle at the game as well so the only thing that was missing Alan was a home home victory so

34:55Gary Lineker:honestly it's like I was doing I was doing PLP as you know which is why I wasn't at the game and I was getting so frustrated and so angry I'm pleased everyone looked after you by the way it was there was never in doubt i must say before we get to the

35:08Alan Shearer:game and the the atmosphere i mean poof it was i mean for a 12 o 'clock start i think we walked from the hotel to the ground it's about half an hour walk and um we went past so many pubs and they were everyone there were massive queues out of every pub but they were waiting for them to open and I think this was like quarter to ten in this morning oh no yeah such a shame I mean yeah but Sunderland did really well particularly in the second half I mean what a season they've had what a job Reggie Labrie is doing there and but looked like it was going to be a good day for Newcastle I wonder whether midweek caught up with them a little bit possibly it's an excuse

35:51Gary Lineker:I'm not accepting the midweek call up with them not in a Derby game I don't buy that you can't be tired you can't that's not an excuse they got battered in the second half against Barcelona I get that I understand that and the travelling and all of that and they were a better team Newcastle in the first half and Sunderland really struggled to cope with the intensity I mean it was madness the way Sunderland gifted Newcastle the first goal brilliant finish from Anthony Gordon but I mean what on earth are you doing inside the first 10 minutes trying to play out like that and that's what Newcastle want you to do and they punished them for that and I was getting so worried and I said it at half time that Sunderland can't be as bad in the second half because Newcastle should have scored another one, maybe two more and I was always fearful that they would come back and increase the intensity and they did that right from the first minute Sunderland and Newcastle couldn't cope with it I'm saying come on someone just put their foot on the ball it's like I was just getting so annoyed and so angry And, yeah, Sunderland were the better team and punished us.

36:56Gary Lineker:And Brian Brobby was probably the best player for Sunderland. A real handful. £17 million he cost from Ajax. You compare that to Newcastle's recruitment in the summer and what they paid on forwards. I mean, it's quite the contrast. And there lies the problem. That's been a huge problem for Newcastle, the inconsistency. Sunderland wanted it more than Newcastle in the second half, and that is pretty damning, particularly after the way Newcastle played in their first game at Stadium Alight. And he got it all wrong in that game. And he couldn't lift his players in the second half. And that is really, really worrying and disappointing.

37:30Gary Lineker:Well done, Sunderland. They were a better team. They deserve to win. Good on them, as much as it hurts me to say that. But worrying for Newcastle and big questions will be asked. And it's going to be a long two or three weeks for Newcastle now, the international week break, I should say, because people will be hurt, people will be angry, and there'll be so much shit thrown at Eddie and Newcastle now. And he has to cope with that and understand that, as do the people that are running the club.

37:57Alan Shearer:Yeah, you could sense that at the end of the game. You know, obviously to lose a derby is bad enough, but that's the double that Sunderland have done, of course, over Newcastle, which that hurts. I can tell you can really get that feeling up here when you actually come to the game. But as you said, it was great for Sunderland, but a few exceptions with Newcastle. I thought Anthony Gordon ran himself into the ground, might have run out of steam a little bit towards the end of the game, which is understandable, but he put in a shift, great finish. Hall had whipped a couple of absolutely brilliant crosses in, great balls in, which they probably could have scored from one of those.

38:38Alan Shearer:They hit the post, but they did have that lead at halftime and I thought they were well worth it. And then second off, it was like a completely different football match. you know Sunderland changed things a little bit went a bit more direct couple of scruffy goals maybe but they all count they all count don't they

38:57Gary Lineker:yeah they all count sorry I'm just having a sip of red wine I have to to ease my anger for today I had to sit that was the early game obviously at PLP and I had to somehow lift my spirits because we had another two games after that we got we got this the Forest game and of course the Villa West Ham game were going on at the same time so I had to do that and then of course another hour after that for the goal show and finish at six and had to keep my energy after feeling so flat and angry after the Newcastle game so yeah well done Sunderland enjoy your enjoy your season you you deserve to beat us on both occasions but really shit from a Newcastle point of view

39:36Alan Shearer:he says through gritted teeth gritted teeth he says through gritted teeth let's talk about the the relegation battle really I mean car spurs I mean could be worse it could be a Spurs fan. Yeah, well, indeed. They had so many chances early on and then you suddenly thought, I mean, 3-0 at home to the side, one of the sides that you're obviously battling against down there. I mean, particularly after there was like a little bit of a glimmer of hope in the last two games. They got a point at Liverpool and I know they lost in the Champions League, but it was a home win and they did score three goals.

40:09Alan Shearer:And then it's then this. This is kind of demoralising as well.

40:13Gary Lineker:Yeah, but I think in reality, guys. They weren't under huge pressure going to Liverpool last week because no one really expected them to win. Similar thing in midweek in the Champions League. But they were under massive pressure today being at home against Forest and it was always going to be a really intense game but they only had one shot on target until they were 3-0 down. You know that. There was that brilliant shot in the first half save I should say. Other than that there wasn't a lot in it but that was a killer blow it was for Spurs going 1-0 down at half time in the manner that they did, free header from a corner.

40:49Gary Lineker:And I was thinking the next goal is all important here because what have you got in the second half Spurs? Show us what you're about. Show us that you want to stay in the Premier League. And if I was a Spurs fan, I'd be really worried with the response or the lack of response in that second half from them. Just the ability to defend and either stop a cross or stop a shot or just getting your body in front of a forward who's making a run. All of the things that should be pretty simple at this level of football, massively worried for Spurs is that there's a huge chance they could be relegated this season.

41:28Gary Lineker:I felt that before the game, but watching that performance,

41:32Alan Shearer:I'd be really, really, really worried if I was a Spurs fan. I think all Spurs fans will be really worried at the moment, understandably so. I suppose the only saving grace for them is that West Ham lost as well. But you'd have probably expected that a little bit more, although Villa struggled of late. But Villa beat them. Actually, a really important win for Villa as well in terms of Champions League places, especially with Chelsea and Liverpool having lost. We'll come to them shortly. But, you know, Forest look like they've got a bit of momentum going reasonably well.

42:04Gary Lineker:They quite enjoy the defensive side of things. I don't mind doing the hard work off the ball. Some of the defenders, I thought, played really, really well. Alenkovich played really well again. Gibbs White in the midfield, I thought, was superb. Anderson up front. So, yeah, I thought Forrest were brilliant. You would think that the belief and the confidence that would give them going forward would be huge.

42:27Alan Shearer:I would say so as well. And for Spurs, that knock on their confidence again. And it's, you know, they're in turmoil. Obviously, the new guys come in. He's not really been any kind of bounce. You wonder what they do at this point. Where do they... I mean...

42:42Gary Lineker:Well, if they're going to make a change, it would be now because of the international break. International break, yeah. I mean, pretty embarrassing if they do for the guys that have made the decision in the first place because this isn't Igor Tudor's fault. I mean, he's walked into a really messy, ugly situation and it's not his fault. But there hasn't been an improvement. In fact, things may be getting worse in the five games. got one point out of the five games. So things may be getting worse. So it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were to make another change.

43:12Alan Shearer:For a club like Spurs to go, I mean, for any club to go down, but Spurs, really? I mean, come on. It must be unbelievable.

43:18Gary Lineker:It would be absolutely staggering.

43:20Alan Shearer:Yeah, we say that, but they did finish, what, 17th that season, which is exactly where they are now, funnily enough. Unbelievable. I mean, we'll have to follow that very closely. West Ham have been better in recent weeks. Forest certainly have been better in the last... So you start to, you know, you start to look at this side without any momentum whatsoever and that spurs.

43:40Gary Lineker:Yeah, and I think their next, I don't think they play until another three weeks. West Ham play Wolves, I think on Friday evening in a couple of weeks' time at home. So what a game that is. So by the time the next time they play Spurs, there's every chance they could be in the bottom three.

43:59Alan Shearer:Let's turn our attention probably to the Champions League places. It looked a little bit bleak for Villa, but they managed to win today, the game against West Ham, obviously. Manchester United got a point, I think. Let's discuss that game first. They got a point. They look in good shape, really, in third. I mean, that twist of, you know, they go one up and then there's another penalty shout, which did really look like a penalty. and then for the team to go to the other end of the pitch and score, it's like a double whammy against them. And then Maguire gets sent off for something that was quite similar to the one earlier on.

44:39Gary Lineker:I think the referee messed up in that. I mean, if you're going to give one of those, then you have to give the others as well for me. I think he messed up and I'm certain that the VAR and the referee were thinking, oh no, when Bournemouth go up the other end 20, 25 seconds later and score, it's the worst thing ever.

44:56Alan Shearer:Do you think that might have impacted their decision slightly because I bet they've gone, oh, imagine this, if we actually give the penalty, that also means we're disallowing the goal. No, it's right.

45:06Gary Lineker:There's no doubt it should have. I mean, yeah, I think they messed up but it should have been a penalty even for Veya or not to tell them that was a penalty for me. But as disappointed as they were, I guess, in not taking all three, I think it could be a really important point for Manchester United. A tough place to go. Bournemouth are in pretty decent form and I think a point is a decent result and could be a good one for them come the end of the season.

45:31Alan Shearer:Especially when you consider the fact that both Liverpool and Chelsea lost. They're both struggling. I mean, Chelsea, I thought Everton were really good. Everton were brilliant.

45:42Gary Lineker:Everton were absolutely. From the first minute in that game, there was only ever one team going to win that game and only one team wanted to win it in terms of the aggression, their attitude, their desire Aaron Hunt everything that you have to do to win a match not with the ball I guess but without the ball Everton was so much better than Chelsea but it comes back to the same old problem with Chelsea I think in terms of not having a top class goalkeeper and not having a top class centre half and even maybe a centre forward Pedro's been pretty good this season I don't think he's an out and out nine and I think he would be even better if he was in that tenth position with a top class number nine and I think that's what they miss but did you see the stat that we said on Match of the Day in terms of Chelsea every single Premier League game they've played this season home and away every team has outran them oh right yes I saw it on socials actually I didn't have the chance to watch Match of the Day it's fascinating I had to get the guy to check it three or four times the stat guy said really I mean that's unbelievable that every single team they've played this season has run more than them wow

46:52Alan Shearer:What does that say?

46:54Gary Lineker:Is it a question of attitude? Well, I mean, I don't know that sometimes. I know sometimes that you're going to have the ball a lot more than the opposition, I guess, and that's Chelsea's style of play. And it's not always an important read, but in every single game, every game. Wow. Premier League game, I think it's amazing, really. But they were done with a straight through ball against Newcastle last weekend. And they were done with a straight through ball again inside the centre-halves, all over the place. And they were punished again with the first goal that Everton scored better. So them and Liverpool are going for fifth and sixth and one of them is going to be massively disappointed.

47:36Alan Shearer:I mean, a lot of people obviously look at the coach coming. They had an initial bounce, they did pretty well. But the last few weeks have been pretty grim for Chelsea.

47:46Gary Lineker:I mean, I listened to Rossini afterwards in terms of the noise that he says around about Chelsea. I guess that comes with having a huge football club and managing the huge football club and the expectations. But don't you think sometimes that it's up to the manager to try and not increase that noise? And I think some of the things that he's said and done has certainly increased the noise. I mean, the stuff around the ball and respecting the ball and all that nonsense. I mean, I don't know, sometimes I just think you have to try and protect your club and your players by not giving the media extra things to grab onto.

48:23Gary Lineker:And I think he's sort of done that too many times already.

48:27Alan Shearer:Yeah, I wonder. I mean, he obviously wouldn't have faced that kind of examination at Strasbourg because they weren't even in Ligue 1. I mean, he's done plenty of coaching, obviously, and I think he knows his football clearly. He's definitely a bright coach. he's a bright and articulate young man but I think maybe he's come in there and he's been a little bit naive in some of the ways and occasional lack of self-awareness or well just to take the heat out of things I think so yeah and if you're that inexperienced it's understandable but he'll need to learn fast I think

48:59Gary Lineker:but then I mean they they I guess have appointed him to finish in a Champions League position and if they don't finish in a Champions League position then he would be under huge pressure as well

49:09Alan Shearer:I was thinking actually there's talk about Rossegna obviously there's talk about Tudor there's also talk even Arnie Slott is under pressure with Liverpool although they did get through in the Champions League and they were pretty good in midweek so I mean he won the league a few months ago so

49:26Gary Lineker:I think I think we were all slightly hesitant a bit reluctant to go overboard about Liverpool in midweek because of their opposition how poor they were Galatasaray particularly they've been away from home but they had They had a lot more energy in midweek. You're thinking, okay, let's see that again. But I thought Liverpool were a mess. I mean, Van Dijk and Canati, they got the runaround by 35-year-old Welbeck, who had a field day. He gave them a torrid time. And they looked really, really poor. And they were flat. There was no energy. There was no press. I know Eketike went off early in the game, which would have put them off their stride.

50:07Gary Lineker:but there was nothing about Liverpool's game that would give me confidence that they're going to finish in a Champions League position.

50:14Alan Shearer:I think it's almost certainly going to be Manchester United I would say probably and probably Villa after that was a big win for them and then it might be either or if English clubs get five which I think they shouldn't do they're well clear and at least two teams got through to the Champions League quarterfinals and elsewhere in Europe.

50:34Gary Lineker:You look at even Everton and Brentford and I mean what a job he's doing I mean David I know they've they haven't struggled a couple of occasions at their new stadium but the atmosphere yesterday at their new stadium looked incredible and sounded incredible and the players sort of responded to that and I thought Everton were brilliant and I just look at David Moyes and the job he's doing I got so much respect for him you know Moyes I just think he's been absolutely outstanding and he's a he's a great bloke he's been a great servant to our game and he's getting his rewards again at Evan.

51:08Alan Shearer:I mean, it'd be amazing if you got them in the Champions League, wouldn't it? Wow. I mean, particularly when you consider when he took over, obviously, you know, real trouble, right? And, you know, just fractionally above the relegation zone last season and, you know, just shows you that he knows what he's doing.

51:24Gary Lineker:He's rinsing every bit of ability out of the players there. I mean, in Ghana in midfield, the England call-up, what a performance he put in. He was sensational in the midfield as well. He looked the best player on the pitch, I thought, yesterday. So, yeah, he's getting every bit of performance out of those Everton players.

51:44Alan Shearer:Yeah, it's great. It's great to see as a former Evertonian that they might, I mean, a really good chance of Europe and, you know, an outside stab at Champions League football. Lovely place to finish. But before we go on, I just want to make it clear to everyone that we're not in the same hotel room. if you can see this on either Spotify or YouTube it looks like we're in the same room but in different sides of it the curtains and everything let's make it clear I know Alan shares his bed with his mates but not me okay love it okay that's it for this episode the rest is football goodbye from me goodbye from me have a great week

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