Salah & Van Dijk ‘Not Leading Liverpool’ & Bellingham’s Brilliance

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1:11Van Dyke and Salah, I don't think they've really led that team this season. It's huge and I think it's been an absolutely massive, you know, few weeks. Just hoping, come on, keep going, keep going, because glamour, mate, we're back. You know, he was brilliant. Insane, I think. Never seen him miss. I didn't think it was John Terry. Well, he missed when it mattered, didn't he? Hey, you and I can only dream of staying in a hotel like that. To be honest, I could probably stay at the same hotel, but I'd be staying in a standard room. I'd be staying in a standard room. Wayne's staying in that nice presidential suite.

1:49I'd be staying in like a twin... twin bedroom room in one of those hotels. Well, Wayne, you're on holiday still in Dubai, aren't you? No coincidence that you are on the pod, committed to the pod, but also I think Man United winning this weekend also meant you were more keen to do it, won't you? Yeah, no, it was brilliant. Three games in a row, everything's rosy. Let people lose. So, yeah, no, it was... Everything's about as rosy as your cheeks right now, bro. Do you know what? it's amazing what a bit of confidence there's I think having confidence, the players look like they've got a lot of confidence within them and yeah, it's got a bit nervous when it went to 3-2, if I'll be honest got a little bit nervous but no getting that confidence and that belief amongst the players, it's amazing what can happen and I'm sure we'll touch on it and we're seeing the opposite at Liverpool but yeah clan of the league so I think me and Kai are very happy.

2:47Come on! I was going to say Wayne Kay's got a bit of confidence as well coming in early with a dig there for Wayne about his suntan no it wasn't a dig I was just saying he just looks rosy looks healthy that's a lovely I've been enjoying the sun so yeah being good we're just jealous stuck in rainy England Kay you're I think everyone's going to realise you're like one of those coiled springs and when Man United win you in the WhatsApp group I'm going to say it you're unbearable do you know where it is listen I get giddy like any fan so yeah I was in the WhatsApp group going, we're going to win the league.

3:19We're going to win the league. Listen, I don't think we're going to win the league in it. But listen, it was great. It was great. It's just nice to see Man United win again. That's what it is. I mean... It did feel more like Man United because I only watched Match of the Day, but it just felt like the whole feeling around it felt a bit more like Man United that I watched when I was growing up. I'm not getting carried away, but just... Do you know what it was? The performance has improved to an extent. And I think it goes back to what Wayne was saying, that it's amazing what a bit of confidence can do.

3:46players start trying things that they usually wouldn't when things are going badly. There's a bit more spring in their step. And I think the belief as well, when we went down to 3-2, for Mbwemo to come and score and make it 4-2, and he didn't even celebrate like it was a mad thing. He was just like, yeah, this is what I do. Yeah, no, definitely confidence. You know, winning at Anfield, the amount of confidence that would give the players is huge. And then to go 3-0 up, amazing. but then that little bit of complacency kicks in and Welbeck always seems to score against Man Utd as well. But then to go and finish the game off, it's huge.

4:26And I think it's been an absolutely massive few weeks either side of the international break for Man Utd. You just hope now, come on, keep going, keep going because we're clamoring, mate, we're back.

4:41No win's bigger than beating Liverpool when you're Manchester United. I'm not naive enough to say that, Kay. But it just felt like it was so big because of the fact that you've struggled to string multiple results together. And there was a lot said about the fact that Bryson have been Manchester United's bogey team. It just feels like it's another hurdle overcome. Yeah, no, absolutely. And I think for me, I've always been critical about the performances, saying even if we have Nick to win here and there, it seemed like we were still making the mistakes we were making when we were losing games.

5:10But it felt like we had a much better performance. and it felt like, you know, we had a lot more control of the game. We didn't have more possession in Brighton, but it's about what you do with the possession and players like Cunha stepping up and that goal that he scored. And I was so happy that actually he scored as well because there was a lot of talk from people going, oh, well, he hasn't scored a goal or whatever. And to score a goal from outside the penalty area in a big game as well, that was amazing. Mbwemo's playing really, really well, playing out of his skin. And I just love the whole atmosphere around the team.

5:45And I hope it can continue because this is what we need. Three games on a bounce. Hopefully we can make it five. So that guy can cut his hair. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So we've got Forest coming up as well, which is going to be hard against Sean Dash. But yeah, I've got a lot more confidence than I did have a few weeks ago. So credit to Amorim. This game was so important, I think, to build on winning the landfield. to think it was really important to then go and win the next game. So now the players are feeling, okay, we're on a bit of a run now. Can we go and do it again? Can we do it again?

6:18And if Man United lost this game to Brighton, all the same questions start coming back and that negativity comes back around again. So I think this game was arguably as big as the Man United game for different reasons, obviously, but to go out and win in, being in such a comfortable position, then getting pegged back a little bit and then to go and see the game off. This was such a big game for Man United. So, yeah, Buzzing, they've kind of won it. And then hopefully the next one, the next one keep going. Wayne, I think you said previously you weren't sure about Brian Mbumo when Manchester United signed him, but he's looked the pick of the summer signings, hasn't he?

6:55What have you made of the way he's taken to a big move to one of the biggest clubs in the world? And he's been quite consistent even when Man United... He has, and he's had some really good chances in games as well and just not taken them. but I think his energy, his work rate, his desire is what you need to be in my United player. And yeah, I did say that and I was a little bit unsure. But I think what he's shown is he belongs there. You know, there's been obviously Cunyar coming in, great to see him get his goal. But he's been consistent with his performances. I think that's the main thing. And if you're consistently getting the right positions, getting chances, you know, you will score.

7:31What was it, 20 goals last season scored for Brentford. and now he started, when you're a forward, you score a goal, you enjoy scoring goals and that feeling keeps going and that's why you see players going on streaks, you know, going on streaks of scoring 8, 9, 10, 11 goals in a bounce and then maybe when they don't score, they don't score for a few games and his confidence is very high at the minute and hopefully that continues because, you know, he's been certainly the best signer for Man Utd this season. I completely agree and do you know what, I don't know if you agree but he sort of reminds me of a player that's sort of like in that Salah mode, Do you know what I mean?

8:05I'm not saying he's as good as Mo Salah, but it's like sometimes it isn't pretty, but he will get you goals and assists game after game. And it's not like beautiful, but he'll be there, he'll put in crosses, he'll take shots and it's going to result in something. And I just love that energy in the team as well. And what strikes me about him is he's a player that looks like he just loves playing for Man United. and I think we've missed that in previous years like when he's there he looks like he wants to be here and this is where he belongs and I even like the fact that there was something that came out recently about when he found out that he was signing for Man United and he was excited because it was like one of the he sort of supported them when he was younger and he turned up in a suit and everything and I felt like he had the right attitude yeah it was a bit better than my top I come in

8:56but yeah he's absolutely amazing and right attitude, incredible player. I just hope he can take it to another level this season and after that as well. And Cunha as well, Wayne, before we move on, because this isn't just a podcast about Man United, though you guys would like it to be at the moment. I really liked what Cunha was saying. He was kind of, he's quite an infectious character. And I know you've said previously, it sounds like he settled in well from what you've heard. But I liked his post-match interview. I don't know if you heard it, but he said, I've been saying to the other guys, I want that feeling.

9:24I want that feeling of scoring a Manchester United goal. and now he's got it. Yeah, no, you could see how much everyone was delighted for him, you know, the manager as well. Because that can play in your mind. We've seen it with Werther at Liverpool as well. And, you know, the more it goes on, the harder it is to go and do it and you lose that confidence again. But to get that goal is massive for him because I think some of his performance has been really good. He's obviously missed a few games through injury, but you can see the delight. I've had it where we've had players who need the goal and you know they need the goal because they're going through a difficult time.

9:59You just hope that that spares him on as well. He starts showing what we've seen at Wolves last year. I think he can kick on from that. I think he can certainly get better and go and grab the game by the scruff of the net because that's what he can do. He can play in different positions. He's unpredictable at times. But yeah, I hope he does this and knock on the door as well. Is it housekeeping again, Mike? you are in Dubai I wanted to mention it actually briefly where did you watch the game were you able to watch it and were you able to watch it with your boys did they wear the kits and stuff again oh no sorry the United game I didn't watch it I was at the UFC so I'm in the UFC and Kai had it on his phone but it was very difficult to see it and watch it so I didn't watch it but we were getting updates as we were sat in the UFC we do have to talk about football but I want to know about the UFC now how was it it's a long long day but no it was great it's a shame what happened at the end because obviously the main reason there was for Tom Raspinall and trying to see him win and then to get to end the way it did in the first round was a shame sad because I think it was like 1am this time and I had me two eldest boys there and we'd been to Ferrari World before that and been on all the roller coasters and stuff so is that good I've been to Abu Dhabi before but I've never been yeah I was fairly good the roller coasters were good so we had a good day we went for food after that, the three of us, and then went to the UFC.

11:28So, yeah, it was... Some of the fights before the Aspen All fight were really good, but then for that to end the way it did, it was really disappointing. And I hope, obviously Tom's okay, of course, but, yeah, a little bit disappointed. Okay, back to the football then before we all get in trouble for taking this two off-piste. It was a doubly good weekend for both of you because Liverpool lost again this weekend. Oh, no. We'll go to Wayne first on this one. Then you've just answered my question as to who I should go to first. Wayne, you've tried to dissect and kind of analyse what's gone wrong with them, but things aren't getting better, are they?

12:04What are you making of what you're seeing?

12:09It's tough on teams. This can happen to teams and I can get them and it can creep up. And then all of a sudden, you're like, where's that come from? I think we're all probably sitting here thinking, you know, three, four weeks ago, no one's seen this coming. and it hit them quick, it hit them hard and I think they're struggling to find a way out and this is a time where the manager, the leaders in the team need to they need to figure it out very quickly because I'm a bit unsure I think Van Dijk and Salah obviously they've signed new deals but I don't think they've really led that team this season and I know there's been a few What makes you say that?

12:56In what way? Just performances and body language I think body language tells you a lot and I think we're seeing slightly different body language from the two of them and they're the top two players in that team and if their body language is not right that affects everyone else and I don't know maybe I might be wrong on this But if I was a Liverpool fan or the manager, that'd be a big concern for me. They've already lost as many Premier League games this season as they did last season. From a fan's point of view, I think we didn't play football, obviously to the level Wayne did, but it's just so hard to see a team go from that dominance, isn't it, to what we're seeing now?

13:41Do you know what? I think it is a hard one. I think there's a multitude of reasons. I think Van Dijk and Salah not performing, usually there'd be other people there that could sort of provide those moments in order for them to go on and do something. And now it just feels like there's so many players trying to bed in that if they don't understand the culture of the club and they don't understand how to win, it's very hard for you to get out of that run. I mean, it happened to City last year as well, didn't it? When they went on a massive losing run as well. And it is hard to get out of. And this is a time where you need your manager to sort of look at his tactics.

14:19And what I found really funny was Arnie's slot last season, any game that came out and they won, he was like, oh, yeah, we did this, this. This is how we won it. We took the fullbacks there. This is what we did. And then this season, it just seems like he blamed set pieces or that, you know, that team were playing long balls. And it's like, yeah, well, they're allowed to play long balls, bro. Like, find a way out. Well, that's what happens when you win the Premier League. That's what happens. and teams trying to figure out your weaknesses. And it looks like a lot of teams have done that this season.

14:49And you need to adjust. You need to adapt. We spoke about this with Amron. You need to adapt and you need to be ready for teams maybe trying something a little bit different against you. And Liverpool haven't figured that out yet. And also, it goes back to the confidence again. Man United have found the confidence to help them kick on. And Liverpool are in a bad place at the minute. And when that happens, I can't explain it. It's so difficult. You don't know how to get out of it. You can see the goal and then straight away you're thinking, oh, here we go again. It's such a hard thing to get out of.

15:21The best thing is to simplify things. I think for each player, the manager, simplify the performance, simplify what you're doing. And normally, if you've got better players, you win the game. But it's not that easy. Slott has mentioned, as Kay said, about the fact that his team are weak to set pieces and he's saying it in interviews outwardly. what did you make of that because obviously he's been around the block he knows what he's saying will that be sending a message to the players the right type of message yeah but I also think that I've worked with a few Dutch managers Van Gaal Foucault Ron Koeman and the one thing they are is very honest and I think what he's saying to to the media is what he'd be saying to the players and set pieces are massive in the game obviously but I'm sure that they're working and I'm probably doing more work than they have done on set pieces but they keep conceding from them and other teams will be looking at it thinking they're vulnerable, let's put the ball in this area where maybe they've won off before so yeah it's an issue for them but you've just got to get through it, I think that's what happens in football when you're weak at something teams try and make the most of that but you've got to try and get through it any way possible, get through it and it'll be starting with one game, the next game, let's not concede from a set piece.

16:43Let's not get done with long balls and you have to bring everything back. I know it's a cliche, but back to basics, you have to bring everything back and then you can start building again to try and improve after that. Yeah, there's been a lot, hasn't I said, about the fact that there's been big squad turnover at Liverpool, but we've seen that at other clubs as well, haven't we? So I don't know how you feel about people kind of using that as a reason as to maybe why this has happened. I think it's different when it's a club at the top of the table, just because there's a lot more, one, there's a lot more pressure.

17:12And two, the frequency of games is a lot higher. And plus, it's different when you're a team that's perhaps on the back foot. But when you're a team that has to go out and control games, I think when you've got that level of squad turnover, it is harder for them to gel. But at the same time, it's not like they've bought mediocre players. They've bought decent players. Do you know what I mean? Wayne alluded to this last podcast as well, where we were talking about the fact that good players can play together. So I think they've just got to find a way to get all these players in the team to click and to understand what they're doing.

17:51And I think, funnily enough, they do miss Trent a lot as well. And it's funny that, I mean, we're probably going to talk about Real Madrid later on, But the fact that Trent's not playing for Real as well, and you can see how much he's missing that Liverpool squad, is quite funny to me anyway. But yeah, this Liverpool downfall, I'm all here. I'm here for it. I knew you were being too serious. I knew that was going to come in at some point. Long may it continue. In this country, we've never had a strong Man United with a strong Liverpool. For one to be strong, the other has to fail. So this failure of Liverpool...

18:27As a neutral, I want you both to be strong. There's a long way to go. We're hoping it continues, but yeah. Listen, I can be a bit tongue-in-cheek while we're ahead of them in the table. So yeah, I'm going to cherish it. Enjoy it. You've got to enjoy the winds. The ultimate cookout starts with the ultimate ingredients. At Whole Foods Market, no antibiotics ever. Burgers and kebabs are prepped and ready to throw on the grill. Fire up a juicy ribeye. Grab creamy potato salad and savoury flatbreads from the prepared foods department and round it all out with 365 brand condiments, chips and dips at everyday low prices.

19:08Whole Foods Market, make your summer sizzle. Come, Kay.

19:19I wanted to kind of tap in. It didn't happen often, Wayne, that you kind of went on losing streaks at Manchester United. But what did Sir Alex do when these things did happen? Would it be as simple as what you said, like going back to basics? Because I think probably Slott's now having to tap into a different type of approach to what he's already had at the level. Yeah, I don't think he'd change much really. He'd keep everything simple and we wouldn't change what we were doing. I can't remember. Maybe we did. I can't remember having three, four, five games where we lost in a role. or where Liverpool are going through this now, the manager would keep everything simple and trust you and have a belief in you, which is when you have that trust from the manager and you have that belief that, you know, okay, it's okay, you lose games.

20:10You lose games of football. That happens. Every team loses games. And I always remember we come in after games. I always remember Fulmer White, you know, the game where Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the last minute. I always remember that game, we come in and how big that was and how much it meant and then we had a game after that I can't remember who it was and we drew 1-1 and we were expected to win the game and he'd come in and he was absolutely made up he was like that game will win this league and we walked in the test room we were upset and we should have won the game but that's his experience and that's his calm that's why he was so good there's games where you come in and he's absolutely delighted with the result.

20:54But yeah, he'd just stay calm and he'd have a go at you when you win games. So that's his opportunity when you come in and that keeps you grounded, that keeps your feet on the ground and makes you, okay. But then there's games where we lose games and he's calm, he's in control and that's why he was so good. So Arnie Slott hasn't experienced that, I don't think, in his career at all. and so this is a big challenge for him. His assistants left as well, wasn't it? That's what I was going to bring up, literally, great minds and all that. Can that have, I was going to ask Wayne and you probably were as well, how much of an impact do you think that can have?

21:32How important are assistant managers? They're very important because your assistant does a lot of work. You know, your assistant manager, you know, is, some players don't want to speak to the manager all the time or they have fallout players who aren't playing. You know, don't want to approach the manager so they go to the assistant manager so your assistant has a lot of work to do to try and keep players calm and so in training sessions as a manager you have lots of things to do outside just the coaching part of it so when you're doing that the assistant will take control of it as well so I think that's huge I think if you go back to Ange when his assistant Chris Davis left to go to Birmingham the results started to fade a little bit and he never seemed to get that back obviously he didn't win the European League but he never seemed to get that back so the assistant managers are so important I don't know if you can blame it on that wholeheartedly no but it does have a massive effect because players have a relationship with the assistant manager as well and sometimes a better relationship with the assistant manager than they do with the manager so when When the assistant manager leaves, I had me same assistant manager in every club I went to because they're that important.

22:55And sometimes when they leave, the players who do have that relationship, maybe they feel a bit lost. So it is very important to have a good assistant. Just in case this makes the edit, Wayne, your son is climbing across the back of the chair, back of the shop. He's trying to get a charger. that's all right he's got to get it yeah he's just realized he's on tv you're gonna be on the sport youtube he's giving me a thumbs up i was gonna say i was gonna say how different were was the style of coaching or the way um the assistants behaved at united so when you had like mike feeling how different was he to um you know like uh carlos they're all different in in different ways.

23:40Mike Field was brilliant with obviously he coached, but then he was brilliant with helping with the commercial stuff, which the manager probably went towards the end when he got a little bit older. Mick took all that responsibility and all that off him. Carlos Cuero was very conservative. Let's stay in the game, let's go and win the game. and brought where the manager was very front footed let's go and attack let's go and be aggressive with it Carlos brought a little bit back from the manager in certain games which certainly helped us so yeah they're all different in their own ways and so it's interesting because we had we had then we had Rene Mullenstein who was there as well he was a one on one coach and then he come in and he was more about the attack and play So, yeah, it's interesting, different coaches.

24:40But then ultimately, the manager has to file and say, of course, and they decide what you do. But the assistant managers do a lot behind the scenes, which maybe a lot of people don't see. Okay, so Liverpool lost this weekend. Manchester City lost as well at Aston Villa. Arsenal, however, ground out a win against Crystal Palace. Things are looking good for Arsenal, aren't they, Wayne? Yeah, and they've got a good squad. They've got good players. I think Arteta's been waiting he's been very close and they've tallied up a good amount of points in a couple of them seasons which potentially in other years might have won them in the league but he's got a squad now where they're really expected to win in the league now so yeah the grind results the physical they've got good attacking players so if one isn't doing it the next one will they're solid at the back so yeah I think they've gone to the they're doing what they should be doing let's be real though they're doing what they should be doing like if they don't win the league this season they're never going to win it I'm sorry but like you've got an open open run at it like Liverpool are self-destructed I think City might have to say something to say but it's only October yeah I know I know the clocks have gone back though so we can look at a table now which coincides with Man United being in a decent position but they're doing what they should be doing if Arsenal don't win the league this season it's a failure we've seen Arsenal before and we've seen them a few years ago I think with that correct me if I'm wrong I think they were like 9 to 11 points top at Christmas 9 to 11 points clear at Christmas or in January and never won it so and that's the pressure the pressure is now can you beat up the league can you stay there the demands of winning.

26:33You think they can? I think they can. I think the squad is good enough now and I think they've had them experiences which has got them close, but I think they're ready for it. I think they're ready to. I think it'll be interesting to see how they perform once they go further in the Champions League, but I think they've got no excuse because every other team... There's no excuse. I think, you know, the players they've brought in, there's no excuse. If they don't win it now, then, you know, you'd probably see a change in mind if they don't win it now. But it was a big weekend of football, not just in the Premier League, but it was El Clasico this weekend as well, wasn't it?

27:07It was a really good game. Real Madrid beating Barca 2-1. It was the first El Clasico of the season and it was a good game for Jude Bellingham. He scored what actually ended up being the winner and he got an assist for Kylian Mbappe as well. Jude's been in the headlines a bit, particularly over here in England, hasn't he, Wayne, after not being in the last England squad, despite being back available. That was a performance probably that he needed and probably that he'll be thinking, hello, Thomas Tuchel, have you seen this? Yeah, no, it was a great reaction from being left out the England squad.