On this week’s Weekender podcast, John Gibbons is joined by Damian Kavanagh, Jay McKenna and Paddy Fitzsimons to look back over the last week, after a huge win over Atalanta BC inspired by a hat trick from summer signing Diogo Jota, and ahead to the title six pointer against Manchester City.
Also on the show, the lids from Lost Dock Rum talk to John Gibbons about the support from the city during the pandemic, there’s a preview of Steven Gerrard on the High Performance Podcast talking about his relationship with former teammates, and social justice charity Micah Liverpool speak about their work in the community.
Spirits before the game against Man City are high, especially after midweek’s performance in the Champions League, but expectations are still realistic for Pep Guardiola’s side – unlike Atalanta who are a less familiar opponent. Up the Reds!
- Liverpool should be flying with confidence before playing Manchester City – the Atalanta result was a delight as the Reds buried the Serie A side 5-0 in one of LFC’s best ever away performances in Europe.
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“You know when you’re naming every player and you’re going – ‘well he had a good game as well, and he had a good game’ and by the end of talking you’ve mentioned all 11 players – I think. Not that there was any concerns at all anyway, but going into the weekend with that feel good factor about buzzing about virtually every player.” – Paddy Fitzsimons on the feeling Liverpool fans after a sensational away Champions League performance in midweek.
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“You’re talking there about recruitment, at Liverpool it’s just hit, after hit, after hit – isn’t it? Obviously, they’re looking strategically – ‘we play this way, we want ‘this’ from a player or ‘that’ from a player and this fits our system’ – and if that misfires somewhere else, that’s not gonna put us off. We’re really gonna do our due diligence on everything. And the research that’s going on in the background – I never saw that signing [Jota] coming! We were all still – [John] still had his shirt off over Thiago, didn’t he?“ – Damien Kavanaugh speaks on the great job Liverpool’s performance analytics and data science team has done under Klopp and FSG.
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“It’s took him a few games, and a few weeks of training to realize – ‘hang on, I’m on a level with these – I might not be as good as [Salah and Mane] but I’m on a certain level.’ I think when I was watching the game and when I’d seen the second goal I just reminded myself of the Pep Lijnders quote from a few weeks back.” – Jay McKenna talks about Diogo Jota growing in confidence and Pep Lijnders referring to Jota as a “pressing monster.”
Liverpool will be in high confidence before this weekend’s game vs Manchester City in the Premier League despite key injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Fabinho, Thiago, Ox, and Jordan Henderson recently recovering. Who will be Liverpool’s center half this weekend? We’re all excited to find out, but whether it’s Rhys Williams or Nat Phillips partnering the Reds – Jurgen Klopp and the coaching staff have them prepared.
As the players and staff say goodbye to Melwood this weekend, the future legacy of Liverpool is perhaps taking shape right before our eyes.
Press play to listen to this show in full or alternatively you can listen for free on Audioboom, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or The Anfield Wrap’s free app available on IOS and Android…
Support The City
The Anfield Wrap’s Support The City initiative is about helping working class people get through the COVID19 crisis by supporting local businesses. Liverpool City Region has entered tier three lockdown and this will put enormous pressure on organizations working to protect and support the most vulnerable people in our society. If you are from outside the area and are able to provide any support to these businesses and charities we know they would be very grateful. These aren’t paid sponsorships, they’re just local businesses on Merseyside run by real people, with real families and real stories that we’re delighted they’ve shared with us.
Lost Dock Rum
Three Lids Rum Ltd and launched Liverpool Lost Dock Rum in 2019 to celebrate the most significant moment in the history of this great city.
Lost for two centuries, Liverpool’s revolutionary Old Dock transformed the city into one of the most innovative, ambitious and multicultural ports in the world. Daily shipments of Rum, Tea, Sugar and Spices would flow through the dock.
With notes of Vanilla, Ginger, Cardamom, Tea, Orange and a hint of Smoke, this Rum is a fitting tribute to the Lost Dock of Liverpool.
High Performance Podcast
The High Performance Podcast brings you an intimate glimpse into the lives of high-achieving, world-class performers who have all excelled in their field with first-hand experiences and lessons to share. Find out what non-negotiable behaviours they employed to get them to the top and keep them there.
Hosting every conversation is sports broadcaster Jake Humphrey and leading organisational psychologist Damian Hughes. Jake is currently BT Sport’s Premier League anchor and former lead presenter of BBC’s Formula One coverage. Damian is an author and professor who continues to work with leading sports organisations to create a high-performing culture.
Micah Liverpool
Micah Liverpool is a social justice charity that has been set up by Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King and St Bride’s Church to relieve Liverpool residents from social injustice and poverty. They are currently running projects to combat unemployment and deliver emergency food aid and affordable food.
Here is how they are focusing their efforts:
- Providing food and other household items
- Providing advice and support to overcome financial problems and maximise their income, including the development of Recruitability programmes to assist individuals to contribute productively to society
- Raising public awareness of issues relating to poverty, both generally and in relation to social exclusion
- Signposting to relevant information and advisory services
- The preservation and protection of good physical and mental health of individuals, families and the wider community of the area of benefit
Micah Liverpool aims to achieve justice, fairness and wellbeing for Liverpool residents by working in partnership with Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, as well as their employer partners and local churches; St Bride’s & St Vincent’s.
