Liverpool only has five games left in the current EPL season, and they're 12 points clear at the top.
Arsenal, which is currently in second place, has only four games left - meaning Liverpool is one point away from clinching a second title in the Premier League era.
Liverpool Supporters Group of Wellington chair Andrew McGoff joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
So, Liverpool have five games left and they're twelve points
clear at the top. Second placed Arsenal have just four
games left, so that means Liverpool need just one point
so a drawer from their remaining five games to clinch
a second title in the Premier League era and a
twentieth top flight title overall. They host Tottenham tomorrow morning
(00:36):
at what will be, no doubt a celebrating anfield. Let's
bring in Andrew McGoff, chair of the official Liverpool Supporters
group of Wellington. Andrew, thanks for your time. That almost,
as I'm explaining, it sounds too easy. It's almost a
fader complete. Does that dilute the achievement at all?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Absolutely not, Like I really hope that it is a
celebration at ntil tomorrow and I guess it's the Huges
assumption that Liverpool will go ahead and at least get
a draw against Fers on Monday morning our time. But
I'll tell you what, it's been a great old season
for Liverpool and certainly not one that a lot of
(01:19):
fans would have expected, particularly with Jugen Klopp leaving at
the end of last season.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Yeah, I want to talk about the new boss, Anna
Slott in just a moment. But in terms of the
dominance of this team in the Premier League such that
they are going to probably or or could well win
it with four games up their sleeve, what have been
the reasons for Liverpool's dominant league form.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I think there'd be a couple of things that kind
of stand out to me. Piney. One is whilst we
have had our injuries, we haven't had the muscle injuries
that Well always had under clop with his style of football,
and I think the back room staff that Slot's bought
and with him have managed the players extremely well. And
we just seem to have been so consistent over the season.
(02:03):
There's only one loss that towards not Ingham Forest in
the first half of the season. We had some huge
results in the Champions League as well, particularly that one
over Real Madrid that fans remember so well. It's been
a team that we haven't enjoyed playing over recent years,
but I just think it's the consistency. There's some stats
(02:23):
coming out where our first half and second half of
the season have almost mirrored themselves, and there's a lot
of chats in the UK media in particular and fans
on social media about Liverpool's drop off in the second
half of the season, and it kind of has felt
like that in a way, I guess it felt that
the season wasn't as dominant as the first half, but
as I say, the results almost mirrored themselves, and Slot's
(02:46):
been able to bring in that belief and the side
and keep those key players playing at the at a
hugely high level. You look at Mohammed Sala and what
his output has been again, particularly in the first half
of the season is just almost unplayable and it's been
(03:07):
it's been epic to see really just to see how
we've been able to just well say were I mean
now of c of course, have been able to go
through and just really just just dominate and what is
against some salty fans belief has been a really strong
Premier League this year where there's been upsets from bottom
(03:27):
half teams beating top half teams. And you have to
look at the Champions League with aston Villa and Arsenal
in particular doing so well. They're just to show what
a what a strong Premier League it is. So let's
just be the icing on the on the cake, having
Liverpool winning such a strong Premier League.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
You mentioned the departure of Jugen Klaub at the end
of last season. He was such a popular manager for Liverpool.
Can you remember what your expectations were at the start
of the season.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
I know they weren't high. Pinely like, I wasn't particularly
overwhelmed intact that was underwhelmed by it by Slot coming in.
I admittedly I didn't know huge lot about them, but
it wasn't one of those big name managers that you
thought would come in and win the fans over and
be able to sign some marquee players. But while he's
(04:19):
really proved me wrong, and I honestly thought that would
be scraping into Champions League this season. I thought this
probably would have been Arsenal's title to win. Man City.
We know that every year. Well that's such a formidable side,
they usually take the title out and I really thought
Chelsea would would have given a bet of showing to themselves.
(04:39):
So yeah, for me, it was sort of looking to
scrape into that fifth spot and hopefully clinch Clint Champions
League's place.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Well, it's certainly going to finish off a lot better
than that in terms of the Premier League. The last
time Liverpool wanted, of course, was during COVID and you know,
a lot of fans, not just Liverpool fans, will remember
the trophy being lifted in front of nobody. Basically it
was a very odd, odd time for us all. How
much more will this mean, you know, and presumably at
(05:08):
some point they will get the chance to lift the
trophy itself at home. How much more will it mean,
you know, given the more traditional environment of you know,
a huge fan base for this football club.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Well, I've been looking at some interviews from Ana Slots
and Vijeben Dyke and just saying how important to them
it is that they'll be able to perform and hopefully
clunch the Premier League in front of a pack Danfield,
It's been thirty five years since I've been able to
well to win the title at home in front of
a packed house. Obviously, as you mentioned, that was in
(05:43):
front of an empty stadium in the COVID era. And
I guess one of the big things for fans were
Liverpool fans over in the city is they really gathered
that they couldn't have a parade for the team and
the team. I know the team felt that as well
from the interviews that have come out, and I've got
friends over there who are really looking forward to to
(06:04):
be able to be a part of that, and you know,
just be able to do it at anfield, as I say,
like in front of the fans, not relying on other results.
I think if you remember back to the nineteen twenty season,
there's videos went around of the Liverpool team watching the
Chelsea City game and Chelsea got up there, which Clint's
just clinched the league for Liverpool. So just be about
to do it under our own steam will be will
(06:26):
be pretty epic and yeah, what an atmosphere it will be.
It'll be on Monday morning.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Any chance at all Tottenham win this game and delay
the celebrations by at least a week.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
They could, they could. I think it's what we always
used to do to joke amongst friends of mine that
when you're putting on sport malties, never to include Tottenham
because they would lose the ones that were lose, the
ones that they're obviously going to win, and win the
ones you wouldn't count them. I think probably what works
in Liverpool's favors. They've got a Spurs. I've got a
(07:02):
big semi final coming up a couple of days after.
I hear that Son's not playing either, which he's always
been a bogey player for Liverpool, and I guess it's
never felt easy against Tottenham. But surely they can. Liverpool
can just clinch a point based on their existing form
throughout the season and hopefully that should be enough to
(07:24):
do it. I just really hope it's not a not
a nervely ninety minute. It'd be nice to be able
to watch it comfortably.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
It's kind of an unfriendly time though, isn't it for
us over the side of the well? Was it three
thirty tomorrow morning?
Speaker 3 (07:35):
It kicks off as sure as an early startin. I've
got my first day of work on a new job,
desperate on this first day back at school to watch
the game. So yeah, we'll be We'll be in our
lounge at three point thirty in the morning watching the game.
I understand the liquor licensing laws and why they are
how they are, but it is a real shame that
ends can't come together to watch this game and enjoy
(07:59):
the moment together. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Well, I'm sure that will follow when not not as
when Liverpool do get this point over the next five
games and win the Premier League. Hey, Andrew, look, I
was going to say sleep well tonight, You'll probably get
a couple of hours cup then get up. You're not
going to push through, are you.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I certainly won't be pushing through. I'm so old for
that now. But I'll try and get an early night.
I'm fair to say it. It will be uh, it'll
be pretty broken sleep. But yeah, I'm really looking forward
to three thirty tomorrow morning and watching that with my
oldest son and hopefully hopefully just getting that point so
we can celebrate the twentieth title for Liverpool.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Good man, Andrew, great to chat mate. Thanks for taking
the time this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Always a pleasure, Pinty, Thank you so much for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
So, Liverpool have five games left and they're twelve points
clear at the top. Second placed Arsenal have just four
games left, so that means Liverpool need just one point
so a drawer from their remaining five games to clinch
a second title in the Premier League era and a
twentieth top flight title overall. They host Tottenham tomorrow morning
(00:36):
at what will be, no doubt a celebrating anfield. Let's
bring in Andrew McGoff, chair of the official Liverpool Supporters
group of Wellington. Andrew, thanks for your time. That almost,
as I'm explaining, it sounds too easy. It's almost a
fader complete. Does that dilute the achievement at all?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Absolutely not, Like I really hope that it is a
celebration at ntil tomorrow and I guess it's the Huges
assumption that Liverpool will go ahead and at least get
a draw against Fers on Monday morning our time. But
I'll tell you what, it's been a great old season
for Liverpool and certainly not one that a lot of
(01:19):
fans would have expected, particularly with Jugen Klopp leaving at
the end of last season.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Yeah, I want to talk about the new boss, Anna
Slott in just a moment. But in terms of the
dominance of this team in the Premier League such that
they are going to probably or or could well win
it with four games up their sleeve, what have been
the reasons for Liverpool's dominant league form.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
I think there'd be a couple of things that kind
of stand out to me. Piney. One is whilst we
have had our injuries, we haven't had the muscle injuries
that Well always had under clop with his style of football,
and I think the back room staff that Slot's bought
and with him have managed the players extremely well. And
we just seem to have been so consistent over the season.
(02:03):
There's only one loss that towards not Ingham Forest in
the first half of the season. We had some huge
results in the Champions League as well, particularly that one
over Real Madrid that fans remember so well. It's been
a team that we haven't enjoyed playing over recent years,
but I just think it's the consistency. There's some stats
(02:23):
coming out where our first half and second half of
the season have almost mirrored themselves, and there's a lot
of chats in the UK media in particular and fans
on social media about Liverpool's drop off in the second
half of the season, and it kind of has felt
like that in a way, I guess it felt that
the season wasn't as dominant as the first half, but
as I say, the results almost mirrored themselves, and Slot's
(02:46):
been able to bring in that belief and the side
and keep those key players playing at the at a
hugely high level. You look at Mohammed Sala and what
his output has been again, particularly in the first half
of the season is just almost unplayable and it's been
(03:07):
it's been epic to see really just to see how
we've been able to just well say were I mean
now of c of course, have been able to go
through and just really just just dominate and what is
against some salty fans belief has been a really strong
Premier League this year where there's been upsets from bottom
(03:27):
half teams beating top half teams. And you have to
look at the Champions League with aston Villa and Arsenal
in particular doing so well. They're just to show what
a what a strong Premier League it is. So let's
just be the icing on the on the cake, having
Liverpool winning such a strong Premier League.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
You mentioned the departure of Jugen Klaub at the end
of last season. He was such a popular manager for Liverpool.
Can you remember what your expectations were at the start
of the season.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
I know they weren't high. Pinely like, I wasn't particularly
overwhelmed intact that was underwhelmed by it by Slot coming in.
I admittedly I didn't know huge lot about them, but
it wasn't one of those big name managers that you
thought would come in and win the fans over and
be able to sign some marquee players. But while he's
(04:19):
really proved me wrong, and I honestly thought that would
be scraping into Champions League this season. I thought this
probably would have been Arsenal's title to win. Man City.
We know that every year. Well that's such a formidable side,
they usually take the title out and I really thought
Chelsea would would have given a bet of showing to themselves.
(04:39):
So yeah, for me, it was sort of looking to
scrape into that fifth spot and hopefully clinch Clint Champions
League's place.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Well, it's certainly going to finish off a lot better
than that in terms of the Premier League. The last
time Liverpool wanted, of course, was during COVID and you know,
a lot of fans, not just Liverpool fans, will remember
the trophy being lifted in front of nobody. Basically it
was a very odd, odd time for us all. How
much more will this mean, you know, and presumably at
(05:08):
some point they will get the chance to lift the
trophy itself at home. How much more will it mean,
you know, given the more traditional environment of you know,
a huge fan base for this football club.
Speaker 3 (05:21):
Well, I've been looking at some interviews from Ana Slots
and Vijeben Dyke and just saying how important to them
it is that they'll be able to perform and hopefully
clunch the Premier League in front of a pack Danfield,
It's been thirty five years since I've been able to
well to win the title at home in front of
a packed house. Obviously, as you mentioned, that was in
(05:43):
front of an empty stadium in the COVID era. And
I guess one of the big things for fans were
Liverpool fans over in the city is they really gathered
that they couldn't have a parade for the team and
the team. I know the team felt that as well
from the interviews that have come out, and I've got
friends over there who are really looking forward to to
(06:04):
be able to be a part of that, and you know,
just be able to do it at anfield, as I say,
like in front of the fans, not relying on other results.
I think if you remember back to the nineteen twenty season,
there's videos went around of the Liverpool team watching the
Chelsea City game and Chelsea got up there, which Clint's
just clinched the league for Liverpool. So just be about
to do it under our own steam will be will
(06:26):
be pretty epic and yeah, what an atmosphere it will be.
It'll be on Monday morning.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Any chance at all Tottenham win this game and delay
the celebrations by at least a week.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
They could, they could. I think it's what we always
used to do to joke amongst friends of mine that
when you're putting on sport malties, never to include Tottenham
because they would lose the ones that were lose, the
ones that they're obviously going to win, and win the
ones you wouldn't count them. I think probably what works
in Liverpool's favors. They've got a Spurs. I've got a
(07:02):
big semi final coming up a couple of days after.
I hear that Son's not playing either, which he's always
been a bogey player for Liverpool, and I guess it's
never felt easy against Tottenham. But surely they can. Liverpool
can just clinch a point based on their existing form
throughout the season and hopefully that should be enough to
(07:24):
do it. I just really hope it's not a not
a nervely ninety minute. It'd be nice to be able
to watch it comfortably.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
It's kind of an unfriendly time though, isn't it for
us over the side of the well? Was it three
thirty tomorrow morning?
Speaker 3 (07:35):
It kicks off as sure as an early startin. I've
got my first day of work on a new job,
desperate on this first day back at school to watch
the game. So yeah, we'll be We'll be in our
lounge at three point thirty in the morning watching the game.
I understand the liquor licensing laws and why they are
how they are, but it is a real shame that
ends can't come together to watch this game and enjoy
(07:59):
the moment together. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Well, I'm sure that will follow when not not as
when Liverpool do get this point over the next five
games and win the Premier League. Hey, Andrew, look, I
was going to say sleep well tonight, You'll probably get
a couple of hours cup then get up. You're not
going to push through, are you.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I certainly won't be pushing through. I'm so old for
that now. But I'll try and get an early night.
I'm fair to say it. It will be uh, it'll
be pretty broken sleep. But yeah, I'm really looking forward
to three thirty tomorrow morning and watching that with my
oldest son and hopefully hopefully just getting that point so
we can celebrate the twentieth title for Liverpool.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Good man, Andrew, great to chat mate. Thanks for taking
the time this afternoon.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Always a pleasure, Pinty, Thank you so much for having
me on.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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