Expectations for Liverpool vs. Man City 🍿 How will the atmosphere affect the players? | ESPN FC

ESPN FC

ESPN FC on Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool vs. Man City and Man United vs. Spurs

The show covers Real Madrid's early-season pressure, Mourinho's handling of Vinicius, and Raphinha's absence for Barcelona, then turns to how Anfield's atmosphere could affect Manchester City and predicts Liverpool-City and United-Spurs. The overall view is that Real's dressing-room tensions are a bigger issue than Barca's cohesion, while City face a real Anfield test but may not be overwhelmed; both Premier League games are hard to call.

Sid Lowe, Craig Burley and Steve Nicol join Dan Thomas on ESPN FC to discuss: 0:00 Jose Mourinho’s comments 6:58 Real Madrid vs. Villarreal 11:43 Barcelona vs. Getafe 16:19 Liverpool vs. Man City 25:46 Man United vs. Spurs 28:00 Extra Time ✔️ Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited: https://plus.espn.com/ ESPN ESPNFC

Transcript

Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPNFC. We have survived. We have done it. It was the longest international break ever. That's official. But it is over now. And I'll tell you what, domestic football in Europe is back with a bang. Later on, we'll be looking ahead to Manchester United against Spurs. Plus, it's Liverpool against City. But we will kick things off with La Liga, of course. So, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Very different starts to the season. Barca are perfect. Seven wins out of seven for Real Madrid already they find themselves six points off top spot. The classicalico in a couple of weeks can't come quickly enough for Barca. But for Real Madrid, all the talk during the international break is about [music] killing Mbappe being a naughty boy or is has he? Here's Jose Mourinho. sufficient football. Um, Christian Ronald Madrid Madrid. for transform. Hotel Absolut. Sid low with us. I'll tell you, it's a great last sentence, isn't it? It wasn't like he was cycling the tour to Switzerland. Jose Mourinho very much on the front foot today defending his players. This is where Mourinho is at his best and what expect from him. So, how much has it really been a big story or how much is this just filling time which we know very well about? uh over the last few weeks to just fill a newspaper. >> Yeah, I mean the answer to that question in a way, Dan, is it's a little bit of both things. Um it's been a real story in the sense that it has occupied people. It's been a real story in the sense that people are talking about it and in the sense that I think most of us anticipate there being a fairly tense response to Real Madrid's players tomorrow and Zillian Mbappe in particular. It is also true of course though that there is a degree of space filling. That said, Mourinho's and I actually really like the final part of Mourinho's discourse there where he went through the individual accusations and basically explained why they weren't particularly serious accusations and explain why it wasn't the way that they looked. But but of course, Rour is someone who's used the media to his advantage many times in the past. He's someone who knows probably better than any manager the the role that the media plays and knows how to use that to his advantage at times. Uh it is also true that when he says, you know, I thought you might have other stories to talk about that were bigger than this. Well, yeah, everyone's been talking about Manchester City as well, including in Spain. And actually, the parallel that's been drawn in Spain to Manchester City has been to the Negada case, which is the one that he says this is the thing that none of you want to talk about, which has been talked about as well. But I think it is it is important up to a point and I think it's important what's happened with Mbappe because of a the feeling that that there's still a disconnect between him and the Real Madrid fans, which is problematic. It genuinely is. that B of course the context of this is that it comes off the back of two seasons in which Real Madrid haven't won anything with him and in the context as well of a Ballandor campaign from him which I actually think hasn't really worked with Real Madrid fans. I think it may work with some voters which of course is what he's looking for first and foremost but I don't think it's one of Real Madrid fans. I think if anything that's actually rubbed quite a lot of Real Madrid fans up the wrong way. So there will be some tension tomorrow, but he's kind of right in that a lot of this has been time filling, space filling, and just a wey bit exaggerated. >> Even Jose Mourinho should know that Real Madrid, even with all the other stories with Ronaldo and and how childish all that was and and the Man City stuff which has rumbled and rumbled that even all those can't take away from the fact that they've been pretty bad at the start of the season. He's got Mbappe who has performed but now he's been supposedly in the headlines for the wrong reasons. He's got a Venites Jr. who who has signed this new deal who just hasn't performed. >> He's got this Barcelona team that that are flying high. He has the classical coming up in a couple of weeks or so. He's got three or four games to fill including Champions League and a couple of the Liga games in between which could go wrong for him. >> Yeah. And if it goes wrong for those games v starting with Val tomorrow, if those games go wrong for him, that gap potentially going into that classical on the is it 25th of October it the chasm between the two teams at that point. It's not unthinkable to be a dozen points >> and that I think is a great pressure for him. All these stories are are stories but at the end of the day it's going to come down to one thing. He's got to find he's got to find the the right team. He's got to find the balance. They got to start keeping clean sheets. They got to he's got to get Fenitio Jr. playing well. Uh Mbappy and Bellingham have carried a lot. Maybe add the Guler a little bit. You can't always rely on these players. Others are going to have to chip in. So yeah, Mbappy doing what he's doing. The Real Madrid fans may be uh frustrated with it, but it's going to come down to them winning football games starting off again this weekend. Yeah, it's interesting that that Craig brought up Venicious Junior there. S because in theory, if there was going to be a target for why Real Madrid haven't started the season well, it's not necessarily Killian Mbappe. It is Venicious who just hasn't hasn't got started whatsoever. We saw Mourinho coming out today and defending the Brazilian saying, "Look, he's trying." >> Yeah. And I think actually that that response from Mourinho was really really interesting. And one of the reasons by the way I think why there's a different reaction to Mbappe and to Venicious and why Mbappe who scored seven goals is maybe in the focus in the spotlight in terms of criticism more than Venicious is because as I said before the the question really is about a disconnect rather than necessarily about a poor performance level although the context is two years of not winning anything with Kiliane in the team. In terms of Venicious, that that answer from Mourinho, as you pointed out, is a really interesting one because he was essentially asked a question that wasn't directly about Venicious. The question was about meritocracy and whether you always play the players who are in the best form and the players who deserve to play no matter what and no matter if that means that you leave a big name out. Mourinho began to answer this in in kind of conceptual terms rather than in concrete terms. But then at one point he slowed and he said, "I assume that what you're really asking about here is Venicious." And then that led to what I thought was a very honest and also very interesting response from Mourinho, which was basically to say, look, he's not very good at the moment. No, he's not. And meritocracy might well be that you leave him on the on the bench. But there's another thing here, and it's not about the names. It's not about the status that a player has, but it's about the the the process that you undertake to get your good players playing well again. And it may well be that the best way to get your good players playing well again is not to put them on the bench. It's not to drop them for the team, but it's to guide them through. It's to give them opportunities. And maybe there comes a point where you have to leave them out, but you also want to see them through it. And essentially what he was saying was, I want to play Venicious back into form rather than basically shrug my shoulders and say, well, he's not very good. I'm going to put someone else in the team. >> The opposite to what we saw obviously Chavy Alonso, do you see? >> Yeah. >> Do you know some some things never change? >> I mean, when was the last time we talked negatively about Barcelona? >> Mhm. >> And I wonder why that is. Cuz they're winning. It's it's always been the same. And the one thing you have to remember when you're in a team that's supposed to win and is not winning, you have to keep your nose clean. And Mbappe is absolutely done Vinnie a huge favor because had Mbappe not been up to his usual stuff, it would have been about Vinnie's poor form. And the fact that is only what, three, four games into the season, it's easy for Mourinho to see, look, I want to play him into form. But like everybody, eventually there comes a time when the manager has to make a decision. I'm sure for Vinnie, it's a long way down the road probably. >> Yeah. >> But at the end of the day, there comes a time when the decision has to be made. >> Well, I mean, you you mentioned Alonzo was slightly different with Venites Jr., but Alonzo was getting uh I think the the narrative is a little different there. Alonzo was getting pressure or certainly headlines from Venitzia's camp. Alonzo was was getting uh some disrespect from the player when either he wasn't on the field or he was leaving the field. So then he had he was sort of pressured into making a decision because the player was the player was throwing it back in his face. You know, Venicious hasn't done anything with with Mourinho because I think a respects him more and b he's playing him. He's just not playing well. I think the question is is is how long how long that can last six year contract uh or not. I think the Barcelona thing is interesting in terms of their winning. The makeup of the Barcelona squad is different. Yeah, they have some huge players and I suppose big egos, but they all seem to be pulling in the one direction and that makes it not easy, but easy air for Hansy Fleck. Whoever goes into this Real Madrid dressing room at this moment in time, it's it's it's fragmented. You know, they all want to be the big star. You get the feeling that Barcelona to be fair, they want to be the key man, but if it's Rafinia, it's fine. If it's if it's Lem, that's okay. If it's Ferine Lopez or if it's Rod, that's okay. You get the feeling at Real [clears throat] Madrid. They want to win, but but there's three or four of them all wanting to be the big stars at the top of that tree. And that's slightly different. >> We're definitely seeing, you'll hear us talking about, you know, if the dressing room's not getting on, then it affects what happens on the field. And if ever there's a great example of that, it's Real Madrid because man for man on paper, they're fantastic. >> But on the field, it's not happening because it's not happening off the field. And the only reason Josie Mourinho is in there is because of that. Because they needed somebody to try and sort this out because without that, don't matter if you know your tactics or anything else on the field, it's going to show its ugly face. And right now, well, they've got plenty of ugly faces right now. Well, we know that well here in the studio. Two weeks time me and Craig will be in Barcelona ahead of Eláico. But there are games to be played before then, isn't it? Four matches in fact because you got the midweek champions league ties as well. Hafe Galatas, Real Bettis and PSG for Barca, Real Madrid mentioned, Val, Roma, Sevilla and then Livick. The big story from Barcelona Sid is that Rafinia is out for and galatas. >> Yeah. and Hansy Flick says that it's not particularly serious and it's not something that they need to be massively concerned about, but that it is something they need to take into account. So, that's why he'll miss those two games to try and ensure that he's he's fit for the third of them. But, of course, for Barcelona, it's enormously bad news. Rafinho has scored more goals than anyone else in in Europe's top five leagues so far this season. He's five ahead of the guys in second place. Five ahead already. But, you know what? Forget the goals for a minute. The big thing with Rafinia really is that he's the beginning of the press every time Barcelona play and that is fundamental for the structure, the performance and what Craig was talking about just then and Stevie as well that collective unity within the dressing room and that's driven by Rafiniah as a leader and as a leader who is about the group and I think his absence is going to be very important indeed. >> Who plays through the center then Z? >> My guess would be Anthony Gordon. Um but it it may well be that he decides to give Gabrielle Jesus a go. I think as well they'll be very very conscious and you've just read out that fictional list of the fact that they're coming off a of a twoe international break and of course no one knows exactly how that's going to impact upon them. They've seen the impact of one week international breaks in the past but two weeks is another step again and then I think there's going to be a consciousness about what comes up next. So you go away to Turkey, you've got Bettis away. It's about as difficult as it gets in in La Liga at the moment. You've got the classical, you've got PSG. And so I think there might there might be a slight sense of of some of what Barcelona do this weekend, I think will be, although they'll never admit it publicly, I think, will be with an eye on what's coming next over the next three weeks. >> Uh, who would you play there, Craig? >> Well, I mean, it' be a bit of a blow for Gabriel Jesus, wasn't it? If if you know, he comes in as the backup and then he's finds out he's the backup to the backup. Uh but with all the games coming up, I I could see I could see what said saying I could see Anthony Gordon doing that >> with with maybe an you know they've got Admix and match on that on that wide left. So he did it for Newcastle uh several times last year particularly away from home at PSG when he played as the front man to use his pace really in behind. So I I could I could see that happening. In fact, within that Barcelona setup, I think that would probably thinking about would probably work better than having the natural striker, which Gabriel Jus you would consider is a little bit more natural. I think that would actually work a little bit better in that setup of the players that they've got. So, but again, with all those games coming up for Barcelona, uh, with the classical and that PSG game, he's going to mix and match it. >> Sid mentioned it. No, Rafinho, who's very much the leader on the pitch. It's where the signing of Rodri ticks another box, isn't it? >> Yeah, absolutely. 100%. Can I just say though, I think it's a no-brainer that you you pay his juice in the middle, right? And you keep Anthony Gone where he is. >> Okay. >> You know, when you're you when you're coaching team and the team is absolutely flying. >> The one thing you don't want to do is make changes. >> But when you have to make changes, you're better making as little as you can. And so, the fact that you're bringing in Gabriel Jesus, as experienced as he is, >> I think it's a no-brainer straight away. But yeah, you're 100% right. The fact that that you've lost one guy up the top, you would argue that the influence of Rodri in the middle, even when Rafin is playing, is just as important as well. >> Uh Sid, where you going then this weekend? >> So I'll be at the Bernabal tomorrow night for the Real Madrid game. >> And then on Sunday, are you anywhere? >> You you could don't you you don't just do one game a weekend, sir. Don't pretend that. >> I know. I I I normally don't, but actually this weekend I will be doing only one one one game a weekend. I'll I'll be watching the Sunday games from the television rather than in the Oh, no. I lie. I can't believe it. I've lied to you already, Dan. Sorry. I'm going to Rio viao tomorrow at 2:00 before going to the burnabout. So, I'm going to Rio against Athletic and then crossing the city to go to Real Madrid against Val. >> Where are playing? Where are they playing at the moment? Sir, >> now they're back at home. This is their first game back at the in Vayeka. after the free games on uh in exile at Leoness. >> We'll get some practice in for the boys coming to town. Not him obviously. He won't be on it. >> Yeah, [laughter] I'm sorry about that everybody. Premier League returns and of course it's the first round of matches since Manchester City were found guilty of those 115 charges. [music] For the league leaders, it's a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool. It's the first time we've heard from all the managers really since that news was announced. All eyes are on Enzo Moresca and what he had to say ahead of the game. I understand uh the reason why uh most of you uh you are here. But uh the only [cough and clears throat] thing I can say is that uh is something that I already I already said that uh there is a process ongoing uh and in this moment I completely trust uh trust the club. So this is uh this is what I can say about that. I trust the club because I trust the people and this is also the reason why I'm uh I joined the club and then there is not another club in the world that where I would like to be. So I'm very happy to be here. I'm very proud I said many times since day one. So uh this is this is my thought. We completely understand the seriousness of the situation. I'm not saying that we don't understand that. We understand the player understand but it's uh it's our duty our job to try to control the noise also because again the manager and the players we are focused to win games not about something different. >> There's been so much talk in the media over the last few days Steve about the atmosphere that Manchester City are going to be walking into at Anfield. >> How much of a difference does that really make to a City player? Well, think about how [clears throat] good Manchester United have been under for Alex Vargas in particular. I think that's that's nice and relevant. >> Well, if you hold on and give me two seconds, I'll tell you. >> Right. Go on. >> Every single player that played for him was a superstar almost with with more experience than anybody else playing in the Premier League and they couldn't win a game at Anfield because they couldn't handle the atmosphere. So why would Manchester City be able to to to deal with the atmosphere, >> right, >> when a team is good with strong characters? I mean, Wayne Rooney, you talk about a strong character. Wayne Rooney never kicked a ball at Anfield for for Manchester United because of the because of the atmospher that's the reason they didn't because >> added to that fact City haven't got a great record at Liverpool dur during this period >> right but the problem the problem for Liverpool is that unless they start well and get themselves ahead and put City in a in a horrible position, then I'm not sure whether Liverpool in terms of the way they're playing and because of the because of the players that are not available tomorrow are going to be able to take advantage of it. But absolutely, don't don't kid yourself. Manchester City are going to struggle for 20 minutes at Anfield. They will find out what it's like for Man United players to go to Anfield, particularly in the first 20. And if they can get through that, then they can get something from the game. >> I don't think the players will care too much. I mean, obviously that Man United stuff is a is a rivalry. >> Uh was a rivalry. Uh not so much uh these days. Uh I don't think the City players will mind. I I just I feel a bit sorry for Mesa there. And I said, what's he going to say? He's a he's a he's a a recent hire. All right. He was there coaching for a few years ago, but he wasn't in the front line. He [clears throat] wasn't making big decisions. He's a recent hireer. This is where it's so antiquated in England, right? If you want to ask questions about what the chief executives were doing and and the financial controllers, get them down there and ask the questions. He can't answer those questions. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous. Of course, he's going to