Summary of "Are Liverpool Still the Team to Beat?" - The Athletic FC Podcast

Release Date: August 11, 2025
Hosts: Ayo Akimolene, Adam Crafton
Guests: Simon Hughes, David Archuleta

Introduction

In the episode titled "Are Liverpool Still the Team to Beat?," The Athletic FC Podcast delves deep into the current state of Liverpool FC as they navigate a tumultuous transfer window and prepare to defend their Premier League title. Hosted by Ayo Akimolene and Adam Crafton, the discussion is enriched by insights from football analyst Simon Hughes and special guest David Archuleta.

Liverpool's Performance in the Community Shield

Community Shield Match Overview
Liverpool, the reigning Premier League champions, faced off against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield. The match ended in a loss for Liverpool, sparking immediate questions about the team's readiness to defend their title.

Simon Hughes on Team Structure
Simon Hughes provides a critical analysis of Liverpool's performance:

“I think the performances of the players individually, each one of them was pretty encouraging. The problem was the structure of the team really. So at this stage of the preparations for the season you'd be hoping for a little bit more cohesion.” ([03:30])

Hughes highlights that despite strong individual performances, Liverpool struggled with team cohesion due to numerous personnel and positional changes over the summer. Players like Florian Vertz and Johann Frimpong showed promise but were still adapting to new roles and systems.

David Archuleta's Take on Crystal Palace
David Archuleta counterbalances the criticism by praising Crystal Palace's execution:

“By the end of the 90 minutes, I thought they were probably the better team. They finished the game stronger. They sort of stayed in it, exposed the weaknesses that are sort of in this kind of lack of cohesiveness at Liverpool.” ([04:33])

Archuleta emphasizes Palace's stability, attributing their success to minimal squad changes, which fostered better team understanding and performance on the day.

Liverpool's Transfer Window: Big Signings and Expectations

Massive Summer Transfers
Liverpool's transfer activity has been the most significant since 2014, with high-profile signings like Wirt Ekhatike and Frimpong Kirkes. The club has invested heavily, spending approximately £200 million, with discussions hinting at an additional £200 million needed to solidify the squad.

Pressure of High-Profile Signings
Simon Hughes discusses the pressure exerted by Liverpool's ambitious signings:

“These are players that maybe Liverpool haven't targeted in the past. They've been out of their reach to some extent in terms of the cost and the spending that they made to the players.” ([05:17])

The expectation is that these new talents will quickly integrate and perform, given their quality and the financial commitment from the club.

Adaptation Challenges
Hughes notes the challenges these players face in adapting to Liverpool's system:

“Frimpong ... didn't seem to know when to go forwards. He chose reasonably well. But he's used to playing as a wing back or as a winger where he's playing as a fullback for Liverpool. So that's going to take a bit of time.” ([07:29])

Similarly, Wirt Ekhatike is adjusting to a new role:

“Wirt actually played the system ... as a number 10. So he is adjusting to that as well.” ([07:29])

Tactical Adjustments and Team Dynamics

Changing Roles and Pressing Strategy
David Archuleta addresses tactical shifts, particularly in Liverpool's fullback positions:

“I actually thought yesterday ... Trent Alexander Arnold ... ability to just switch the play, the ability to put his foot on the ball and dictate the game ... that kind of ability to just switch the play.” ([09:25])

He expresses concern over the balance in the team, noting that having two aggressive fullbacks may put additional pressure on central midfielders to maintain control and dictate the game.

Simon Hughes on Versatility and Pressing
Simon Hughes provides a counterpoint, highlighting positive aspects despite early setbacks:

“His touches were ... his assist for the first goal ... it was the sort of pass that maybe Liverpool midfield player last season would have made.” ([10:58])

Hughes remains optimistic about the long-term potential of the new signings, believing that technical proficiency combined with hard work will lead to eventual cohesion and success.

Financial Implications and Future Signings

Spending Balance and Future Investments
The discussion shifts to the financial strategies behind Liverpool's spending:

“Liverpool have spent a lot of money this summer, ... sixth in the Premier League based on what they've recouped as well.” ([15:54])

Simon Hughes explains that while Liverpool's expenditure is substantial, it's balanced compared to other top Premier League clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

Need for Additional Strikers and Defensive Reinforcements
Both Hughes and Archuleta agree that Liverpool may need to bolster their attacking options:

Archuleta: “I sort of came away from it thinking probably a holding midfielder would be useful and also another centre back.” ([17:06])

Hughes: “I do think that they need another striker because it's purely down to numbers.” ([18:46])

The departure of key players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota underscores the necessity for Liverpool to strengthen their forward line and defensive backline to remain competitive.

Emotional and Fan Impact

Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota
The episode also touches on the emotional toll of Diogo Jota's untimely passing:

“For a lot of people in Liverpool and Liverpool supporters, it's just still hard to process... It certainly hasn't been a summer anybody expected.” ([25:20])

Simon Hughes elaborates on the profound impact this tragedy has had on the team and fanbase, highlighting the challenges of maintaining focus and morale during such difficult times.

Rival Analysis: Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea

Arsenal's Title Aspirations
James McNicholas joins the conversation to discuss Arsenal's potential:

“Can Mikel Arteta take the final step in his evolution as a manager? Can he change?” ([28:24])

The focus is on Arsenal's recent transfer activities and whether their new signings, including Noni Madueke and Martin Zubamendi, will finally propel them to Premier League champions.

Manchester City's Legal Troubles and Performance
The podcast briefly touches on Manchester City's ongoing legal issues:

“Is it strange and awkward that we're starting the season not knowing how that's moved on?” ([36:03])

David Archuleta explains the uncertainty surrounding the case, noting that the Premier League continues to grapple with governance challenges as legal battles persist.

Chelsea's Squad and Future Prospects
Chelsea's recent performances and squad adjustments are also examined:

“I think they are looking better and better... they are really strong, but they may just be one year, one season away from it rather than this season.” ([43:29])

Simon Hughes praises the signing of Joao Pedro as a pivotal move for Chelsea, suggesting that while the squad is improving, key areas like goalkeeping and defense still need reinforcement.

Season Outlook and Predictions

Liverpool's Title Defense Viability
Adam Crafton summarizes the key points regarding Liverpool's chances:

“But I don't see Arsenal slipping away over the next couple of years... I think Arsenal, Liverpool above City this season because I don't think the players City have signed are quite on the level of the players that they replaced.” ([32:14])

The consensus is that Liverpool remains a formidable contender, provided they overcome early-season challenges and integrate their new signings effectively.

Arsenal's Potential Breakthrough
With improvements in their midfield and attack, Arsenal is poised for a potential breakthrough under Mikel Arteta. The key will be maintaining consistency and minimizing defensive lapses that plagued them last season.

Manchester City and Chelsea's Paths to Success
Manchester City's legal woes and Chelsea's ongoing squad enhancements suggest that while both clubs are strong, their paths to immediate success may face obstacles, positioning Liverpool and Arsenal at the forefront of title contention.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a balanced perspective on the Premier League's dynamic landscape. While Liverpool faces significant challenges in defending their title amidst substantial squad changes and emotional setbacks, other top contenders like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea are also navigating their own complexities. The Athletic FC Podcast underscores the unpredictability of the season, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion, strategic signings, and managerial prowess in determining the ultimate champions.

Notable Quotes:

• Simon Hughes ([03:30]): “I think the performances of the players individually... the structure of the team really. [...] they're sort of getting used to those changes.”

• David Archuleta ([04:33]): “By the end of the 90 minutes, I thought they were probably the better team... everyone understood what the coach wanted to do.”

• Simon Hughes ([05:17]): “These are players that maybe Liverpool haven't targeted in the past... the pressure comes from the quality and profile of the player.”

• David Archuleta ([09:25]): “Trent Alexander Arnold’s ability to switch the play and dictate the game... that’s where Liverpool might struggle.”

• Simon Hughes ([15:54]): “Liverpool have spent a lot of money this summer... but only the expectation rises a bit.”

This comprehensive analysis provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of Liverpool's current form, transfer strategies, and the broader competitive environment of the Premier League, making it an essential listen for football enthusiasts aiming to stay informed about the season's unfolding narratives.