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Micah Richards
All I can say is Michael Alise.
Gary Lineker
Oh my goodness.
Alan Shearer
It's a bit of a smash and grab really, but if they're to win at the weekend, I think that'll set them up perfectly for the rest of the season.
Micah Richards
Do we need to humble ourselves though, a little bit. If you look at their players, player for player, PSG have got better players than Liverpool.
Alan Shearer
Who would have thought Newcastle went to Paris and battered them as well. Should have won.
Gary Lineker
He's got Newcastle in. He's coming in. Foreign. Welcome to the Rest is Football with Micah Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker recording this on Thursday morning after two nights of Champions League football. But before we get to the games, Alan, you were working on Tuesday. You were in Sporting. So you're in Lisbon, I should say.
Alan Shearer
I got back from lisbon yesterday afternoon. 4 hour delay. Stuck at Heathrow, so. Yeah, but Lisbon's lovely now. Just a little bit, guys.
Gary Lineker
Yeah. I saw a thing this morning. Some sort of special anniversary today, Alan.
Alan Shearer
38 years ago today, lads. 38 years ago today was when I scored my hatrick. Made my debut at 17. 38 years, man.
Gary Lineker
Oh my God. What's going on?
Micah Richards
Oh, that was for Southampton, wouldn't it?
Alan Shearer
Yeah.
Micah Richards
87. It's just this madness.
Gary Lineker
Bloody hell.
Alan Shearer
Goes quick, doesn't it?
Gary Lineker
Yeah, I remember seeing it on and I was at the end of my career. Nearly. Time flies very quickly. What did we make of the overall of the quality of the Champions League games? I thought Bayern Munich at Real Madrid Was probably the best game. So many, so many chances both ends. Not great defending but it was great to watch.
Alan Shearer
Yeah, still a lot to play for that game. I mean the number of chances that I saw was unbelievable from both teams.
Micah Richards
All I can say is Michael Al every time I watch him I'm thinking how man City not got him. How have Liverpool not got early though? And I don't mean just now, I mean early doors. I remember Alisi playing against City thinking this guy's something special. I know there was a few concerns around his injuries and stuff but he, he's taking his game to the next level. He's almost, almost Lamine the dreamlike similar, similar level.
Gary Lineker
Obviously he was at ready wasn't he before palace got him can remember he cut in off the right hand side as he. As he often does and scored that unbelievable goal. I think I called it as goal of the month winner and then within an hour someone scored one that was even better. I remember you rubbishing me in the studio but. And I remember having. Because obviously friend of the pod, Steve Parrish who'd had him at palace and I remember discussing with him in the early days when they had both Elise and Eze and I was talking about both of them he went, he said Elise unbelievably special. We all think he's going to be a superstar. So he was spot on on that. And you could see that incredible talent really is very special. This episode is powered by Fuse Energy. Before we kick off a quick pre match warm up from Fuse. Today's question is which club recorded the most clean sheets in the Premier League last season? Was it A, Manchester City, B Liverpool C Aston Villa or D Arsenal?
Micah Richards
I'm gonna play reverse psychology here. Why would you put Villa in there?
Gary Lineker
Is that your answer?
Micah Richards
No, it's not. I'm going Liverpool.
Gary Lineker
Liverpool. That was a quick change there, wasn't it Alan? Who are you going for?
Alan Shearer
Villa.
Gary Lineker
Mike has sucked you in there, hasn't he?
Alan Shearer
Yes.
Gary Lineker
That is not the answer. The answer the team most clean sheets of which neither of you even gave them a mention there.
Micah Richards
You know what? I know it. I don't know.
Alan Shearer
You don't know it.
Micah Richards
It's Arsenal because Ray got the most. He got the golden glove, didn't he?
Gary Lineker
Correct. It's arsenal with 13 clean sheets. The best sides don't give things away. It should be the same with your energy. Get more than just lower rates@fuseenergy.com football. Use the code football or uppercase when you sign Up Save around £200 on your energy bill and get the chance to ask us your football questions on the card. Full terms and conditions@fusionergy.com this feels a bit negative unless you're a PSG fan but starting with Liverpool and their season of woe continues in. In many ways because I mean he played obviously tried to change things. Played five at the back. I think it's the first time I've seen him play with a proper team. I think he did it with these youngsters in. In a cup tie. I mean he's also as well as slightly ironic because he's been very critical of teams playing a low block against Liverpool and said I'll make it difficult for us and then obviously went out to do exactly that against psg. I suppose when it suits you it's fine. But I mean they didn't. I don't think they had a shot on target.
Micah Richards
No.
Alan Shearer
He said that himself afterwards. It was damaged limitation wasn't it? But I mean they had a right result only only getting done 2 nil. It could have been 4, 5, 6. Should have been with the chances that PSG had. I didn't mind him something different because clearly what's been going on before Anders hasn't been working because they've been terrible defensively. They were last night they were awful again. But at least he's trying to do something different. He knows that going in against those players, that forward line of PSG that because of the way they've been playing Liverpool that they were going to be under the caution. He said it himself it was damage limitation. It's going to be a big ask going back to Anfield with. With those forwards because. But Anfield's a dangerous place when it gets going. But I don't know. Massively up against it and going to be difficult for them to turn it around. It's just they're all over the place.
Gary Lineker
Liverpool, it was very similar to the game when they met last year in Paris, wasn't it? But well Liverpool nicked it on that occasion but there wasn't much difference because PSG bossed it last year as well. But somehow they managed to get a result. When. It's funny when things are going well those. You can do that when they're not. Not so often.
Micah Richards
Yeah, exactly that. Totally agree. I also agree with Alan in terms of the manager trying something. The only thing is when you play with a five at the back and I've played in a five in the back people think we just play a five at the back. You could have offensive Formation you could have a defensive formation. Inter Milan did it really well where they dropped in but then when they went they all went. Rotations were brilliant. The only thing yesterday with Liverpool was when they was at the five at the back because of the movement of psg Van Dijk had to step out and Konati had to step out into places where they didn't want to be. So the reason why you play with five at the back is so you're stable at the back but then when the ball goes into midfield you've got to jump early. But because PSG are so electric it was so hard for them to get anywhere near it. And once you send a raft, steps out and then Konati misses one and they've got the pace of Nudomend and Hakimi it was just a recipe for disaster. I would have gone with five at the back but my wing back stay because what they was doing is sort of getting caught in between and then four in midfield in front of them because if you actually look they went a 5, 3, 2.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Micah Richards
When all the width was left to PSG and that's where they was the strongest. You know. So it was too hard for Liverpool's midfield to get out. I understand why they had sabos like a little bit higher because they wanted to press.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Micah Richards
But once they got through that line of defense it was impossible for them to get anywhere near PSG.
Alan Shearer
He'll go back to 4 next week at Anfield and Salah will be back in the in the team.
Micah Richards
I agree. I agree.
Alan Shearer
But big game at the weekend for Liverpool and of course next Tuesday. We're doing that game as well Tuesday so it should be great.
Gary Lineker
You look at it at the moment you think I don't give them much chance. But it is Anfield, it is under the lights and it is a Champions League night and we know what they can do. I've witnessed it myself Anfield on a couple of occasions. But at the moment it's a team that looks fragile, slightly bereft of confidence defensively in particular I would say. And they're not the customary threat going forward but in a one off you can turn that round. Don't forget PSG will have a rest at this this weekend. The French league looks after their teams in the Champions League rather than whining. Perhaps the Premier League could do something similar at some point or if they could. I think it's difficult. We have so many games and they can win the league anyway easily enough without with any kind of rest.
Micah Richards
Do we need to humble ourselves though a little bit because do you remember earlier on the season, PSG are not quite at it. Yes, they were holders but they played a lot of games. The Club World cup and all that. So every time it comes to this state, even if Liverpool were to go through, of course you have to say they deserve to go through. But in terms of the game yesterday, they got absolutely battered. Yeah, it could have been four or five. And when we just think Liverpool, great Liverpool side, okay, a couple of players are coming towards the end because we're not watching PSG every single week. We sort of dismiss the quality that if you look at their players, player for player, PSG have got better players in Liverpool.
Gary Lineker
They have. Yeah.
Micah Richards
It's as simple as that.
Alan Shearer
Who would have thought Newcastle went to Paris and battered them as well. Should have won.
Gary Lineker
He's got Newcastle in. He's got him in. Headphones have been thrown off. Micah storming out the room. Oh, I love it. Micah.
Micah Richards
I love it.
Gary Lineker
Micah. I love it.
Micah Richards
Love it.
Gary Lineker
He's back. He's back. He's back. He's a temporary. Oh God.
Alan Shearer
Hey, we've.
Gary Lineker
I was at that.
Alan Shearer
I was at Anfield for that. For that Barcelona game. The comeback. And it was. It was unbelievable. I mean very, very different now of course, but if Liverpool get the first goal, you can imagine what. What it'll be like. But I just can't see them the way they are defensively at the minute. I cannot see them keeping that forward line out and. And PSG not scoring last time they
Gary Lineker
played a year ago actually Liverpool were much the better side at Anfield, weren't they? And they didn't turn it around. But. And. And somehow if you. If I remember rightly, Donna, Roma had an absolute incredible game, didn't he? In goal. Kept them out and then they sneaked it. I tell you, I like. I think I don't know whether he's slightly underrated. He doesn't seem to get mentioned in the. I mean he does, but not as much as he should do. What a beautiful.
Alan Shearer
Some ability.
Micah Richards
I mean talking about the. What we call him the. The oracle. I did mention it. I did. I did mention it. I did early doors. I did mention it. Yeah. Alan was like, yeah, he's good but he's not that good. I told you when he was at Napoli, it. I saw it, you know, because I'm the Italian correspondent now. Do you know what I mean?
Gary Lineker
So I watched a lot of Italy in Italy as well. They used to come, didn't they? The Caradonna. Caradonna, yeah, because of Napoli. And obviously Maradona played there. Yeah, that's.
Micah Richards
That's not what I picked out. That was just. You could see it. Everyone could see it when they won a league. It was, it was. Was him, wasn't it? And awesome. And so, yeah, to see him go to psg and he went for a lot of money. I think it was 100. 100 million. I think it was. Might have been dollars, though. But he's just, he's just lived up to it. They're just so.
Alan Shearer
Mike is up to his old tricks again, the old chief scout. Someone goes for 80 million. Oh, I spotted him early.
Gary Lineker
He had him on football manager when he was 12. Eight goals and four assists this season in the Champions League. He's been absolutely brilliant. I mean, that is a hell of a talented forward line. I know Dembele didn't have. He's missed a couple of chance. One in particular. Mr. Really a glaring opportunity. But Dewey's a talented young man, a bit fortunate with a goal.
Micah Richards
Can I give you one more suggestion? Warren, Zaire, Emery. I don't know. We've sort of hinted it before, I think.
Gary Lineker
Didn't Thierry mention it? Because when he came on, well, it's quite a while ago now, and he's as a young up and coming player,
Micah Richards
but you know them young players who do well and sort of throughout the team because Fabian Ruiz is playing. But him, he. I thought he was the best player on the pitch. He absolutely ran it. He ran. How are you running the midfield at 20? But not just like tackles, technically, running forward, passes, everything. He was superb.
Gary Lineker
He really was. So all to do for Liverpool. Arsenal. Tell us what it was like there for a start. Alan, you were there in the stadium.
Alan Shearer
Great, brilliant atmosphere, lovely stadium. Lisbon's a lovely place, but they weren't brilliant. Arsenal, but I think from what we've seen for a while now, they did enough. But I've got to say, the save was early on in the game. I mean, that just, that makes a huge difference, I guess if Kep is in, that goes in and they're one nil down. And it's a totally different attitude, different game. The importance of that save, I can't say enough about it. It was, it was a fantastic save at a crucial time as well, because that give them a little bit of a platform. They were tough, they were resilient. He made couple of saves again in the second half. But we go on about Arsenal's squad and Arsenal's squad worked this Time. I mean, he brought bringing Martinelli on, bringing Havertz on, bringing young Max down and on. And that did the trick, you know, with Martinelli cutting inside the little ball into Havertz and, and the finish. And it's a bit of a smash and grab really. But they go again at the weekend and I think if they were. If they're to win at the weekend, I think that'll set them up perfectly for the rest of the season.
Gary Lineker
While you're on about Raya, I think we all rate him in, in this country. I think worldwide though, it's slightly different. He's not even generally first choice for Spain. Simon, who plays at Bilbao, is first choice goalkeeper at the moment. So. God, they must have some good keepers if he's not their number one.
Micah Richards
But Simone is amazing.
Gary Lineker
He's a good goal.
Micah Richards
Yeah, yeah, he's. He's top, but right, right, he pulled
Alan Shearer
a couple of good saves off second half as well, particularly one down to his left. He. He sort of parried one was up sharp to. To get the rebound. So yeah, I mean that's the discussion about playing Kepa in the two cup games of Carabao and the FA cup. And of course they go out and makes a mistake and go out in both of them, but he brings them back in for the. For the biggest one, I guess, but. And he was absolutely outstanding.
Gary Lineker
He really was. I mean, it was one nil to the Arsenal. It's a. That used to be a thing, didn't it? 1 nil to the Arsenal and this bit like the old George Graham days. I think that's when they really started to get that reputation. But it doesn't matter, does it? No, I think there'll come a point where Arsenal find a little bit of a form. They've ground out a result there. They've not done that in the previous two games. So I think result was way more important than anything else in this. It always is, obviously. But even more so perhaps in this game to get it over the line, confidence from a victory. If they get one at the weekend again, then all of a sudd the world's a better place and I can see them playing some. Some better football. I think they've just been through a sticky spell and that. That might be a little turning point, winning that game away.
Alan Shearer
I think this weekend is key again. I mean, they're back under huge pressure again against Bournemouth. A huge pressure again to. To win the game. And if they can win the game with City going to Chelsea the following day, then I I really do. I think this weekend is key. If they win this weekend, I think it'll set them up for the rest of the season and you'll see a better Arsenal.
Micah Richards
Totally agree, Al. I think this whole week is key. Not, not just what you've mentioned. Also Atletico Madrid, which we'll talk about a little bit later. Barcelona. If you're thinking Arsenal, Barcelona, you'd say Barcelona. But Arsenal can be Atletico Madrid if they go through against Sporting, without doubt. So what looked a horrible couple of weeks for them could turn into something really positive if they was to get the win against Bournemouth, get through Sporting and then Atletico was to beat Barca over the two legs. It's going to be interesting.
Gary Lineker
Yeah. Very, very interesting. We'll discuss those other two quarterfinals when we come back.
Alistair Campbell
Hi there. Alistair Campbell here from the Rest Is Politics. And I'm here to tell you about a really important interview that's out now on our podcast channel, the Rest Is Politics. Leading this week I spoke to one of the defining political figures of our time, President Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine. It is a fascinating interview. Reflects on his upbringing, reflects on his political rise, reflects on how he stayed in Kyiv during Russia's invasion, redefining leadership in wartime. And he warns us very much against anyone, not least Donald Trump, falling for Vladimir Putin's lies, warns that ceasefires may serve as a strategic pause rather than a sign of genuine peace. He offers a very blunt assessment of Putin, looks at his enemy's strengths, strategy and crucially, his weaknesses in a war he is convinced Russia cannot win. And he doesn't hold back on the international response at times, particularly from the US if you'd like to hear more, and I hope you do, search the Rest Is Politics Leading wherever you get your podcasts. And now back to your Show,
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Gary Lineker
Welcome back to the Rest is Football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richardson, meet Gary Lineker discussing the Champions League quarterfinal and who might go into those semi finals. I suppose Bayern Munich now very much favorites. I mean, I. I really enjoyed watching that game. Now, you could say that some of the defending wasn't particularly good and I think that would be an absolutely fair comment from both teams, really. And you could say that some of the finishing wasn't that good, but the overall match was. It was like a basketball game, end to end. Some brilliant performances. We talked about Michael Elise early on. Our very own Harry K scored again. Terrific finish from him and that game really is set up. But I wanted to ask you both, really, we talked about Vincent a lot, didn't we, that season at Burnley. First one, when they got up from the championship, then they went down and lots of people saying, blimey, Bayern Munich. They've gone for Vincent when he just had his team relegated. So that would surprise a lot of people. But what a job he's done and is doing.
Alan Shearer
Yeah, brilliant. He's got some great players in there. He looks a bit like he's Cool Hand Luke inny on the touchline. He looks so cool, doesn't he? And comfortable in what he's doing. And he's doing a brilliant job. Helps when you go to centre forward. He's got 49 goals.
Gary Lineker
Incredible, isn't it?
Alan Shearer
49 goals.
Gary Lineker
I know.
Alan Shearer
Unbelievable.
Micah Richards
Sometimes you just know, you know when someone's got it. I didn't think he'd be at Bayern this early in his career, but in terms of. Of his application and his knowledge of the game, plus the hard work and the experience he's had, the leadership, you always knew he was going to do something special, but to be doing it at Bayern Munich, like you said, guys, for them to take the chance on him because they stood by or he stood by his principles in terms of how he wanted to play and I think that's massive. Same with Liam Rosenhe at Chelsea as well, where they have a style of play and. And now clubs are sort of going down that way instead of sometimes just the big name because, you know, they experience.
Gary Lineker
A big name, though, Mike.
Micah Richards
No, in terms of the name and how long he's been in the job. He's gone from Burnley to Bayern, you know, that's inexperienced, but in terms of what he can offer. I'm just. I'm absolutely delighted for him.
Gary Lineker
So am I. Because he's a top bloke as well. He really is a lovely guy. He's, you know, and he's. I think he's a credit to. Credit to football.
Alan Shearer
He's got a class about him, hasn't he?
Gary Lineker
Yeah. I'm really chuffed. I like him a lot and it's great to see him doing that way. And, and also I think it's. I think it's really important that a. A young black manager a gets a chance at a monster club and I, you know, turn this into a race thing. But, but I think it is important because it needs at some point our sport to reflect the number of footballers we have with different colored skin. But the difference in managers is stark. There are hardly any opportunities. So I think someone like Vincent doing well, I think will open the door for many others. I think recently Ashley Cole got a job, didn't he, in his second tier in Italy and wish Ashley all the very best with that as well. And Rossinha obviously here at Chelsea. So I think that is also important that the, that football is so diverse in the dressing rooms, but it's not in management and certainly not in ownership, that's for sure. So it's a step in the right direction. We mentioned Harry Kane and the fact he scored 49 goals. He's currently, currently with the bookmakers. Slight favorite to win the Ballon d'. Or. This is an opportunity is here for us to what we. We can do some clickbait, you know, like everyone does. So we can do that thing where it goes on all socials and we say Harry Kane's going to win the Ballon d' or otherwise. Because it is ridiculously early in a season that ultimately that is decided by probably the World Cup, I would say.
Alan Shearer
Yeah, yeah.
Gary Lineker
So. But. But if England go a long way and Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Harry Kane finishes. Finishes the year with about 80 goals, it will be quite good then he'll get it. Yeah. Yeah.
Micah Richards
Come on. We're doing that thing now, aren't we? It's coming home. It started already. You've started.
Gary Lineker
We never said it's coming home. Well, the Ballon d' or's coming.
Micah Richards
Oh my. In terms of his goal scoring record, I totally agree with you and he deserves it because he was a laughing stock at Spurs. He's not going to win a trophy. Look at him now. Absolutely fantastic. It, however, I mean, to win the Ballador he's probably got to win the World cup. And after the last couple of games we've seen England play.
Gary Lineker
All right, those games absolutely have no, no effect whatsoever on what happens in the World Cup. Totally different months apart, different thing. You win one game and you're off and running and it's coming home.
Micah Richards
You know why it's coming home.
Alan Shearer
Tukan was at the game though, wasn't he? He was at the game.
Gary Lineker
He was at the Real Madrid game and I thought it was really important that he was there. Yeah, A. Because obviously left Trent out and Bellingham didn't play any games. Bellingham's coming back from injury and it was a bit of a surprise. He didn't start because Real Madrid's midfield was. Was awful and Jude made. Actually made quite a difference when he came on. And I thought Trent was very much one of Real Madrid's better players. He hit four or five unbelievable passes, including the cross for Mbappe's goal.
Alan Shearer
Great ball in, wasn't it? Nightmare for a defender, those type of balls. It was a fabulous ball.
Gary Lineker
He hits some unbelievable through ball strength by pinging about 50 yards over people's heads. He's so talented offensively, he's one of the best. If you're too nervous to play him because you're worried about his defensive issues, doesn't matter. Have him on the bench to come on. If you 1 nil down, I mean, it's absolute no brainer. No one can do what he does. No one. Certainly not in England.
Micah Richards
Totally agree, but A Kibi's not far off, by the way.
Gary Lineker
Yeah, but he's not English. I mean, Hakeem is fabulous player, brilliant going forward and very good defensively as well. He's all around. You could argue it's better, but he hasn't got Trent's passing range.
Micah Richards
Yeah, I'll give you that.
Gary Lineker
No, that's all I'm saying. Mike, I'm not going to argue with you. He's the better player. I'm just saying when it comes to the passing range of Trent's the joke. It really is. So who wins that one door.
Alan Shearer
Great game.
Gary Lineker
I mean, buying have got it. I mean, it's a tough place to go. Yeah, they've got to win, obviously. Real Madrid, see, I worked that out with mathematics. They've got to win, but. And it's. I. I just can't remember. They can't keep getting away with it in this competition because they're not very good at the moment.
Micah Richards
Every time you back against them, though, you look Stupid, don't you? You always have to put. But it's Real Madrid at the end. Just, just in case that'.
Gary Lineker
Because they've got this strange thing with this tournament.
Micah Richards
All the stats, the eye test, everything suggests that Bayern should absolutely batter them. They should, they should do. And they should have scored three or four the other day.
Alan Shearer
But.
Micah Richards
But it's Real Madrid and they've got special players who perform in the biggest of moments. But if I was a betting man, I would go with Bayern.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Alan Shearer
Lords of goals. I think there'll be.
Gary Lineker
I mean, it's mad that there were only three in that one because it could have been six five or six two or it have been anything in that game.
Alan Shearer
I think there'll be loads of goals again because I think both teams just the way they play and the forwards that are going to be on the pitch.
Gary Lineker
Let's finish with Barcelona Atletica, which is the game that I. Well, I watched, I flipped from two. I watched the first 15 minutes of Liverpool, then the second 15 minutes of Barcelona Atletico and then kind of stuck with that game. I mean, it was a bonkers game of football even with 10 men and they. That was. There was one moment that completely changed the game and that was the selling off of Kasi. When football's coming non contact sport. I know technically he probably had to go, but I just thought he's tried to get out of his ways. His back leg, the guy running through has got in the way and he's. He's accidentally hit him and he's gone off in a red card. Caused, though I have to say, by, you know, that high line, that high line that we, we know is very dangerous, but apart from that, I mean, Barcelona battered them even with 10 men, but just couldn't finish it off yesterday. Yeah.
Alan Shearer
You know, that decision though, guys, is you as a forward, forward.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Alan Shearer
You're going through, you've got a free hit call.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Alan Shearer
And it might not be the defender's fault, but yeah, you're going through on goal and you've been fouled. Doesn't matter whether it's accidentally or not. It's still.
Gary Lineker
I get it. But at the same time, you know, I hate saying this but, you know, go back to back in the day, that wouldn't never have even been a foul. It wouldn't have been a foul.
Alan Shearer
Whether you like. I think it's.
Gary Lineker
I think he was clever. He ran across the front.
Alan Shearer
Yeah. What you have to do is afford. That's his part of his.
Gary Lineker
I'm not saying it Was, wasn't a red card. I just saying that. I mean it was highly unfortunate but it was caused by that, you know, that crazy high line that they, they do play. They didn't play it particularly in the second half so much because they're down to 10 men. But they did play some good stuff. Barca. But they couldn't finish off. Rashford played really well in the first half.
Alan Shearer
Had a big chance early on though, didn't he?
Gary Lineker
Yeah, he had a good chance. Yeah.
Alan Shearer
What the free kick, Free kick of Alvarez.
Gary Lineker
Oh my word. What. Unbelievable. And it was all from the same decision. Red card, free kick, goal. Change a match, 10 men.
Micah Richards
I think I've got to admit this is, this is one I got quite wrong actually. Alvarez, you know, because he was at City and he wasn't playing and I, I didn't think he was this good.
Gary Lineker
I thought you did. I thought you spoke really highly of him. I thought we all did.
Micah Richards
No, the oracle got this one wrong. I have to, I have to admit.
Gary Lineker
Okay.
Micah Richards
I just, just. I don't know if he's. Because he was frustrated. I know the period after he won the World cup he got a little bit frustrated sort of being second fiddle. But I was like, you're not going to play in front of Harland. You're only playing one up front at the time. What do you expect? But he can play. He's better. He's better. He could lead the line. He could link it.
Gary Lineker
Well, I will say Micah, he's had a tough spell this season, a really tough spell at Athletico and there's a lot of talk. He's very heavily linked with Barcelona owner. There's a lot of rumors about that, whether they can afford him or not and all that sort of stuff. Who knows. But yeah, the rumors in the Spanish press about. He was asked about it in the pre match conference actually that he was part of and I think he just said well, let's see what happens at the end of the season. Which generally means I'm interested.
Micah Richards
Is there any talk on Rashford? I know you do the leaderboard as well. I mean what's the situation there with Barcelona?
Gary Lineker
I think, think. I think again it. They're probably in negotiat. It's main. The problems with Barcelona not necessarily who they want to get because they want these players, but these. The financial situation and what they're allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do. They generally have found a way of getting in the players that they want. I think they're really really pleased. Well, I know they are really pleased with Rashford season, with his attitude in particular, when he's been left out, when Rafinhas come in and things like that. So I thought he had a really good game. Game yesterday. Could have had a goal or two. He had. Well, he did have a goal, but it was margin. Yamal was marginally offside, unfortunately, so I don't know. My gut says I think he'll stay. I think he. I. I don't think there's any doubt that he wants to. I think it'd be hard for him to go back to Manchester United, although it's under different leadership now. But we don't know what that leadership will be next season just yet. Yeah, I think Barcelona kind of keen to make it happen. I think Marcus really want to make it happen and hopefully that'll be the case, I think, for someone like Alvarez. I think they would bring in, if they possibly can, as a replacement for Levandowski, who's obviously his late 30s now.
Micah Richards
But the reason why I ask you that just, just quickly is because Rashford could play number nine as well.
Gary Lineker
And that's what he's done this season. He's filled in at times and he's played a little bit on the right. He's played. He's gone up front. Although generally, even in midweek, they played put Danielmo, funnily enough, up. Up top. He can play there as well, but they clearly prefer him on the left. But in that position, at present, he's. He's up against Rafinha, who's obviously one of the best players in the world. He's out for a few weeks, though, which is quite good, possibly for England and for his chances of playing regularly for England, because he needs a few games and you know what Marcus is like when he's on it. He's on it and he's playing really well. And if he goes into the World cup in form with confidence, that would be a massive plus for England.
Alan Shearer
England. Yep.
Gary Lineker
Can Barca turn this around? I would say of all the teams that are losing going into the second leg, even though they're two down, I think Barca could do it. They've got the talent to do it and. And they are a better team than Atletico. But Simeone is a. He's a wily old fox.
Alan Shearer
Yeah, he is. Yeah. Clever, clever guy.
Micah Richards
For Barcelona, to win it, they've got to move the. The high line back just five yards and because Barcelona will dominate the game. But do you remember in the couple Del Rey where it was 401 game 30 the other Atletico battered him at home, didn't they? So they need to be careful of that. If they drop that line five they can definitely overcome. But we need to talk about the penalty which should have been the handball.
Gary Lineker
I know the goalkeeper.
Micah Richards
Have you seen it Al?
Alan Shearer
I haven't seen it, no.
Micah Richards
So you might have seen it happened with Tyrone Mings I think think was last season.
Gary Lineker
So I thought this was even more clear cuz the ball was clearly stationary. The goalkeepers passed it along the six yard box and he's just gone. He's put his hand on it to stop it and then the referee blew
Micah Richards
his whistle as well. So that's a law, that's the law of, of the game.
Gary Lineker
How they not turn that over.
Alan Shearer
Is that why he was going mad after the game, the manager?
Micah Richards
Yeah, correct.
Gary Lineker
Yeah.
Micah Richards
It wasn't one of those out where you just get it and you know they're always messing around. Everyone wants a ball in a six yard box, don't touch in it and all that. Going to play the early win 1. But the referee blew the whistle and
Alan Shearer
then the keeper passed it and then he put his hands on it.
Micah Richards
All right, well that it was ridiculous. It wasn't with Arsenal like it was last season or season that they got away with. But that, that, that should have been a penalty at that, at that stage it was 1 nil as well. So that would have gotten back into the game.
Gary Lineker
Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Okay. Let's call it a day there. It's got some lively games next week. Look forward to those.
Alan Shearer
Yep.
Gary Lineker
And we'll be back of course on Monday. Premier League's back. It's been. This seems like a different season three weeks. I know it's mad that it's been that long. So look forward to watching those games over the weekend and we're back with you on Monday. But for now, goodbye from me.
Micah Richards
Goodbye for me.
Alan Shearer
Goodbye from me. Have a good weekend,
Gary Lineker
Sam.
Date: April 9, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
This episode centers on the fallout from a dramatic week in the Champions League, focusing on Liverpool’s struggles against PSG, the dazzling form of Michael Olise, Arsenal’s resilient European progress, and essential narratives building toward a pivotal weekend for the Premier League title race. With the trio’s trademark wit, sharp opinions, and deep knowledge, listeners get detailed tactical analysis, locker-room stories, and expert predictions for what’s next.
“We all think he’s going to be a superstar. So he was spot on on that. Incredible talent.” (03:31)
“Every time I watch him [Olise], I’m thinking, how have Man City not got him? How have Liverpool not got him?”
“It’s slightly ironic because Klopp’s been very critical of teams playing a low block against Liverpool...and then obviously went out to do exactly that against PSG.”
“It was damage limitation...only getting done 2-0, could have been 4, 5, 6.”
“Do we need to humble ourselves a little bit...if you look at their players, player for player, PSG have got better players.”
“They were tough, they were resilient...if they win at the weekend, that’ll set them up perfectly for the rest of the season.”
“It’s really important that a young Black manager gets a chance at a monster club...I think someone like Vincent doing well will open the door for many others.”
“He [Kane] was a laughing stock at Spurs. Look at him now. Absolutely fantastic.”
“All the stats, the eye test, everything suggests Bayern should absolutely batter them, but it’s Real Madrid at the end.”
“Back in the day, that wouldn’t never have even been a foul.”
“That should have been a penalty at that stage. It was 1-0 as well, so that would have gotten back into the game.”
A lively, insightful episode with strong tactical breakdowns of this week’s Champions League action, an ode to Michael Olise’s genius, sober reflection on Liverpool’s plight, a celebration of Kompany’s rising status, and bold predictions for a defining week in the Premier League and Europe. Essential for listeners who want opinionated, expert context on Europe’s biggest football stories—without skipping the dressing room banter and the presenters’ legendary chemistry.