Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football

Episode: Thriller At Anfield: The Title Race Is Back On
Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
Producer: Goalhanger

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards dive deep into a pulsating weekend of Premier League action, focusing on a thrilling Anfield showdown, the rejuvenated Manchester United under Michael Carrick, title race dynamics, VAR controversies, and the fortunes—good and bad—of various clubs. With their signature blend of humor, insider knowledge, and strong opinions, the trio break down the implications of the weekend’s results with lively debate and insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anfield Thriller – Liverpool vs. Man City

Segment Start: 06:17

• Atmosphere and Stakes

  • Micah Richards: “You know, when you walk into a ground and you can feel it, you can sense it’s a big game. Everyone’s there early… you’re just thinking, this is a big game.” (07:02)
  • Both sides chasing crucial points: City for the title race, Liverpool for Champions League.

• VAR Controversy in Injury Time

  • Gary Lineker walks through a bizarre incident involving Cherokee, Håland, and Szoboszlai in stoppage time, with VAR intervening to disallow a City goal and give a red card.
  • Lineker: “There’s nothing I ever see that I’ve not seen before… then the last minute of injury time… two wrongs don’t make a right.” (08:09)
  • Alan Shearer: “There has to be an allowance for a bit of common sense. That’s no longer allowed.” (09:59)
  • Micah Richards: “It was the right decision, but it shouldn’t have been the right decision… let the goal stand.” (09:32)
  • Consensus: VAR got it right by the letter, but the game’s spirit suffers.

• Szoboszlai’s Stunning Free Kick

  • Gary Lineker: “Oh my god. The speed of it, and then the way it bent dramatically at the last minute—I mean, what a hit.” (10:43)
  • Shearer: “That takes so much time on the training ground… my goodness me, what a strike.” (10:58)
  • Richards notes poor wall placement contributed but gives full credit for the technique (11:49).

• City’s Title Charge Resilience

  • Shearer: “To be fair to City, though, wow, what a response… they refuse to give up. You have to give them huge credit for that.” (13:01)
  • Lineker: “For the neutrals, it keeps it alive. I still don’t think there’s any way Arsenal won’t win it.” (13:42)

2. Defensive Standouts and Transfers

Segment Start: 14:13

• Marc Guéhi’s Performance

  • Richards: Praises Guéhi’s reading of the game; “He reminds me of Ledley King in terms of the way he reads it… always in the right position.” (15:35)
  • Lineker: Notes Guéhi’s calmness and “a little bit John Terry” style. (16:05)

• Crystal Palace & Brighton

  • Big win for Palace; Brighton under pressure from fans due to poor form and high spending. (16:45)

• Booing of Marc Guéhi by Liverpool fans

  • Lineker: “I didn’t like the Liverpool fans booing Marc Guéhi… He’s such a lovely guy… it’s a sign of respect.” (17:05)
  • Shearer: “You don’t get booed if you’re a bad player.” (17:34)

3. City’s Squad Depth & The Phil Foden Dilemma

Segment Start: 18:41

• Richards: Questions why Foden, supposedly De Bruyne’s heir, wasn’t brought on when City needed a goal. (20:17)
• Lineker: “Does Pep trust him, ultimately? Does this affect whether he even makes the England squad for the World Cup?” (20:50)
• Shearer: “If he’s not playing, then he isn’t going to go [to the World Cup].” (21:06)
• Discussion on the weight of expectations on Foden and Pep’s trust issues.

4. Manchester United’s Revival Under Michael Carrick

Segment Start: 25:51

• Shearer: “He’s got them playing some really good football. They look really gelled, really together…” (28:41)

• Extended debate on a controversial red card and the impact of slow-motion replay on decisions.

  • Lineker: “If you watch it back in normal speed, it doesn’t look much… slow mo makes everything look horrible.” (27:58)

• Bruno Fernandes’ Record & Influence

  • Lineker: “He’s reached 200 goal involvements in 314 games… only Wayne Rooney did it quicker for United.” (29:47)
  • Shearer: “He was outstanding again, what a footballer.” (29:00)

• Kobbie Mainoo’s Emergence

  • Lineker: “If I was Kobbie Mainoo, I’d be thinking about whether I should sue [Amorim] or not… He’s taken a year out of that kid’s career… a wonderful footballer.” (30:07, jokingly)
  • Shearer: “He really must be cringing, watching the performances of Manchester United now.” (31:19)

• Lineker, Shearer: United now look like a genuine team, crediting Carrick’s calmness, tactical tweaks, and man management.

• Talk of “managerial bounce” but hosts sense genuine longer-term change.

5. Spurs, Relegation Scrap & Other Premier League Talking Points

Segment Start: 34:29

• Shearer: “Spurs could drop into the relegation area. Everyone gets injuries, you have to handle that.” (35:02)
• Lineker: Bottom two (“Wolves and Burnley”) seem gone; third spot up for grabs.
• Shearer: Praises West Ham’s revival, Nuno’s steadying job at Forest, pressure at Palace, Leeds’ home form likely their salvation.

6. Arsenal’s Strength, Squad Depth, and Title Credentials

Segment Start: 37:14

• Lineker: “I can’t envisage a scenario where Arsenal don’t win it. They’ve got such a big squad… they can cope with injuries.” (37:44)
• Shearer: “Even after to… they weren’t brilliant, but they won comfortably in the end…” (38:51)
• Debate on squad depth:
  • Lineker: “Do you think they’ve got the best squad in possibly European football?” (39:12)
  • Shearer: “The strength is incredible this season… defense is solid… they’re very, very strong.” (39:53)

7. England Player Debates & Rising Talents

Segment Start: 41:16

• Lineker/Shearer: With Palmer, Saka, Bowen, Rogers, Foden, and Bellingham, England face “tough decisions.”
  • Shearer: “I think Saka probably gives you a bit more defensively… but Palmer’s emergence is a real positive.” (42:03)
• Injuries to Bellingham and others could affect the national team selection.

8. Brentford’s Rise & Newcastle’s Troubles

Segment Start: 47:17

• Lineker: “Eddie Howe’s been the most successful manager you’ve had… to turn on him would be ludicrous. Be careful what you wish for.” (47:36)

• Shearer: “Eddie gave me my best day as a Newcastle fan… you have to look at the bigger picture.” (48:07)

  • Newcastle’s recruitment, especially post-sporting director, comes under fire. Poor summer window puts pressure on squad and manager.
  • Missed transfer targets: “They went in for Bumo, Dap, Ekitike, Sheshko, didn’t get any…”

• Shearer: “You’ve paid £125 million for two centre forwards and you’re saying they look better without them, and there lies the problem.” (51:53)

• Alan: Stresses the need for the club and fans to stick with Howe.

• Contrast with Brentford:

  • Shearer: “Brentford… absolutely outstanding, and what a job Keith Andrews is doing… their energy and aggression, they’ve got players who can hurt you.” (53:26–54:47)
  • Lineker: Notes Brentford’s Thiago just three goals behind Haaland in the Golden Boot race. (54:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There has to be an allowance for a bit of common sense. That’s no longer allowed.”
  – Alan Shearer, on VAR decisions (09:59)

• “He’s taken a year out of that kid’s career!”
  – Gary Lineker, jokingly about Kobbie Mainoo and Reuben Amorim (30:07)

• “Eddie Howe has been the most successful manager you’ve had in Premier League history… to turn on him would be ludicrous.”
  – Gary Lineker on Newcastle fans’ unrest (47:36)

• “You don’t get booed if you’re a bad player.”
  – Alan Shearer, on the treatment of Marc Guéhi at Anfield (17:34)

• “You’ve paid £125 million for two centre forwards and you’re saying they look better without them, and there lies the problem.”
  – Alan Shearer, on Newcastle’s recruitment issues (51:53)

• “Be careful what you wish for.”
  – Gary Lineker, warning about changing managers (48:00)

Segment Timestamps

• 06:17 – Start of football discussion: Anfield atmosphere
• 08:09 – VAR controversy explained
• 10:43 – Szoboszlai’s free kick reactions
• 13:01 – City’s comeback and title implications
• 14:13 – Marc Guéhi’s standout performance
• 16:45 – Crystal Palace/Brighton form and fan unrest
• 18:41 – Phil Foden left out, City’s depth and issues
• 25:51 – Man United’s revival under Carrick, Bruno & Mainoo
• 34:29 – Spurs’ struggles, relegation battles
• 37:14 – Arsenal’s squad depth and title charge
• 41:16 – England player dilemmas
• 47:17 – Newcastle’s form, recruitment critique, Brentford’s rise

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain their trademark banter, occasionally ribbing each other (“Come to the bald side!”), and inject humor even into serious topics. Their commentary is balanced by deep knowledge and insider perspective, with each host drawing on his own experience as a top Premier League player.

Final Thoughts

A compelling listen for any football fan: the episode combines tactical breakdowns (VAR, squad depth, recruitment), praise and critique of managers and players, and plenty of spirited debate. The chemistry between Lineker, Shearer, and Richards lifts the episode beyond mere analysis, providing both nostalgia and immediate insight.

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