First State Kopites

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. The podcast of the Premier League Champions and current league leaders. This is a review of Burnley away last Sunday. I’m Paul and today I am joined by Daz. 

Focus mainly on Burnley - 3 talking points:

Were we lucky? xG of 2.65, OK not all great shots

And the Red Card…

Was the Burnley approach a surprise that we didn’t quite figure out

5-4-1 with a discipline I’ve seldom seen - xG 0.13, 90 passes

Lots of blocks - ‘smothered...

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. The podcast of the Premier League Champions and current league leaders. We are back from the first international break, 2 more before the end of November (woo hoo).  We now start the 2 games each week grind - first up away at Burnley on Sunday and then home to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid. I’m Paul and today I am joined by Daz and Justin. 

We’ve just learned that according to millionpodcasts.com we are ranked 17th on the list of Liverpool FC podcasts. We’ve got all five star reviews so...

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. The podcast of the Premier League Champions and league leaders. It's the eighth podcast of the season so far. Reds now have three wins out of three going into the international break.  We beat Arsenal by 1-0 despite the prevailing narrative pre-game. I’m Paul and today I am joined by Daz and Sean. 

Part One - God, Arsenal are a tough watch. STERILE!!

National narrative, Arsenal missed an opportunity with Liverpool playing poorly. 

Only 2 Arsenal players had a positive OBV (On Ball Value) - advanced metri...

Join us for a live post match conversation. As the Reds somehow overcome all their defensive frailties to win their third game in a row to lead the fledgling premier league table.

Thanks to Enrique and you dear listener for joining us.

Reds have two wins out of two although I am not sure we can do this 36 more times. We face Arsenal at home tomorrow and no one who isn’t a Red thinks we have a chance of winning.

And, it is at Anfield isn’t it? Arsenal have not won here for more than 10 years.

Arsenal at home in August

Memories of 2019 - 3-1 win? And there have been other wins in August against the pretenders

Oh wait a minute, word on the street is that Arsenal have won the tran...

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. It’s August 27th. I’m Paul, joined by Daz. Little different today - just focused on reviewing the Newcastle game - 3-2 to the Reds. Lot to go at - hope to bring some perspective to what ends up being a nice, comfortable:()  win.

Short version Newcastle turned this into a battle - with the rhetoric beforehand and the actions of certain players. I was fearful for our team’s safety.

Context - 2 very difficult games against them and their tactics last season. I think it plays into th...

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. The podcast of the Premier League Champions. It's the fourth podcast of season 7. I’m Paul, joined by Sean and Daz. The new season started Friday night - we will reflect on the game against Bournemouth, look ahead to Newcastle and take a sideways glance at what went on elsewhere.

Part One: Bournemouth at home:

Acknowledging Diogo - beautiful from start to finish; NBC with surprising empathy. Lovely celebrations (inc Luis Diaz). Bournemouth fans had a Diogo banner

At 36 minutes, Dixon says that Bournemouth have quieted th...

Welcome dear listener to First State Kopites. The podcast of the Premier League Champions. It's the third podcast of season 7. I’m Paul, joined by Justin and Daz for the first time this season. The new season starts in 3 days - we will reflect on several things, including another week of Newcastle Gutter watch, the Community Shield and also look ahead as Liverpool seek to defend their title.

Part One: Interesting/difficult pre season:

Acknowledging Diogo - 

Played 6/7 pre-season games including Community Shield last Sunday.

Overall themes - good/exciting going for...

Welcome dear listener to the First State’s second podcast of season 7. The podcast of the Premier League Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Enrique. The new season starts in 2 weeks - we continue to look ahead as Liverpool seek to defend their title and we’ll reflect on what’s happened this summer..

Part One: The shadow hanging over this season:

The Diogo patch on the shirt - good move but it feels like we’ve moved onto pre-season and transfers a little too quickly for me. Even the simple fact that Liver...

Welcome dear listener to the First State’s podcast of Premier League Champions. It’s the first episode of our seventh season. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean. The new season starts in just over 3 weeks - we’ll start to look ahead as Liverpool seek to defend their title and we’ll reflect on the sadness of the last 3 weeks.

We are trying something new - we are at the home of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club of Delaware - Catherine Rooney’s - and for the first time in our 7 years of podcasting w...

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of Premier League Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Enrique and Daz. The season is over - well unless you ignore Gianni Infantino’s narcissistic monstrosity taking pace here in the US in the next few months. We are going to do one of our look backs at the season, Being Champions, The Big Red Weekend, and maybe we’ll start to look ahead as Liverpool seek to defend their title..

Part One: Season highlights:

Arne Slot - 26 games unbeaten

Win over City in Novemb...

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of the 2024-25 Premier League Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean. We are recording this a week after the Reds picked up the Premier League trophy and had a very big parade. We’ll do a short review of the Palace game, look back at the big red weekend, reflect on PSG's Champions League win and then start to look ahead as Liverpool seek to defend their title..

Part One - Reds draw with Crystal Palace at Anfield in session ending game - xG 2.14 to 1.77 - 35 to 15 touc...

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of the 2024-25 Premier League Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Justin and Daz. We are recording this after the Reds went to Brighton via Dubai to record another loss that doesn’t matter. Briefer pod than normal with a short review of the Brighton game and then look ahead to the big red weekend where Liverpool will face Crystal Palace in a preview of the Community Shield on August 9th.

Today’s game - xG 2.34 to 2.11 - 25 shots to 18, 2 big chances to 3 for us. Salah 0.86 xG

Over...

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of the 2024-25 Premier League Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. We will review last weekend’s Arsenal game, and continue to reflect on a 20th top flight title. Obviously we will touch on the Trent situation. We will look ahead to the Brighton match and we’ll be looking around at what’s happening elsewhere.

Part One - Arsenal at home - xG 1.92 to 0.58 in the first half

First half, Reds are generally magnificent

Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo - well t...

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of the 2024-25 Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Enrique and Daz. We will review the Chelsea game, and continue to reflect on a 20th top flight title. Obviously we will touch on the departure of Trent and the other noises around the squad. We will look ahead to the Arsenal match and we’ll be looking around at what’s happening elsewhere.

Part 1 - Chelsea away - Fotmob xG 3.13 to 1.05 (I saw another call it at 1.96 to 1.36)

Welcome dear listener to the podcast of Champions. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. We will review the Spurs game, probably briefly, reflect on the events surrounding th game as Liverpool celebrated its 20th top flight title. We may look ahead to the Chelsea match and we’ll certainly be looking ahead…. 

Part 0 - the experience

Crowds, songs and joy

Part One  - Liverpool 5, Spurs 1 (xG 2.28 vs 0.46)

Everyone says Spurs were terrible. Are they just perfect for us?

Solanke goal

The Diaz goal bro...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. We will review the Leicester game, look ahead to the Spurs match and then do our now typical wider view, of where everyone else is and maybe some next season chat..

Part One - Leicester Away - xG 0.27 to 3.03

The numbers tell us it was a walk in park - could have been 2 up in 11 minutes

If this had’ve been 4 or 5 nil no one would’ve raised an eyebrow

Sense of nervousness - due to the...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. We will review the win over West Ham last weekend, look ahead to the Leicester game and then do our now typical wider view, now that we can be certain that Virg and Mo are sticking around and Liverpool are about to have a big summer.

Part One - West Ham home - xG 1.78 to 1.50 - 1.34 to 0.77 in the first half

Game of 2 halves Brian

First half - as much intensity as we’ve seen for...

Today is the 36th anniversary of Hillsborough where 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed. Many lives were changed that day. To help understand the impact on Liverpool, the City, the people and those directly affected, we are airing an episode from Season 2 where we got to hear from 2 Hillsborough Survivors - Ritchie and Damien. It could be much better produced, but it was our most viewed episode when we did the YouTube channel. This is for all of those affected by the tragedy, whose story deserves to be told over and over.

Ritchie and Damien share some really...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Justin and Daz. We will review the defeat at Fulham last weekend, look ahead to the West Ham game and then take a wider view, especially in the light of the news about Mo Salah’s contract.

Part One - Fulham away - xG 1.5 to 0.74 (2H 1.45 to 0.22). ‘Fantastic Fulham win’

First half - terrible performance or a series of individual errors?

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. We will review the Derby victory in some detail. Then we'll look at the Fulham game and briefly the last 7 games before the 20th title.

Part One - Everton at home xG 1.47 to 0.67 (.53 to .03 in the second half)

First half - not perfect, Curtis was great

Jota blocked shot at 10 minutes - felt like a small sign

Virgil, Ibou, the pitch and the weather and the Beto chance

30 to 45 - Everton lo...

Welcome dear listener to our extra episode. I’m Paul and I am joined once again by Enrique and Daz.

We start up in 14 days at home to Everton.

We will be back after the Everton game. Thanks to Daz and Enrique for joining me, Paul. And most of all...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Enrique and Daz. So the Champions League journey is over for another season after the Reds lose in a penalty shoot out to PSG. Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final is not a game we will want to dwell on much after today.

Part One - a 1-0 loss at home to PSG.

xG 1.59 to 2.63, (Dembele’s goal was 0.95) - 1.51 to 2.13 in normal time (0.10 in the second half). 

A lot of nearly moments - the offside goal, the Quans...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Enrique. So the Reds went to Paris for the first time since 2022 and again one of the goalies had a man of the match performance that prevented the dominant team from winning - this time it went in our favor. We are going to review PSG away, and Southampton at home which left us 15 points ahead after this weekend and then look ahead to the return leg and then the Carabao Cup final. 3 finals Slot had said on Friday.

Welcome dear listener to this bonus episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Justin. So the Reds are 13 points clear with 67 points and 10 games to play in the League. We are going use Liverpool’s weekend off to take a broader view of the season - looking back and looking ahead to the last 3 months of the season:

Part One - looking back - 20 wins in the League, seeded first in the UCL draw (for what that is worth) and a Carabao Cup Final (with one really decent performance):

Two highlights each...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds beat City last weekend, and in similar fashion outplayed Newcastle this midweek. Top of the Premier League by 13 from Arsenal (game in hand), 19 from Forest, and 20 from City and 21 from Chelsea. We’ll review the City and Newcastle games and then look ahead to the PSG round of 16 away leg and maybe Southampton at home. Part One - finally we win a league game at the Etihad

Was this a case of them revisiting the need for control or Man C...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. The Reds beat Wolves, and play out an interesting one at Villa. Still top of the Premier League - 8 from Arsenal, 14 from Forest, and 17 from City. We’ll review the Wolves and Villa games and then look ahead to City away and Newcastle at home. After that we can take a breath.Part One - how nervous were you about the Wolves game?

First half wasn’t perfect but 1.76 xG vs Wolves 0.25 (including penalty)

Second half felt really...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds draw against Everton. Still top of the Premier League - 7 from Arsenal, 10 from Forest, 14 from Chelsea and 16 from City and Newcastle. We’ll review the game and then look at Plymouth away and Spurs at home in the Carabao, with a look ahead to Wolves and Villa away.

League win at Everton - oh never mind:

Seven points clear - have that dickheads says John Gibbons

The referee conversation has dominated how we’ve looked...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. The Reds win at Bournemouth. Still top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 6 from Arsenal, 9 from Forest and 13 from Chelsea and 15 from City and Newcastle. We’ll review the PSV game and mostly look at Bournemouth, with a look ahead at the next 2 weeks.

Part One - PSV Eindhoven: xG 1.32 to 1.61 (0.76 penalty)

Frustrating, because a draw would put them in the mix for the round of 16 tie against us. Conceding in the 6th m...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. The Reds win against Lille and Ipswich. Still top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 6 from Arsenal, 9 from Forest and 12 from City and Bournemouth. We’ll review Lille and Ipswich and then talk about the upcoming Champions League game against PSV and the Premier League away against Bournemouth plus a look around.

Part One - 7 wins out of 7. Lille’s 21 game unbeaten run comes to an end - xG 2.46 v 0.49

Some rotation - Bradle...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Justin and Daz. The Reds win at Brentford with the Darwin Nunez late show. Big win especially after Arsenal dropped points. Top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 6 from Arsenal and Forest and 10 from Chelsea, 12 from surging Newcastle and reborn City. We’ll review Brentford and then talk about the upcoming Champions League game against Lille and the Premier League home against Ipswich plus a look around.

Part One - Brentford away - xG 3.43 vs. 0.77, although shot quality (37) wasn...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds drew with Forest 1-1 last Tuesday after dropping points against Man Utd a week and a half ago in the League. Still the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 12 points clear of City, 4 from Arsenal (same games) and 10 from Chelsea. We’ll review those games and then talk about the upcoming Premier League game against Brentford plus a look around the league. 

United - xG 2.82 including penalty, 1.05 (Martinez shot was 0.55?)

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds beat Leicester 3-1 last Thursday and played another tough one against West Ham on Sunday - just the 5 goals this time. We are at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 14 points clear of City, 9 from Arsenal (same games) and 10 from Chelsea. We’ll review those games and then talk about the upcoming Premier League game against Man United plus a look around the league. 

Part One - Leicester City at home - xG 1.91 vs 0...

We so enjoyed the conversation after the win at Spurs on Sunday, we came back to chat about the next few games:

Looking ahead:

We will be back in 2 weeks with a review of those four or five games, and maybe some previews. Thanks to Daz and Sean for joining me, Paul. And most of all, thank you dear listener for joining us.

If you enjoyed the p...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. Look out for the bonus episode coming soon previewing our upcoming games.

I’m Paul and I am joined by Sean and Daz. The Reds drew 2-2 with Fulham last weekend, beat Southampton 2-1 last Wednesday in the Carabao Cup and played a tough one against Spurs today - well OK, a game we dominated. We are at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 12 points clear of City, 6 from Arsenal and 4 from Chelsea. We’ll review those games and then talk about the upcoming Prem...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds drew with Newcastle away 3-3 a week ago, had the Merseyside Derby postponed, and beat Girona 1-0 on Tuesday in the Champions league. Net result is we are 3 points clear at the top of the Champions League table and still the top of the Premier League with a game in hand - 8 points clear of City, 6 from Arsenal and 4 ahead of Chelsea. We’ll review those games and then talk about Fulham in the Premier League and maybe Southampton in the Cara...

details to follow

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Justin. The Reds beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday and went 8 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Given the proximity of the Real Madrid and Man City games, we’ll focus on the last game and consider how we should be reacting to this lead after almost 32% of the season. Maybe a word more on contract chat.

Part One - Reds make hard work of beating the bottom team OR another game that we were alwa...

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz and Sean. The Reds beat Aston Villa 2-0 last Saturday and went 5 points clear at the top of the Premier League. Given the international break, we will review the first part of the season, and look ahead to Southampton and Real Madrid .

Part One - Villa - xG (2.02 to 1.38 - Villa 0.73 set play xG in the first half). Villa 2 big chances in the second half?:

Welcome dear listener to the latest episode. I’m Paul and I am joined by Daz. The Reds had a win away at Brighton last week, followed by 2 very big wins. We will look ahead to Villa at home - the last game before the 3rd international break.

Part One - 2 games against Brighton: