Distance Covered

So there’s this concept in business. The idea of a hatchet man. Nobody likes making people redundant. Nobody likes having uncomfortable conversations. And nobody likes being unpopular at the workplace, either. Well, that’s where the hatchet man comes in. In simple terms, the hatchet man gets appointed on a short-term contract to do all of that dirty work himself before riding off into the sunset.

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -10:00 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Episode #128 covers Liverpool’s draw against Nottingham Forest, and Cody Gakpo’s potential sale to Manchester City among other transfer links. How can Andoni Iraola solve his right-back problem? Why are Liverpool agreeing to sell Gakpo to a direct rival? Is Ismaïla Sarr good enough for the Reds? Who is the underrated right winger that Liverpool should be trying to land before the window closes?

So after months of protracted negotiations, it seems Liverpool are finally about to land their man. Their marquee target. Bradley Barcola looks destined to join the Reds before the window closes. He’ll become Liverpool’s third £100m player inside 12 months, which is pretty insane. The previous two haven’t exactly justified their price tags just yet, but will Barcola prove to be different? Sit back. Put your feet up. Let’s get into it.

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -10:00 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Episode #127 covers Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United, as well as what lies ahead for Yankuba Minteh and Cody Gakpo. Is Liverpool’s squad still too offensive? What did Andoni Iraola change? Is £70m for Minteh too much? What made the Brighton forward emerge as a wonderkid in 2023? Why would Liverpool entertain selling Gakpo to Manchester City?

Well, where do we start with that? Liverpool made quite the impression in their Premier League opener on Sunday afternoon. A four-goal thriller, and a last-minute goal to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat. Sound familiar? So I don’t want to be too reactionary here. I’m writing this post just hours after the final whistle while sat on a train to London, meaning I haven’t yet rewatched any footage. It doesn’t feel great.

So we have a tradition on this Substack. It’s my job to preview every Premier League season just before the first whistle, but there’s a problem this time around. I can’t ever remember it being this difficult to forecast what lies ahead. Nevertheless, I’m here to have a go. Let’s see where we end up. Strap yourselves in. First, I’d like to set the scene. It’s important to capture exactly why the new campaign is looking almost impossible to predict, and not just from a Liverpool perspective, either.

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -10:00 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Episode #126 covers Liverpool’s friendly against Como, and what to expect this season. What makes Jérémy Jacquet so special? How would peak Fabinho cope under Andoni Iraola? Where will Liverpool finish this season? Will Manchester City struggle without Pep Guardiola? Could the Reds realistically challenge Arsenal?

So I’ve been reluctant to pay too much attention to pre-season friendlies this summer. I’m usually a big fan, but this time around, with a really light squad and several key players missing from Liverpool’s tour of the US, I’ve largely kept my powder dry. Sunday’s contest against Como was the first to provide us with truly worthwhile clues of what lies ahead in my opinion. Andoni Iraola probably picked the same team that’ll face Newcastle United next week. So what did we learn?

So you’ll have heard all of your favourite pundits and creators talk about Ronald Araújo this week. Indeed, I dedicated a segment to his strengths and weaknesses on the latest episode of my podcast. By now, you’ll know he’s fast. You’ll know he’s powerful and good in the air. On the negative end, you’ll be aware of his flaws. That unfortunate ability to set fire to your own house for no obvious reason.

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -10:00 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Episode #125 covers Liverpool’s friendly against AS Monaco, and the surprise arrival of Ronald Araújo from Barcelona. How good is Araújo? Why didn’t Richard Hughes sign a centre-back on a permanent deal instead? Do Liverpool have a new wonderkid in Ifeanyi Ndukwe? Will Bradley Barcola eventually join? Why is nobody linked to Adam Wharton?