World Cup Special - Predictions & More

0:00 – 10:00 * World Cup opening, intro & scene-setting * Both hosts on their general feelings about the tournament — timing issues, kick-off times, watching habits * Group-by-group predictions begin: Groups A through E (Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany) 10:00 – 20:00 * Group predictions continue: Groups F through L (Netherlands, Belgium/Egypt, Spain, France, Austria/Argentina, Portugal, England) * Third-place qualifier selections * Round of 32 knockout matchups and predictions run through in full * Round of 16 matchups and predictions 20:00 – 30:00 * Quarter-final and semi-final predictions * Final prediction: Spain vs Argentina debate * Potential upsets discussed * Liverpool players at the World Cup — Alisson (Brazil) and the Mamardashvili/goalkeeper situation 30:00 – 40:00 * Dutch trio: Van Dijk, Gravenberch and Gakpo — futures debated * Alexis Mac Allister — World Cup role and potential Real Madrid exit * Florian Wirtz — Germany’s creative hub, pre-season implications * Wataru Endo — squad role, likely departure * Transfer targets: Yan Diomande, Barcola, right-back options (Palestra, Coyte from Brentford) * Iraola system discussed — direct, vertical, relentless pressing style 40:00 – 50:00 * Trent Alexander-Arnold return rumours debated * Alex Scott from Bournemouth — Sandeep pushes back, makes case for Sangare and Lamine Kamara instead * Youth players and academy pipeline under Iraola * Iraola compared to Klopp/Benitez/Bielsa hybrid — excitement for new era * Liverpool’s ambitions for 2026/27 season framed 50:00 – 60:00 * New IFAB rules: 8-second keeper rule, captain-only protocol, 5-second restarts, slow sub rule, expanded VAR, mouth-covering red card * Rules discussed as unintentionally anti-Arsenal * Heat concerns across host cities, 3-minute cooling breaks * AOB: plan to do a follow-up pod once first signing confirmed * Konate departure, Jacquet as replacement, French market targets (Boadi, Pardo) * Outro This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anfieldintelligence.substack.com