Libero

Manchester United were an outlier in a summer of lavish spending. In a sea of nine-figure signings, the new arrivals at Old Trafford were brought in on more modest fees as a number of targets moved to rivals. Gone are the days when United were top of the food chain, Premier League titles are now firmly in the rearview mirror and Manchester City are the dominant local force. So with another reboot ongoing under Michael Carrick, who are are Manchester United in 2026? Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by John Brewin and Rory Smith. P1: (00:31) P2: (33:04) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Champions League begins this week with some enticing fixtures and a pool of potential winners that may be as small as six teams. PSG have plenty going in their favour but much of what benefits the defending champions in terms of a lighter domestic workload also holds true for a resurgent Barcelona. And what of the English clubs? Is this the start of a long-previewed era of Premier League dominance in Europe's top competition? Rory Smith is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja as we hit play on the Champions League anthem again. P1: (01:09) P2: (30:47) -- It's STILL Wilson Month! Anyone signing up for SC Libero in the next couple of weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. Jonathan Wilson is upset at these levels of generosity . The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Do you have a burning question for the Liberi? Send them in to [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get them answered on the podcast. Anything else, email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League's clubs have spent just over £3.4bn this summer. Several clubs have paid fees exceeding £100m, Manchester City have done it twice. It feels like less a player trading system than an over-financed arms race, but is the league in a financial bubble? In this episode, Rory Smith, Miguel Delaney, and Jonathan Wilson analyse the complexities of the modern football transfer market, the impact of financial regulations, and the broader economic forces shaping the Premier League, as well as explore whether the game is immune from the economic headwinds on the horizon. P1: (02:13) P2: (31:56) It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League's summer transfer window has had too much going on. The volume of intra-league deals is unprecedented, the fees are excessive and it seems as if no one is asking 'does it make sense?' To try and unpick it are Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Tariq Panja. P1: (00:54) P2: (31:28) It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liverpool under FSG have been at various points held up as the model for a modern football operation. They were good sellers and squad builders. The owners generally believed that the best way to run a Premier League club successfully was to achieve success where people can see it, on the field. Now, with a cohort of powerful individuals that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos buying a significant shareholding, the motivations of the ownership could be about to change at a time when the team needs to rediscover its sense of direction under a new coach. What does the arrival of new money at Anfield mean? Why are Liverpool leaving such gaping holes in their squad and why does landing a big star like Bradley Barcola no longer move the needle? Rory Smith, Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja set their focus on the new owners, as well as Liverpool's incoherent transfer policy. P1: (03:30) P2: (32:57) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026/27 Premier League season is underway. So is it too early to hand Arsenal the trophy? Miguel Delaney was at the Emirates on Friday night, while Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson had to watch on TV. They discuss what we learned from the opening weekend, and how much of an advantage it is to go into this season with an established manager. The three big losers this weekend were Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Aston Villa, but how much should those fans be worried? But maybe finding answers to those questions is just asking one round of league games to bear too much weight. Should all calm down with our narrative-formation for a few weeks? P1: (01:33) P2: (37:47) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the Premier League in the midst of a period of upheaval, Arsenal, the reigning champions, stand alone as the sole pillar of stability amongst the traditional challengers. Neither of the league's other recent title winners - Liverpool and Manchester City - appear as strong as they have been in the past couple of seasons, while Enzo Maresca has the additional unenviable task of trying to replace Pep Guardiola. Rory Smith asks Miguel Delaney and James Horncastle for their thoughts on the Premier League title race. P1: (10:36) P2: (38:11) Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today - Claude.ai/LIBERO. It's Wilson Month! What does that mean? It means anyone signing up for SC Libero over the next four weeks has the opportunity to enjoy our member benefits of bonus content on the end of every regular show and a weekly bonus episodes with 30 days of access for FREE. We didn't tell your generous benefactor Jonathan Wilson about this in advance and he will be upset. The offer applies for all tiers of SC Libero membership, but be aware, only Einsteins and above get the extra episodes. More details and sign up is here. — The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using ⁠this link⁠ or using this code: la4foa. --- Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026/27 Premier League season is finally upon us. Even after a transfer window where all the big money has been spent domestially, there are hopes for some exciting new arrivals into 'our league', and maybe for a game which is more determined by individuals, rather than set pieces. On today’s episode, Jonathan Wilson and James Horncastle discuss what we actually want to see this year, while Jack Pitt-Brooke gets sidetracked obsessing over QPR’s transfer business from the early Tony Fernandes era. P1: (06:03) P2: (28:30) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. The Libero Fantasy League is also back for the new season. You play against your fellow listeners by using this link or using this code: la4foa. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gianni Infantino, the embattled 'Pope of Football', is limping on as Fifa president and has split the world's federations into two factions, one that wants to see him removed from office and the other who wish for him to remain. Why, despite his obvious flaws and major errors, does Infantino retain such levels of support? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja to unpick the motivations behind those who want Infantino gone and the reasons he may be able to cling on. P1: (03:12) P2: (35:32) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new era of Premier League football will begin this month. With Pep Guardiola out of the picture, and Jurgen Klopp long gone, none of the ‘big beasts’ of management will be in jobs. Instead, the 'big six' will largely be coached by managers in their mid 40s, all with something to prove. On today’s episode John Brewin, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jonathan Wilson ask how this will affect the dynamic of the new season. Will we talk about managers less than we used to? Or will we hope that the generation of Enzo Maresca, Andoni Iraola and co step up into that space? Perhaps this all just proves how hard it is to coach a top Premier League side and why the more relaxed world of international management is now where you'll find the totemic figures who have been stalking English top-flight dugouts for the last decade. P1: (07:32) P2: (26:59) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior is over after Real Madrid announced on Thursday afternoon that the Brazil international had signed a new long-term contract. But on today’s episode - recorded just before the news was confirmed - Jack Pitt-Brooke, James Horncastle and John Brewin discussed why Arsenal’s attempted move for him felt so significant. For all the Premier League’s wealth and success, it generally does not buy in the most famous players in the world. Apart from the arrival of Erling Haaland in 2022, there have been few other high-status imports in recent years. So does that actually matter? Is the league itself the star? Especially when big signings like Paul Pogba or Angel Di Maria fail to make too much of an impression in the Premier League. Or should the willingness of young players like Michael Olise and Jude Bellingham to reach the top outside the Premier League be a cause of concern in this country? P1: (07:31) P2: (32:25) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a $15bn World Cup bolstering Fifa's bank account, Gianni Infantino was riding high and set fair to continue as football's self-appointed pope, with another term as president all but guaranteed. Little more than two weeks later, following an abruptly abandoned plan to sell a stake in the golden goose to the brother of Donald Trump's son in-law and Infantino is facing the prospect of having to resign the Fifa presidency. How did we get here and what does it say about modern football? Will this finally be the moment the game changes? Jonathan Wilson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja to discuss. P1: (00:20) P2: (32:47) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham are all beginning the new Premier League season with different managers than started the last. With a cast of new characters now coming into focus, Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson consider what storylines might take shape and the longtail impact of the World Cup. Also discussed is how the creep of football is eroding away the traditional summers sports and the return of international football to borderline irrelevance. P1: (00:56) P2: (25:51) A note to listeners, it's fair to assume that Libero 145 will be discussing the drama in Fifa-land at length. Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johan Manzambi has become the latest player to earn a big transfer off the back of an impressive World Cup, following the likes of James Rodriguez, Ilie Dumitrescu and Papa Bouba Diop. Yet in recent years clubs have turned away from scouting players at major tournaments, but why is that when they provide tangible evidence of a player's quality and ability to handle playing under immense pressure? James Horncastle, Tariq Panja and Rory Smith look back at the history of this phenomenon and ask if once more the World Cup is becoming a viable proving ground. P1: (02:43) P2: (32:53) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sad passing of Kevin Keegan at the age of 75 last week brought to an end of the ultimate football lives. One of British football's earliest superstars, highly decorated as a player, revered as one of the game's boldest attacking coaches, Keegan was beloved figure both in England and further afield. Here John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson look back at the life of 'King Kev'. This was originally released for SC Libero members last week, but we thought it would be nice for all Libero listeners to hear John and Jonathan's tribute to the great man. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Cup is in the rearview mirror but before it disappears from our collective consciousness, amid well-earned holidays or a headlong dash back into the gnarled embrace of club football, we take a look back at the tournament in its entirety. Jack Pitt-Brooke is joined by Jonathan Wilson and Rory Smith for this one. P1: (04:28) P2: (33:04) --- For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. OFFER ENDS 24th JULY. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠[email protected]⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spain have beaten Argentina in the World Cup final in a slightly underwhelming conclusion to an overwhelming tournament. This episode was recorded throughout the day of the final by our Liberi on the ground, Rory Smith, James Horncastle and Tariq Panja. It is a bit rough and rugged but it is how we saw it. Build-up: (01:38) Pre-match: (03:23) 90mins: (14:35) Post-match: (16:39) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. OFFER ENDS 24th JULY. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠[email protected]⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England's latest World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina was both familiar but also a new type of failure. The familiar retreat was exacerbated by Thomas Tuchel doubling down on the tactics that had worked in Mexico City and it all means that Spain will play la Albiceleste in Sunday's final. James Horncastle, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney review both semi-finals before turning their attention to Spain v Argentina at MetLife. P1: (05:43) P2: (33:48) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠[email protected]⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

France v Spain and England v Argentina are the World Cup semi-finals FIFA wanted but they could not be more contrasting in terms of what they offer the viewing public. One side promises technical prowess and a game for the chin strokers, on the other a mess of emotions and brilliant moments. You work out which way around those are being billed. Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Rory Smith have this one. P1: (00:12) P2: (27:44) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠[email protected]⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We 're down to the final stages of the World Cup. So who is going to win it? Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney are on today’s episode, and start with discussion of Argentina who have won their last two games 3-2 in remarkable circumstances. Then focus turns to England, as Jack and Miguel discuss their historic win at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday night. Spain have gone under the radar so far, but could their controlled style get them through just as it did in South Africa in 2010? And finally the big story of the last-16 round was Belgium defeating the US after Folarin Balogun’s controversial suspended suspension. Just how damaging will this be for FIFA, and what does it tell us about Gianni Infantino? P1: (04:47) P2: (28:11) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Cole Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been a busy start to the World Cup round of 16. England triumphed on a night of great drama in Mexico City and Norway dumped out a hapless Brazil. Are these results, especially the latter, symptomatic of modern international football? Are the game's traditional powers being caught by nations with better organised youth development? Jack Pitt-Brooke and Miguel Delaney check in from the Azteca, with John Brewin, Jonathan Wilson and Rory Smith in situ for the main talking points. P1: (01:25) P2: (31:37) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As traditional World Cup giants like Germany and the Netherlands fall, their flaws are exposed but how deep do they run? Are these football cultures that have been overtaken the changes in the modern international game? Why then are France excelling? John Brewin, Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson discuss the reasons behind these shifts, as well as where new ideas in international football are coming from. They also berate some refereeing decisions, for good measure. P1: (02:03) P2: (28:34) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Memorable moments in the 2026 World Cup group stage were rare, with Lionel Messi, Iran and the late drama of Algeria v Austria providing the best of them. With jeopardy now back on the menu as we enter the knockouts, will the identity of the winner become clearer? Or is it foolish to draw any conclusions based the low-stakes football we've seen so far? Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Tariq Panja chew over the tournament so far. P1: (00:22) P2: (27:40) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the 2026 World Cup concludes its final round of group games, it is time to ask whether the new format has delivered or not. Are the levels of the additional teams a problem? Why are the likes of Scotland being left in limbo? And what do the complicated permutations tell us about a changing game? On today’s episode we have Rory Smith in LA, James Horncastle in Miami and Jack Pitt-Brooke in New York. They also discuss whether Miami is replacing LA as football's home in America and whether Lionel Messi has placed David Beckham as the game's king of marketing. P1: (02:04) P2: (28:37) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is essential for the success of international football tournaments that the hosts do well, and so far Team USA - undeniably the leader of the 2026 World Cup triumvirate - have exceeded expectations. Yet much of the discourse remains fixated on the popularity of the sport in a country where there are certainly other, bigger games in town. What will it take for the conversation to move on from the health of football in America? Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson dial are on the ground to take a pulse. P1: (11:30) P2: (29:58) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Remember, bonus episodes are only available to members on the Einsteins tier and above. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With all 48 teams at the World Cup 2026 now having played, Gianni Infantino will be delighted that the football is now doing the talking, quite emphatically. To pick apart the first round of matches and the off-field stories that are bubbling away under the surface at Fifa's big jamboree are Miguel Delaney, James Horncastle and Tariq Panja. P1: (00:32) P2: (30:45) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Remember, bonus episodes are only available to members on the Einsteins tier and above. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Libero has landed at the World Cup and we've even seen some football. We have everyone’s first impressions from the first week (or so) in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Both Tariq and Jonathan were in Mexico City for the opener, Jack and Miguel are ensconced in the England camp, while Rory and James are experiencing it from opposite sides of the USA, engaging in the greatest pastime of all: working out if America likes football or not. Tying it all together is John, who tells us the one thing the rest of us don’t know: whether anyone back home cares. Initial impressions: (01:23) Wilson and Tariq in Mexico: (13:11) Tickets: (27:31) Jack and Miguel in Kansas: (39:21) Final thoughts: (52:59) For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 World Cup is upon us. The “biggest, most inclusive and best" football tournament ever is finally here . Gianni Infantino told us to say that. On today’s Libero, James Horncastle, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson look forward — if that’s the right word — to what is about to unfold across the United States, Mexico and Canada and try to pick their way through the politics and the problems to find some actual football. P1: (01:15) P2: (28:43) We are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2026 World Cup has a class of elite coaching talent unlike any other tournament in history. Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Mauricio Pochettino will all be calling the shots for nations they are not from. There is a clear shift in the profile of managers willing to take jobs that were previously the preserve of international football specialists. Is this the start of a permanent trend shift for top coaches looking to escape the intensity of club football? Will they being able to adapt to a model where money cannot simply be thrown at a problem position. Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson tackle this one. P1: (01:56 P2: (26:26) We are offering new members a two-week free trial of SC Libero⁠ on all pricing tiers, time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will play at this World Cup despite a combined age of nearly 80. It is a credit to their commitment to football and, undoubtedly, improvements in sport science that the two defining players of the last 25 years are still going, but it also begs the question of why can't the game let go of these two superstars? Messi and Ronaldo are not the only players in the upper age bracket at this tournament, is that because there is a dearth of talent coming through? Or has the media landscape that allowed them to rise so high become more fragmented in the age of niche passions. In the first of our World Cup series, James Horncastle, Rory Smith and Tariq Panja wrestle with these questions and more. P1: (11:05) P2: (26:46) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arsenal lost the Champions League final on Saturday night but it has still been an undeniably brilliant season and deserved to parade the Premier League trophy around north London in front of millions fans. For the final Libero of the club season, Rory Smith and Miguel Delaney dial in direct from Budapest, before Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson ask how Arsenal can make up the gap to PSG next season if they are to finally become European champions. For the final Libero of the club season, Rory Smith and Miguel Delaney dial in direct from Budapest, before Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson ask how Arsenal can make up the gap to PSG next season. Is it as simple as backing Mikel Arteta with greater attacking options? And with Real Madrid and Manchester City both in transition, who can stop Arsenal and PSG from re-running this final in 12 months time? Finally, What can we expect from Liverpool, now that Arne Slot has gone and Andoni Iraola has been lined up to replace him. P1: (06:04) P2: (29:47) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal has a rare quality in this fixture: it pits clearly the two best teams in Europe against each other. Both clubs have had brilliant seasons, each winning their domestic league, adding to an epic feel for the game in Budapest, but the fixture has a sense of freshness, because Arsenal have never won this competition, and PSG won it for the first time last year. On today’s Libero, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Miguel Delaney and Jonathan Wilson ask why the finalists are only coming as powers in Europe now and whether there is a geographical explanation. With just three European cups between them, all of them in the last 15 years, why have London and Paris traditionally underperformed in this competition? And is that finally starting to change? P1: (02:24) P2: (27:55) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Premier League's final day confirmed Arsenal are champions, West Ham are going down and Sunderland are in the Europa League. But it also felt like one long goodbye: from Pep Guardiola to Mo Salah, via Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Andy Robertson. On today’s Libero, Rory Smith, Jonathan Wilson and our North London correspondent Tariq Panja ask how different the league will look without several of its defining figures, whether their farewells mark the end of a defined era, and what might come next. P1: (03:01) P2: (26:45) Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City. It’s an exit that brings to an end one of the most unique experiments in football history, and one that is unlikely to be repeated again. Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Tariq Panja discuss Guardiola’s legacy and the very specific set of circumstances that provided the platform for him to produce arguably the most complete winning machines in English football history. Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — P1: (08:45) P2: (30:35) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. —Unai Emery is once again in the Europa League final with a team featuring the letters V-I-L-L-A somewhere in their name, a remarkable achievement and one that also creates a perception that he is not among the top echelon of coaches. The competition with which the Aston Villa manager has become synonymous is also suffering from a degree of reputational damage these days, as its bigger brother hoovers up more of the clubs that used to give the Europa League a unique appeal. James Horncastle, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney discuss matters of perception and a few other things. — P1: (13:09) P2: (28:11) Produced by: Tom Bassam Do you have a burning question for the Liberi? Send them in to [email protected]⁠⁠ to get them answered on the podcast. Anything else, email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Produced by: Tom Bassam Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ICMP has kindly released an extra few tickets for our live show on 22nd May, so we can squeeze a few more of you in. Plans are coming together and it should be a fun night there will also be copies of the various books of the Liberi on sale and they may even sign them for you. Doors 7pm at The Venue on the ICMP Queens Park Campus in west London. The link for tickets is here 👍 The FA Cup should be English football’s national day. It was English football’s national day, a final punctuation mark on another season, anointing heroes and reducing grown men to tears. Jack Pitt Brooke, Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja discuss how the FA Cup final lost its way and what ingredients are needed to bring back the magic. P1: (10:08) P2: (30:42) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a handful of tickets remaining for our live show on 22nd May, there will also be copies of the various books of the Liberi on sale and they may even sign them for you. Doors 7pm at The Venue on the ICMP Queens Park Campus in west London (home of the Long Play Sessions). The link for tickets is here 👍 --- Michael Carrick has made Ruben Amorim's tactics board nightmare at Grimsby seem like a Manchester United of a different universe and restored order at Old Trafford, but is that enough? Rory Smith, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson as they seek the unknowable answer to the question of how a super club selects the right leader. P1: (09:59) P2: (25:22) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are doing our first live show. It's on 22nd May, doors 7pm at The Venue on the ICMP Queens Park Campus in west London (home of the Long Play Sessions). There will also be copies of the various books of the Liberi on sale and they may even sign them for you. The link for tickets is here 👍 --- We have spent much of this season wondering, like many others, whether Arsenal were about to bottle it. But after a brilliant week for Mikel Arteta's side, are they now on the brink of a historic achievement? They're in the box seat for the Premier League title and can move one step closer if they beat West Ham on Sunday and in midweek reached their first Champions League final in 20 years. On today’s Libero Jack Pitt-Brooke, Miguel Delaney and John Brewin look at their turnaround and ask what caused it. Was it the fire, Declan Rice’s rousing speech, or simply having players back? Or did they, like Manchester City in 2012, have to lose the title in order to win it? With PSG also reaching the showpiece fixture in Budapest, it looks like being the best final in years, with Europe’s two best teams meeting. Why does that happen so rarely? And what do these two finalists tell us about the modern game? P1: (04:17) P2: (30:31) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join ⁠SC Libero⁠, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. — From Matt Busby to Liam Rosenior, even harking back from the Wilsonian era of the late 19th century, how has the role and the standing of the football manager changed? Certain football clubs may act as if managers and head coaches are no longer their most important employees but certain managers still overshadow their clubs. Join Rory Smith, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson for the first of a two-parter, the second episode available only to SC Libero's Einsteins, Special Ones and El Puta Jefe later this week. P1: (03:56) P2: (35:40) As you may have seen, we are doing our first live show. It's on 22nd May, doors 7pm at The Venue on the ICMP Queens Park Campus in west London (home of the Long Play Sessions). There will also be copies of the various books of the Liberi on sale and they may even sign them for you. The link for tickets is here. Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs: liberopodcast.com. — Amid a shifting landscape of Saudi Arabian sports investments, where does football sit in the PIF's list of priorities? Newcastle are at a crossroads in their journey with the House of Saud and the Pro League is no longer handing out cheques for fun. Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Tariq Panja discuss the implications if the retrenchment of the Gulf's wealthiest oil state hits football. P1: (01:13) P2: (31:25) — As you may have seen, we are doing our first live show. It's on 22nd May, doors 7pm at The Venue on the ICMP Queens Park Campus in west London (home of the Long Play Sessions). There will also be copies of the various books of the Liberi on sale and they may even sign them for you. The link for tickets is  here. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs: liberopodcast.com. — Ahead of Atletico Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, we take a look at one of European football's main characters, Diego Simeone. Cholo's impact on a club that were by no means destined to be in their lofty position has been profound, as have his unique and evolving tactics. James Horncastle, Jonathan Wilson and Miguel Delaney, chart Simeone's journey in bending Atleti to his will and ask what the future holds for one of the great modern coaches. P1: (01:31) P2: (32:53) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. --- Liam Rosenior is no longer the Chelsea manager, to nobody’s surprise and to many people’s relief, perhaps including Rosenior himself. Can any manager succeed at Stamford Bridge? Or has the club’s strategy under the BlueCo ownership made that near-impossible? Tariq Panja and Miguel Delaney, join John Brewin. P1: (05:58) P2: (38:13) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. —Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday was a rare thing: a Premier League game that lived up to its billing, both for the importance of the game and the quality of the football. On today’s episode Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and Jonathan Wilson look back on the afternoon that saw City bring Mikel Arteta’s side into its grasp and ask why the vibes appear to favour Pep Guardiola's team so much more than the objective reality does. For all the fascination with Arsenal’s mental fragility, could their main problems be technical rather than psychological? And over a 38-game season why should this particular game be seen as any other dropped points? Can there ever be a true ‘title decider’ in a full league season. And if not, should the Premier League create one? P1: (10:53) P2: (34:40) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via ⁠[email protected]⁠ Subscribe to our YouTube channel ⁠@liberopod⁠ Join our Discord ⁠@Libero Podcast⁠ Follow us on X ⁠@podcast_libero⁠ Follow us on Bluesky ⁠@liberopodcast.com⁠ Follow us on Instagram ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on TikTok ⁠@liberopod⁠ Follow us on Facebook ⁠@liberopod⁠ Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, now: liberopodcast.com. — Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League means they will finish the season trophyless, and the only thing they have left to play for is a fifth-placed finish. Over the course of this season Arne Slot has lost all the credit with the fans he built up by winning last year’s Premier League title. So what should Liverpool do next? On today’s episode Jack Pitt-Brooke, Rory Smith and John Brewin discuss whether it is fair or not that Slot is facing calls for his dismissal. Especially given all the issues with Liverpool’s recruitment this season. They ask what exactly Liverpool might want in a manager if Slot no longer fits the bill. Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso are the two highest-profile names linked with the job, but would they necessarily be an improvement? And might there be another out-of-work manager who could be perfect for Liverpool? P1: (07:11) P2: (25:53) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So it all comes down to this. Maybe. After Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth and Manchester City swatted aside Chelsea, the Premier League has a genuine title decider: Mikel Arteta’s stumbling set-piece merchants against Pep Guardiola’s passing drones at the Etihad on Sunday. On today’s Libero, James Horncastle asks Miguel Delaney and Rory Smith whether the momentum has definitively shifted, if Arsenal are cracking under the pressure, and why it seems like everyone wants the team that always wins the title to win it again. Sign up for SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs via liberopodcast.com. — P1: (03:48) P2: (33:20) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, is now live! Join via liberopodcast.com. --- This time of year isn’t just about trophies and titles, it’s about trying to stay in the Premier League and this year will be the toughest route to survival in a generation. On today’s episode Jack Pitt-Brooke, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson look at the survival battle, and the question of finding the optimal strategy to stay up. Has the traditional fire-fighter - Sam Allardyce or Tony Pulis - been left behind by the modern game? Or do struggling clubs still want the same things, just delivered by a younger man? And when Tottenham have appointed one of the world’s most interesting coaches in Roberto de Zerbi as their fire-fighter, what does that tell us about their own chances of staying up? Also, our friends at the TheS**thouses have figured out how we attribute the quote at the start of every pod, check it out and have a go yourself here. P1: (07:14) P2: (33:41) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, is now live! Sign up at liberopodcast.com. --- What’s happened with the tickets for this summer is an absolute scandal but soaring prices is a trend that has an impact way beyond the World Cup. The exploitation of the match-going fan have seen tickets become tradable assets for the market to set the price for, all the while diminishing the value of the experience that is being put in the shop window. Rory Smith, Tariq Panja and Jonathan Wilson try to figure out how this been allowed to happen, as well as the long-term implications for football. P1: (05:42) P2: (35:54) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, is now live! Get on the bandwagon early, before broadsheet journalists start describing us as doing 'interesting things' at liberopodcast.com. --- From peace prizes to golden baubles, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made it his mission to shower the US president in praise and treasure, while in the process inserting himself into Donald Trump’s inner circle. As Trump directs a bombing campaign on Iran, John Brewin, Miguel Delaney and Tariq Panja ask whether Infantino’s personal ambitions risk irreparable harm to the beauty of the World Cup and football itself? P1: (00:28) P2: (33:15) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are still in the soft launch phase of ⁠SC Libero⁠, but getting on the bandwagon early will give you the chance to lock-in a pay-what-you-want price for an annual subscription until we figure out exactly what perks we give to members. Take advantage of us now at ⁠liberopodcast.com⁠. --- Thomas Tuchel was appointed to the England job with one clear aim: to win the 2026 World Cup. The question on today’s episode, with Jack Pitt-Brooke, Jonathan Wilson and John Brewin, is whether he is on the right track. Tuchel’s England were immaculate in qualifying but they lack depth, as they showed against Uruguay on Friday, and are as dependent on Harry Kane as ever. So can he do what Gareth Southgate could not? And what are the differences between the approach of the two men? P1: (09:37) P2: (27:51) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join SC Libero! Our members’ only offering is now live, in a soft way. We're starting you off with ad-free episodes, but a host of other benefits are in what we call 'the pipeline'. Sign up now at liberopodcast.com and you get to pay what you want, because we’re suckers. --- All of football’s great nations used to have their own distinctive styles. Brazil meant Jogo Bonito. Italy meant defensive grit. Germany were ruthlessly efficient, the Netherlands inspirationally artistic, and England stuck it where it belonged: in the mixer. But as football has globalised, have those individual styles started to disappear? In today’s Libero, Jonathan Wilson, James Horncastle and Rory Smith discuss where national football identity came from, what it represented, and whether it has disappeared. P1: (07:23) P2: (35:11) Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via [email protected] Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast.com Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi - Blue Dot Sessions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices