Mac Allister's 35 Million Deal: Breaking Down LFC's Latest Signing with Dom from The Road End Podcast

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:10

Hi everyone. I'm welcome to the Liverpool Connection podcast. I am your host, daza, for today, and we got a lot to talk about in a short space of time And great news waking up this morning. But my guest today is one of my top five podcasts, as well as a few others. But it's great to have Dom on He's from the Road End podcast. Please go check it out. He's had such great guests. What's great about it is it comes from the heart, it's stories that most people won't know about And it's guests that you wouldn't normally have on a pod, which makes it even better. So, dom, welcome first time on the pod for us. I know we've been going back and forth for a long time And it's great to have you on, mate.

Speaker 2: 1:11

That's good to be here, daza. Thanks for asking me, mate.

Speaker 1: 1:14

And it's so good to see the success that you're getting as well. And then you're on the telly now.

Speaker 2: 1:21

I know that was a bit of the blue, to be honest. I just got an email asking me if I'm fancied interviewing for something. I was like, yeah, no problem, but I don't know what it is. And they were saying, well, i've got to sign an NDA before it discloses anything. And here interviews and then turns out they've got the role to be the LFC face of William Hill, so big betting company in England, in the UK. Let's just see how far it goes, i guess.

Speaker 1: 1:47

Yeah, i wonder if Tony's put a few quids on you, naughty boy. But anyways, well, the great news this morning. I mean, obviously I'm six hours behind you, so you got the news first of Alexi McAllister. The medical was last night. Everyone was like why is they doing a medical in the nighttime? Who cares? Who cares Medical is? it was done. And then the price 35 million. I mean that's pulled everybody's keks down.

Speaker 2: 2:25

Oh yeah, definitely, Because I was a bit. I put this out on Twitter I was a bit worried when I seen 65 to 70 million, Not because I don't think he's a good player, just because I think that would be a big chunk of the budget, because we know what it's like at Liverpool. So when I seen 35 million from Fabrizio Romano this morning wow, an early at the day, 35 million for a well-coupled winner and a proven Premier League midfielder, It's a fantastic piece of business And you know, I can't wait to see him in a red shirt.

Speaker 1: 2:57

Yeah, well, I mean, I'm seeing also, I think it's 100K week, which is mad as well, I mean. And then you look at, like Mount, who looks like he probably got United for 70 plus million And he's asking I'm seeing 200 to 250K. I mean it's the overpriced British player, inflation to me.

Speaker 2: 3:24

I don't understand. Yeah, sorry for talking over there. I just don't understand the British mentality, to be honest with you, because yet Mount is a decent player, but I'd say that's as best as he goes. He does have a lot of potential as well. But if he can't get into a struggling Chelsea side, how's he going to get into a back in form of a bull side? 70 million and 200 grand a week? Not for me.

Speaker 1: 3:51

Yeah, exactly, and I think the same goes for, you know, rice is a damn good player, but I mean what? what West and West Ham, you know, should should be asking that that amount. You know he is their best player, but I mean to pay the English tax of 100 plus for ice as well. I mean, i think he's a London boy through and through, so I think he's going to either go to Chelsea or Arsenal anyways. So you know he doesn't want to come down. You know Northwest and hang out with Scouts. So, yeah, i think we've we've got an amazing deal with McAllister And it's just great. You know, you know how Twitter is and it's very toxic these days And you still have some miserable bastards on there this morning just going. You know you're 35 mil, but you know he's not proven and he's all day. So I'm like, well, he is proven in the Prem, which which is a big plus for us as well, because we now know he can go straight in the team, can't he?

Speaker 2: 4:56

Yeah, like you said, you'll never please everyone, But I suppose I think the benchmark was due to Bellingham. That's not happening now. So whoever was to come in next was going to take a little bit of stick. I think they would have had more pressure on the player and the club if we did pay 70 million notes. So 35 million for me it gives the player and the club is the pressure on both of the expectations.

Speaker 2: 5:20

To me He's a crack and player. We've seen it. Don't get me wrong. I haven't seen much of him before the World Cup. I'm not going to preach that I did, because I never. But then in the World Cup, and then afterwards you think and he's a player, he is a player and he's the link between the field and the forward line And we've really struggled with that position for a few years now. The last player I think done that was probably Catino Tiago. In spells when he's fit Elliott at a push. But yeah, he's got the capability to do and reach the heights whenever he wants Defensive mid the six, eight, 10, he's got everything. So you know, could lock term. I can't wait to see him in the Liverpool Shared. He's just, I'm just excited by it.

Speaker 1: 6:05

Yeah, that's the thing. You know we haven't had many goals from midfield. I think we've been missing that, you know. Yeah, it's great Kind of rely on the front three, but you know, to last season and the season before we had a front three that would score goals. You know, this past season it's been almost, hasn't it. So you can't really rely on more every single match. So it's good to bring in midfielder that can get some goals, you know.

Speaker 1: 6:35

And, like you said, with Tiago I love Tiago, i do. I think he's, you know he's mustered, but the problem is he can only seem to play 20 games a season. You know he's our and I hate using that word, though our luxury player. He really is, you know. but with McAllister he can play quite a few positions, which is really going to help us. And you know I still can't get over this 35 mil. I think I'll never get over it because you know the budget has been said. You know it's maybe 150, it might be 200. We never know, it might be 250, 300, but we're just spending it wisely. And you know whether you're FSG in or out, you've got to say this is a bit of smart business And it's. Julian Ward has been working on this. You know it's not the new fella that's just come in for the week And he's, you know, all of a sudden he's, like you know, got a touch of gold. Julian Ward must have been working on this like probably for the last at least six months, i would say.

Speaker 2: 7:45

Yeah, i don't feel like it's as quick a turn around as what we all think. I think the only reason we've wrapped it up so quick is due to the fee and the interest from elsewhere. Klopp's clearly spoke to him And you know, if Klopp asks you to sign for him and wear your heart on your sleeve for him, you're going to run through walls, you're going to do it. It's a massive sign And for me it's a massive sign. I'm going to show a fee. It's such a bizarre transfer, it's an excitement, and you're thinking why is it only that much? But obviously he's agreed this before the World Cup in his contract.

Speaker 2: 8:17

So, yeah, i think he was always an eye on him. Of course there was, and you know there's no fire without smoke or smoke without fire. Whatever you want to say on that, it was definitely something that's been there for a long time. I just can't see Liverpool wanting to, let's say, prioritise a signing if it's not the one they want. You just clearly too much And you know, like you've said there, 35 million, hopefully, that's a drop in the ocean of what we do or what we are going to spend, because it's neither And FFG and all that. Like you say smart business is good business. So whether you look at them and you say they're tight, or whether you look at them and say they're not spending enough, i don't care if the player fits. What we need spend, what you have to spend.

Speaker 1: 9:06

Yeah, i mean, and I think we're all grateful for Klopp, because obviously these young players they want to play in Champions League, and McAllister could have gone to United, could have gone to Arsenal, could have gone to City, but we're playing in Europa League and obviously Klopp has sold him on the project, which I don't think it's a massive rebuild that we need, because I think the last 10 games we showed what we're all about. Really It was a bad start to the season. The World Cup every other team faced the same problems The World Cups in the middle, so many matches. But for us, i think we were just knackered from last season mentally and physically. And I've said it before, i just think we look at these players as superhuman beings and not as just human like ourselves, and we look at them a bit like robots And I can't imagine playing 63 games And you know you're so close to winning everything, you're mentally and physically drained.

Speaker 2: 10:18

Yeah, i think with Liverpool as well, though it's people just think it's 60 or games, and people used to do that in the 70s and 80s. Well, you've also got to look at the intensity that we train as well, because they're like some man city, they're a different team, they're a different philosophy, they're a different style of play. So they can keep hold of the ball for 90 minutes. They might not score. they might score five. They don't have to do much running. Liverpool's style and the whole thing about the air and glob has been intensity. So the training, the matches, the pressure, it all comes into one And the season starts up. bad, finished on a good note, just short, but we finished where we deserve to finish. in the end We didn't deserve to afford, in my opinion, regardless.

Speaker 2: 11:00

So, yeah, there's a lot more than just a hangover. People have got to remember that. he gets them in and he gets them in twice a day. He gets them run through walls. you know they buy in it, they buy into this And you know a lot talk about him out at certain times of last season, last season just gone from absolute lunatics. I would rather sell my house and live on the streets than you had. I've got that honestly.

Speaker 1: 11:29

Well, it's one of those, isn't it? You'd rather some of these players go before a club.

Speaker 2: 11:34

Most of them mate other than Salah and Alisson.

Speaker 1: 11:37

Yeah, i just didn't understand. Like it's just, i think it's the different kind of I class, like the supporters. And then there's fans. Yeah, you know not necessarily when supporters need to go to the match, but you know they'll run through walls, they'll just do as the players do. You know they'll give them the understand clop and you know things need to change, while fans are just fickle. You know, i mean people like yeah, saying clop out and all this. I mean I'm like give you that a wobble, like you know. I mean, let's say, in six months' time we're nowhere near the top. You know questions will be asked, obviously. I mean clop has to be criticised for the season as well. He thought we didn't need a midfielder. you know, tactically, i think he got some stuff wrong. Yeah, of course, criticise, but I mean when you go, you know, get rid of him. For who, exactly? Who's good enough? I mean you can say Guardiola, but again, guardiola, if you don't have a massive chat book, he's not coming.

Speaker 2: 12:51

He's not working on the FSG, mate No.

Speaker 1: 12:54

I'd rather have somebody like clop, just heart and soul. But you know, like we all know, he gets Liverpool, he gets Liverpool Football Club, he gets Scousers, he gets the City and that's what I love. And you know, i hope I believe there's at least two more starters coming in and then I would say one or two squad players.

Speaker 2: 13:17

Yeah, i agree, the Chiram and the Cone Idale seem to be making a bit of noise and their friends, their French players together. There's a little bit of noise there. So who knows? But I can only see one. If I'm being honest, i can't see two coming in. I don't know why. I just think the bigger picture of the Baichetage, the Harvey Elliott, the Curtis Jones, as, let's say, i just can't see us going for an extra two. I could be wrong and one of them could be out the door. I don't know.

Speaker 2: 13:52

But a defensive cover would be happy for me because I feel as though, can I say, he tends to get an injury from time to time, which scares me because I think without him in the side and extra verge we do struggle. Gomez and Matta just don't seem to be at that level anymore And obviously we need cover on the right-hand side. But depending on what Trent does, once we know what Trent does, i think we know where our summer goes, because if he's moving into the field, i can guarantee it, it's one sign. But if he's staying in that inverted fullback, there's got to be a fullback slash right-hand side centre back coming in. So it's interesting. But I feel like this summer relies on where does Trent end up?

Speaker 1: 14:34

I just think that Trent's going to play a couple of positions. It just depends tactically. But we've also I don't think we thought about it we still got Ramsey, kind of Bradley's back. Are we going to use those as right back? And even Gomez? that's the thing. I can't just Gomez as a centre back anymore, i just can't as a right back. Yeah, you know, maybe in Europa, maybe in League Cup, fa Cup, early rounds, i would play Gomez. You know, push Trent up. But I'm with you as well. It all depends on you know where Trent's going to eventually like land, and I think Klopp's just going to, you know, tactically is going to probably just go all right.

Speaker 1: 15:25

For this match we need a Trent, you know, a Roman Trent. For this match we need, you know, a right back that can just defend. I mean not that Trent can't defend, he can. We've seen it. Is he the best defender in the world? No, but he can defend. So I just think he gets shortchanged a bit. But you know I wasn't looking forward to, i was done with the season, as a lot of people. You know, i didn't want to talk about Liverpool. It's hard not to talk about Liverpool when you have a podcast, but you just wanted the season to end. And now, now with McAllister, i'm kind of getting me, you know, mojo back. I'm like, ah right, this is sound like. I like this because I feel like another sign is about to happen as well.

Speaker 2: 16:14

Yeah, it does, it does. It feels like we want it done early for preseason And I prefer that. None of this nonsense of stretching out until deadline. I can't stand deadline. It's the biggest force in football And I feel like the only reason you should be buying some of that deadline is because you're panicking.

Speaker 2: 16:33

Liverpool need to get these targets in early, need to give us a good preseason And then we can see where we're going into the season. Like I said, none of this late in the window nonsense. Let's just get them in. Get them in, get them used to our style, play quite early and let's have a good season, because the McAllister one seems to. Yeah, it's just give me a big bit of pick up the backside. As you know, like you've just said, it's a difficult season. But you know the signs were there The last 10 games, george seven, george three lost one, seven. Please, guys don't know who we're talking to. So you know there's promising signs for next season. I think it was important going into the summer that you had that sign as well. If we'd have had them up and down draws, losses and wins in consistency going into the summer, i'd be worried about next season. But we got our mojo back. The summer is there, the science coming in, a bit of deadwood's gone out, you know, with all respect, and I'm looking forward to it.

Speaker 1: 17:29

Yeah, me too. You know, hopefully we can book that a hotel in Dublin, you know, i've thought about this as well And I'm like, because United will be out of the Champions League, believe me, imagine us playing United in Dublin for the Euro final Scares me that. Yeah, i'd still book me to get, though.

Speaker 2: 17:53

Yeah, i think it'd be a big line of swimmers from Liverpool across the first day. I'm being honest with you, because how are you going to get a flight or a boat to there? God, you're going to have to find them.

Speaker 1: 18:04

Yeah, exactly, i'd love it Dingy, everything. I mean just like the last one. you know, in Paris, people going on dingies and stuff is mental. But yeah, this is really pumped me up a bit. I didn't. I don't think a lot of people really saw this coming for the price and stuff. And I think the same on these other players. I mean Grave Birch has been mentioned as well Always, you know smoke screens with Liverpool And that's how I, like you know how we operate.

Speaker 1: 18:42

I mean we did it with Fabinho and same thing, you know, canute. It's just, i just love how we do business. I mean, i know there's lots out there. just throw money at players. just throw money at players and bring them again. Like you're missing the whole point of what this like club is about. you know will never be like City, will never be like Newcastle, will be like Liverpool run. You know, because I city for me 115 plus allegations against them, you know can only go round and caught so many years. Sustainability will not be much. I think, while Liverpool you do it the right way, we'll still be at the top in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 years, you know, and it's just, it's just sad to see like when you listen to people just going we need to act like city, put our big boy pants on. I'm like you, just. you just don't get the club. You don't get the club that I support. You just don't.

Speaker 2: 19:53

That's it. Liverpool has been known to be culture, full of culture and fans as well. So the fans pretty much run the club in a way, in the nicest way possible. The last thing we'd like to see is an investment or capital coming and take over and just splash money everywhere, because in hindsight that's great, we can all do that on football manager. But in reality, look at Chelsea, the Attei Coons coming, it's over, splash this checkbook, look how big my balls are And it's got them nowhere. So you know, shrewd, good, solid business is what we need and invest them for the future. So, like you said, the Canata is the McAllister's. You've got Trent Kersis, jones, helaher who knows where he could be in the summer Darwin Gakpo There's plenty to be excited about. So do it the right way, build again for the future. We know this is a building process And if anyone's going to get it right, it's going to be club.

Speaker 1: 20:53

Yeah, exactly, hit the nail on the head. Well, i know you need to go soon. Anything, i know you've got season three coming up, which I'm looking forward to. Any hints? Or you keep the bombs the word.

Speaker 2: 21:13

No, it's fine to drop hints. I've got no problem in that. I've got one of my favourite probably actors, writers of all time, to be honest in season three from Phoenix Knights. That'll be a massive hint and everybody will know that is eventually. So I couldn't believe I got it. People might think him, but for me it's who I grew up watching and listening to and he's an absolute hero. I've got somebody from I'm going to bring this one out with no problem at all. I've got someone from the Hillsborough Survivors Alliance.

Speaker 2: 21:50

The reason I brought them in is because of everything that's gone on, obviously, with the Shades at United, which I don't really want to talk about in terms of what a gobsite. I've got them in because I feel like I want to get the message out there that it's not just to talk about the football club. It's about everything what the football club stands for and the models that we've got as Liverpool fans and as a city and as people. That needs to get out there as well. So I feel like that's going to be a big, important message that I send out and, like I said, it's not just about oh, we play for Liverpool, he's amazing and let's talk about his career. I like to get these people in to talk about why they are where they are. So it's going to be exciting. I'm still getting guests together, but my first few are pretty much done, so fingers crossed.

Speaker 1: 22:41

Yeah, it's always like I had a Hillsborough survivor on. I mean, i had Adam, few, few mates that went and one didn't come back And it's really hard to listen to them. But it's something that needs to be, you know, kept on saying I mean, you know the chanting that's been going on more and more is just disgusting. You know I'm not going to give the more on the time of day the United, as you say, gobshite, But it needs to be discussed because the younger generation don't really know much about it. You know, maybe they're sad.

Speaker 2: 23:23

So this is why I brought them on. I just feel like you know this needs to be education. Now there's people need to hear it. Whether you like it or not, you need to hear it. You need to hear why it happens, what happened, the truth, and you need to understand that this can't happen again. So keep bringing this out, keep this fresh, keep this going in generations and make them understand what happened that day and why did it happen and why we had in this nonsense weekend weekend. But just so you know I'm not sure if you do know this from next season hey chance will be prosecuted, so the police have every right to charge these people. It will be a law. So that can only be good. Hopefully we have less of it next season And you know, with less to go on down, i'm quite happy because they were the one of the worst.

Speaker 1: 24:08

Yeah, i just didn't understand that because you know our away supporters brought stuff from the food banks to Leicester, you know, and they have the audacity to like mouth off. But yeah, enough of that. But I'm really happy with how well you're doing, mate. I'm like a big brother, so to speak, because you know I started my pod because of my grandad And I know you started yours because of you. Know you lost your brother And I'll probably bring you back on, you know, to tell your story as well, because that's what it's about. You know, and, like you said, yeah, i mean, i'm sure to bits that I get former players on, but I'm more sure to bits when I get, you know, joe Schmo on, who has this incredible story. Like you know, he went to Rome in 77. And you're just, like you know, wow, like the, just the story of them getting there and everything. Or you know you have a steward that's worked at Liverpool for years And you know it's just the stories that make it, isn't it?

Speaker 2: 25:23

Yeah, yeah, i'm more than happy to be on to do that, mate. Everyone has a starting point, and my starting point was unfortunately due to the loss of my brother, so I needed to do something to turn my life around and to make sure I was on the right path. And this is where wonders make this. I wouldn't call it a distraction, say it was something that just brought a positive out of a negative situation. So more than happy to do that whenever.

Speaker 1: 25:48

Nice one. Well, please go check out Dom's The Road and podcast. Season one, season two and season three will be coming up. When's the new one out?

Speaker 2: 26:00

to be confirmed July.

Speaker 1: 26:03

Oh, so you're taking a nice little, nice A couple of weeks off.

Speaker 2: 26:06

I'm going to schedule them for when I'm on holiday so that they can be released when I'm away, so I can just chill on holiday then.

Speaker 1: 26:12

Yeah, see, that's, that's good You need. Like I told you, you just need a couple of weeks off. I mean, for me this just keeps me going, especially with the kids at home. Now I'm just like I need the podcast Keep, keep my sanity. So yeah, again, please go check out the Road End podcast. And just boss news this morning about Macalester 35 mil Cullin of Aspera, early Christmas presents. So thanks for listening and until next time we'll see you later.