Not even a liverpool fan, but I really enjoyed both pods this week. Paul knows his stuff and is great to listen to

Paul is such a legend. Always has a really insightful and level headed approach. Grateful that him and Chris represent our fan base so well online

Absolutely love Paul, really knows his stuff and always has a good laugh

Worth noting that Wataru Endo had been so good of late that he won Liverpool's player of the month in December 2023.

Here's Paul's rankings w/ timestamps for anyone interested 37) Naby Keïta - 0:41 36) Arthur Melo - 4:52 35) Ben Davies - 6:39 34) Ozan Kabak - 6:41 33) Steven Caulker - 9:41 32) Loris Karius - 11:54 31) Sepp Van den Berg - 14:52 30) Marko Grujic - 15:51 29) Dominic Solanke - 17:25 28) Ben Doak - 20:14 27) Fabio Carvalho - 21:41 26) Ryan Gravenberch - 23:37 25) Adrian - 27:05 24) Ragnar Klavan - 28:57 23) Wataru Endo - 33:37 22) Alexis Mac Allister - 33:46 21) Dominik Szoboszlai - 33:47 20) Stefan Bajcetic - 33:50 19) Cody Gakpo - 33:52 18) Darwin Nunez - 33:54 17) Takumi Minamino - 40:18 16) Kostas Tsimikas - 43:58 15) Ibrahima Konate - 44:38 14) Xherdan Shaqiri - 47:23 13) Harvey Elliott - 47:28 12) Thiago Alcantara - 51:48 11) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 55:48 10) Luis Diaz - 59:09 9) Diogo Jota - 1:01:39 8) Gini Wijnaldum - 1:05:05 7) Fabinho - 1:07:42 6) Joel Matip - 1:07:48 5) Andrew Robertson - 1:11:01 4) Sadio Mané - 1:15:03 3) Alisson Becker - 1:18:19 2) Virgil van Dijk - 1:22:10 1) Mohamed Salah - 1:24:51

I'll never forget Steve Caulker's assist to Joe Allen against Arsenal

Just goes to show you how great Alisson Becker is and the amount of examples which can be used to reinforce that when potentially his most epic moment in a LFC shirt was not even mentioned (but to be fair, it was not a feat of goalkeeping). His last minute winner vs. West Brom late into the 20/21 season to help secure CL football (shortly after losing his father) will be a memory I NEVER forget. Absolutely incredible.

Watching this a month after it was posted. It's so fascinating to see how a couple of these guys that Paul was on the fence about (and rightly so) have, in just one month's time, totally changed the narrative. The best example is Mac Allister. When this was filmed, Paul was dead-on; we hadn't seen the footballer we bought because he was played in a different role. Now, though? Whew... TOTALLY different scenario. He is such a baller and he has shown everyone what he is capable of as a 10. Brilliant player.

To have Naby below boys like Steven Calker and Artur is crazy. I know he didn’t live up to his hype but at least he contributed in games.

woah woah woah, we just sailed past matip!! Matip has been an incredible signing, possibly the best free transfer of all time, he's SO good one on one, and is so strong in the air, BIG goals, that smile as well, along with firmino one of the most likeable players we've ever had!

Jota didn't score a whole calendar year and yet he still scores a goal in every 2.68 games. Good signing indeed!

Naby Keita last is mental 😭😭

Just a thought I've had about Jota lately, he might genuinely be an abslolutely genius footballer. We always say this 'the ball just drops' thing about him but I genuinely think his timing and reading of the game and his ability to get himself into positions to make defenders uncomfortable is really really intelligent. Similiar with his pressing ability. It's like if roberto firmino wasn't an outrageously sexy footballer.

Keita cost a lot of money and was always injured , but when he played was usually decent enough

After Klopp's announcement that he's leaving, the timing of this video is uncanny...

Liverpool fan or not, you just have to love Paul. Just a sound guy through and through

I basically agree with the list but Naby bottom is harsh. Yes his injuries were frustrating and when he was fit he wasn’t always a star but like some of the others you had higher he still had his moments and contributed to some of our best times. He was the one who got the first goal when we spanked Utd 5-0 at Old Trafford and that alone puts him above guys who barely played or were just awful

I usually don’t watch these but Paul is absolutely amazing

You jinxed us with this pod

Keita in last position is a real strange one from Paul, the difference in narrative people have chosen between him and Ox are crazy considering they both contributed a similar amount and both were out injured a similar amount. Naby scored some real belters and was also in incredible form on the 21/22 quadruple run for us. MOTM against United at Old Trafford in a 5-0 win. Many have forgotten that it seems. Albeit a disappointing signing in the end but LAST PLACE?! Really unfair compared to other dross on the list.

This is one of those great memory lane, "Oh yeah, he was there for a bit..." videos. Like, did Caulker actually play for Liverpool or was that a fever dream I had?

In hindsight, I think the Konate signing was actually a masterstroke from us. I've actually been one of his biggest critics in that i always love it when he as a good game cos he looks unbelievable for us but there have been a few ocassions since his arrival where he's been a tad scruffy for a goal or smth like that and obviously his injury record is slightly worrying. However, the recruitment team deserve a lot of credit for bringing him in at a great fee, with his age profile and his potential and slowly integrating him into the side to the point where now he looks like a key man for our future

Klavan was 1,5 million signing, very few injuries and helped win quite a few important games.

Liverpools best 2 seasons of 19/20 and 21/22 was also the 2 seasons Naby played his most football and was a key part of our midfield in both them seasons. Yes he was expensive but nowhere near the worst signing.

Loved the podcast, very good list. Only one I’d change is konate as I do think he’s underrated should be a few places higher imo

I agree with Maych regarding Loris Karius. Good to see some humanity in the pundits, nothing else to add.

Not a Liverpool supporter but Paul was outstanding. He is really knowledgeable. Great guest, James!

Paul knows his stuff, redmen are one of the best fan channels out there

Karius was great leading up to the Final. Yes he lost us the final. But people forget he was immense in getting us there. Ontop of that it was proven after the game that the Ramos challenge on him gave him concussion, that happened prior to his mistakes within the game. He played the whole game with concussion.

The Keita/ Thiago conversation is the football equivalent to flirting vs harassment. Keita had 2 bad games in his Liverpool career. And they were both against Real Madrid. Big stages of course. The frustrating thing was his price tag and injury record. His actual performances in a Liverpool shirt, were amazing. Thinking back to whenever we played City or Chelsea and Klopp put him on Bernardo Silva and Kovacic and he shut them both out.Thiago is the exact same. Same injury record but he doesn’t get the criticism Keita does.

United fan here. Quality content this James, you occupy a space where either no one else does it or you just do it better. I’ve got time for Paul he’s a fan you want to chat to. Lovely stuff

This is honestly my dream duo……….well, in this context just to be clear, nothing weird.

I wish Paul would do these for other managers. That was an amazing listen. Great job both of you

Keita dead last in entire list While Ox is all the way up at 11 makes absolutely no sense... It's so bad that it's borderline a disqualifier altogether lol. If you want them both ranked lower, in the middle or higher, that's fine, but the gap between the two is completely inexcusable. Same position, same age in debut season, same problems with constant injuries. The money was not even that different, given Ox was 40 mil, they were on the same wages and both ended up leaving for free. If you want to bring up Ox's period before the first big injury, when his form was good + couple of big goals vs City, then you could easily do the same for Keita. During the first pandemic return to football, he was arguably Liverpool's best player in that period (An opinion Carragher also stated). He scored big goals in title races away at Newcastle and Soton along with memorable goals Vs Atletico, Palace, Chelsea and away at Old Trafford. He also averaged more appearances per season during his Liverpool tenure than Ox did. It's also not like we had loads of reports about him being a pogba-esque toxic Influence behind the scenes or anything, that impacted the club's performance. I'm fine with him being ranked below Ox, but the fact that one is up there amongst great names whilst the other is below the likes of Arthur Melo and Ben Davies is kinda disgusting tbh in terms of the level of disrespect lol. Davies was brought in out of panic, given 60k a week and literally never kicked a ball

Been thinking for ages Paul would be the perfect match for a podcast with you James. Just cause he puts thought and effort into his takes like yourself and will sit back and take others opinions. Cracking wee watch.

Karius at 32?! He was our number 1 keeper all through that great season where we got to the UCL final, then got concussed and made two mistakes in one game, which essentially ended his career at the top level. He's got a rough deal

I completely forgot that Bobby was signed under Brendan Rogers, considering how Jurgen transformed him into the complete false 9 or some would say “the most defensive striker in the world”.

Szoboszlai on position 21? Did you notice what kind of work he put down to the pitch for months. Almost the only one who was playing and staring in all pl games for long months while sometimes doing two mans jobs because someone was sent off. Of course he got tired and got injured. It was booked this will happen. Klopp knew as well, just couldn't afford to leave him sitting on the bench. Otherwise his numbers are still fucking solid.

Loved this, ‘dipping dry toast in water’ 😂

Damn this guy had some inside info that Klopp is going so made a tribute video

You definitely need to keep this format. Get similarly charming guys like Paul and do City’s Pep signings and Man Utd’s Ferguson signings(?)

Keita is way too overhated imo. Probably because of his last season naturally being what most people think of first. He was not a bad player for us at all, 21/22 (the season we nearly won the quad) was probably his best season and the season after was his worst. Too many injuries but he did have moments. Compared to most of our other signings he's clearly worse but compared to flops at other clubs he's no where near their worst. On a rating from A to F I'd probably put him in C or D

Somehow felt that everyone from 10-20 was ranked too high, honestly fair play to Liverpool for being as good as they have been without having too many super impactful signings

Paul and James, well done. James excellent balance to let Paul do his thing. Paul....I know you have notes, but, still, even so you know the players like the back your hand and express it so well. That is we I watch Red Men religiously. My life is better with you in it. Thanks to both of you.

Taking over is an understatement😅 whilst I enjoy Paul’s insight during Liverpool transfer windows you barely got a word in James!

Paul is so great. Love his channel and on 888sport. Very knowledgable. Really good mix with James too, as they’re both into doing these sort of things properly😊

Great to see Paul getting a back to the future reference in😂, great pod.

This was a great watch, cheers chaps!

Great video, only realised how long it was when it finished lol

Great colab guys

Elmo's WhenI'mliverpool video of that game against Burnley on boxing day is legendary. like the "Klavan-turn"

Without Big Shaq we don't beat Barcelona

Absolutely loved this! Paul’s quality!

Such a great pod!

As a Liverpool fan for 41yrs i love luiz diaz

Wow Paul from Maytchtv and redmen, the Liverpool OG showing why he's one of the greats.

Paul is such a legend. And you two are great together.

From the top 15, the players I really like are/were Elliott, Thiago, Diaz & Jota Elliott has a very bright future. A diamond, though younger than Grav, is already less in the rough than him. Thiago is absolutely elegant whenever he has time and fitness to play. One of the most exciting players to feast our eyes on but so unfortunate with injuries. Diaz was probably the most exciting January signing (apart from Suarez) who did wonders in his first 6 months at the club where we won several trophies and he was a great piece of the puzzle to help us get over the line. After those first 6 months, he’s been less exciting to watch. Much like Mané, he became less flashy and more efficient in his dribbling but he couldn’t be as prolific in front of goal as Mané. Many things have happened to him until now (season-long injury, dad’s kidnapping, etc.) but hoping everything goes well for him again. Undoubtedly an extremely hardworker but needs to score more as he was signed as an eventual replacement for Mané. Jota is our best finisher, no doubt. A very, very good striker of the ball though is capable of ghosting out of games when he’s being given more responsibility with the ball or not given service. He’s not a talismanic forward, he’s more of a kind of purple-patch forward. Lucky to have him as one of our forward options.

Takumi Minamino loooves a cup game haha. Hearing this brought back memories

Putting Keita as the worst is crazy. Whenever he was fit and playing, he performed relatively well considering that he never had good string of games. Okay his fee and expectations were high but if not for his injuries, he was very good player. Putting him behind the likes of Arthur, Caulker, Kabak, Ben Davies, Grujic etc. no way.

This felt like sorting my closet where you find an old shirt you bought 3 years ago and forgot about 😅

It seemed as if you were apologising ahead of time for the pod but this was one of your best. You could have a format moving forward. A lot of people really enjoy long format and in depth shows. i know I do. Great show James and Paul

Usually love your content and this was a fantastic episode! Love the humour of Scousers.

Great work 💪💯

Great Video! So right about Jota as well, if you'd one chance, hes your guy

Paul forgot to add a memory of Thiago bossing the whole match against Man U at anfield in that famous 4-nil

Paul is superb. So well spoken and knowledgeable and funny to boot

Don't know why James is so low on Gakpo. He is a winger being played as a 9 due to Nunez not being a real 9 or midfield due to a lack of creativity there or a system Klopp is trying to push in certain games. Gakpo getting consistent time on the left would finally show his talent.

Here after he just announced he’s leaving lol

Adrian is a weird one because yeah people really shit on him nowadays for being the worst player in the liverpool squad but as they said he was so solid during the title winning year but I remember when we lost 3 - 0 against watford that ended the unbeaten run where his confidence was basically smashed and I dont remember him having a good game after that

Ali in second for me but what made me laugh was the add that popped up when Paul was talking about him. All of a sudden I hear Alison talking about Peleton 😂 Thought it was a weird snippet for James to include in the Pod..

Ok, I'm quite surprised Minamino was ahead of Endo. For some reason Wataru has not earned the plaudits of all LFC fans however, I'm a massive fan. Knew only a little bit before he arrived but every game he got better and after getting a run of starts he proved to be one of our most valuable players. When considering what we paid and the fact we dodged the bullet that was Caicedo, this signing was a brilliant move.

Keita last is absolutely ridiculous.

Great list to review all signings ❤ 70% of the list were sound or brilliant…. show our recruitment team deserve big credit.

Fact that Naby Keita wasn’t even that bad of a signing, shows how good Klopp is in getting the best out of players.

love this duo do more vids w paul

As a LFC fan I can say that the Konate analysis is so accurate it's crazy

Paul's on tour. Seen him everywhere recently

Ibou is a brilliant CB. Great at 1 on 1s and drifting out wide to cover. Nobody will replace Matip though, bros dribbling out the back is legendary.

Podcast GOLD

Brilliant take on Karius fro Paul. I’ve only got YNWA mentality whenever he’s mentioned. Overwhelming sadness that evening. I feel like all Liverpool fans should share the negative vibes from that night 😩

Elite episode do more similar to this format

Watches this on Thursday 18th jan in the morning “James: salah never gets injured” Thursday 18th Jan night, salah goes off injured for Egypt. Thanks James

Nice stuff Paul great points made on pretty much all of the signings. I feel like Ox and Keita few similarities there between them, but yeah otherwise good points made. Gini, Matip, Fab in that core just behind the top 5 key under Klopp. Like the Pippen to Jordan analogy from James on Mane to Salah. Prefer Klay to Steph myself though for Warriors aha just off topic briefly

Paul making those great points about Adrian 👍👍

Shaqiri was a master stroke. Hed won trophies and is sort of a lucky player. Quality to bring on from the bench. Brilliant to have on training pitch

Thanks James, absolutely loved this

Darwin and Endo have been excellent this season.. Endo has been the best CDM out of all the signings this season and not just us the whole league

I feel like I watched a different Thiago career than everyone else. Obviously the injuries this year and last have been insanely frustrating but in his first season year he was absolutely crucial in champions league qualification and I would argue in the domestic double season he was out most important player. When he was out of the team played dramatically worse. I know the best ability is availability but I still feel he made great contributions to the club despite his injuries.

Think Naby being last is a bit harsh. Was quality when he managed to get fit with a run of games. Just unfortunate with injuries.

Fantastic video

Can't believe Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was that high on the list..

As already stated, time served is a critical factor in establishing this list. It will change as the seasons progress but without doubt it will be difficult for any player under Klopp that's currently there or yet to come to dislodge that top three of Alisson, Van Dijk and Salah. Those three would get into ANY team, any league and in ANY era.

I LOVE that Matip is appropriately appreciated!!!!

They forgot about Calvin Ramsay, signed from Aberdeen in 2022

First time I’ve seen a fellow scouser wear lyle & scott in like 10 years. 😂😂

Karius was a decent keeper leading up to that final & I’ll always appreciate that from him. He was clobbered by Ramos in that game & I think that affected him!

we need more Paul

"Just a footballer".... superb! 😂

I like these type of videos, would you do one with pep guardiola signings?