Essential Football

Alisson may have had cold feet in the 4-1 defeat by Manchester City on Super Sunday, but are Liverpool's excuses running thin? And has their decision-making off the pitch been poor this season? Jasper Taylor is joined by Gerard Brand and Ben Ransom to talk through the latest round of Premier League fixtures, as Manchester City put one hand on the trophy with a thumping win at Anfield (05:08). Would this be Pep Guardiola's best title? After Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea won for the third straight game, we asses how the German has changed the side's structure, as well as some praise for the underrated Mason Mount (25:15). In the Regional Review, James Cooper joins us to talk all things Manchester United (36:00): Is there any danger of David de Gea being dropped? And are they still targetting an attacker in the summer? And in part four, we look back on a nightmare week for Southampton, who conceded 12 goals in two games (49:04).

In this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher joins Peter Smith for an in-depth look at Sunday’s big clash between Liverpool and Man City. Carragher gives his verdict on whether Liverpool can recover in the title race after their defeat to Brighton – and what they will have to do to beat Man City in their must-win match at Anfield.

There’s no such thing as January blues at Manchester City as Pep Guardiola's side win nine out of nine, helped by the wall that is Ruben Dias. Has his impact been bigger than Virgil van Dijk's at Liverpool? In the latest Pitch to Post Review show, Jasper Taylor is joined by Kate Burlaga and Gerard Brand to discuss just that, as well as another goalless draw for Manchester United against a so-called big six side (20:05). Is their title tilt over before it began? And what is success for Arsenal this season? In part three we focus on Newcastle after their shock 2-0 win at Everton (33:39), masterminded by Graeme, sorry, Steve, erm... well, we figure out exactly who deserves the credit. And in part four we look back on a good week for Liverpool and a bad week for Jose Mourinho’s Spurs (43:51), plus the performers, performances and goals of the week.

In this week’s Pitch to Post Preview Podcast Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to look ahead to Arsenal’s big Saturday night clash with Manchester United, and gives his verdict on Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard – and why Man Utd slipped up against Sheffield United. We also get the inside story on Man City’s title pursuit from Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom, who explains how one City star has been transformed by Pep Guardiola’s methods this season. And Sky Sports feature writer Adam Bate reflects on Liverpool’s much-needed win at Tottenham – and the injuries sustained which could impact both sides. Plus he makes his Pitch for what will happen in the next round of Premier League games…

In a bumper Review show, the panel recover from spitting out their coffee on Monday morning to react to the news that Frank Lampard has lost his job as Chelsea manager. Where did it go wrong for Lampard? Did he lack experience? And what would replacement Thomas Tuchel bring? Jasper Taylor is joined by Roger Clarke, Gerard Brand and Mark McAdam for the latest Pitch to Post review, as we analyse all 20 Premier League clubs in the half-term review. In possibly the most bizarre Premier League season in history, which has seen eight different leaders, we cover every team from the rise of Ole’s United to the fall of Wilder’s. ||| Part one: Lampard reaction, Chelsea's season assessed (01:51) -- Part two: Man Utd, Liverpool, Leicester, Everton, West Ham and Aston Villa (18:24) -- Part three: Tottenham, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Newcastle (36:11) -- Part four: Southampton and Brighton with south coast reporter Mark McAdam (49:55) -- Part five: Man City, Arsenal, Burnley, Fulham, West Brom and Sheff Utd (59:51)

In the latest Pitch to Post Review show Jasper Taylor is joined by Gerard Brand and Ben Ransom to discuss Manchester City's win at Anfield, ahem, sorry, Liverpool's goalless draw with Manchester United at Anfield (01:54), which only had the team 30 miles away at the Etihad Stadium truly celebrating. Why are Liverpool misfiring? And are City rightly favourites for the title now? In part two we focus on Leeds after their third straight defeat (22:29), but are we too hard on Marcelo Bielsa's side? We're also joined by Adam Bate to discuss all things Midlands football, with a focus on Wolves' dip in form (35:48), and in part four we answer your Twitter questions (45:51), including: Why no offside flags? And should Liverpool be after an out-and-out striker?

In a special Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to Sunday’s blockbuster between Liverpool and Man Utd at Anfield. Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness joins Peter Smith to discuss the big match, including why the hosts will be wary of their rivals and which players must stand up and deliver for their side. We also get the latest team news and possible starting XIs from Sky Sports News reporters James Cooper and Vinny O’Connor, while football writer Lewis Jones – AKA Jones Knows – makes his Pitch for what will happen in the game.

This week on the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast we look ahead to the midweek Premier League games. Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News reporter James Cooper to discuss Man Utd’s title credentials, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side aiming to go clear at the top on Tuesday. Sky Sports football journalist Oliver Yew lifts the lid on Arsenal’s turnaround and makes his bold Pitch for Sheff Utd vs Newcastle. Plus, Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett has the latest on the impact coronavirus is having at Aston Villa, following the postponement of their game with Tottenham, tells the story of Louie Barry, and discusses Wolves vs Everton.

It's a New Year, it’s a new lockdown, but it’s the same entertaining, unpredictable, bizarre season. Jasper Taylor is joined by Nick Wright and Gerard Brand to analyse the winter period in the Premier League, as Manchester City brought themselves firmly into title reckoning with a statement victory at Chelsea, leaving Frank Lampard under pressure at Stamford Bridge (04:01). Arsenal have gone from crisis to relative calm after their young players helped them to three wins in a (Smith) Rowe, easing Mikel Arteta's concerns of facing the Saka (17:13). In the Regional Review, SSN reporter Vinny O'Connor talks all things Liverpool, as an underwhelming 10 days leaves them level on points with Man Utd at the top of the table, with their bitter rivals up next in the Premier League (31:36). Do they have a new defender up their sleeves for January? And in part four, Nick and Gerard run through their winners and losers over the Christmas and New Year period (47:53).

Manchester United are in contention having barely performed this season - how good could they be if they actually clicked? In the last Pitch to Post Review of 2020, Jasper Taylor is joined by Gerard Brand and Ben Ransom to discuss Manchester United's chaotic 6-2 win over Leeds, and whether in fact Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are title contenders (04:12). As for Leeds, we analyse Marcelo Bielsa's unapologetic style, and whether it can last (13:00). The shambles at Arsenal continues as they are beaten at Everton, and after Mikel Arteta channels his inner Rafa Benitez with a list of statistics, the panel provide some other damning metrics (16:47). In the Regional Review, Adam Bate discusses West Brom, Aston Villa and Wolves (32:59), and in part four we look at Tottenham's defeat by Leicester as Jose Mourinho was played at his own game to cap off a bad week (42:36).