Celestial Messi as Rafa awaits the Reds - a podcast by The Times

After an enthralling midweek of Champions League semi-finals, Natalie Sawyer and Gab Marcotti are joined by Henry Winter, George Caulkin and Bill Edgar to break it all down.

Liverpool play well and lose 3-0 at the Nou Camp, as Barcelona are inspired by Messi magic, inspiring Bill to get lost in Messi stats. How will we judge this Liverpool season if they end up without a trophy?

Standing in their way in the Premier League title race this Saturday is their old manager Rafa Benitez. To what extent will he feel conflicted? And will this be Benitez’s last home game in charge of Newcastle?

The other Champions League semi-final saw Spurs undone by Ajax in North London. But the major talking point surrounded the treatment of Jan Vertonghen’s concussion. With Mauricio Pochettino insisting they followed the protocol, is the protocol right and how should it be changed?

---

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Further episodes of The Game Football Podcast

Further podcasts by The Times

Website of The Times