Episode 129 - Will Salah’s decline ruin Liverpool’s title hopes? + Does Hansi Flick need to change his tactics?

On this episode, Patrick and Ted begin with Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Chelsea. What’s going on with Mohamed Salah, can they replace Trent Alexander-Arnold's output and how much of this is on Arne Slot? Then, Barcelona’s defense collapses against Sevilla as Hansi Flick’s high press unravels. Are young stars being pushed too far in today's game? Finally, Frank Lampard’s Coventry City are flying at the top of the Championship, but is this the real deal or just a hot streak?

Plus: Manchester United regress to the mean, Spurs flirt with hope, and Ted announces his new role in women’s football.

Enjoy!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro:

00:34 – Liverpool’s slide continues: what’s wrong under Arne Slot?

01:08 – Salah’s dip in form & Trent’s absence felt everywhere

01:58 – Expected goals don’t tell the whole story

02:42 – Liverpool’s attack disappears after strong start

03:29 – Salah’s output vs. effort — should he defend more?

04:15 – Losing Trent’s passing lanes & creative control

05:10 – Szoboszlai, Wirtz & the missing playmaker debate

06:07 – Salah’s age curve and when to rotate your star

07:21 – Slot’s tactical growing pains vs. Klopp’s legacy

08:43 – Liverpool’s xGD and title race math

10:11 – Arsenal, City & Newcastle comparison

11:35 – Injuries piling up across top teams

12:21 – Barcelona’s 4–1 collapse at Sevilla

13:07 – Flick’s high press crumbles, xG tells the story

13:59 – Teenage stars overplayed, injections at 17

15:06 – Barça’s brittle midfield & tired defenders

16:22 – Why hybrid pressing models are failing

17:54 – Flick’s big challenge: adapt or persist?

18:40 – The “COVID generation” of chronically injured players

19:42 – Same minutes, higher intensity – fatigue crisis

20:37 – No summer breaks, endless tournaments

21:31 – Arteta’s “peak-speed” training & data-driven recovery

22:27 – Can player protection actually work?

23:12 – Leicester 15–16 lessons in high-intensity balance

23:54 – Coventry City under Lampard: from chaos to control

24:48 – Insane xG, one of the league’s best defences

25:39 – Lampard’s tactical maturity: less chaos, more structure

26:31 – Same squad, new identity

27:25 – Peak-age players driving the run

28:08 – Betting models underrating Coventry

28:52 – Why reps matter for young coaches

29:43 – Could Lampard get a big job again?

30:26 – Patrick’s early verdict on Lampard’s evolution

31:05 – Manchester United regression to the mean

32:19 – United vs. promoted sides: results fooling fans

33:14 – Cunha & Buemo’s overperformance collapse

34:06 – Bruno Fernandes & bad shot selection

36:02 – United look better, but not good enough

36:42 – Spurs creeping up the table again

37:20 – Villa grinding wins, Newcastle grinding harder

38:09 – Everton’s resurgence and Palace chaos

39:02 – Patrick’s soft spot for Everton

39:42 – Jack Grealish & emotional PL moments

40:19 – B-roll setup: Patreon, Man Down, and hair chat

41:08 – Halloween costumes & beard debates

42:31 – The horror of bearded men unbearded

43:52 – Beard trimmers, body vs. face guards

45:25 – Ted’s Copenhagen trip & secret projects

46:17 – Ted’s new Crux Football role announced

47:41 – Inside the women’s game: NDAs, strategy & growth

49:19 – Prize money, TV deals & tactical evolution

51:12 – Women’s football 100x smaller but rapidly growing

52:58 – Age curves, data gaps & scouting unknowns

54:42 – New audiences, sponsors & culture shifts

56:09 – Football as a vehicle for change

57:36 – Montpellier project & future ambitions

58:54 – Jobs in football