Episode 1031: Klopp’s Beatles, Russian Paste, PL Power, Pep’s Derby Smokescreen, PSG Haters

Spartak Moscow took the sort of historic hammering at Anfield that makes you fear for how horribly wrong things could go for Russia in next year’s World Cup. Chairman of the 2018 World Cup Local Organising Committee, Vitaly Mutko, has a lot of organising to do: luckily his lifetime ban from Olympic sport means he has more time on his hands to get to work.

Wednesday 6th December 2017 – the night that broke all kinds of Champions League records #UCL pic.twitter.com/lpTHcfWhpm

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 7, 2017

Meanwhile Jose Mourinho has held aloft the trusty sword of truth ahead of Sunday’s derby against crafty Catalan schemer Pep Guardiola. Pep’s efforts to create a smokescreen around David Silva’s injury are literally laughable, but suffering their first defeat of the season immediately before the first test against their closest title rivals is no joke.

United have the history, but in terms of the here and now, City hold the balance of power in Manchester https://t.co/skSi5kGG2Y

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 7, 2017

We are joined on the line by Raphael Honigstein and Miguel Delaney to look back on the big game of the week, Bayern’s 3-1 defeat of favourites PSG. Are Bayern on the way back under Heynckes? Why have the Parisians aroused such animosity around Europe? And can any of them stand up to the resurgent challenge coming from the Premier League?

Thomas Muller was not pleased with the press talking up PSG, and let them know about it after his side beat them 3-1.

"We are still Bayern" pic.twitter.com/gY6IbFiHLc

— Goal (@goal) December 6, 2017

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Gaelic Football-playing nuns, US Murph showering us with gifts and Russia getting banned all featured on today's pod ????????? – https://t.co/y3ogvWe0yl pic.twitter.com/3leZXD1EIp

— Second Captains (@SecondCaptains) December 6, 2017