The GegenPod, presented by Optus Sport

Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges, Melanie McLaughlin and David Squires join David Weiner off the back of the intriguing Liverpool v Bayern Munich and Lyon v Barcelona UEFA Champions League encounters. Schwarzer joins the GegenPod after his night out at Anfield and explains the unusual atmosphere and sums up a delicately poised tie. He also looks at Liverpool's prospects and the mounting pressure and expectation: how will the fans react if Jurgen Klopp doesn't deliver silverware? The former Chelsea goalkeeper weighs in on the ongoing Maurizio Sarri situation, with a grim prediction for Blues supporters. Mel assesses the appointment of Ante Milicic to the Matildas post; former Leeds striker Bridges is furious with Leeds' punishment for 'Spy-gate' while The Guardian cartoonist Squires brings his inimitable sense of humour to the show, taking us on some unexpected tangents. As always, the show hits a wide range of topics in the football world: from Luis Suarez's form and Alexis Sanchez's demise; to rumours of a Saudi Sheikh buying Manchester United; Thibaut Courtois' insight into Gareth Bale's inability to fit into the Real Madrid dressing room and the very odd advert involving Ryan Giggs' brother.

Mark Schwarzer, Michael Bridges, Thomas Sorensen and Mel McLaughlin join David Weiner for a big edition of the GegenPod. Schwarzer, who was at Old Trafford for Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain, joined us on the line from Manchester for a full review of the Champions League clash, while the Socceroos legend, and McLaughlin, weigh in on the ongoing Alen Stajcic saga that has engulfed the local game and hit the headlines again after his emotional press conference earlier this week. Sergio Aguero and Manchester City's rampant form, Aaron Ramsey's eye watering salary at Juventus, the continued pressure on Maurizio Sarri, Paul Scholes' managerial debut, Paul Pogba's Ole Gunner Solskjaer renaissance, and a host of stories from Sorensen and Bridges' Premier League kitbag are among the other topics up for discussion, as well as Sorensen's view on compatriot Peter Schmeichel's headline making punditry about his son Kasper, and Leicester City.

Former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire; Scotland international, Premier League and Scottish Premier League midfielder Gavin Rae and Ashley Westwood, a former Manchester United graduate with over 400 appearances in English league football, join David Weiner for another episode of Optus Sport's GegenPod. After Liverpool's draw with West Ham, the panel look at the latest twist and turns in the Premier League title race, why Liverpool have dropped points, what will play the biggest factor in the race with Manchester City and whether or not Tottenham are a genuine part of that mix. There's an emotional, passionate reaction to the #SaveHakeem campaign, plus discussion on Marcus Rashford and Manchester United's future, Burnley's streak to escape relegation, Huddersfield's dire reality, Marek Hamsik's sudden Naples departure, Maurizio Sarri's tenure at Chelsea and a look ahead to the UEFA Champions League resuming next week. Jamie Maclaren's return home from Scotland to the A-League as well as Markus Babbel's comments about the hunger of his Western Sydney Wanderers players sparks an engaging conversation about the motivation and mentality of the modern footballer: is this a problem in Australia, or across the globe? There's also some great yarns from the trios' playing days - including the day one of our panelists thought they'd been dropped, joined their mates for a drink, then played 20 minutes in a Premier League game!

Join Richard Bayliss, David Weiner and Michelle Escobar for a thorough review of Deadline Day and the January Transfer Window. We run through all the headlines from the final 24 hours of the window - the winners, the losers and everything in between from the weird and wonderful world of transfer speculation. The Optus Sport football panel grade the work of the Premier League's top six, pick some of the highlights from elsewhere in Europe and gaze into the crystal ball at what might linger into the European summer's transfer gossip columns.

Top four or a Cup win? At the GegenPod, we're aiming for both, as former Socceroos Paul Okon and Luke Wilkshire join David Weiner and Richard Bayliss to chat about all the big football talking points, including Mauricio Pochettino's comments that 'trophies are good for the ego' but finishing in the top four is more important. The crew review Wednesday's Premier League action, headlined by Rafa Benitez masterminding Newcastle's upset win over Manchester City, while Manchester United came from behind to salvage a point in Ole Time at Old Trafford against Burnley. Lower down the table, Fulham enjoyed a stunning comeback win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Ivan Perisic to Arsenal, Maurizio Sarri's Gonzalo Higuain lifeline, Barcelona's signing of Frenkie de Jong and Lleyton Hewitt's spat with Gerard Pique are amongst the range of topics up for discussion, while Okon and Wilkshire share some fabulous anecdotes from their days under Terry Venables and Guus Hiddink. There's also a look back at the Socceroos' underwhelming Asian Cup campaign, and a nervous look into the crystal ball over the qualifying prospects for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Paul Okon, Luke Wilkshire and Richard Bayliss join David Weiner to dissect a tumultuous week in Australian football dominated by the sacking of Matildas boss Alen Stajcic five months from the World Cup, and the Socceroos' penalty shootout escape in the Asian Cup to reach the quarter finals. But we kick-off with a feel-good story, and hear from Nate Patrick, whose Twitter thread went viral across the planet; he tells us about a crazy 48 hours since posting a story about his parents meeting Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic and having their photo taken with them - and having absolutely no idea who they were. As always, there's much to talk about from abroad, and in the Premier League, headlined by Tottenham's injury woes, Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea power play and Jose Mourinho finally confirming the story of the day he hid in a laundry basket to sneak into the Chelsea dressing room while banned.

Dietmar Hamann, Michael Bridges and Max Rushden join David Weiner in a bumper edition of The GegenPod. Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Hamann gives his take on the thrilling Premier League title race between those two clubs, as the crew weigh in on David Wagner's departure from Huddersfield; Marcelo Bielsa-Frank Lampard and Spy-Gate after Leeds v Derby; Neil Warnock's Brexit tirade and Rio Ferdinand's polarising punditry on Newcastle United. The riveting and entertaining chat also includes former German international Hamann's love of cricket; Franck Ribery's controversial choice of gold-laced steak at Salt Bae's restaurant; debates sparked by David De Gea, Cesc Fabregas, Virgil van Dijk, Manchester United's top four prospects and more - even a very surprising reference to Aaron Mooy and Mitch Langerak.

Michael Bridges, Luke Wilkshire and Shane Smeltz join Richard Bayliss to chat the week's happenings in the football world. The return of the Premier League is headlined by the "Pochettin-off" between Spurs and United at Wembley and there's plenty to dissect from a dramatic week of cup football. There are big money moves, the usual January madness, a footballing legend holidaying with pigs and the small matter of the Socceroos at the Asian Cup. Plus, all the usual dribble!

Michael Bridges, Luke Wilkshire and Alen Stajcic join David Weiner after Friday's Premier League cracker between Manchester City and Liverpool. The panel dissect how Pep Guardiola's side prevailed 2-1, discuss the match's big talking points and ask: what does this mean for Jurgen Klopp's side and the title race? The blockbuster clash headlines this week's episode, but the crew also get stuck into Christian Pulisic's headline move to Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund, the Socceroos' prospects at the Asian Cup, the latest bites out of the transfer market and what it is like living through it as a player, as well as a raft of Premier League hot topics including from the future of Sarri-ball to what happens to Aaron Mooy if Huddersfield go down.

Liverpool go six points clear of Manchester City, as Spurs sit second: Michael Bridges, David Squires and Kate Cohen join David Weiner to wrap up a dramatic week in the world of football as the festive fixtures pile up thick and fast. As questions get asked of Pep Guardiola's side's credentials, and whether Liverpool have the ability to retain their lead, Bridgey also recalls the time he topped the Premier League at Christmas with Leeds - and what Jurgen Klopp's side can learn from that capitulation. The crew also chat about the dramatically different mood at Old Trafford; Chris Sutton's controversial statements on the Socceroos, Asian Cup, Tom Rogic and Celtic-Rangers; Mauricio Pochettino's future and much more, including a few predictions for the new year. The next episode will go live after the Premier League blockbuster on Friday 4 January AEDT between Manchester City and Liverpool, live and exclusive on Optus Sport.

Jose Mourinho, sacked. The Guardian's David Squires, Local FC's Chad Gibson and 2008 FA Cup finalist Gavin Rae join David Weiner for an in-depth reaction to the overnight breaking news out of Manchester United. Why now, who next, what is actually wrong with Manchester United and how will the football world remember Jose Mourinho's time in the Premier League? There's lots more to talk about too, including the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw, the Socceroos without Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic's profile in Scotland, Jesse Lingard and his clothing brand, and much more, including the strangest - or smelliest - fan mail our guests have received.

Thomas Sorensen and Michael Bridges join David Weiner and Richard Bayliss for episode four of The GegenPod. Discussion kicks off with the UEFA Champions League: Liverpool's epic climax with Napoli, Tottenham's miracle qualification and early tips for the title, and teams to fear. Bridgey and Thomas bring with them a stack of stories from their days in the game, including their experiences at Anfield, in relegation battles, rooming with James Milner and playing at Camp Nou - and firing up Rivaldo in the process. Amongst a range of other talking points, the team debate the impact of Raheem Sterling's social media post, question Romelu Lukaku's 'bulking up' excuse, and look towards Manchester City v Everton and Liverpool v Manchester United on the weekend.

Matildas special: A GegenPod extra, thanks to Alen Stajcic previewing the Women's World Cup draw, outlining the plans for his trip to Paris and the next six months, how he will manage expectations and challenges, runs through the squad's depth and what he has learnt from previous international tournament campaigns, while Matildas scout Kate Cohen explains what she's learnt since trading a role in the media for a role on the inside. The pair joined Optus Sport for episode 3 of our new podcast, which features even more Matildas and Womens World Cup content. You can also listen to that in our podcast feed.

Alen Stajcic joins David Weiner, David Squires and Kate Cohen for the third episode of The GegenPod, before the Matildas boss leaves for Paris for the Womens World Cup draw. On the menu this week, is: •Premier League mid-week review: How Unai Emery seems to be succeeding at Arsenal after Arsene Wenger where Manchester United failed after Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool's development and how long can they keep pace with Manchester City? Is Chelsea's place in the top four now precarious? Inside the mind of Guardian cartoonist David Squires as he prepares his narrative. •The Ballon d'Or twerking controversy, Sam Kerr and Lionel Messi's fifth placed finish, Luka Modric's victory, and the legitimacy or otherwise of awards season. •The Matildas: the countdown to the World Cup Draw, how are preparations tracking and what are the biggest hurdles the group face ahead of 2019? The full version of this Matildas chat will be released on Friday, or is available at sport.optus.com.au. •Other topics discussed include: Boca v River in Madrid, the challenge balancing local v foreign talent in the A-League and Premier League, the most random player in your all-time XI, random acts of crazy fandom, Mark Hughes extraordinary payout and David gets confronted by one of the subjects of his cartoon. Sort of.

After the drama of the Copa Libertadores final, former Premier League striker Michael Bridges reveals what it is like to be on a bus under attack from over zealous fans from his playing days. He joins David Weiner, Mel McLaughlin, Chad Gibson and Richard Bayliss for the second edition of our new podcast, The GegenPod, for a mid-week chat about all things football - headlined by Jose Mourinho and Manchester United, also including a dive into the bizarre world of Diego Maradona.