EP. 398 | That Liverpool Legends Episode: Thiago, Reina & Rush - “Modern Players Are Over-Coached”
On this week’s episode of the Peter Crouch Podcast, it’s a full-blown Liverpool legends special as Crouchy parks up in the iconic Liverpool Sky Bar for a series of unforgettable chats with some of the biggest names in football.First up, Thiago Alcântara — former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool midfielder — breaks down the art of controlling a game, reveals why modern football might be over-coached, and names the greatest players he’s shared a pitch with, including Andrés Iniesta and Bobby Firmino. His insight into tempo, creativity, and football intelligence is as sharp as you’d expect from one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation.Next, Liverpool cult hero Pepe Reina joins the lads to reflect on his incredible Anfield career, from Golden Glove dominance to dressing room culture. Now a coach, Reina shares what it really takes to build team spirit, adapt to new environments, and why Liverpool’s atmosphere is unlike anything else in football.We also hear from Matt Parish, Director of the LFC Foundation, who lifts the lid on the staggering impact the club is having off the pitch — supporting tens of thousands of people, tackling inequality, and raising over £1 million through the legends match alone.Finally, Liverpool’s all-time top scorer and Welsh icon Ian Rush sits down to talk legacy, goal scoring records, and why the Premier League era has changed how greatness is remembered. From Salah comparisons to global fandom, Rush gives a fascinating perspective on what it means to represent Liverpool.Back in the studio, the lads react to the chats, all hell breaks loose in the Paddy Power predictions with the introduction of “Chaos Cards,” and they somehow manage to circle it all back to omelettes, shin pads, and classic Crouchy nonsense…Chumbawamba00:00 - Holiday catch-up & elite omelette appreciation02:04 - Wine tasting nonsense & restaurant rituals04:12 - Easter break, golf & beach football recap05:06 - Giffgaff chaos & becoming “the brand”06:17 - 5-a-side tournament idea: settling debates once and for all07:12 - Massive episode preview: Liverpool legends lineup08:09 - Shin pad debate heats up again09:18 - Testing “ultimate shin pads” idea10:08 - Taking kicks for science?!11:11 - Thiago interview begins12:02 - Comparing Liverpool to Europe’s elite clubs13:01 - How Thiago controls tempo in games14:27 - Coaching vs freedom in modern football16:03 - Thiago names best players he’s played with17:15 - Why Firmino is so underrated18:48 - Spain’s chances & international football chat19:31 - Shin pads gift moment with Thiago20:24 - Pepe Reina interview begins21:12 - Reina’s brutal first impression of Liverpool weather22:18 - Building dressing room culture & respect23:49 - Greatest Liverpool memories & atmosphere25:14 - Golden Glove dominance explained26:06 - Falling short of the Premier League title27:47 - Life after football: Reina the coach29:11 - Shin pads return (again!)30:22 - Matt Parish interview begins31:04 - Selling out 60,000 for legends games31:37 - LFC Foundation’s mission explained32:07 - Tackling inequality through football33:21 - £1M fundraising impact revealed35:10 - Ian Rush interview begins35:50 - Premier League era vs old records37:00 - Where Rush ranks among the greats38:12 - Global size of Liverpool fanbase39:01 - Salah comparisons & goal scoring legacy43:18 - Back to the studio: debrief begins45:00 - Reactions to Thiago, Reina & Rush48:32 - Chaos Cards introduced52:00 - Paddy Power predictions chaos55:28- Final thoughts & listener shoutouts01:02:02 - Wrapping up the madness with banana bread…For more Peter Crouch: Twitter - https://twitter.com/petercrouch Therapy Crouch - https://www.youtube.com/@thetherapycrouch For more Chris Stark Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chris_StarkInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisstark/For more Steve Sidwell Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjsidwell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stevesidwell14 #PeterCrouch #ThatPeterCrouchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
