TALES FROM THE "MIXED ZONE"

Sounds scary, right?

Here's an excerpt from my latest TribLive.com column:

I wasn’t a ticket-buyer [when Liverpool FC played Sunderland AFC at Nashville's Geodis Park on Saturday]. I was a freeloading media parasite, as I am wont to do when opportunity presents.

As such, I was privy to the post-game interview process, which is a bit different than that of North American sports leagues.

No locker-room access.

No press conference.

Instead, there’s something called the “mixed zone.”

The “mixed zone” is the path from field to locker room, with barricades separating the players and coaches from us media wretches. Players and coaches can either stop and talk, or not.

Most opt for not.

In his nine years with Liverpool, departed superstar Mohamed Salah indulged the “mixed zone” four times.

Cooperation was minimal at Nashville.

But, at the behest of go-betweens, we got Liverpool players Federico Chiesa and Kieran Morrison, as well as Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris and player Daniel Ballard.

We also got a run-through from pro wrestler Sheamus, a die-hard Liverpool fan.

Morrison and Chiesa had each scored. Morrison, 19, is a talented prospect from Northern Ireland who won’t see much playing time this year. Chiesa, 28, is a player of pedigree (51 caps for Italy) who got underused during his prior two seasons at Liverpool.

Neither offered anything profound. So, the “mixed zone” lived up to what’s expected in North America.

To read more, click HERE.

I spoke to a young lady from Norway who was there covering Liverpool. Like most European journalists, she knows nothing besides the "mixed zone."

I told her I covered hockey, and the Penguins.

Her: "Have you talked to Sidney Crosby?"

Me: "Sure. Hundreds of times. After games. He's been on my radio show dozens of times, too."

Her (amazed): "Really? They let you do that?"

Me: "Yeah. We get much more access. Sid's a great guy, too."

So, in some ways, American sports media is lucky.

As long as you don't have to deal with, say, Tom Barrasso or Mike Tomlin.