With both sides being given the time off for Xmas we would have expected a tight but tough game and it started with a Xmas cracker bang after 32 seconds with a long ball over the top to Suarez causing Shawcross to pull him down for our first penalty of the season. Gerrard duly dispatched into the net with cool precision.
The early goal should have been savoured but we had two major defensive lapses with Skrtel slipping and allowing Walters to put away the equaliser after 4 mins and then poor marking from a corner allowing Kenwynne Jones to give Stoke the lead after 12 mins.
The confidence drained out of Liverpool's game and Etherington shot from the edge of the box excellently tipped over by Reina nearly made it 3-1.
A very good run by Downing was then cut back to Gerrard who hit the ball just wide, a minute later Suarez had a quick counter attack supported by Downing which Suarez again wasted when he hit it well over the bar.
Suarez then slipped on the wet surface but still got a shot off which was well saved by the impressive Begovic.
The last ten minutes of the first half went by without much further action apart from Reina averting a quick counter attack by Stoke.
HT analysis - The performance of Shelvey in particular was very poor as he was expected to assist Gerrard in supporting Suarez but kept losing the ball and ultimately his composure.
Not for the first time this season we had conceded goals due to poor concentration and a lack of defensive cover at the posts for set pieces.
At half time Suso was substituted for Sterling and this almost made immediate impact when he laid a perfect ball for Suarez who again knocked the chance wide.
With us missing this chance Stoke produced another attack from a throw in which this time Walters chested down and smashed past Reina on the half volley for a 3-1 lead.
We rarely looked like getting back into the game apart from the tireless running of Suarez and the non stop effort of Gerrard. Gerrard producing a rasping shot that Begovic pushed away comfortably.
With the game sliding away Rodgers tried to salvage things but to no avail and we continue to be without a win at our bogey ground in five visits since they were promoted.
Man of the match - Steven Gerrard - showed the required desire but the quality was not produced alongside him so he therefore tried to carry our team again in vain!
Negatives :-
The tactics by Rodgers again failed us with us not picking three central defenders to combat the aerial bombardment we were asking for trouble and the lack of putting players on the posts at set pieces cost us dearly with the Kenwynne Jones goal in particular.
Downing reverted to his usual poor form after his man of the match performance in the previous game and that's everyone problem with him - he is very inconsistent unable to string two very good games together which is very disappointing.
Downing encapsulates our team with us not being able to string more than two wins together.
Suarez should not play as the main striker when the expected transfer of Sturridge goes through as expected in January because he misses too many chances which ultimately costs us points and ultimately games.
The passing the ball along the back is not a tactic that bodes well with me especially when you as losing a game 3-1 we need to produce nicer passing higher up the field and not just in our own final third where one slip up could cost us a goal.
It is one philosophy that Rodgers and I will never agree on.
Disappointing result which means that Stoke now leapfrog us into 8th and we move back to mid table 10th which frankly is not good enough.
Let's not beat around the bush. Stoke were deserved winners. We couldn't live with their power and pace in all facets of the fame. We have arguably the best centre-half pairing in the league and yet last night they were taken to the cleaners by Walters and Jones. In fact I'd so far as to say they were destroyed. These are two top internationals and yet they were completely overpowered. I thought Rodgers might start with a third centre-half just to soak up the aerial bombardment as especially from set pieces they had a distinctive height advantage.
ReplyDeleteWe need a powerhouse in midfield because we appear not to be able to cope with physicality. We were pressed and harried and second to every ball. Suso will be an excellent player, but this the 2nd such game, Everton being the first, where had to be removed at half-time.
We appear one dimensional. Our passing game was ruthlessly exploited yesterday. We were slow and devoid of ideas. Struggling in attacking areas, you want Gerrard to get further up the pitch , but it didn't materialise.
Sometimes one gets caught up in the adulation when we win a game. Bit the truth is we don't have the quality and rather than just Sturridge I suggest four or five players are required.
Joe Allen is an excellent technical player, but he to lack creative powers in the final third and he has more license with the return of Lucas. Apart from the captain, Liverpool are struggling for midfielders who can affect a game.
Once again we dragged Sterling off the bench hoping for a miracle from the 18 year old. The look on Suarez face at the end said a lot as if surrounded by players not good enough to lace his boots.
I understand the need to get young players in, but I want to good players playing for the club not plainly average ones. If money is a problem once he's brought in Sturridge if he's not tied down there we should get back Andy Carroll because at the very it would give us some adaptability in attack.
When we were awared that penalty our FIRST of the season, it all looked good. I feel ashamed. Shelvey is not fit to wear that red shirt, he is incapable of putting in a decent pass. Milwall reject was he? I despair!!!
DeleteJan
Jonjo Shelvey is only 20 years old and like all young players will have the ups and downs of settling into a side but he has a lot of potential and will come good long term in our LFC shirt.
ReplyDeleteYou will never get the best out of young players if we are always on their back and that goes the same for Jordan Henderson or any other young player we have given a chance to but has not worked out so far.
So I would say let's be a little more patient with our young players I totally believe the bunch of players will produce the results we crave long term.
YNWA!
Let us all hope they laid off the Christmas pudding and the sherry. I really do hope not to be further embarassed tomorrow. You can't really blame our man for slipping, that was just unfortunate. Reina says on our website that the highlights of the year for him was winning the Carling Cup and finding out his wife is pregnant again. See where his priorities are!
DeleteJan.
Sorry you forgot Reina's other highlight of the year being the cheerleader for Spain's Euro win in the summer!
ReplyDeleteAs a professional player, preparation is key each player should be walking out onto the pitch before the game and finding out what footwear are required for the game
No excuses when they do not prepare properly. Fail to prepare - Prepare to fail
Never was going to be an easy game, but you get beaten simply because the best team wins..
ReplyDeletePoor performance after a good start. Going in front we lost concentration and were punished.
Time and time again the lack of consistency has to be addressed our defense needs to cut out some of their schoolboy mistakes. (Simple clear the ball, if you are under pressure).
Point: Brendan has to decide if Enrique is a full back or a winger. He is dangerous going forward and gets into good space and helps build the front play around the goal area, but, leaves a huge gap behind, and if we are engineering pass and move then we need to play close and cover each other.
Some real work needs to be done in January