Now Back To The Matter At Hand: Liverpool v. Stoke Preview
by SamFels on Jan 13, 2012 8:32 PM GMT
in 1. Match Previews
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KICKOFF - 10am EST, 3pm BST
While the semifinal success certainly caused a few of us to raise a glass somewhere, and probably put a bounce in our step. But the final grade on this season is still majorly hinging on how the finish in the league is, and quite simply Liverpool have to pick it up, especially at home. Luckily, they get to do that tomorrow against the hottest team in the league next to Spurs. Wait a minute, what?
That's right. Stoke have only lost one of their last nine domestic league and cup games, that being to Man City. They've even beat Tottenham in that span, and rather easily. They've also sorted their wonky away form, which spent the better part of the year being laughable. None of this is good news.
While you don't revel in injuries of others, Stoke's casualties will make any Liverpool supporters' ears perk up. Woodgate, Wilson, and Shotton are all uncertain to play, which would greatly weak Stoke's backline. And Liverpool need all the help they can get concerning scoring at home. Which i thought is where you're supposed to do a majority of your scoring, but i digress...
However, Stoke's front line will be just fine. Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch are both there to frankly be a blunt nuisance, and Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington to provide the fodder. If only Andy Carroll got half the crosses that these two will, eh?
For Liverpool, the questions are what will they change in defense to deal with the Cave Troll Attack of Stoke, and who starts in midfield. The latter is one we deal with every game. The former is more pertinent, probably. Dalglish has usually tossed out a goofy defense to deal with Stoke. Last season, it was the debut of the 3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1. At Stoke earlier in the year, it was Agger at left back with Carragher and Skrtel. I'm guessing all three of Agger, Skrtel, and Carragher will play. Whether that's three-fourths of a back four or all of a back three, I have no idea.
As for midfield, it will simply be who is fit and ready. Gerrard and Bellamy have put in two 90 minute shifts in five days, so they might not have the gas. Jay Spearing won't at all, we know that much. Adam and Henderson have played a lot of football. Shelvey looks a cert. Maxi and Kuyt haven't thrilled anyone, and Maxi is far better used with Suarez and Bellamy. Downing, as disappointing as he might have been against City, should go if Carroll is starting. And he is.
We'd like the good times to keep rolling. That first leg triumph will taste even better if it begins a run of wins in the league, which Liverpool are going to need in this four horse race for fourth. The league stretch for the next three should be sweepable. The one tough game is here with Stoke, and it's at home. Then at Bolton and at Wolves. Of course, the Manchester Cup Double is in the middle of that, but let's worry about that later.
Stoke are always a tough slog, but last time they came to Anfield was one of the more satisfying wins of that year. Let's do it again.
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Lineup
Reina, Johnson, Coates, Carra, Skrtel, Enrique, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Kuyt.
Subs: Bells, Aurelio, Carroll, Kelley, Shelvey, Flanagan, Doni
So a 5-4-1.
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same old story
Loads of possession. Nothing put away yet. I like Hendo’s movement so far.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 3:18 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
great run forward by Coates.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 3:20 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
Oh, come on Adam.
Take a fucking step and get on the end of that and it’s a tap-in.
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An ugly challenge from an ugly Ryan Shawcross
AKA Typical Stoke Action. Glad it got booked at least.
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Henderson seem like a lot more confident lately
every since that pass to Gerrard that lead to the goal
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
Very disappointing first half.
Possession’s been good, but they haven’t done a bloody thing with it. As per usual, no one is getting in to the box to support any form of attack that builds up.
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I really would prefer a 4-3-3
I think it would be fine against Stoke. We are practically playing it already.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 3:58 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
Carra off, Bellers on?
Wouldn’t hate that a bit.
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Looks like Carroll is coming on.
Well, OK
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For Downing
I don’t like that.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 4:15 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Downing off for Carroll? What the what?
So… OK.
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So... 3-4-1-2?
With Hendo dropping alongside Adam and Gerrard sitting behind Carroll and Kuyt?
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Howard Webb is a wanker.
But then we knew that.
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wow hendo shoots into AC
season in a nutshell right there
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
by WSB Chris on Jan 14, 2012 4:19 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
That about sums it up, yep.
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Jesus Carroll
Get out of the way
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 4:19 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
Carroll
You were brought to be a presence in the box. Stay there.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 4:21 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
Scholes
Coming out of retirement has even scored for ManU. Jeez. We really need to purchase. I am tired of KD selling us hyperbolie.
I really, really, really, really hate Stoke.
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we are going to give us a stupid mistake goal and lose 1-0 at this pace
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
A stunning concept.
Expecting much out of Kuyt in a match like this (I love Kuyt, but he’s about done folks) just screams that you need a striker.
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Hopefully the rumor of a £10M bid from one of the Turkish clubs is true. I love Kuyt but just a squad player now.
I thought we might see Raheem come off the bench today as he was training with the first team this week. Let’s give the young guys a run.
If we sold Kuyt...
we’d have to buy, either a winger or another striker. Either works, or both preferably.
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Oh, you said competent, not crocked, my mistake
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by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 14, 2012 4:29 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
Story of the season.
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Lost in all this negativity (mine included)...
… is that Coates is having a pretty nice game. Hasn’t had a ton to do, but has handled it all well, one clumsy challenge aside.
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very good point our back line is the strength of this squad right now
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
Bellers on for... Hendo.
I’m so confused.
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Two penalties, nothing given.
I refer to my earlier comment about Webb.
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Arguably another there, though it was iffier.
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And there was our one chance.
Absolutely should have buried that. No excuse there for me.
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He's been in full on Charlie Hollywood mode again the last few matches.
And he’s awful when he’s in Charlie Hollywood mode.
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His passing has been decent today
I think he has offered a lot of cut and thrust with his passing. This is definitely not an awful game for him.
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 4:53 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Not sure he had a good chance there.
Even if it’s on-frame, Sorensen was right there.
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Again, Carroll taken down in the box and nothing given.
Sigh.
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Ohhhhhh, Skrtel.
Too much power on that one. Unlucky.
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Crouch is playing in defense.
Pretty sure Stoke is in a 10-0-0 now.
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Oh, hey, the lady ref is at Anfield again. Neat.
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There we go.
Couldn’t remember her name for the life of me.
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Four minutes?
Why do I have an awful feeling about this…
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Pathetic
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
by Bromantic on Jan 14, 2012 4:52 PM GMT via iPhone app reply actions
If I didn't have to be at work in a couple of hours, I might drink myself silly after watching that.
Seriously though… watching that was bad enough, but having to go in to work for a few hours on a Saturday just feels like punishment after that.
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Well, at least they didn't fuck up the end.
But that was still awful. I fucking hate playing Stoke. Having Webb officiate the match just makes it worse.
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At least they got the point and we burned another game off of the ban without a loss
that is something I guess 4 games left and we can free Suarez
"It's a joke. It's all a joke.
No matter how bad I wanted to watch the game, I just couldn't pull myself out of bed today.
Sounds like I should be happy I didn’t. When I saw what the starting lineup and substitutions had been I was extremely confused.
Let's Go Blues
Go Pack Go
You'll Never Walk Alone
That sure was quite a cracker of a match wasn’t it? Good thing we’ve got Andy Carroll to bang in boat loads of goals from the always accurate crosses of Stewart Downing!
Glad to see out lads play a great game and win at home…
…oh wait
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Opposing Ilya Bryzgalov as Philadelphia Flyers' goalie since June 23, 2011.
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Didn't get to watch it...
… but from the recaps I’m inclined to hang this one on Kenny. I’ve questioned his lack of inspiration when choosing personnel and formation before, and I’m glad he had the awareness to go with 3 at the back (or was it 5?), but Kuyt alone up top? With Downing in the hole? Why not Maxi there and Downing on the wing? Or Gerrard as the striker support? I’m fine with Johnson at RW and wish he played there more, but this game looked ripe for a more attack-minded LW than Enrique and a target man like Carroll. From what I can tell Carroll wreaked havoc after coming on, drawing what should have been two penalties while Kuyt (predictably) squandered every chance he got. Why pull off Downing, the best crosser of the ball, when bringing on Carroll? I’m fine with adding Bellamy late, but when Stoke has ten men behind the ball why not remove one of defenders playing on the wing or the misfiring Kuyt rather than an attacking central midfielder?
The team had one shot on target, and arguably three of its best attacking options were left on the bench to start the game (Carroll, Bellamy, Maxi) while five defenders played 90 minutes against a team guaranteed to park the bus in the hopes of a clean sheet.
I know Kenny is the King, and I know not all experiments result in success, but I can’t get my head around this one. And this isn’t the first time.
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