Teams
Liverpool:
Mignolet, Johnson, Toure, Agger, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Aspas(72' Sterling), Coutinho, Sturridge
Stoke City:
Begovic, Cameron, Pieters, Huth, Showcross, Wilson, Nzonzi, Whelan(63' Adam), Walters, Etherington(63' Pennant), Crouch (81' Jones)
Result
Liverpool 1 - 0 Stoke City
37' Sturridge
Highlights
Liverpool's amazing attack play
Liverpool presented an amazing attacking football. The Reds dominated through the whole game, but they have managed to score only one goal. The stats are showing the Liverpool's dominance
| Shots | On target | Corners | Fouls | Possesion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 52% |
| 10 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 48% |
The front four including Sturridge, Aspas, Coutinho and Henderson manged to outplay the Stoke defense by using a lot of tactical approaches. Coutinho was the director of the attacks, Henderson managed to make a lot moves from second position and had two amazing opportunities for goal, while Aspas and Sturridge have the freedom to operate on the whole attack, they've changed their place throughout the whole minutes on the filed. One impressive thing, which even a blind-man will notice, was the most used attacking approach at the first half. The ball was given to Coutinho, he makes a good turn with the ball and search for a pass between the defenders, so Aspas and Sturridge were searching for such pass every time and Liverpool managed to implement this a lot of times. May be the more tactical intelligent teams will manage to predict and to defend better, but until now this is one of the interesting promises for the new season. Liverpool's attack was more than promising and diverse. With the experience, the vision and the impressive pass of Gerrard the Reds could present us even more when they are in the middle of the season with improved form. Brendan Rodgers will develop his attacking ideas through the season and all of the fans could be surprised. There was one more thing that many of the expert did not noticed, but we think that it should be mentioned. Lucas Leiva made a lot of forward runs and distributed the ball in the opposition half, while most of the time Gerrard was between the center defenders in order to get the ball and send it forward. This approach was new and it will be interesting to see if it will happen again.
What do you think of Coutinho?
The Reds weakness
Despite getting the three points Liverpool demonstrate some weaknesses which should be pointed by Brendan Rodgers. Only the great penalty and tap on save by Mignolet bring the joy to Anfield fans, but why Liverpool have to save the three points instead of securing them early in the game. As you spotted in the given stats, The Reds have the impressive 26 shots, but scored only once. Everyone who watched the game could tell you that Liverpool should be more raptorial in front of the goal. They have managed to create a lot of chances but the poor conversation almost cost them the three points. Another weak part of their play is the set pieces. Despite playing against one of the best using set pieces team, Liverpool showed some poor defending. There are situations when Stoke's player was without a defender near him in the penalty box, for example the situations when Mignolet have to earn the ball in air tackle against Crouch. The other problem was the handball of Agger and the tactical approach of the situation. The defense and the conversation of chances are the two must points of Liverpool's play which should be addressed, but after all it was the first game of the season. The final part that we will discuss is the right wing of the Reds formation. According to us Henderson presented good performance and was useful, but he is not the natural winger or a technically gifted player which Liverpool need. Imagine if the Anfield team have the a replica of Coutinho on the right wing, then the attacking power of the team will scare the oppositions.
Suarez effect
Every news agency, every football fan and everyone in Liverpool were talking about Luis Suarez this summer, but after all a great move by the owner of the Reds, John Henry, change the situation and now the Uruguayan star will remain at Anfield. If we suppress the whole drama, we should evaluate the effect that the return of Suarez could have on the Liverpool play, aims and final spot. Suarez proved the last season that he is one of the best scorers in world and if he show the same form this season he will definitely be very useful to Rodgers and Liverpool. Anfield reds need a scorer and Suarez, could be this scorer. Luis will give another dimension to the offensive power of Liverpool, showed in the first game of the season. If Liverpool get a right winger then they will have five different and impressive players in their attack and two talented English wingers who can come as a substitute to give a variety. So if Real Madrid do not put the amazing 150 mln pounds on the market, because the 100 mln pounds transfer of Bale is almost finished, Suarez will stay in Liverpool and will probably give them the chance to fight for top four for the first time in the last 4 seasons.
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