Liverpool preview, amongst other things.
Home win again! 12 months after being handed a lesson by Bolton, it’s now our turn to be teacher and Burnley the pre-pubescent pupil. Those who can, teach, and on Saturday we could. A solid if unspectacular performance, but a win is a win is a win and it felt pretty special sitting atop ‘The Greatest League in the World‘ ©Sky Sports , for all of 2 hours.
Over the past week or so, a number of teams have been giving Ryan Shawcross the eye, in hope that he’ll return some eye for some eye to eye contact. Pulis, Coates and Shawcross have been united in dismissing rumours as rumours but press speculation has intensified due to Stoke chasing central defenders like Gok Wan has revealed to the world that centre halves will soon be so last season. Both Robert Huth and James Collins have been strongly linked, and having had a bid accepted for the latter, Collins could indeed feature at the weekend.
If Shawcross should stay, as well as at least one addition to our defence, both Ibrahima Sonkoand Leon Cort will find themselves even further down a swollen pecking order. Realistically we’d do well to cover the £3.5million initial fee for Collins by selling Sonko and Cort.
Not forgetting that there is some football to be played tonight…
Last season with 4 games played, Liverpool entertained Stoke at Anfield. The reds having enjoyed a good start, had beaten Champions Manchester United the week before. Conversely Stoke had lost 3 in 4, conceding 10 goals along the way. So with Torres and Gerrard et al, a home win looked inevitable. But after having a fairly legitimate looking Gerrard goal chalked off early on, a resolute City held firm and despite having 1,092 shots on goal, Liverpool stumbled to drop valuable home points.
This time around however, It’s Liverpool who have been slow out the blocks with an opening defeat against Tottenham. Even with Agger, Aquilani, Aurelio and Riera all out, and Skrtel rated as doubtful, i’d still fully expect another Alamo type effort from Stoke. Rafa could have some beard stroking to do however, if Skrtel doesn’t recover it could mean youngster Daniel Ayala making his full debut to deal with Delap bombardment.
A prediction? Why not.
Liverpool 1 – Stoke City 1
Pulis strikes again,what on earth was he thinking dropping our two best players then playing everyone else out of position!!!His negative away tactics make me sick,what has Crezzy got over him.In the whole match his name was mentioned seven times,two for needless fouls given in dangerous areas and three for giving the ball away,dont know what the other two were but they certainly werent for scoring a goal.The only time we were comfortable was whilst going forward,we put a very good side in a lot of trouble when will he learn this.I went to most away games last season but not this year he either needs to change his away tactics or go.Our midfield is slow and woeful,higgy has totally gone(my player of the year two seasons ago),Why is he after another center half we have got four and a spare in Higgy.Pulis for crying out loud start thinking of the rest of the team we desperately need some pace in midfield,another left back,a ball player and front man.Hate to be so negative but these were my thoughts throughout last season and the bilge i saw last night has only reinforced my feelings,lets face it on another night that could have been 6 or 7 nil.