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08 Apr 2017 17:24:27
Haven’t written on here before but thought I’d have a go since I read this site loads.
Good 3 points today even if the performance was average at best. First half: was nice to see TAA and Woodburn start and they didn’t do too badly. IMO it was down our left where clyne, klavan and milner were that most of the problems were defensively. Going forward, Woodburn and Origi weren’t getting any quality passes up to them. The few times they did get it into feet, they looked like they could easily stretch Stoke, but when they did they were too isolated (eg. Woodburn’s run after nicking the ball off Allen) . Second half: was much better with Couts and firmino just adding a bit of class and movement up top. Firmino’s runs for both goals were so clever and completely disorganised Stoke’s defence. We seemed to have much better options on the ball and always seemed to have a spare man in the centre. It helps ofc that Stoke didn’t play very well all game either.
Mignolet: made a couple of top saves so he’s got to get a bit of praise but some of the punching from crosses was quite poor. The save from Berahino though looked first class although the striker has to score really.
TAA: defensively solid after a slightly shaky first 10 mins or so. Put in a couple of nice crosses and going forward looks a step up from clyne for sure. IMO shouldn’t have been subbed at half time because he coped pretty well with arnautovic (probably stoke’s best attacker) .
Lovren: should he have been tracking walters for the goal? Can’t work out if I like him or not because although he’s rash and doesn’t always look the best positionally, he’s a good physical presence. Not his best day, but not the worst.
Matip: the best cb we have. A calming player to have but again not his best day. Stoke never properly tested us all game though so hard to properly judge.
Klavan: maybe lucky to not be sent off, even though the 2nd yellow for blocking shaqiri would’ve been harsh. For the goal, not sure what he was doing with that lunging challenge and positionally looked wrong all game. On the ball, his passing wasn’t great either. Was hoping at the beginning of the season that Klopp might’ve got a bargain but seems not – managed to struggle against a poor Stoke side.
Clyne: so lazy for the goal, just not tracking shaqiri’s run off him. Looked hesitant going forward in the 2nd half when we dominated but better at rb than lb.
Can: improved as the game went on. In the second half made some driving runs through midfield and was more accurate with his passing. I like him when he moves it on quickly but can hold onto the ball too long.
Milner: looked out of place in midfield. Doesn’t really have the quality on the ball and wasn’t properly helping out clyne in the first half either.
Wijnaldum: tried to make forward runs to stretch Stoke, but the whole team was poor 1st half. He looks better when we play on the front foot because he’s good technically. Almos gifted another goal to the opposition this week.
Woodburn: was stronger physically than I expected and had a few neat touches. The service up to him and origin was poor so struggled to properly get into the game, but certainly wasn’t one of the worst players first half.
Origi: looked isolated first half. He tried to make runs beyond stoke but the passes up to him were too straight and overhit. Got more involved second half but not his best day.
Couts: completely changed the game second half. Stoke never really got near to him and he started pulling the strings and dictating the game. Clinical finish as well.
Firmino: what a hit! The runs he makes off the ball are so good and some of his touches are sublime. So intelligent at creating space for teammates and draws defenders away from central areas.
Sturridge: not on for too long so difficult to judge but showed a few nice touches.
1.) 08 Apr 2017 18:32:27
Brilliant analysis, Reds. Bravo!
2.) 08 Apr 2017 18:37:40
I thought Mignolet was excellent and he played a key role in us getting 3 points today. I thought TAA struggled badly with Arnautovic and frankly it wasn't the best decision to play him with that system in place. Klavan was terrible, and the more I see him, the more he struggles. Lovren as poor as well just lunging in and losing his man on a number of occasions. We certainly need a CB to partner Matip next season, especially if we get CL.
Klopp got it tactically wrong in the first half, but changed it, bought on the players that affect the game, and we won.
3.) 08 Apr 2017 19:11:03
AG, you are not looking at things in a broader fashion. Couts and Firmino could not start as they had only 45 mins in them due to tiredness and illness. What would have been the use playing them for the first half and having to sub them off for TAA and Woodburn? None at all. So he put a team out to contain Stoke, stay in the game THEN, bring them on plus Studge with fresh legs and full of life and running, to go and win it. It is a gamble BUT one managers do all the time. The lineup was forced due to these issues, I reckon BUT thank God it worked out.
4.) 08 Apr 2017 19:32:06
It was Sturridge run that gave Couts the space for the first goal. He is truly coming into his grip.
5.) 08 Apr 2017 19:33:23
To be fair to Mignolet, he couldn't do anything about their goal, he did everything that was asked if him otherwise and produced two fabulous saves that played a big part of winning us the game.