Stoke City 0-3 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points

Liverpool eased past a hapless Stoke City defence last night to move above Tottenham in the league table. Jürgen Klopp made a few changes for the game, and many presumed that the team chemistry could be affected. However, the side showed no signs of that as they combined well and put three past Stoke City.

If there was anything that was cold last night, it was the Liverpool attack. They should have scored more, had it not been for some bad finishing. Sadio Mane scored the opener before Mohamed Salah came on in the second half and continued his amazing goal scoring run. Here are the key talking points from the game:

#5 Liverpool’s bench strength

It was a problem for the Reds last season, but they did sign a few attackers this year and it seems Jürgen Klopp’s side are well-placed this time to tackle the December and January fixture congestion. Lest we forget, Liverpool didn’t have European football last season and yet they struggled to get past teams without their key players.

With Adam Lallana also back from an injury, Liverpool can rotate their squad and still manage to put out a competitive team, like they showed against Chelsea when the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane were rested and they still managed to take the lead only to throw it away.

The defence is, perhaps, the only issue, but expect the club to strengthen it in the coming winter transfer window.

#4 What is the Mark Hughes blueprint now?

With the club struggling to get results, the pressure is really intense on Hughes. It’d be a shame if he is sacked after the good work he has done in the last few years, ensuring back to back top-half finishes.

The problem is, Stoke haven’t done anything to even give a hint that things will eventually get better. Hughes started off at the club, trying to shift to a more passing brand of play. As the seasons went on, there was a sense of pragmatism as the Potters often mixed passing football with the more direct approach.

They’ve tried the same this season, but it simply hasn’t worked out well. The attack hasn’t really clicked, barring Xherdan Shaqiri, and the defence has been in shambles, conceding 29 goals in 16 games so far this season.

They have a few talented players in Jesé, Shaqiri and Chupo-Moting, but haven’t performed well as an attacking unit. 16 goals in 14 games isn’t really something to be proud of. The attacking performance against Liverpool wasn’t the worst as they created chances, but boy, does their finishing need to improve.

#3 How does one stop Mohamed Salah?

He scored quite a few goals for Roma and he’s doing it again at Liverpool. Mo Salah has been the best signing of the summer by far, and if he keeps going like this, he could well finish as the Golden Boot winner. Salah was on the bench in the first half, and came on in the second, and that’s when he showed what he is really capable of.

Up against a leggy Stoke defence, he managed to score two goals, one from a sumptuous volley and the other a routine finish in a one vs one situation.

When he first signed for the club, many presumed his finishing was weak as he often got into the right areas but failed to put the ball past the keeper. Fast forward a few months and everyone thinks he’s the best finisher the team have right now.

12 goals in just November is an incredible tally, and Liverpool will hope he can continue that was so that they break into the top four if not challenge for the title.

#2 The Liverpool defence got lucky

Simon Mignolet, captaining his side on the night, was extremely lucky not to be sent off in the first half. The Belgian rushed out to smother Mame Biram Diouf and surprisingly, referee Martin Atkinson decided to brandish only a yellow for what seemed like a clear goal-scoring chance.

The Stoke players were furious and rightly so as that would have change the whole complexion of the game. The incident came when Stoke had a brief spell of dominance but failed to make it count. The Liverpool defence were pretty unconvincing in their clearances and were lucky to come away with a draw as Stoke hit the woodwork and were let down by some woeful finishing.

Considering they had the lead and were controlling the game, it’ll be alarming for Klopp that their midfield has it in them to lose the grip of a game so quickly. So typically Liverpool, isn’t it?

#1 Where do Stoke go from here?

With a few tough fixtures coming up, Hughes needs to change something so that his side can pick up a few wins. With the sides around them making drastic changes – West Ham, Everton and West Brom have appointed new managers – there will be an initial spell where they rival clubs will pick up points, which is usually the case when you appoint a new manager.

So if Stoke don’t perform, they could well be further behind considering how thick and fast the fixtures come in the December period.

The chance conversion has been poor, so perhaps Hughes needs to try something different; a change in formation or personnel up front.

Stoke’s next game is against Swansea City, and that’s pretty much a must-win tie for the Potters. The Welsh side are struggling, so Hughes’ men won’t get a better chance to start the busy December month with a much-needed win.

Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh