Stoke City 0-3 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points 

#4 What is the Mark Hughes blueprint now?

Stoke City v Liverpool - Premier League

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.