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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 - 6-5 on pens (Jan 26 2016)


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Report by
Dave Usher
 
 
 

You don’t win trophies for playing well, you do it by finding a way to win. Last year we outplayed Chelsea in both legs of the semifinal but we lost, so there’s no point getting too hung up about how we played against Stoke. We got through, that’s all that matters in this instance. If we win the final, this performance will be forgotten. 

 

Of course it would have been better if we’d won 2-0 and had a comfortable passage to Wembley, but it wouldn’t give us any more or less chance of winning the trophy. It also wouldn’t tell us anything about where we’re at as a team right now, because it changes week to week and it’s impossible to get any kind of feel for who we are.

 

We were a shambles at the back against Norwich and conceded four, but we were creative and clinical in attack and scored five. Against Stoke we were neither of those things. The defence played well, but we never looked like scoring. We’re just so Jeckyll and Hyde right now there’s no point drawing any conclusions from performances. We were shite against Stoke, we created virtually nothing but we were resilient, solid and showed balls to get through.

 

There’s not much to say about the game itself. Not much happened as both teams were poor in attack and good in defence. Neither keeper had a save to make and the only goal of the game shouldn’t have stood as it was well offside. I couldn’t believe that was given as it’s just not the kind of call that you can miss. Sometimes a linesman’s job is incredibly difficult as he may have a lot of bodies between him and the player, or it might be a defender pushing out to catch someone offside and it’s a split second judgement. 

 

This one though, there’s just no justification at all to get that wrong as Arnautovic was a yard ahead of everybody and he was all alone with no-one around him. I knew instantly it was offside and didn’t need to see a replay to confirm it. The linesman is right in line with it and it was just a horrendous mistake. He should be getting hammered for that but I feel like he got off lightly, mainly because everyone not connected to LFC was so desperate for Stoke to win. That also explains the baffling narrative of how well they played and how cruel the result was on them.

 

I don’t get it at all. Usually, if we’ve been outplayed I’m the first to say so. That just wasn’t the case though. Stoke defended well but so did we. It was a poor game and neither side ever really got going. They had an offside goal, they hit the post (as did we) and that was about it. Walters had some opportunities that were well blocked by our defenders, but it’s not like they ever really looked like scoring.

 

Neither did we, obviously, but I felt that we had an element of control in the second half and in extra time. The first half was pretty dire and I’d agree Stoke were the better of the two sides then, but this nonsense about them not getting what they deserved just makes me laugh. Over the two games we were the better side. Not by much, but we were.

 

The only thing worth mentioning about the game itself really is Flanno. That was some performance all things considered. Not only has he been out for almost two years, but he’s not even been training with the squad for that long and hasn’t played much under 21 football either. 20 minutes here, a half there, and 40 minutes in the FA Cup against Exeter. For him to not only complete 90 minutes, but to then carry on and play another 15 at the level he did was remarkable, and speaks volumes to his character and determination. 

 

Even when he was subbed he was still telling Klopp he could carry on if needed. It was the right call getting him off though and I’d have done it sooner, as tiredness had crept in and he was late with a few tackles as a result of that. The other worry is that over-stretching him so soon into his comeback could lead to other injuries. I’m just so pleased to see him back and looking so sharp, so soon.

 

Moreno needs to be looking over his shoulder now because when Flanno is fully up to speed he’s going to pushing for a place, and Clyne looks to be safe so that leaves the Spaniard under pressure, particularly due to some of his erratic play of late. Klopp gave him an almighty bollocking in this one, I’m not sure exactly why but I think it was due to him getting involved in a spat with Walters and not concentrating on the game. Walters had barged him over off the ball and Moreno was looking for revenge. I’m not sure what he thought he was going to do, as let’s be honest, Walters would fucking kill him if it ever got too physical.

 

It wasn’t an easy game for the defenders, but Sakho and Toure (as well as Lucas when he dropped back there) did a fine job dealing with the aerial bombardment as Hughes scrapped the attractive football Stoke have been playing and channeled his inner Pulis. He was probably right to do that too, we cope far better with footballing teams and struggle against alehouse ones.

 

To the players’ credit, they stood up to it well and dealt with whatever set-pieces they faced without any real issues. They should take some confidence from that moving forward, and it’s going to take at least another four or five weeks of that before Klopp no longer has to face questions about it before every game, and probably another four or five months before the fans stop shitting ourselves every time the ball goes behind for a corner. This was a small step in the right direction at least.

 

So not much happens in extra time and it goes to penalties. At this point I’ve got no feeling at all as to what will happen. You can’t really apply any logic to it, but most people probably gave Stoke a slight edge because of the two goalkeepers. The last shootout we won had Bogdan in goal, and the last shootout Mignolet was in he faced something like 16 penalties and didn’t save any. Few expected him to be the hero.

 

As for the takers, again, it’s difficult to know what will happen. The only one of our first five takers I had genuine confidence in was Milner. I wouldn’t say I expected all the others to miss, but I wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised if they had. 

 

Stoke not only got to take the pens in front of their own fans, they also got to go first. How did that happen, did we choose to go second? I can’t think why we would, but I don’t see any other explanation. 

 

Stoke went first with Walters and although Mignolet went the right way, it was unsaveable. Lallana buried our first, high and straight up the middle. Great pen but six inches away from disaster as it was just under the bar. Mignolet went the right way again on the next one and made a good save low down to his right to deny poor old Crouchy (I expected him to miss, he’s shite at pens). Advantage us, but not for long as Emre Can hit the post. Trust us to sign the only German who can’t take a pen.

 

Next up was Glen Whelan who found the corner. Mignolet went the right way again but had no chance. Benteke then casually strolled up, stuttered and then nonchalantly rolled it to the opposite side to where Butland had gone. No lack of confidence there. Mignolet got a good hand on the next one from Affelay and should have probably kept it out really. At this stage I was panicking.

 

I didn’t fancy Firmino to score as he’d had a really quiet game and his ball striking isn’t exactly consistent is it? I fully expected him to miss but thankfully he placed it nicely in the corner. There was never any doubt that Shaqiri would score, and Mignolet went the wrong way for the first time. Milner then buried his right in the corner and we were on to sudden death.

 

Van Ginkel sent Mignolet the wrong way, bringing up Lucas to keep us in it. By now my arse had gone and I was expecting every Stoke player to score and every one of our lads to miss. Lucas isn’t used to putting the ball in the net so he’s not someone I’d have much confidence in, but he is mentally strong. He held his nerve and made it 5-5, and then gave it the beans in front of the Stoke fans. I saw on twitter that he was apparently shouting “unlucccckkkyyyyy” at them, which is fucking hilarious. 

 

Muniesa was next up and took a good pen, it was right in the corner and well struck, but Mignolet somehow got across to keep it out. That was a fucking great save that one. At that point I was completely confident we’d go through as it’s all about momentum and we had it now. I knew Allen would score, I don’t know why but I had every faith in him. He’s undergone something of a transformation since he let his hair grow and grown a beard. He was even sporting a hairband in this one, which is something I obviously tip my cap to. 

 

I also liked his “take one for the team” booking too when he hacked down Affelay as he charged down the line on a break. That’s the kind of thing you need players to do, as smart fouls like that help win games. You’ve got to be back that up though and Joe did it, both in terms of how it looked and how he played. He’d be the first name on my team sheet for Saturday. 

 

He can consider himself very unlucky not to be starting all the time because in recent weeks he’s been our best midfielder. He’s outplaying Lucas, Can and Henderson (who was subbed early again and it clearly still having an issue with his injury) but for some reason Klopp just doesn’t seem to fancy him much. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s a height thing, Klopp doesn’t want us getting pushed around and the set-piece thing is also an issue, we need as much height as possible and maybe that’s why Joe is finding it hard to force his way in. If he keeps playing the way he has been though Klopp will have no choice but to pick him.

 

So anyway, we’re in the final and we can forget about it for a few weeks now. We should hopefully have some of the injured players back for that but in the meantime the games keep coming thick and fast. With a trip to Leicester next Tuesday we might see some of the young players again in the FA Cup against West Ham this weekend, especially as we had to go through extra time in this one. 

 

We're not at that point yet, but it can't be too long before we start resting players for league games instead of the cups.

 

 

Team: Mignolet; Flanagan (Ibe), Toure (Allen), Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Henderson (Benteke); Lallana, Firmino, Milner:


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So looks like if you are in the ACS or have been to at least 3 games in the league cup and have got 3 games on your card you are off to Wembley...

 

Liverpool Football Club will be receiving an allocation of 31,735 tickets for the forthcoming Capital One Cup final, to be played at Wembley on February 28, 2016.

Full selling details and dates of sale will be released shortly onwww.liverpoolfc.com; however, we can confirm the sale of tickets will be based on previous attendance during this season’s Capital One Cup competition.

Priority Rights Holders will receive an allocation of tickets.

Tickets will then be made available to season ticket holders, Official Members and fan card holders who have recorded on their customer record three or more Capital One Cup matches during season 2015-16.

Supporters who purchase during the above sales are guaranteed a ticket.

A ballot will then be held for season ticket holders, Members and fan card holders who have recorded on their customer record two Capital One Cup matches during season 2015-16.

Supporters will be required to register for the ballot and if a ballot is required after the registration period has ended, it will be run independently by the Electoral Reform Society. Once the ballot has taken place, supporters will be able to check if they have been successful by visiting www.liverpoolfc.com. Successful applicants will also be emailed to advise when tickets will be available to purchase.

Further sales may also be required subject to availability.

Fortunately I am in ACS so all being well will get a ticket.

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I thought Stoke were the better side, to be honest. Even when we started dominating possession, their attacks looked more dangerous to me.

 

Glad to get through, obviously. But thought we were atrocious.

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Agree on the whole Allen point, he's easily been our best midfielder for a while - he's the only one who seems to remember he's playing in a shirt with a Liverbird on it and realises it's a good thing to pass the ball to a guy in the same shirt! Can take note - less time with the hair stylist and more on the practice field! And I know Hendo's been carrying an injury, but seriously, his passing and contribution were atrocious last night. Love to see Flanno back in the side regularly...

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That Lucas penalty, rebound volley and celebration was my favourite thing for ages. Is it true that he tried to shake Muniesa's hand as he walked to take his penalty?

 

If he was really shouting "Unlucckkkyyy!" It's just the kind of thing that dreams are made of!

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Agree with all of that.There's just no excuse for the ineptitude of the officiating now, especially with straightforward incidents like the goal. The same useless linesman also missed a blatant handball by van Ginkel when he broke free.... he chests it, then knocks on on with his hand. It's just about visble on the t.v. replays, but I had a great view from my seat in the paddock and it was clear as day - the linesman should have had an equally good view.

As for the media...well, there's usually a (often pre-determined) narrative and they don't usually let the facts get in the way of it.

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