Martin Skrtel's interesting defensive techniques yesterday could have made it a better margin for Stoke...
Liverpool held out for the first 45minutes but barely so. Stoke were playing well and Liverpool were asking to be punished. A hardly electric performance from star man Torres didn't help but other effective players such as Kuyt and Meireles were also nonchalant.
Skrtel who was looking super unsteady was also causing nervy situations when Stoke were on the attack and the Reds were subject to many attempts at goal from Tony Pulis's side within the first 45minutes.
I knew from kick off this wasn't going to be a walk in the park but this was just unacceptable.
At 55minutes Stoke finally converted, it appeared even after the half time break we hadn't learnt anything. Ricardo Fuller who had been looking dangerous already put the home side 1-0 up with a goal from close range.
The one positive from Hodgson was his change of heart and decision to actually utilise the effect an early substitution may have, bringing on Ngog just after the hour mark. Unfortunately for David he couldn't put his mark on the game but it was definitely worth the try i thought. Ryan Babel was also brought on after 70minutes but i personally don't think that was beneficial.
Stoke made matters worse for an absolutely deflated Liverpool side when Kenwyne Jones netted them a second just into injury time. The goal originated from the Reds losing possession and in honesty capped off the match perfectly. Stoke were nothing but deserving of the win.
Lucas Leiva received a second yellow card in the second minute of added time and had to leave the field. Another blow for Liverpool because even though most people don't appreciate his ability i personally feel at the moment he is one of, if not the only player adding real stability and a good passing option within the team.
Steven Gerrard tried his utmost to provide that glimmer of magic but the captain wasn't at fault for such the dismal display.
I hate to jump onto people's backs as you know but i can't help but feel now that it's no coincidence our away form is so poor.
Our tactics and attitude last night did nothing to provoke a successful attacking period. One away win in the league is just not good enough after 13 Premier League matches. Ok it was against a strong looking Bolton side but even so, a 1-0 win is barely filling fans with confidence. With other winnable away fixtures such as Birmingham and Wigan also going badly i think it's time to take note of our poor performances.
Something needs to change because the last two fixtures have been a world away from a side realistically hoping to finish within the Europa League places let alone the top half.
My other half is a Wolves fan and for years he's been able to make jokes about Liverpool without me giving a crap... Why? Because he and i both knew that they weren't true and his jaunts could not be backed up but now? Well his beloved Wolves may not be getting results but they can at least provide some highlights and goals for MOTD...
Utterly miserable, i can't really see how we are going to get out of this hole and to be brutally honest i'm still sticking with the fact that Roy Hodgson is not "Liverpool FC". I can't give him much more time without it becoming ridiculous, do we wait until Christmas? February? May? If this is the pattern of matches to come then we seriously cannot afford to wait.
Change it up Roy, big style or i'm sorry but you're going to have to face the consequences.