The third-to-final game in the Premier League for Liverpool has ended in a draw. The relegation side Stoke get an important point as their path to safety improves. Meanwhile for our Reds, they are drawn into a massively important penultimate game at Chelsea next weekend with top four potentially able to be clinched there. For now, however, all eyes are on Rome.
Game Story:
There was no finer chance than Mo Salah's in the fifth minute. Salah was away one-on-one but his half-chip went wide of the net. A goal there would have sent the Reds off the blocks flying, but instead the missed chance summed up the evening: just a bit off and not sharp. Danny Ings also had a goal in the 40th minute, but this was ruled out as a result of his being offside. The first half gave Liverpool their two best chances at scoring of the game.
Of course, the biggest incident is the matter of Erik Pieters' possible handball. He seemed to have his arm in an unnatural position, and the ball did clearly touch the arm, however no penalty was given amidst the anger of the Liverpool squad and fans. The ball seemed on its way through to potentially find a man in red as well. This is not an opinion piece, however I do believe this was a clear-cut handball. Pieters was in an unnatural position, there should have been enough time for him to move his arm away, and additionally this was very similar to the one given against James Milner against Roma. This was the key moment of an otherwise fairly quiet second half, each team having to settle for just a chance or two.
The different formation for Jurgen Klopp's side seemed to have the Reds at a step slower. The back five setup of Alexander-Arnold and Moreno on the wings and Klavan, van Dijk, and Gomez in the defense was not poor, but seem a step off and Gomez in particular still seems to be shaking off rust. In the meantime, however, three Liverpool men (Jordan Henderson, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold) all at different points dealt with a knock. All three men continued playing, however this will surely be worrying for Liverpool.
How Did This Happen:
Stoke were very good defensively. Erik Pieters and Kurt Zouma had the games of their lives this evening. Pieters surely learned from last match and stuck on Salah very tightly. This, it could be argued, led to many minor fouls being ignored, including a penalty shout involving Salah's shirt being pulled, however we saw Ashley Young to this to great effect and if it is not called, it is not a foul as thus legal for Pieters to do. And he deserves great credit. Stoke were willing to block every shot and cross and they performed well for the point.
Liverpool, at the same time, will feel that they deserved all three points. They had the better chances, they lost the biggest arguments for referee favor to go their way, and held far more possession. Even a step slow as a result of the stifling Stoke defending, there were chances. The fact of the matter is also that this was a foreign formation for Liverpool in a game where tactics to break down the opposition needed to be sharp and on point at all times. This was not the case and Liverpool unfortunately walked out with just the one.
It is worth saying, however, that Virgil van Dijk continues to be a rock in the back of the Liverpool defense. The center-back is massive in the air and more than capable of making runs forward. The world's most expensive defender has been a revelation for Liverpool and even in a somewhat shaky back line, there was never a moment where it felt that van Dijk would be the man to fail the Reds. It's hard to argue that he hasn't been worth every penny for the Reds.
What's Next:
Games at Roma and Chelsea compromise the biggest week in the Klopp-era for Liverpool F.C. A chance to get to the Champions League final and a chance to confirm top four in the Premier League await on the horizon for the Reds. It is vital that any bumps in the road that have shown over the past three matches are ironed out in time for the Reds to be focused in on Wednesday.
Game Story:
There was no finer chance than Mo Salah's in the fifth minute. Salah was away one-on-one but his half-chip went wide of the net. A goal there would have sent the Reds off the blocks flying, but instead the missed chance summed up the evening: just a bit off and not sharp. Danny Ings also had a goal in the 40th minute, but this was ruled out as a result of his being offside. The first half gave Liverpool their two best chances at scoring of the game.
Of course, the biggest incident is the matter of Erik Pieters' possible handball. He seemed to have his arm in an unnatural position, and the ball did clearly touch the arm, however no penalty was given amidst the anger of the Liverpool squad and fans. The ball seemed on its way through to potentially find a man in red as well. This is not an opinion piece, however I do believe this was a clear-cut handball. Pieters was in an unnatural position, there should have been enough time for him to move his arm away, and additionally this was very similar to the one given against James Milner against Roma. This was the key moment of an otherwise fairly quiet second half, each team having to settle for just a chance or two.
The different formation for Jurgen Klopp's side seemed to have the Reds at a step slower. The back five setup of Alexander-Arnold and Moreno on the wings and Klavan, van Dijk, and Gomez in the defense was not poor, but seem a step off and Gomez in particular still seems to be shaking off rust. In the meantime, however, three Liverpool men (Jordan Henderson, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold) all at different points dealt with a knock. All three men continued playing, however this will surely be worrying for Liverpool.
How Did This Happen:
Stoke were very good defensively. Erik Pieters and Kurt Zouma had the games of their lives this evening. Pieters surely learned from last match and stuck on Salah very tightly. This, it could be argued, led to many minor fouls being ignored, including a penalty shout involving Salah's shirt being pulled, however we saw Ashley Young to this to great effect and if it is not called, it is not a foul as thus legal for Pieters to do. And he deserves great credit. Stoke were willing to block every shot and cross and they performed well for the point.
Liverpool, at the same time, will feel that they deserved all three points. They had the better chances, they lost the biggest arguments for referee favor to go their way, and held far more possession. Even a step slow as a result of the stifling Stoke defending, there were chances. The fact of the matter is also that this was a foreign formation for Liverpool in a game where tactics to break down the opposition needed to be sharp and on point at all times. This was not the case and Liverpool unfortunately walked out with just the one.
It is worth saying, however, that Virgil van Dijk continues to be a rock in the back of the Liverpool defense. The center-back is massive in the air and more than capable of making runs forward. The world's most expensive defender has been a revelation for Liverpool and even in a somewhat shaky back line, there was never a moment where it felt that van Dijk would be the man to fail the Reds. It's hard to argue that he hasn't been worth every penny for the Reds.
What's Next:
Games at Roma and Chelsea compromise the biggest week in the Klopp-era for Liverpool F.C. A chance to get to the Champions League final and a chance to confirm top four in the Premier League await on the horizon for the Reds. It is vital that any bumps in the road that have shown over the past three matches are ironed out in time for the Reds to be focused in on Wednesday.
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