Coutinho adds to Liverpool injury curse
For the opening 18 minutes this was the Jürgen Klopp vision in high definition. It was gegenpress at its very best and the front three of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana posed frequent problems with their movement and speed.
Coutinho limped off during the first half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury
But Coutinho’s early withdrawal, with a hamstring problem, is another crushing blow for Liverpool and he is almost certain to miss the games against Exeter, Arsenal and Manchester United. Dejan Lovren’s departure later in the half must make Klopp feel as if he has run over an entire cattery.
Stoke need to sign a striker this month
Despite the artistry and class of attacking axis Xherdan Shaqiri, Bojan and Marko Arnautovic, Stoke are still missing a recognised centre forward. Bojan has performed admirably as effectively a lone forward but is arguably better placed in the hole – so Stoke surely need to target a No 9 this month.
• Stoke City vs Liverpool: as it happened
Bojan Krkic could do with some help up front
Charlie Austin, for example, would be an ideal solution and it seems a position Mark Hughes will be desperate to fill before the window slams shut.
Is Hughes facing more semi-final misery?
Mark Hughes collected more silverware than the Antiques Roadshow as a player, but trophies have eluded him as a manager.
He lost three semi-finals with Blackburn Rovers and suffered the ignominy of being sacked by Manchester City in the 2009-10 season shortly after leading the club to the last four of the League Cup. This was a strangely flat display from Stoke and though the tie is far from over, Hughes was pinning his hopes of taking a commanding lead from the home leg.
Stoke City's attacking statistics
Liverpool produce perfect response to warning
Jürgen Klopp had demanded a reaction from his players after their wimpish display at West Ham, insisting his tolerance was not limitless, and they duly delivered. This had all the makings of a grisly evening for Liverpool but they performed admirably, ahead of a potentially pivotal stage of the season.
Jürgen Klopp pointed the finger at his Liverpool players and they duly responded
Suddenly those Premier League games against Arsenal and Manchester United do not seem so daunting, despite their alarming injury crisis.
Liverpool's attacking statistics
Lucas’s influence cannot be underestimated
He has survived many managerial changes, appeared on course for the exit door so many times, but Lucas Leiva remains indefatigable. After Lovren’s departure midway through the first half he slotted in seamlessly at centre-half and proved crucial in Liverpool’s victory with another disciplined performance.
His determination to repel Stoke was perfectly captured by the moment when his tackle on Bojan was so fierce it punctured the ball. Remarkably, he also finished the game without a booking.
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