the team was up to it all round... and perhaps that last lost to Celtic gave everyone that small kick into sharpness.
Minolet was a little nervy but then he was debuting as Liverpool's no 1 in front of the kop... ironically, it was probably the penalty that will set him up well for the rest of the season.. perhaps even let those who missed Reina embrace him... after all, Reina was lauded as the best penalty stopper.. give him a few more games with Agger and Toure, i am sure they will be more comfortable playing together as a solid unit.
While Glenn Johnson was not a standout, i would say that he was excellent at right back... i hardly saw anything getting past him there... great composure to play out of trouble. Great going forward with a few penetrations into the Stoke penalty box.
Admittedly we were suspect at set pieces...but Stoke probably had some of the tallest players - Crouch, Huth, Shawcross, Nzonzi... apart from Agger, we do not really have the height at the back... and again Minolet, Agger and Toure are a new combination.
Finally... it is game 1, and that we have won it will probably set us on a very good footing... certainly a few more goals would have been great... and very significantly... we did not drop 2 points in the last 5 mins... like we did with Sunderland a couple of seasons back.
Now, its about confidence pushing forward, and consistency from all the players.
YNWA... may we reclaim our rightful position this season.
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