Stoke City 0:1 Liverpool. League Cup 1st Semi Final. Intra & post match debate

Missed the second half, just happy No one else got injured.

Benteke was only on for 10 minutes! What did he do wrong? He was thrown on to relieve pressure as the team were tiring.

Reverse the question and you'll answer it yourself.

What did he do?

He competed for one header and lost (he was favourite for it).

Firmino who hadn't stopped running the entire game still put in more yards, still got more defensive work in and more offensive work. That's not good enough.

Gave my MOTM to Allen as i only give him stick normally 

Thought Joe did well tonight. Lovely through ball in the first half to set Cou away.

Reverse the question and you'll answer it yourself.

What did he do?

He competed for one header and lost (he was favourite for it).

Firmino who hadn't stopped running the entire game still put in more yards, still got more defensive work in and more offensive work. That's not good enough.

Talking about Benteke and you still managed to credit Firminho are you related

Just turned on Lfctv, is it me or does Lawro look like a bog brush, full of sh*t too, as per.





YNWA

did anyone notice the passage of play at the end where ibe had the ball near the line and had defenders all over him and benteke almost seemed to be keeping a stoke player in between him so jordan had no pass. Basic stuff to make yourself available for a pass . Not good play and right in line with the camara so easy to see. Maybe lack of confidence or he just needs coaching more.

I thought Kolo, Lucas, Allen and Can in particular was immense really is starting to put in some performances of grit and character.
Glad Kolo just has cramp, there must be some decent U21 CB's at the club for the game on Friday.

Gave my MOTM to Allen as i only give him stick normally 

it seemed strange giving Joe so much praise but it was very well earned. He will have to leave some lads at home for the Arsenal game next week. 3 games  in 6 days at this level is just mental

Talking about Benteke and you still managed to credit Firminho are you related

No, not in the slightest I just think the lad deserved it and it was to offer perspective between someone that had been on the pitch the entire time and really ran his bollocks off and one that came on fully refreshed.

As it happens though I would go out of my way to credit Firmino when he deserves it because he's had a lot of harsh criticism in my opinion.

Superb Ture ! Highlights - http://bit.ly/1OL0SEU

the coach trip back from the Brittania will be a little bit more jolly than the one from Watford the heavy metal will be turned upto 11

Well done reds, perfect result!

he didn't even break sweat

Weird how we see what we want to see. He didn't get into the game, but it wasn't due to lack of running.

Tonight wasn't good for Big Ben though, as he now needs to show why he deserves to get into that team, as we've shown we can play (and score) without him.

Great team performance!

So turns out the new Stoke can't play on a wet windy night at Brittania   

So turns out the new Stoke can't play on a wet windy night at Brittania   

we did actually put in a tremendous effort tonight laughed my head off seeing Lucas at CB racing into their penalty area wtf was he thinking

Seems to have been a night for unfashionable players. Milner and Allen had good games, as did Lovren (before injury) and Toure. Firmino was very involved which I like to see, but the obvious is lacking from his game atm - edit: though for what it is worth, his end product or lack thereof, is mitigated by the fact that he isn't really a striker.

No, not in the slightest I just think the lad deserved it and it was to offer perspective between someone that had been on the pitch the entire time and really ran his bollocks off and one that came on fully refreshed.

As it happens though I would go out of my way to credit Firmino when he deserves it because he's had a lot of harsh criticism in my opinion.

Fair enough think the critiscm has been just to be honest still does not convince me seems so one paced and yeh he put in a decent shift but shouldnt he and the others always as a  bare minimum. Doesnt seem to have that spark that most Brazilians have hope I am prooved wrong

Reverse the question and you'll answer it yourself.

What did he do?

He competed for one header and lost (he was favourite for it).

Firmino who hadn't stopped running the entire game still put in more yards, still got more defensive work in and more offensive work. That's not good enough.

I can remember him winning one header too. I don't see the point in negative comments when they are not worthy. Firmino did really well tonight apart from his finishing, but when you are under pressure and need to lump the ball up, he's not your man.

https://twitter.com/JimBoardman/status/684501404657004544

Stand outs tonight were, Kolo, Lucas, Firmino, Lovren, Can, and Allen, thought we were superb from the get go, can't really fault anyone imho,
Relieved Kolo had cramp rather than another hammy, however, we really are down to the bare bones, so I can see the cheque book coming out, we need serious cover @ the back, we have a sh*t load of matches coming up,
Can't really rely on Kolo, at his age, a CB is essential now, big games on the horizon, like them scummy kunts from Scumchester town,

Anyhoo, great result at that f***in shithole,   Well in lads.



YNWA

Fair enough think the critiscm has been just to be honest still does not convince me seems so one paced and yeh he put in a decent shift but shouldnt he and the others always as a  bare minimum. Doesnt seem to have that spark that most Brazilians have hope I am prooved wrong

Yes effort is a bare minimum but judging someone who puts in the effort and then continues to push themselves when many others wouldn't is why he deserves credit. Saying it's the "bare minimum" is as if that's what we see in every other player in the league, we don't. Most of them (like Benteke) deserve criticism for not putting in the bare minimum but when someone puts in more effort than those that do put in effort then they deserve credit in my book.

If you can understand that well done but basically it's a pair of scales and right now Benteke and Firmino would about even them out with the level of shifts they put in, so you decide how criticism and credit should be passed out, to me it's obvious.

Kolo was superb.. but I have to give a big shout out to Lucas! Slotting into centre back for most of the match, and he did brilliantly against some rough and ready players out there. Helped to keep a clean sheet!

Well done lad!!

next time Newcastle play listen to Steve McClaren talk and think thank God we have Jürgen because he talks to people with respect and doesn't do the football talk which is total bollox.
He was angry on Saturday don't think he will be angry tonight