We're on the march with Jürgen's Army. Wembley is well within sight now and thank F***ing F**k for that. This club should be winning trophies on a regular basis and this is our chance to win the first major trophy of the year. Successfully defend the lead back at Anfield and we're on our way. Don't care which c**t in blue we get in the final.
We were great defensively, Stoke didn't have a glutful of chances despite it probably be the least likely pairing of centre halves for the majority of the match. And even at the end, we had two central midfeidlers playing at the heart of the defence. But we dug in and got a much deserved clean sheet. Going forward, we showed the odd glimpse of brilliance but very often lacked that composure in the final third. A poor shot or a bad final ball. Overall though, a good away win for the first leg of the semi final.
Down to us to see the job through at Anfield now.
Mignolet - got another booking for time wasting (I didn't actually think it was that bad but it may of been) and flapped at the odd cross, however it wasn't his worst game by any means. Still, he clearly has a long way to go to convince us he's the answer to our goalkeeping problems.
Clyne - solid as usual yesterday, Stoke's front three or four have caused a lot of teams a lot of problems this year and Nath looked sound as F**k. Could have possibly won a penalty as well, maybe another day he would of. Couple of dodgy performances towards the back-end of 2015, has gone back to his steady self.
Toure - cult hero isn't he? He's been sh*t many times during his Liverpool career but yesterday he put in a heroic performance. Carrying on when his hamstring had clearly gone and still being the only one to actually jump and win a header in our box. That's the sort of thing Liverpool fans will love. Deserves all the praise he gets.
Lovren - given the injuries we've already got at centre half, it makes it a bigger blow to see Dejan pick up an injury. Even worse given his recent run of form. He looked alright for the half hour or so he was on though.
Moreno - like Clyne, kept a very tricky Stoke side quiet. So much so that they reverted to our tactics against West Ham, hit it long and hope for the best. His overall game has improved as the season went on. I said on here once that it looked as if was learning the role of full back on the job, it looks like he's getting there slowly but surely. The impressive display from Smith against the Hammers might have just given Albert the kick up the arse he needed.
Lucas - another heroic display. Filling it for two thirds of the match at centre half and not really putting a foot wrong showed a side of Lucas we haven't seen often enough this year. Incredible showing.
Can't - for me was his usual lumpish self. He gives it his all when trying to run and gets absolutely nowhere, it's reminiscent of Riise's idea of running. His passing is poor, his strength for a fella of his size is embarrassing at times. Still not convinced on him, considering the 13-14 pre-season he was the one of the new signings who impressed me most.
Allen - well he was Joe Allen wasn't he? A lot of nothing mainly. But nothing glaringly wrong with his performance yesterday, maybe one of the more underrated performers. While he did nothing to hurt Stoke, he done a lot of the donkey work in the middle of the park. Not gonna criticise his performance but it's not one I'll look back on with great praise either.
Coutinho - maybe the injury is the best thing that could of happened because his form has been so F***ing sh*te lately but he was still getting picked. On the other hand, you don't want to see your most creative player anywhere but on the pitch do you?
Lallana - put in the same performance he's put in for 18 months. Step overs, dropping the shoulder, dragging it back, extra touches, anything that makes him look fancy basically. And when it comes off, he looks like the world beater some think he is, when it doesn't he looks like the sh*t player some think he is. It came off a fair bit in the first half, second half he was sh*t.
Firmino - plenty of poor efforts on goal but created space for himself to get those shots quite well at times. Unfortunately given his start to a Liverpool career, he needs to be putting in great performances to win his critics round, not okish performances like yesterday. He's the first name on the team sheet for Exeter as far as I'm concerned though. Go and show some quality there, regain some form and confidence ahead of the Arsenal and United games.
Ibe - very well taken goal and worked hard but didn't do enough to get into the game more. He looks better on the left cutting in, than out on the right always trying to get to the byline. As a winger, he does need to contribute with goals and yesterday he did, thankfully.
Milner - steady sort of performance, nothing special, nothing noticeable but solid. That's great when you're paired with a creative player beside you or at least somebody who is gonna hurt the opposition, paired with Allen and/or Can it's all very much the same sort of player.
Benteke - I don't think the poor f**ker touched the ball.
Overall, a good win at a tricky ground. Three clean sheets in four games, three one nil wins in that time. Grinding out results has to be a good sign. Making us harder to break down gives you a better chance of winning games, it's what Arsenal were famous for under George Graham (and no, Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno are no Seaman, Dixon, Adams, Bould, Winterburn but great teams are built by being hard to beat).
Head back to Anfield with a lead, see the job through at home and off we go to Wembley - again. Win our 9th League Cup and extend our lead as the most successful club in that competition and in English football.
Well played Reds.
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