Liverpool vs Stoke Post match thread

[BobTheCharmer]

Yes. Stamping on someone is worse than trying to win a penalty. Or if you going down the cheating route then you have to include every incident - like players claiming for corners and throw ins when they know full well it isnt theirs. Its still dishonest and its still cheating.

Diving to winn a penalty has never put a player out the game for 6 weeks with an injury.

but diving is cheating. I love a good committed too footed tackle going for the ball more than someone going down for no reason. stamping is wrong of course, but did huth actually hurt luis? its also easy to argue that his foot came down and he didn't mean it. he probably did mean it but still its open to intent and the only person who really knows is huth. with diving, owen used to go down with slightest contact and thats still out of order but today was just a kid throwing his toys out of the pram. besides violent conduct does not equal injuries galore, if it did how did anyone survive in the 60's and 70's?

Anyway you're getting really defensive about luis and bringing other players of other teams into your argument. But we shouldn't worry about others and take a stand at the club. No diving like that stupid effort today please luis.

[Shaggy]

Brendan Rodgers acknowledged his disappointment at being unable to turn possession into goals as Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City at Anfield – but praised the character and mentality of his players throughout a hard-fought contest.

The Reds carved out several opportunities to break the deadlock on a tough afternoon, but were unable to do so as the visitors held out for a point.

Rodgers reflected in his post-match press conference: "We're disappointed we didn't win the game. The attitude and application of the players was terrific and we stood up to the real physicality of the game, which was a big plus.

"If you can play against Stoke physically, especially with so many young players in the team and technicians, then you know you're going to be alright in your other games.

"I thought as the game wore on we got into good spaces and moments in good areas of the field, but just our final touch or decision at the end of it didn't quite allow us to score.

"A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. One, a meaningful relationship, two, a decent job of work, and three, to make a difference. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do. Every day, we all do. It's how we interact, with our fellow man.

"But we're disappointed not to win, but there were a lot of real positives from the game - and it was our first [league] clean sheet of the season, which was important."

He added: "I was particularly pleased with how we kept going. We kept getting on the ball and getting between people. We were throwing bodies into the box, but we couldn't quite get that final touch to get the goal."

Stoke collected six bookings at Anfield, but Rodgers had no complaints about their approach to the game.

Asked by journalists if he felt the Potters had been overly-physical, the manager replied: "They're a bunch of big men who make it difficult for you. There is no right or wrong way to play football. We choose to play a totally different type of game.

"I was proud our young players stood up to that and the senior players took responsibility and we coped while still trying to play our game."

Liverpool continued to toil right up until the 94th minute in search of a winning goal that would have secured a first home league win of 2012-13.

They were spurred on by the home fans, who urged the players forward until the final kick of the afternoon - and Rodgers was eager to highlight their contribution.

He said: "The bottom line is, it was a terrific performance and brilliant to see the young players cope in that type of environment. It bodes well for us going forward.

"As I said, some of our play was terrific, but we just failed to make the final pass and made the wrong decisions at the end.

"But I can't have any complaints. The players gave the club everything today. We've got big appreciation as well for the supporters.

"This is a club that has only won two Premier League games at Anfield this calendar year and it's been nearly a year since the club has won consecutive Premier League games.

"So to still get the support and backing of the supporters with that type of record, there are not many clubs who'd get that. You felt today, they were right with the team right until the very end.

"I was very proud of the team and the supporters today."

Asked by reporters what the key was to turning Liverpool's home fortunes around, Rodgers replied: "It's just time, unfortunately.

"I think there is a real bright future here. It is more or less the same players I inherited and I've brought in one or two who have done really well. It's just going to take that wee bit of time.

"What is fantastic for me and incredible going forward is the real positive reaction from the crowd. They're showing they are really behind what we're trying to do. Other clubs wouldn't get that support.

"The only way is by working hard and getting results on the field. The supporters are absolutely incredible."

Rodgers introduced Oussama Assaidi and Joe Cole into the action as Liverpool chased a winner.

The Reds continued to build attacks with their trademark short passing style, and the boss said: "I'm not one who goes down the desperation route, if I'm being honest. In my career, I've won a number of games, especially against big teams, by continuing to play and waiting for those moments at the end of the game.

"I don't really do the desperation one where it becomes a war in the last 10 minutes of the game by taking it longer.

"We work with what we've got, look to find different ways and solutions to score, and then when January comes we'll see if we can re-visit that."

[Shaggy]

Brendan Brendan....it was *not* "a terrific performance".

[Shaggy]

I see we got the "Attack, attack" chant again today. Always a sign of impatience, desperation, or both. I wonder how patient many of the fans are going to be.

[destinydude]

"A philosopher once wrote you need three things to have a good life. One, a meaningful relationship, two, a decent job of work, and three, to make a difference. And it was always that third one that stressed me, to make a difference. And I realise that I do. Every day, we all do. It's how we interact, with our fellow man.

"But we're disappointed not to win, but there were a lot of real positives from the game - and it was our first [league] clean sheet of the season, which was important."

Philosophy much, Brendan?

[Mattshark]

we have a 35m striker.

its just hes on loan at west ham. seemed criminal at the time and even more so now.

Why, he is ****.

[Leyton388]

I see we got the "Attack, attack" chant again today. Always a sign of impatience, desperation, or both. I wonder how patient many of the fans are going to be.

Same thing Thursday night mate. All you could hear the last 20 minutes or so was Attack Attack Attack. Patience will wear thin soon if we are in the bottom half of the table come near Christmas time.

[Nicey]

He should get done for that stamp .. Louie has stud marks on his stomach after that ... we got no ****ing protection from the ref out there today .. we need to get much more vocal as a team about the lack of decisions we seem to be getting game in game out

[Mostar]

Huth stamp on Suarez...

[Shaggy]

Same thing Thursday night mate. All you could hear the last 20 minutes or so was Attack Attack Attack. Patience will wear thin soon if we are in the bottom half of the table come near Christmas time.

Aye that's why I said we got it again.

[Leyton388]

Aye that's why I said we got it again.

[Mattshark]

suraez is not the answer to our goal scoring problems never will be he's a magnet for controversy

Why, he can score, his scoring record is not poor, he has been by a long way our biggest goal threat. The lack of goals from elsewhere is the issue.
Why cares if he is magnet for controversy.

[Nicey]

Thought it was a decent enough performance ... Stoke are a ****ing horrible team to play against .. especially the kind of team we are these days ..

Gerrard continues to be one of our weakest performers .. thought Wisdom looked superb out there again today ..

Can have too many complaints other than getting very little protection

The work in progress continues

The basis for success is there .. we just have to keep plugging away and become a meaner team .. at least we kept a clean sheet !!!

[Nicey]

Why, he can score, his scoring record is not poor, he has been by a long way our biggest goal threat. The lack of goals from elsewhere is the issue.
Why cares if he is magnet for controversy.

5 in 6 Games not too shabby ...

His problem is he is head and shoulders better than the players he is surrounded with

Teams must think .. shut him down .. shut liverpool down

[Mattshark]

5 in 6 Games not too shabby ...

His problem is he is head and shoulders better than the players he is surrounded with

Teams must think .. shut him down .. shut liverpool down