Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Have Liverpool improved enough?

With 77 days removed from a 6-1 thrashing away to Stoke City, Brendan Rodgers and the Reds returned to the scene of the crime with revenge on their minds.

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A phenomenal 86th minute strike from Philippe Coutinho left the Britannia Stadium crowd stunned and the Liverpool travelling support delirious, but was the performance good enough? Did Liverpool show enough to believe they are on the right track?

Obviously, a victory and a clean sheet are drastic improvements on Liverpool’s dreadful performance away to Stoke to end last season’s campaign, but a scoreless draw appeared to be the fairest result based on the run of play.

Neither side were ever fully in control of the game, with Stoke edging the play during the first half and Liverpool the slightly better side during the second half.

The Reds started five new signings and the chemistry was lacking during the first half as Liverpool struggled to penetrate The Potters’ defense. Stoke kept the Liverpool full-backs pegged back, which created two on one disadvantages against Jordon Ibe and Philippe Coutinho in the wide areas of the pitch. This tactic also had Christian Benteke struggling to link up with his teammates as the big Belgian was starved of service for much of the match.

Stoke right back and former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson had the best chance of the first half when he blazed a shot over the bar from inside the penalty area. Other than the Johnson chance, neither side created much, which makes it difficult to gauge the progress of the Liverpool defense.

Rodgers’ first substitution of the match saw Adam Lallana depart for Emre Can. With this change, Can joined Jordan Henderson and James Milner in the center of the park. With three central midfielders, Liverpool were able to gain more control of the match. Still, though, neither side were able to create a ton of chances.

Liverpool appeared closer to a breakthrough when Jordan Henderson ran onto an aerial through ball in the penalty area and, with acres of space, chose to hurriedly loop a cross in search of Benteke instead of taking the shot himself. Benteke, expecting a layback, halted his run and threw his arms out in frustration as Henderson’s cross floated aimlessly away for a goal kick. This play was a microcosm of the game for Benteke. Out of place and out of rhythm.

Coutinho, only a stoppage of play from being subbed off, spun away from the defender and unleashed a scorching shot into the back of the net. The Stoke defenders could not close down the space, something they had done brilliantly to that point. Rodgers immediately motioned to the fourth official to cancel the planned Danny Ings for Coutinho substitution. Coutinho was Liverpool’s only legitimate threat on the day and it was puzzling that Rodgers was going to sub him off with the match still scoreless.

Coutinho saved Liverpool’s blushes on the day, but he won’t be able to pull a 30-yard wonder strike out of his hat every time the Reds need him to do so. Rodgers needs Benteke and others to step up and contribute to the goal scoring, but who could that be?

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Lallana has continued to struggle since joining the Anfield side. Ibe has shown great dribbling ability, but has yet to show that he can regularly pop in goals. Roberto Firmino, who came off the bench against Stoke, is a great creator but a poor shooter. Daniel Sturridge is a great striker, but he has not been fit for about a year now. Rodgers is hoping to have Sturridge back in September, but he will still have to regain match fitness and sharpness.

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner recently stated that he expects “strong improvement” this season. Werner placed the pressure squarely on Rodgers’ shoulders when he said Rodgers was “instrumental” in who was targeted and brought to Anfield this transfer window.

While a 0-1 victory is an improvement on last season’s 6-1 demolition, the performance was not great. Liverpool will have to play better as the season progresses if they hope to qualify for the Champions League and if Rodgers hopes to keep his job after this campaign.