The Liverpool Offside - Stoke City v. Liverpool, 12.26.12Zeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2012-12-26T22:47:33+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/35669552012-12-26T22:47:33+00:002012-12-26T22:47:33+00:00Recap: Miserable Expected, Miserable Received
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<figcaption>Bryn Lennon</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool open the scoring in the first few minutes but offered little moving forward as they drop all three points at Stoke and get leapfrogged in the table by Tony Pulis' side. </p> <blockquote>
<p><b>Stoke 3:</b> <i>Walters 5' 49', Jones 12' </i><br><b>Liverpool 1:</b> <i>Gerrard (pen.) 2'</i></p>
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<p>That Brendan Rodgers selected an unchanged eleven from the win over Fulahm was both surprising and not; the opposition was clearly very different, which made Suso's stay in the eleven a bit of a shock, but the manager's shown a tendency to stick with what works at times, particularly when he's got a full squad to choose from. Stewart Downing starting again was expected, as was Jonjo Shelvey, and Joe Allen--who'd apparently suffered a pelvic injury--was again on the bench, with Jordan Henderson again left out.</p>
<p>There wasn't much time to discuss the starting eleven before Liverpool scored, as a punt downfield from Martin Skrtel found a streaking Luis Suarez, who managed to break into the box before being dragged down by Ryan Shawcross. It was a blatant penalty, and Howard Webb had little choice but to book the <i>not-that-type-of-player</i> and award Liverpool their first spot-kick in what seemed like ages. Despite the time off Steven Gerrard ably converted, and within two minutes Liverpool had a lead at the Britannia.</p>
<p>It was a short-lived lead, though, as a defensive calamity led to a comically simple equalizer from Jonathan Walters. Shawcross' boot led to an errant Daniel Agger header and slip from Martin Skrtel, and Walters was left unchallenged on Pepe Reina's goal, and the bulky forward easily sent Reina the wrong way to level the score and erase Liverpool's impossibly early lead.</p>
<p>It only got worse from there, with more shotty defending allowing for Stoke to take the lead. This time it was Agger losing his marker and Glen Johnson failing at the near post, leaving Kenwyne Jones all alone to nod past Reina. Little changed before the hosts extended their lead after the break, with Walters controlling well and deceiving Agger before looping a volley in to give Stoke a two-goal lead.</p>
<p>Liverpool had little to offer from there, unfortunately, and Stoke came away comfortable winners in a match that started so brightly but ended in a frighteningly familiar manner. </p>
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<p>It's disappointing to have seen a lead so easily given away, but with pessimism reigning ahead of today's match, the penalty in the opening minutes--as glorious as it was given the club's inability to earn them rightly or wrongly earlier in the season--was always going to give way to punishment. Stoke delivered, Liverpool didn't, and they're left ruing the inability to create any opportunities that would have seen them claw back into the match. </p>
<p>There wasn't much in the way of fight-back, and Brendan Rodgers' choices again lend themselves to critiques and criticism. Stewart Downing regressed to the mean, offering little in attack, Suso was solid before being taken off for Raheem Sterling, and Jonjo Shelvey managed to survive all ninety minutes despite being one of Liverpool's worst on the night. It was terrible from back to front; none of the back line were up to their best, as both Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel struggled and neither of Jose Enrique or Glen Johnson were able to impact the match for the better.</p>
<p>Today's a day better left forgotten, full stop. Stoke did what they always do and were quite successful, and Liverpool unfortunately did what they've become accustomed to doing as well--inconsistent and ineffective after signs of encouragement just a few days earlier. Something needs changing and fast, and those pinning their hopes on January might be disappointed even further.</p>
<p>We need to be patient, yes, and Brendan Rodgers needs time. But all involved need to start righting some of the wrongs we've witnessed far too often over the past few seasons. </p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/12/26/3805500/stoke-city-3-liverpool-1-as-miserable-as-youd-expect-Ed-2012-12-26T12:45:06+00:002012-12-26T12:45:06+00:00Matchday: Stoke City v. Liverpool
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<figcaption>Chris Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool visit Stoke on Boxing Day in what'll likely be one of the more challenging--or at least more miserable--away fixtures they'll have all season. </p> <p><b>K</b><b>ickoff:</b> 7:45PM GMT/2:45PM EST</p>
<p><b>Ways to Watch:</b> Sky Sports 1 in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel in the US</p>
<p><b>Preview: </b><a target="_blank" href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2012/12/25/3801230/match-preview-stoke-city-v-liverpool-boxing-day-team-news">Stoke City v. Liverpool</a><a href="http://liverpool.theoffside.com/2012/11/10/3627064/match-preview-chelsea-v-liverpool-11-11-12-premier-league-team-news" target="_blank"></a></p>
<p><b>Comment:</b> <a href="../../account/setup?community_id=373" target="_blank">Join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a></p>
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<p><b>Stoke City: </b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Begovic<br>Cameron Shawcross Huth Wilkinson<br>Kightly Nzonzi Whelan Etherington<br>Walters Jones</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Bench: Sorensen, Adam, Whitehead, Upson, Crouch, Shotton, Jerome</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Liverpool:</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Reina<br>Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique<br>Lucas Gerrard<br>Shelvey<br>Downing Suarez Suso</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><i></i>Bench: Jones, Carragher, Coates, Henderson, Allen, Cole, Sterling</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/12/26/3803642/matchday-stoke-city-v-liverpool-boxing-day-team-news-Ed-2012-12-26T01:53:49+00:002012-12-26T01:53:49+00:00Open Thread: Pre-Stoke Overnight
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<figcaption>Dean Mouhtaropoulos</figcaption>
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we wait for kickoff from the Britannia.</p> <p>1) Do we see three central defenders? If so, who?</p>
<p>2) Joe Allen--in or out? If out, who replaces him?</p>
<p>3) Better choice--Jonjo Shelvey or Jordan Henderson?</p>
<p>4) Luis Suarez and ____________ in attack?</p>
<p>5) Does Stewart Downing dare grace us with goal and/or assist number two? Shhhhhh.</p>
<p>Bonus: Who's more <i>not that type of player</i>--Ryan Shawcross or Robert Huth?</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/12/26/3803492/pre-stoke-overnight-open-thread-Ed-2012-12-25T17:48:12+00:002012-12-25T17:48:12+00:00Preview: Stoke City v. Liverpool
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<figcaption>Ross Kinnaird</figcaption>
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<p>Liverpool visit Stoke City on Boxing Day with hopes of winding down 2012 on a good note, albeit in a fixture that's proven to be downright miserable over the past few seasons. </p> <p>First, Merry Christmas to all those that celebrate! Hope you're able to spend time with those you love and care about, and that everyone remembers the true purpose of the holiday--accruing massive amounts of random stuff you wouldn't otherwise buy and overindulging on food and booze to the point that you're ultimately immobile and useless. So basically any other Tuesday. Rejoice!</p>
<p>I'm going to keep this one brief because of said holiday and family and etc. Also because I despise <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/stoke-city">Stoke City</a> and <span>Tony Pulis</span> with every fiber of my being. There's no redeeming qualities about this fixture--the opposition, their manager, their supporters, all completely loathsome. I wish <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> didn't have to play this one, and if God truly existed, they wouldn't. But hey, Merry Christmas, remember?</p>
<p>Shocking news that <span>Michael Owen</span> is out injured, but Pulis will have an otherwise full strength squad to call upon so long as <span>Charlie Adam's</span> back after taking bereavement leave because of his father's death. Hopefully he's back, as it's likely been a difficult time for him and his family, especially with the holiday, and playing football again might be the best thing for him. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110223/peter-crouch">Peter Crouch</a> <strike>and Jermaine Pennant</strike> (<i>Pennant's been on loan at Wolves since October, thanks Richie FOR EMBARRASSING ME ON MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY</i>) rounds out the former Liverpool contingent that could feature, and <span>Asmir Begovic</span>, Jonathan Walters, <span>Ryan Shawcross</span>, and <span>Robert Huth</span> will likely continue their string starting every Premier League match for a squad that's only had two results all season separated by more than one goal.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Reina<br>Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique<br>Lucas Henderson<br>Gerrard<br>Downing Suarez Sterling</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">No new absences confirmed for Brendan Rodgers' squad, but the manager has discussed an apparent pelvic injury for midfielder <span>Joe Allen</span> that could keep him out and <span>Oussama Assaidi</span> is likely continuing to manage a knee injury. Saturday to Wednesday is a decent-enough rest for all the other regulars, and nobody seemed too bothered after the win over <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/">Fulham</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Normal service at the back unless Rodgers opts to go with three--in which case I'd hope <span>Sebastian Coates</span> joins <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/110728/martin-skrtel">Martin Skrtel</a> and Daniel Agger--and while it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to see the same midfield as we got against Fulham, I'll guess that <span>Jordan Henderson</span> comes in for Jonjo Shelvey. The latter's a walking red-card in this fixture but could have an impact; Henderson's a bit more cerebral and could link play well. Up top, it seems that Stewart Downing's in line for another start, like it or not, and <span>Raheem Sterling</span> should be back in to join <span>Luis Suarez</span>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Kickoff tomorrow is later on, with the start time set for 7:45PM GMT/2:45PM EST. Viewers in the UK can catch it live on Sky Sports One, while folks in the US can watch it on Fox Soccer Channel. We'll have the overnight open thread and matchday post up as usual, and team sheets will run around an hour or so before kickoff.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Hope you're able to enjoy the holiday if you're celebrating, and that you'll be around tomorrow to join us.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3801230/match-preview-stoke-city-v-liverpool-boxing-day-team-news-Ed-