Liverpool beat Stoke City yesterday for their first league victory at the Britannia since 1984. Liverpool now move back up to 4th position and on course to make a return to Champion’s League football since 2010.
It was a thriller as Liverpool won 5-3 as Luis Suarez scored a brace and Daniel Sturridge returned from a two month injury lay-off with a goal to end any chances of a late Stoke City fight back.
Liverpool were as efficient in front of goal scoring 5 as they were tediously inefficient shipping 3 goals in a game symbolic of Rodgers’ swashbuckling Liverpool side of the past 12 months. Goals for Gerrard, Sturridge and Suarez will certainly be encouraging for Rodgers and his side as they play Aston Villa next weekend in a game which they could further cement there top 4 ambitions as Manchester United face Chelsea in the same game week.
The started with Liverpool on top and controlling the game as Steven Gerrard was operating in a new role as he controlled midfield from the deepest of a 3 man midfield. Liverpool took the lead at the 5th minute as Ryan Shawcross deflected an Aly Cissokho shot into his own net past the young goalkeeper Jack Butland. Liverpool’s pressure continued and they were rewarded for their efforts with a second goal as Luis Suarez chased down a mix up at the back of Stoke’s defence to roll the ball into the net at the 32nd minute.
What followed would surely have sent shivers down the spines of Liverpool fans who seen their side succumb a lead at the Britannia just over 12 months ago to lose 3-1. First it was a goal from ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch who scored a fine header following a cross from winger Arnautovic to make it 2-1 at the 39th minute. Next it was another ex-Liverpool player scoring as Charlie Adam struck the ball past Mignolet with great velocity on at the 45th minute to make the game 2-2 heading into the break.
Coming back for the second half Liverpool didn’t take long to get back on track. Raheem Sterling was brought down by Marc Wilson and a penalty was dubiously awarded. The captain stepped up and calmly put the ball past Butland to put Liverpool back in front in the 51st minute.
Liverpool’s 4th goal came thanks to some neat interplay from Daniel Sturridge who had replaced Phillipe Coutinho. Sturridge’s sly pass to Suarez gave him the chance to net his 22nd goals in 16 league games and he put the ball past with aplomb.
Worrying for Liverpool as they conceded the 3rd of the game as Liverpudlian Jonathan Walters scored in the 85th minute. Perhaps the goal of the game was scored on the 87th minute as Luis Suarez played in Daniel Sturridge with an exquisite cross in which he used great invention to score his first goal since his late equaliser at Goodison Park.
