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da blaze casino： Liverpool NEEDED that win. The Reds were the big losers on Boxing Day as all of their major title rivals won, so the pressure was on as they knew defeat would leave them nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea heading into a titanic New Year’s Eve meeting with Manchester City.And a win is what they got, but it certainly wasn’t plain sailing at Anfield. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp’s men fell behind to a Jonathan Walters header after 12 minutes, which was just reward for Stoke’s endeavour and quality in the opening phase of the game.However, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino put Liverpool back on track before half-time with two quick goals, before Giannelli Imbula diverted Divock Origi’s cross into his own net and Daniel Sturridge rounded Lee Grant to score after a horrendous back pass from Ryan Shawcross put him in one-on-one vs. the Potters stopper.
We learnt that Liverpool are still in the title race this season as they hang on behind Chelsea, and here are FIVE more lessons from their 4-1 win…
Top of the Klopps
Liverpool have looked like a team reborn this season under Klopp, but the German’s impact was actually being felt right at the start of 2016. Indeed, Daniel Sturridge’s goal yesterday as the Reds made it 4-1 was their 86th in league action this calendar year, which is mightily impressive seeing as the end of the Brendan Rodgers era in late 2015 was synonymous with struggling to put the ball in the net.
Wijnaldum an upgrade
An interesting narrative surrounding this game was Joe Allen returning to Anfield. Some have questioned the Reds’ decision to get rid of the Welshman following his fine performances for the Potters, but Georginio Wijnaldum, the man who replaced him on Merseyside, showed his superiority last night.
Indeed, the stats are somewhat skewed by Liverpool’s dominance, but the Dutchman’s passing was noticeably better, he created more chances and got forward to fire more shots on goal.
Liverpool’s Christmas hangover…
Liverpool, perhaps, saw Stoke at home as a foregone conclusion, but the Potters’ bright start to the match took them somewhat by surprise. Indeed, Jonathan Walters’ header that opened the scoring marked the first time the Reds have conceded the opening goal in a Premier League match at Anfield since May.
We all know how the tie ended, but Klopp will surely remain annoyed about the sluggish start.
Three’s not company for Stoke
Stoke’s showing for the first 25/30 minutes was impressive to say the least. The Potters pressed Liverpool and prevented them from being able to play the game as they would like and they got their reward by going 1-0 up. Much of the talk in the build-up to the game surrounded Mark Hughes’ decision to utilise a three-man backline, and although they were so good at the start, problems with the system contributed to the Reds’ goals.
Adam Lallana pounced on indecisiveness by Glen Johnson to level before Roberto Firmino was given far too much time in the Stoke 18 yard box to turn and rifle in a left-footed shot. Hughes’ side may need a tactical tweak to help themselves move up the table, but we’re not sure a 3-5-2 is the answer.
Sturridge relief
If you’d have said at the start of the season Daniel Sturridge would have to wait until after Christmas for his first league goal of the campaign, few would have believed you. However, the English forward’s effort, the Reds’ fourth strike of the evening, broke his duck and will surely have come as a relief to him.
Interestingly, the ex-Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea man had had 20 fruitless shots at goal prior to netting, despite his limited game time.