• Stoke – Liverpool 0-1 (0-1):
(Dagbladet): Liverpool beat Stoke away tonight in the first of two semifinals of the League Cup, and thus took a big step towards final at Wembley in February.
Where can the club possibly secure their first trophy since 2012.
The youngster Jordan Ibe scored the only goal after having hammered 1-0 from close range after a lovely Liverpool attack a few minutes before the break.
But even if it was victory, made the match more of a headache than necessary for manager Jürgen Klopp tonight. Both Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren went namely the field with injury before half time.
Thus grows Liverpool’s injury list further. From before have players like Daniel Sturridge, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Henderson and Danny Ings out with injuries.
Frustrated Klopp
– We got two bad injuries, and therefore I do not see myself as particularly lucky tonight. Now we have three injured center-backs and the only one that is not damaged got cramp at the end of the fight, says Jürgen Klopp, said.
– The biggest problem for us is the damage. It’s very frustrating. We have too many injuries. When some players coming back from injury, other injured. It’s a cycle we need to get out of. We have no breaks, no chance to get us, he continued.
Liverpool is also about to be left behind in the Premier League. The team is currently in 8th place, 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Shooting Opportunities
Klopp crew attached matter seized immediately tonight, and came to a number of shot opportunities the first ten minutes. Both Coutinho, Emre Can and Firmino looked sharp, but it was a lot almost for Liverpool initially.
Stoke, for its part, was relatively low in pitch and tried the same recipe for success they have used against other big team earlier this season – lie low and pursue counter the strength of players like Bojan, Shaqiri, Afellay and Arnautovic.
Liverpool fielded a virtually first eleven, but Klopp gave players like Kolo Toure, Joe Allen and Adam Lallana opportunity. In addition, when a huge talent Ibe in for an injured Coutinho after just 18 minutes of play.
Liverpool’s loss situation was further exacerbated after half an hour, then Dejan Lovren limped off and was replaced by James Milner.
Great counter
Soon afterward got Merseyside guys however something to smile for when substitute Ibe inserted 1-0.
The attack before Liverpool’s leading goal was the addition of the neat battle: Substitute Milner plays a lovely ball down the right flank, to Lallana, who took down the bullet and let it run into the Stoke box.
In full speed from behind came Allen, who tried to shoot, but the ball skidded off the Welshman feet and lay perfectly for Jordan Ibe, who used one touch, before he slotted the ball into the net with his left leg.
Stoke, who occasionally played sparkling attacking football this season, struggled on the last third of the pitch mostly throughout the first round.
Mark Hughes’ boys had admittedly a chance for a corner just before the fire, but Liverpool had blocked the exit.
Next Opportunities
Stoke started 2nd half best, but failed to capitalize on a playing wise advantage. Instead it was Liverpool who took over more and more, and apparently controlled the state of affairs.
Stoke tried as best they could to create a form of pressure towards the end of the settlement, but never succeeded in getting a real 100-percent chance of Simon Mignolet in Liverpool cage.
The nearest homemade came Jonathan Walters’ weak finish after a good ball through two minutes of overtime.
Thus ended the match 0-1, which is a good base for Klopp – which may be heading for his first trophy with Liverpool – before the second leg at Anfield on January 26.
An additional fly in the ointment for the German was that also Kolo Toure may have suffered an injury. Ivorian stuck to the back of the thigh at the end of the settlement.
• Everton and Manchester City meet in the other semi-final in the League Cup. The first settlement played tomorrow.
• This weekend played the third round of the FA Cup. Liverpool match Exeter City, while Stoke will go up against Doncaster.
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