KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum What we've learnt from Stoke game

Lallana hasn't hit the ground running (I'm surprised I havn't seen anyone ask for Texieira to replace him yet). Stoke still are a very physical team. I think it is very harsh to start judging a player against this sort of team on the first game of the season and away from home. A fairer test will be the next game against Bournemouth at home.

Brendan is ruthless in his squad selection. Lucas has shown loyalty towards us over the years but was omitted from the matchday squad. I commend Brendan for this. The team comes first, individuals second. He doesn't suit Brendan's new setup. Let's hope part-time footballers Enrique, Balo and Borini get the message as well.

Gomez showed his inexperience but still impressed. Wisdom better play out of his skin this season or he will probably be sold on.

Early Benteke signs look promising but its still work in progress.

Brendan still has faith in Dejan Lovren - and he repaid his faith with a solid performance.

Brendan and his players show great character and a winning mentality. Brendan emphatically silenced his doubters with this result. In the 85th minute many of you were probably thinking we had run out of ideas and the boring mid table manager jibe was about to recycled for the umpteenth time. In the 86th minute we saw the character and resilience of the team. Tactically superb. An uppercut to the jaw to all those people who hung Brendan out to dry over the summer (this is not specifically a reference to anyone on Koptalk).

Milner lives up to his reputation.

We will need to grind out more wins like this to finish in the top 4. It is an art form. We need to perfect this art if we want success.

Coutinho is quickly becoming our most precious player. Big players step up in big matches. Coutinho stepped up.

A few more things to add:

- With benteke up front, we can now play both direct long balls or short from defence. At least we have a plan B. Teams now won't dare play too high up and pressure our defense like last season.

- We have shored up our midfield and we have much more energy now. A trio of Can, Milner and Hendo can control a midfield with energy.

- Tracking back with discipline - Milner does that! How many times have we conceded goals last season because of the huge gapping hole around the top of our box due to our midfield not tracking back? (sorry this is not a pot shot at SG)

- Our midfield is tight now but our attack is still stale. We were lucky to get the win thanks for moment of magic from Coutinho. We need to have a better plan B and the front 3 attackers must impose themselves more.

Still don't know since when have BR become such a ruthless manager. His relationship with Lucas has broken down, so it's obvious he won't pick him. He just want to show who's boss that's all.

You silence your doubters over a season not one game it was a moment of supreme skill from countinho that won us the game. But it was a good start and the good start needs to continue right through the season then we will assess rodgers

BR's ruthless alright. Just ask his ex

Back to football. Performances could be improved no doubt but it's 3 away points at Stoke. I'll take that.

Also we played a bit scared, maybe to be expected but compared to city we look way off. We need to hammer bournemouth to get a bit of confidence.

We still have a long way to go. Extremely lucky win. i can only remember one occasion in 90 mins where we opened up Stoke.

Stoke was one of the first 7 fixtures where we needed a win and we got that through a moment of sheer brilliance. fair play to the team for grinding out the result.

Although we showed industry and discipline (the full backs didnt attack as much) in keeping our shape, we lacked a real leader to organize us and keep the ball. The players still look like they are searching for Stevie G to pass to. Too many unnecessary short passes that dont really add up to anything

Lallana has to prove himself this season or he will be on the bench permanently. Happy for Lovren but i didnt think he played a blinder to get the plaundits

This is Lallana's second season not his first senior game. There is no justification in him being in the starting 11 at all.

We will be far better when BR picks players on merit and not on trying to justify price tags and nullify transfer mistakes on pure stubbornness. If any player belongs at the club then they should expect to have to work their way into the team on hard work, form and merit.

It's a promising first game but to read as much as that into it RS maybe jumping the gun a tad.

Correct again

He is Rodgers no one fan and any positives are seized upon.