Stoking the Red flame!

So a choice was made to catch up on my sleep debt, and forgo watching Stoke take on Liverpool during last night's Carling Cup tie.  There's a much better video at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azAsNzrU8ZQ ,while the video on top showed Suarez's celebrations after his well taken double.

Coming to the Britannia needing to win outright is a mighty proposition, given that Liverpool have not beaten Stoke in their home ground after many attempts.  There was an element of a revenge mission too, after having lost to Stoke 0-1 in the corresponding EPL game despite dominating proceedings.

The early signs were ominous to say the least. Kenny Dalglish was quoted that Liverpool had at least 2 clear chances to score , before Stoke scored first. Now, what seemed like a difficult task must have seem all the more harder.

That would be true, if you discounted Kenny's favorite wee man. Suarez scored a beauty of a goal which curved past the Stoke keeper, after having nutmegged Shotton. The 2nd goal was more route route, starting from a Reina kick which was volleyed by Henderson for a header which ended the game 2-1.

Personnel wise, there was rotation which saw the likes of Maxi, Spearing, Coates and the returning Lucas take their place alongside Andy Caroll. I'm glad to see Enrique and Gerrard get a day off while Maxi and Spearing get playing time.

Full Lineup: Reina, Agger, Coates, Carragher (Skrtel 46), Kelly, Maxi (Bellamy 82), Henderson, Spearing, Lucas, Suarez (Kuyt 88), Carroll Substitutes: Doni, Aurelio, Skrtel, Flanagan, Adam, Kuyt, Bellamy




Next up is Hodgson's WBA and Swansea - important 6 points to be taken before Chelsea comes visiting!