Liverpool's last visit to the Britannia in the League Cup resulted in an 8-0 thrashing of Stoke, Jamie Carragher the only player left of that victory eleven years ago. With a record seven competition wins and having featured in the final eleven times, there is always an air of expectation with Liverpool. Last night they needed to deliver.
Liverpool set up with seven changes to the team that drew with Norwich at Anfield. Coates, Maxi, Kelly, Agger, Carroll, Lucas, Henderson and Spearing all came into the side. The formation looked like a loose 4-3-3 moving to a Liverpool usual 4-2-3-1 at times. Stoke also made changes, eight, yet still had a side out who could frustrate and possibly win.
The best of the chances in the first half came to Liverpool, Suarez hit the post, dragged wide and had two shots superbly saved. Carroll had a header wide, shot wide and also had a shot saved. It seemed it was to be one of those games that Liverpool are having recently, all shots and no glory.
However, Stoke had another idea, when gifted long ball fell to Walters, Coates attempted a clearance and got it horrendously wrong, allowing the ball to bounce. Walters wrestled the ball of the Uruguayan and lofted it in only for it to be headed low into the corner by Kenwyne Jones. The Stoke goal was from the only attempt on goal by the home team, yet Liverpool had had the bulk of the chances. Coates had been having a very decent game up until that point, however he needs to learn the English game just a little better.
There was a contentious decision about twenty minuNtes into the match when it seemed that Jamie Carragher handled the ball as he tackled, replays showed he not only handled the ball but also fouled Etherington. Carragher was awarded a yellow card.
After the break both teams started up much like they had left. Yet Dalglish had clearly taken Suarez to one side. After only right minutes of the second half Suarez collected a pass on the edge of the eighteen yard box, a superb run by Henderson so him take Huth away from Suarez who played the ball through the legs of Shotton and curl a ball into the far corner past Sorenson. It was a sublime goal and immediately lifted fans and players.
After the first goal it seemed only a matter of time until the winner. A headed clearance fell to Henderson who side volleyed the ball high into the air and Suarez, unmarked at the far post, headed a strong header into the goal.
The match then seemed to filter out until Stoke started to press for the equaliser. Several lofted passes, throws and corners resulted in chaos in the Liverpool box. Coates seemed to be at odds with the Stoke attack and hauled down several Stoke players, fortunately the referee didn't see, yet they were clearly fouls.
Suarez came off in the 86th minute, limping off he was congratulated by fans and players. He had stayed on his feet for most of the match and even had a penalty appeal turned down because he stayed on his feet. However, the brace he scored helped him to overcome the frustration of the matches against Manchester United and Norwich.
The game closed out uneventfully and there was much relief from the Liverpool fans as, at last, we converted some of our chances into goals. Seven shots and two goals. A good days work.
Suarez was easily the best Liverpool player on the night, yet the whole midfield put in avert convincing performance, Henderson and Spearing looked more decisive and creative. Coates needs to learn from his mistake yet I wouldn't judge him too harshly, he had a good game overall.
Liverpool go into the pot for the auarter final draw along with, Crystal Palace, Cardiff, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Blackburn.
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