Simon Mingolet could not have
asked for a better start to life at Liverpool; his 87th minute save gave
Liverpool all but three points to start the season. A feat not achieved on
opening day by the legendary King Kenny or English Manager Roy Hodgson; the
last time Liverpool won on opening day Fernando Torres scored in the 83rd
minute to give a victory over Sunderland in 2008. That was the season Liverpool
went on to finish second in the league.
On a rainy day at Anfield
Liverpool started brightly by forcing impressive saves from Asmir Begovic (Man
of the match); both teams hit the goal post but Liverpool looked the stronger
side with Coutinho pulling the strings from midfield. Iago Asapas looked bright
in the opening minutes and had a few shots on goal while Toure put in a solid
performance at center back. Stoke looked lost and struggled to transition from
their long ball playing style to Mark Hughes' more preferred passing style. As
the season goes on it will be interesting to see how Hughes transitions his midfield players into playmakers, and gets his center
backs to pass the ball instead of launching it forward to Crouch and
Walters.
For Liverpool the victory
against Stoke on opening day might just be the boost they need to break
defensive teams at home. Over the years Liverpool have been guilty of
dominating games against "smaller" teams without squeezing out a
result; this result might just be the inspiration Rodgers' men needed.
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