1. Are Liverpool too open with Suarez and Sturridge in the team?
Eight goals were scored in today’s game between Stoke and Liverpool, and it could have been much more.
Both sides constantly looked vulnerable when forced to defend, and though the introduction of Daniel Sturridge ultimately paid dividends in attack, down the other end, it did Liverpool no favours.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were therefore fortunate that they only conceded one goal in the second period, with Jonathan Walters given far too much time and space to shoot — as had been the case with Charlie Adam in the first period.
Indeed, especially in that second half, Stoke looked capable of scoring every time they went forward, with the visitors struggling to cope with the physicality of Walters and Peter Crouch, as well as the more subtle talents of Marko Arnautovic.
Accordingly, against better sides, Liverpool may not get away with playing two strikers up front — especially in a midfield that includes the slowing legs of Steven Gerrard.
That said, it would take a brave man to drop a striker as talented as Daniel Sturridge.
2. What exactly constitutes ‘interfering with play’?
Cheik Tiote’s disallowed goal in Man City’s 2-0 win over Newcastle has been the subject of much debate.
The player’s thunderbolt was deemed illegitimate, because Yoan Gouffran arguably blocked the goalkeeper’s view.
The problem seems to be that if such a ruling is backed by the FA, then there will be endless scope to penalise players in an offside position while seemingly not interfering with play. After all, aren’t such individuals nearly always interfering with play on some level in these instances, such as when a wandering striker causes a defence to play an offside trap, only for another player to run past the defence and score.
Moreover, even if Gouffran did block Hart’s view slightly, the keeper was still highly unlikely to make the save, so to rule Tiote’s effort out was pedantic in the extreme.
3. What’s gone wrong with Marc Wilson?
Ireland international Marc Wilson had what can best be described as a ‘stinker’ against Liverpool today.
The defender gave the ball away needlessly on numerous occasions, and was partially responsible for at least two of Liverpool’s goals.
Furthermore, it is not the first time Wilson has been conspicuously poor — in Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria, the 26-year-old was similarly inept, costing Ireland a crucial goal with a wayward pass in the latter game.
From watching him play, it is clear Wilson possesses considerable talent. However, his concentration seems to be a frequent issue — a problem that will be a concern to both Mark Hughes and Irish boss Martin O’Neill, who is not exactly blessed with an array of top quality left-backs as it is.
4. Pardew behaviour unacceptable
Not for the first time, the behaviour of Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was appalling today.After the referee arguably made a mistake in denying Newcastle a goal, he was subjected to a vicious haranguing from Pardew as the sides went in at half-time. ”You got it wrong!” he continually shouted, while pointing his finger at the official in an aggressive fashion.
Would Pardew ever castigate his players publicly if they made an error? Unlikely. Yet for some reason, such bullying is considered acceptable when it comes to referees.
And arguably even worse was his labelling of Manuel Pellegrini as a “f**king old c**t. Surely a banning is in order for this unsavoury ageism — such an outcome would send out a firm message that Pardew’s behaviour should not be considered acceptable, even in the inveterately abrasive atmosphere of a football stadium.
5. Have we just seen the game of the season?
There have been some fantastic matches in the Premier League this season.
The Stoke-Liverpool encounter epitomised the excitement that the league conjures at its best, while also illustrating some of its perpetual flaws (shoddy defending, an over-reliance on long-ball football, et cetera).
What was particularly impressive was that the match’s relentless pace lasted for more or less the entire 90 minutes, when so often, similarly exciting games fade out meekly in the final half an hour.
Liverpool, of course, provided the genius in the form of Luis Suarez on the day, but Stoke’s endless pressing and unbreakable resilience also played a big role in ensuring this afternoon’s game will be remembered in years to come.
