Liverpool have been accused of overplaying during Brendan Rodgers’ reign. On Sunday the attitude seemed to be “We’ll show them…”
In previous seasons under Rodgers, the Reds have faltered when their swashbuckling style has failed to reap rewards. But their visit to Stoke saw them rip up the usual template and showcase more Plan B than Now That’s What I Call Music! 76.
It was relentless stuff. Simon Mignolet and his defenders launched the ball deep into opposition territory again and again and again. We recently suggested that Christian Benteke was far more than a big target man, but Rodgers clearly thinks differently.
He treated the Belgian striker like a forehead on stilts, instructing his side to pump it towards the big man whenever possible. Although the former Aston Villa forward coped admirably, it was hardly utilising him to maximum effect.
Benteke is a goalscorer and yet rarely did his teammates look to create chances for him. Instead he was their Gulliver and they his scurrying Lilliputians. If the plan was to out-Stoke Stoke, the tactic was as outdated as it was relentlessly ineffectual.
Until the hour mark, the Potters were undoubtedly the better side. Without being especially impressive or expansive, they at least flirted with the idea of pass-and-move. The visitors looked nervous at the back and Stoke were eager to test their resolve.
Mark Hughes is slowly collecting a number of talented technicians, with Xherdan Shaqiri set to join Ibrahim Afellay, Marco van Ginkel, Peter Odemwingie and the injured Bojan Krkić at the Britannia. Long-ball merchants they are not.
Liverpool mustn’t allow themselves to go in the other direction simply because Benteke possesses height and strength. Rodgers has spoken of ‘mixing it up’ now that they have a legitimate target to aim for, but there was no variation on Sunday – it was terribly one-dimensional.
Thankfully for the visiting fans, Philippe Coutinho spat on the playbook with four minutes of normal time remaining with a 25-yard screamer that was pure footballing joy.
Receiving a pass from debutant Joe Gomez, the Brazilian magician turned Steve Sidwell like he was an inconvenient bollard. Darting in from left to right so that he was in line with the posts, he let fly with a stunning finish that the preceding 86 minutes didn’t deserve.
It was magic, and a timely reminder to Rodgers that his team will only flourish if allowed to fully express their talents – Benteke included. At 6ft 3in, the Belgian’s obvious aerial threat should always be an option, but making it an obligation will only hinder Liverpool’s progress.
