Liverpool down Stoke City 2-0
Liverpool’s new striker Luis Suarez opened his account on his very first outing for the club, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 beat Stoke City 2-0 in a Premier League tie.
Liverpool began the match knowing that the Torres days were behind them, and they had to make a fresh start. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dirk-Kuyt-c11348 was given the central striker’s role by Kenny Dalglish.
The central defence for Liverpool comprised of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Agger-c9884. The Liverpool manager went for that defensive strategy keeping in mind the physical presence of Stoke City.
It was Liverpools physical presence that almost gave them their first goal. Kyrgiakos did well to get his head to a http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salif-Diao-c32240.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-Meireles-c30678 had given Liverpool the lead from close range following a free kick, after a goalless first half.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-Reina-c29672 in the Liverpool goal.
Stoke City did settle down after the initial period and did not allow Liverpool to play freely. The Reds were made to work hard by an organised Stoke team. The home team finally cranked up the pressure in the final moments of the first half, but still were
not able to score.
It was the Liverpool full back duo of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Asmir-Begovic-c6841.
Kuyt also had a chance when he found himself unmarked in the area. However the Dutchman was unable to capitalise from a difficult chance handed to him by Gerrard.
Liverpool started the second half with the same tempo and did not have to wait too long after the restart to get their goal. Gerrard sent in a well struck free kick and after a scramble, the ball fell to Meireles, who thumped in his third goal in as many
games to give the hosts the lead.
Liverpool dominated the game after the goal, and had most of the possession. Stoke knew that after that goal they had to come out and play, leaving plenty of gaps at the back.
There was a great sense of anticipation as Luis Suarez made his way to the touchline, he was finally sent on in the 63rd minute. It was 17 minutes after his introduction when Kuyt played him a delightful through ball and he was one-on-one with
the keeper. The South American rounded up the keeper and directed the ball towards the goal. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Wilson-c36932 tried hard to keep it out but ended up deflecting the ball on the post and into the goal.
It was the third win in a row for Liverpool, and a dream debut for Suarez. The mood was lifted after a day of mourning following the departure of their idol http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707.
Before the game kicked off, the other big money signing Andy Carroll also made his way on the pitch. The former Newcastle man was received with a standing ovation from the Anfield faithful.
The match was a new beginning for Liverpool as the huge mural of Fernando Torres was removed from Anfield just before the game. Luis Suarez showed enough promise to the 63,000 fans that they may yet have another idol to admire.
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