The players need to re-double their efforts for the return to Stoke this Sunday
Here we go again.
Not just the beginning of a new season, but an immediate trip to the ground that brought everything awful from Liverpool’s disappointing 2014/15 season into one horrific nightmare.
Liverpool’s 6-1 loss to Stoke City was embarrassing, pathetic, pitiful – any negative description that you can think of.
Claiming three points may not be significant in a title challenge, or even a race for the top four. Yet whilst they may be the targets this season at Anfield, this one game carries a different objective.
Revenge and redemption.
On most occasions, the Reds would probably be satisfied with a draw at the Britannia Stadium. It is undoubtedly an extremely difficult place to visit for any opposition.
Mark Hughes is now firmly settled in after succeeding Tony Pulis. Stoke have added artistry, possession and slick football to combine with their renowned steel and strength, making them a consistent top ten force in the league.
Moreover, with growing ambitions in the transfer market, the Potters are only looking upwards, and it is exciting times for Stoke fans.
However, on Sunday, Liverpool should only be looking to win.
Liverpool will need to show a new-found defensive solidity going into the new season
It’s always important to start a season well, while the majority of Liverpool’s signings were bought early, so hopefully there has been some significant gelling among the group.
Though the club’s two biggest arrivals, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke, have not had as much time with the rest, and both may yet not start the match on Sunday, there is arguably no better time than to play Stoke on the opening weekend and attempt to catch them cold.
Furthermore, in a run of away games that would make any team in world football shudder, this is one which on paper seems more winnable than most, highlighting just how difficult a start Liverpool have away from home.
Overall though, even if Liverpool go down again on Sunday, this time they have to at least go down fighting, and put in a performance of heart and promise that suggests in the following weeks the wins will follow.
All Liverpool fans, but especially the ones that had to pay to watch last May’s debacle, deserve that at least – but a win would provide the best cure to such a catastrophic memory.
It will be fascinating to see if Glen Johnson makes his debut for Stoke against his old club. The 30 year old moved from Anfield on a free transfer, and could very well be lining up at right-back against previous friends in Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and other former teammates.
Ideally, he will end up on the losing side once again!
For manager Brendan Rodgers to stay afloat in the Anfield job, Liverpool have to win their opening home fixtures against Bournemouth, West Ham, Norwich City and Aston Villa.
With Europa League football coming in for the Reds in September, along with the difficult away games, Liverpool really need to be flawless at Anfield so that the opening third of the season will not be so damaging.
Rodgers will have all eyes on him and his decisions come Sunday
The Reds may not come through this period top of the table, but if they can remain in a decent position (with almost maximum home points and perhaps seven points from the opening seven away games) then Liverpool’s season could easily gain momentum.
Their fixture list would see them play all of the big clubs at home for the remainder of the season, which would be a significant advantage given the atmosphere at Anfield, especially if the supporters have something to shout about.
No one enjoys the Britannia experience, particularly Liverpool, and especially last season. Since Stoke were promoted in 2008, Liverpool have only enjoyed one league victory at the ground, and even that was a manic 5-3 win – hardly a template to build on.
For Liverpool to show they mean business for this campaign, as they look to return to the Premier League’s top four, winning at Stoke after last season’s calamitous defeat would send a significant message, both from a footballing and mental perspective, to the rest. Now they have to go out and prove they can do it.
Face their fears and confront their demons – then perhaps the Reds will have a successful season.
Might scrape a victory hopefully, but not looking forward to playing top 4 home or away . We have improved the squad but so has everyone else . Sure we will hear same old trash talk from Brendan though