A slightly belated player ratings following last night’s game as, in those circumstances, it’s likely you’ll see some player’s displays through rose-tinted glasses. But on the whole, progression into a final is just that, so we can’t complain too much with a job done.
On the whole though, the performance of the majority of the team stunk, with most players seeming to freeze in the spotlight of expectancy. This is something that has become a problem for Liverpool in the past year or so but the fact that the team progressed, despite a sub-par display, is in stark contrast to the meek submission to Aston Villa not so long ago.
As with the chest-thumping win over Norwich on Saturday, there will have been many elements of the win over Stoke that infuriated Klopp once again, and those will continue to be addressed.
But as fans, we can bask in the glory of reaching a final. And if Jurgen can do that after just four months, imagine what he can do with his own players and a bit more time.
[ffc-gallery]Click to see our player ratings.[/ffc-gallery]
In all fairness, Flanagan should have been sent of for kicking an opponent’s knee when already on a booking. Clearly lacking sharpness after such a long time out.
As for Moreno, well, we have other areas to work on in the transfer market, but I wouldn’t be surprised, if he was replaced in the summer. He seemingly can’t defend to safe his life. Or he might be turned into a winger.
How Emre Can, who seems to be pretty much of form lately gets picked over Allen every week now is quite puzzling.
And we should do everything we can, and those in the stadium yesterday did that, to make sure that Benteke’s confidence goes up again. He certainly has a lot to offer.