Liverpool 0-0 Stoke: Reds lose focus and drop two more points

Premier League
Saturday 28 April 2018 - 12:30 pm
Anfield
Liverpool0
0Stoke City
Show Match Events
36' Crouch
42' Diouf
52'↔️ Martins Indi off, Sobhi on
65'↔️ Crouch off, Fletcher on
Alexander-Arnold off, Milner on ↔️65'
Ings off, Clyne on ↔️65'
van Dijk88'
Possession %
7129
Total Shots
205
Shots on Target
21
Shots Blocked
101
Offside
22
Hide Match Events

Liverpool dropped another two points against relegation fodder Stoke City at Anfield as the Champions League hangover continues.

With two injuries and a host of other changes with an eye on Wednesday's semi-final Liverpool were off their usual pace and couldn't find a way through the visitors.

The reds move to 9 points ahead of 5th placed Chelsea, but the Londoners have two games in hand and not to mention home advantage when Chelsea and Liverpool play next weekend.

Team changes

Klavan, Gomez and Moreno came in to defence and Alexander-Arnold pushed up into midfield replacing the injured Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Up front, with Sadio Mane missing through injury - Danny Ings got a rare Anfield start.

Liverpool had the ball in the net in the first half after good work from Firmino, but Danny Ings's strike was ruled out for offside.

Salah is human

Mo Salah arguably had the best other chance of the game - he was sent through on a one on one and lifted the ball over Butland but it rolled wide of the empty net.

The talented Egyptian also sent a curling free kick into the side netting in a lively spell in the first half.

The second half Liverpool were more dominant, with Stoke aiming to secure the point and go for the counter attack.  A barrage of Liverpool corners were not attacked well enough with the away side constantly managing to clear the danger.

Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno had mixed games as they made their return to right and left back.  Gomez in particular guilty of overhit balls down the wing.  He did put in one impressive block from substitute Sobhi, but the chance had only arrived when he gave the ball away himself.

As it happened: LFC 0-0 Stoke

Just before half time Henderson received a kick on the ankle, whilst Alexander-Arnold was complaining of a thigh injury.  Fortunately both players came out for the second half suggesting the problems were minor.

Late in the game Erik Pieters appeared to get away with a handball just inside the area which was waved away by the officials.  It looked a strong shout for a penalty and the Liverpool players were furious.

After the game Henderson insisted it was a poor decision by the officials, and Stoke almost sneaked a winner themselves in the moments afterwards.

As it is, the result doesn't help either side greatly.

Next up for Liverpool a trip to Rome on Wednesday night.

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Liverpool 0-0 Stoke: Reds lose focus and drop two more points

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