Topic: RAWK Preview Liverpool v Stoke City 12:45pm August 17th

[simply_red]

If henderson plays expect a win. Typical example of the game he seems to shine in

Typical example of the game where he can show his weakness - lack of vision for incisive passes.

[El_Pistolero7]

Can see this being a typical Liverpool home game to be honest. 1-0 (Coutinho 75)

[Redman0151]

Still not convinced we'll win although getting rid of our last season's demons in the first game would be great.

Sit in a packed defence, frustrate us and score a couple goals from set pieces, long throws and corners and we're fucked.

[Kop10]

A high-score to nil is the one scoreline I can't foresee in this game. If we score early, stoke will besiege our goal with all sort of direct balls and press high. Guys like Crouch, Kenwyne Jones, Walters will turn it into a battle. I don't think we're equipped AT ALL to deal with that.

Also, first games are always unique in that every team is buoyed by the fresh slate and will not want to lose points without a fight. This game won't be won by skill alone, in my opinion. It will test the mentality of our side and show how badly we want it this season.

[PhaseOfPlay]

A high-score to nil is the one scoreline I can't foresee in this game. If we score early, stoke will besiege our goal with all sort of direct balls and press high. Guys like Crouch, Kenwyne Jones, Walters will turn it into a battle. I don't think we're equipped AT ALL to deal with that.

Also, first games are always unique in that every team is buoyed by the fresh slate and will not want to lose points without a fight. This game won't be won by skill alone, in my opinion. It will test the mentality of our side and show how badly we want it this season.

Which would play right into our hands given that we have now added counterattacking patterns to our game, especially if Sturridge starts. Aspas, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling will eat that space up, forcing them to drop off again, meaning our possession game and a higher line will be reinstated.

[CS111]

Still not convinced we'll win although getting rid of our last season's demons in the first game would be great.

Sit in a packed defence, frustrate us and score a couple goals from set pieces, long throws and corners and we're fucked.

Exactly what I think will happen unless we score in first 5-10 mins

[Kop10]

Which would play right into our hands given that we have now added counterattacking patterns to our game, especially if Sturridge starts. Aspas, Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling will eat that space up, forcing them to drop off again, meaning our possession game and a higher line will be reinstated.

Maybe, as you say, the new personnel will be able to exploit them better. I was just thinking back to last season at the way they pressed us all over the pitch at their place when we got that early goal. Southampton also managed it with a similar gameplan?!?!

I can see now how our new guys can take advantage though. We'll see how it goes.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Maybe, as you say, the new personnel will be able to exploit them better. I was just thinking back to last season at the way they pressed us all over the pitch at their place when we got that early goal. Southampton also managed it with a similar gameplan?!?!

I can see now how our new guys can take advantage though. We'll see how it goes.

They have a different manager, different game-plan, and we have different players and an improved one. If you look at Stoke's friendlies this pre-season, they have played with a lot more space between the lines, and a lot more passing, which they seem to be unsure of. If we can push up and play the game in their half, I think they will be put outside their comfort zones a bit, and that's when we can take advantage.

[Titi Camara]

The negativity in here before we've even kicked a ball competitively is shocking! If we can't even believe, who the fuck will!

[professorj]

It will be very interesting to see if 'this' Stoke is anything like a Tony Pulis Stoke.  I am not sure what Hughes' record vs LFC is as a manager but I don't think it's all that great, and the reason why Pulis was so effective as a coach was he really really drilled his team brilliantly.  They would always have a plan of action and always seem to carry it out on the pitch for him. I just don't think Hughes would even know how to drill a team that professionally and rigidly, and that is what he needs to do to carry on that stubborn Stoke  'awkwardness' for want of a better term, that's kept them up for so long now. 

Personally I think he'll be the first to go of all the managers this season, if I had to name one, perhaps this is the first nail in the proverbial coffin.

3-0 Coutinho brace, Gerrard.

[RK7]

They have a different manager, different game-plan, and we have different players and an improved one. If you look at Stoke's friendlies this pre-season, they have played with a lot more space between the lines, and a lot more passing, which they seem to be unsure of. If we can push up and play the game in their half, I think they will be put outside their comfort zones a bit, and that's when we can take advantage.

Your keen if you have been watching Stokes pre season matches!

[PhaseOfPlay]

Your keen if you have been watching Stokes pre season matches!

I'll watch any game that involves two teams kicking a ball into a goal. And England

[RK7]

I'll watch any game that involves two teams kicking a ball into a goal. And England

Keep it up mate, your knowledge of these games and potential opponents is appreciated.

[fowlermagic]

It would be great to get out of the gate quickly and win this one. Im sure in all the various posts on RAWK in regards to us attaining top 4 finish these are the games that are a must win as we have to win most home games against teams that will probably finish outside the top 8. Stoke surely will be up for it, first game of the season with a new manager so keen to impress so expect a tight game where any space and chances will be hard won. Not sure how much of preseason form will go towards picking the first 11 but like to see something like the below

.............Mignolet
Johnson Toure Agger Enrique
.................Lucas
 Coutinho SG Henderson Aspas
.........Sturridge

Bit strange to have a lineup without Pepe and Carragher and lot of new names there since the start of last season. The pressure will be on to do the biz without the mad man so heres hoping

[Vortigen]

It will be very interesting to see if 'this' Stoke is anything like a Tony Pulis Stoke.  I am not sure what Hughes' record vs LFC is as a manager but I don't think it's all that great, and the reason why Pulis was so effective as a coach was he really really drilled his team brilliantly.  They would always have a plan of action and always seem to carry it out on the pitch for him. I just don't think Hughes would even know how to drill a team that professionally and rigidly, and that is what he needs to do to carry on that stubborn Stoke  'awkwardness' for want of a better term, that's kept them up for so long now. 

Personally I think he'll be the first to go of all the managers this season, if I had to name one, perhaps this is the first nail in the proverbial coffin.

3-0 Coutinho brace, Gerrard.

I think for this game at least, it will be just like the Stoke of old.  Hoofing and fouling on rotation all the way to a nil-nil draw.

[B0151?]

I think for this game at least, it will be just like the Stoke of old.  Hoofing and fouling on rotation all the way to a nil-nil draw.

Could be the other way round if what PoP is saying is true (which I have no reason to doubt), they might start the season trying to play better football (as I assume that's what Hughes promised), but as soon as that fails Hughes will no doubt revert to type. In that sense we could actually be lucky playing them so early with a type of football their manager and players are unused to. It definitely plays more into our hands than them trying to kick the shit out of us anyway.

[Vortigen]

Could be the other way round if what PoP is saying is true (which I have no reason to doubt), they might start the season trying to play better football (as I assume that's what Hughes promised), but as soon as that fails Hughes will no doubt revert to type. In that sense we could actually be lucky playing them so early with a type of football their manager and players are unused to. It definitely plays more into our hands than them trying to kick the shit out of us anyway.

Oh I'd love nothing more than Stoke to come out and try to play football.  We are much better than Stoke at football. 

[stevieG786]

Why's the forum been down for past few days?! 

[locultom]

Hello...anybody here...feels like trespassing

[P45]

Come on the red men.

[HarryLabrador]

Hello...anybody here...feels like trespassing

Hi everyone! Welcome back RAWK!!

[Wullie160975]

Why's the forum been down for past few days?! 

Hosts moving servers that was supposed to take 3 hours.

[John C]

Fucking whoooooooooooooooooooooooop!

Fuck the 3-points, appreciate life. RAWK lives!

[Bruce88]

Ah, we're back, just in time

[Lucaspool FC]

Let's go!!

[TomDcs]

Can I be the first/twelfth to say arrghhhhhh. Thanks and please make the servers work without interruption in future - this place is part of my day now!

[lfcmaster]

well done to rawk back up and running before the season starts lets hope we get 2 new players early next week

[swedish_pete]

...so...Aspas...Sturridge...or both? Take it away.

[XabiGerrard]

It's good to have the site back! Come on Red men, lets start with 3 points!

[Shankly84]

...so...Aspas...Sturridge...or both? Take it away.

Both. Aspas out wide with sterling/ibe on the opposite side. Little phil in behind sturridge and Stevie and Lucas sat in the middle

[UntouchableLuis]

...so...Aspas...Sturridge...or both? Take it away.

Both for me but wouldn't mind Sterling starting either.

[Redshadow]

RAWK's back. A good omen before the start of the season
3-0, SG, Coutinho, and Aspas... Come on, we will lead the table ...

[Fitzy.]

We only need a draw and we'll be top of the league.

[krizzobizzle]

Early goal crucial. Lets score inside 10-15 mins for a change hey.

[swedish_pete]

Both. Aspas out wide with sterling/ibe on the opposite side. Little phil in behind sturridge and Stevie and Lucas sat in the middle

I don't know...aspas centrally makes sense to me, out wide not so much...same w/Sturridge

[damian]

Everything is coming together well for the new season. I've somehow managed to get my new Virgin Media channels switched on early, and BT Sport is included. And it just so happens the V+ box an engineer said was "blown up" based on the error code is working. And all just in time for our first match. And now RAWK is back.

BRING IT ON!!

[redforlife]

If we don't win tomorrow I hope the servers go down for another 3 days

[m4Rco]

Absolutely buzzing, can't wait. Lets start with 3 points, shall we? 

[Asam]

Shit just got real

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/16/liverpool-stoke-city-squad-sheets

[tommy LFC]

I feel like a kid on Christmas eve!