Late Glen Johnson strike secures Liverpool precious win
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ByEurosport
Updated 29/11/2014 at 18:03 GMT
Premier League, Anfield - Liverpool 1 (Johnson 85) Hull City 0
Liverpool's Glen Johnson reacts after their English Premier League soccer match against Stoke City at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England November 29, 2014 (Reuters)
Image credit: Reuters
Glen Johnson’s 85th-minute header was enough for Liverpool to secure a 1-0 win against Stoke City in the Premier League.
The focus before kick-off was unsurprisingly on the bench, where millions of pounds worth of summer signings sat as substitutes.
With them was Steven Gerrard, dropped or rested depending on whose explanation you believe, marking 16 years to the day since he made his first-team debut.
There were no shots on target and no real moments of note in the first half, bar a late Philippe Coutinho burst into the box. Even then and in the face of his pace as well as the risk of a penalty, Stoke’s well-organised defence managed to get him to put his shot out for a goal-kick.
Fortunately, the second half was an improvement, with both sides hitting the woodwork before Rickie Lambert’s header crashed against the bar and Johnson dived bravely to power it past Asmir Begovic, taking a boot to the head in the process.
Gerrard had entered the fray by then, replacing the disappointing Lucas with 15 minutes to go, and offering a rather calmer head in the closing stages.
Bojan Krkić came close to scoring a spectacular equaliser, volleying beautifully from the edge of the box and forcing Simon Mignolet to make a fingertip save.
Despite all the pressure, though, and the majority of possession, the visitors could not convert, and left empty-handed.
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Steven Gerrard of Liverpool replaces Lucas Leiva as a substitute during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on November 29, 2014 in Liverpool, England (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY MOMENTS
34’ A CROSS! Hey, it's a proper cross! From Jose Enrique, teasingly and invitingly across the face of goal, but nobody wants to pounce on it.
45’ CLOSE-ISH! Coutinho bursts through the middle and the collective efforts of the Stoke defence put him off enough for it to go out for a goal-kick.
55’ SAVE! Good ball through from Bojan, and Mignolet seems undecided about whether to come out and meet Diouf or not. He eventually does, saving the shot with his legs.
60’ SO CLOSE! Great run from Bojan, weaving into the box and lashing his shot against the near post.
64’ ON TARGET! Liverpool have a shot on target! They're on the break, five on three, and Lucas fires directly into the hands of Begovic. Awful.
68’ MISS! What a miss! Actually laughing at this. Sterling plays in Joe Allen, about 12 yards out, and he just belts it over the bar.
85’ GOAL! A low, brave diving header from Glen Johnson, who gets a boot to the head as he nudges it across the line. Nasty.
90’+2 CHANCE! What a chance and what an effort! Beautiful from Bojan, striking it beautifully from the edge of the box and necessitating a touch over from Mignolet.
KEY STATISTICS
Stoke lose back-to-back Premier League matches for the first time since January – they have now won one of their last five (W1-D1-L3), a 2-1 win at Spurs on 9 November 2014.
Liverpool remain unbeaten in 52 matches at home to Stoke in the top flight (W41-D11).
Liverpool prevent back-to-back Premier League losses at Anfield and end a four-match winless streak.
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Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool celebrates with Adam Lallana of Liverpool as Glen Johnson (not pictured) scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on November 29, 2014 (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT
All that expensive talent on the bench – rested or dropped? It was Liverpool's third game in six days but questions must be asked of Liverpool's recruitment policy over the summer. How many of the players they signed have improved their starting eleven?
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mame Diouf (Stoke City) – dangerous on the attack and solid in defence. Invaluable.
RATINGS
Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Johnson 6, Enrique 6, Skrtel 6, Toure 6, Lucas 6, Allen 6, Henderson 5, Coutinho 7, Sterling 7, Lambert 6. Subs: Lovren 5, Gerrard 7.
Stoke: Begovic 7, Cameron 7, Shawcross 7, Wilson 7, Pieters 7, Nzonzi 6, Sidwell 5, Arnautovic 6, Bojan 7, Walters 7, Diouf 7. Subs: Whelan 6, Adam 7, Crouch 5.
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