Written by John Toher – Friends of Liverpool
After a lack-lustre performance mid-week at Wigan and faced with the prospect of playing Tony Pulis’s hard-hitting Stoke at the Britannia stadium in the evening kick-off, who will Roy Hodgson pick to cope with the physical demands that the cottagers will undoubtedly pose?
Our midfield against Wigan was out-fought and out-thought for over an hour in that game, with Lucas, Miereles and then young Shelvey failing to compete. The much-maligned, Christian Poulsen came on late in that game and right away Liverpool looked much more solid in midfield and we nearly got a winner though Stevie G.
However, the former Juventus man, signed by Hodgson, has failed to really impress since his arrival at Anfield. Too many back-passes, a very defensive approach without imposing himself in games have all served to alienate the player from the Liverpool fans. Much of it is justified and it is believed that the player himself has been upset by the howls of derision whenever he dons a red-shirt.
But at Stoke, needs must, I feel. We need a solid midfield. For this game I would play the improving Lucas alongside Poulsen with Steven Gerrard, Maxi and Miereles or Kuyt in the middle. It will strengthen our team for a difficult match.At the back, I think Hodgson will restore the Imperious Sotirios alongside Martin Skrtel, with Jamie Carragher reverting to right-back.
2-1 to the Reds.
