LFC’s First Opening Day Win Since 2008 – Positives & Negatives

The premier league is back and Liverpool supporters are extremely delighted with their team’s display and victory. However, the merseysiders were that close to a usual disappointing start of the season, only saved by new signing Simon Mignolet.
The Reds have registered opening day win with a 1-0 score line against Stoke, the last time they won their first premier league fixture was way back in 2008 when Fernando Torres’s goal ensured all three points against Sunderland.
Positives:
A win is a win, three points is all you need, no matter how they come.
Liverpool were playing against a different Stoke side who were trying to play their new passing style for the first time in the league. Whereas for Rodgers’s side, this was the 39th time and surely they have progressed.
Pass and move display of the highest order was on show for the fans as Reds combined brilliantly upfront. Once again, Coutinho was the architect as he produced few defense splitting passes but Begovic was at his best to deny Reds many times and was arguably the man of the match on the day.
Sturridge continued his prolific goal scoring form for the Anfield side as he netted his 12th league goal in just 17th appearance for them. Anyone backing him to beat Torres’s fastest 50 record?
New signings impressed big time. Aspas was comfortably combining with Coutinho and specifically with Sturridge despite not playing with him regularly in the pre-season games. Mignolet had a shaky start but saved the day for his side with a brilliant penalty save very late in the game. Kolo Toure was solid and composed at the back, almost scored from a header as well.
Negatives:
Same old negatives. Had Walters converted his penalty, Liverpool would have once again lost two precious points despite outclassing a team. How many times have we seen that happen with the Reds.
Understandable that Begovic was a class act, still Liverpool should have scored more. The habit of not being able to finish off opponents have cost them dear in the past and it is time they fix that. “Deserved to win but were not lucky enough” is an excuse that cannot be made all the time.
Liverpool attacking threat might have amplified but defense still did not look rock solid. Some troubles dealing with Crouch and set pieces. Inconsistent defense was one of the main reasons why Liverpool finished where they finished last season. A silly mistake from their best defender, Agger, gifted Stoke a lifeline.
All in all, fans may ignore the negatives as after all three points who cares but still Liverpool can improve and should be better. Next up they visit Villa park to face Paul Lambert’s men who shocked Arsenal at the Emirates today.
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