EPL 2016/17: Liverpool's victory over Stoke City is the turning point of their season

Firmino scored the winner in the 72^nd minute

The last time when Simon Mignolet was the hero against Stoke City, it was the start of something special. Daniel Agger’s moment of madness resulted in a penalty for Stoke in the 87^th minute on the opening day of the 2013-14  season. There was a big hush all around Anfield, that feeling of starting another season on a wrong note. Seconds later, Mignolet’s double save against Walters, gave Anfield new belief and kick-started a memorable title challenge.

Liverpool might have missed out on the title, but it was a special season, which no Liverpool fan would ever forget. From then on Mignolet has always faced the wrath of the critics, due to his lack of decisiveness when balls are pumped into the box and also for his lack of match-winning saves, despite being a good shot stopper. But this weekend, at the business end of the season, and with 7 games left, it was a spectacular performance from Mignolet that sealed three massive points for Liverpool.

Last Saturday, Can, WIjnaldum, Coutinho and Firmino put in good performances in the second half. When the defence crumbled it was Mignolet who was the hero and watch winner this time. In the 52^nd minute, when Stoke were 1-0 up and had a corner, a poor clearance from Wijnaldum resulted in Charlie Adam getting a great chance. Mignolet denied him from point-blank range with a spectacular save. Had Stoke been 2-0 up, it could have been a massive dampener and would have been pretty much game over.

 

Seconds after Liverpool went 2-1 up, Liverpool’s defence were napping, as usual, and Arnautovic’s cross resulted in Berahino having the goal at his mercy. Mignolet pulled out a blinder of a save, similar to Dudek’s match-winning save in Istanbul, which prompted Klopp to describe the save by his No. 1 goalkeeper as “the second save was one of the best I’ve ever seen, save of the day, month, year.”

After the draw against AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool simply had to win this weekend. More points dropped would mean that Arsenal and Manchester United could move ahead of the Merseyside club. If Arsenal win their games in hand, they would be level on points with Liverpool with goal difference deciding who will be ranked higher.  

Arsenal have to face Spurs away and, Manchester United and Everton at home in their last four fixtures of the season, while Manchester United will face 5 of the top 7 sides still. Liverpool needed to ramp up the pressure on their rivals and their top 4 challenge was back on track after dropping points against Bournemouth for the second time this season, from a winning position. 

First away win of 2017

Klopp brought on his star players at half-time which changed the Merseyside club’s fortunes

This was exactly the kind of fixture you would expect Liverpool to drop points the way they have been playing this season. Klopp’s jubilation after full time and the players’ reactions showed how massive the three points were in the top 4 race.

Klopp has been criticised for making late substitutions, if at all he makes them in the first place. He finally had firepower on the bench and all three substitutes delivered. This is what Klopp can do when he has quality on the bench, which he has been deprived off due to injuries and Liverpool’s well-documented transfer failures. Achieving Champions League football could solve the latter to an extent.

The German manager has been able to keep Liverpool alive in the top 4 race and many would say they are the favourites to finish 4^th compared Arsenal and Manchester United’s fixture list. Klopp can take the team to the next level with better quality and depth. 

Champions League football would provide Liverpool the money to make some much-needed additions in the transfer window. A loss against Stoke could have brought the morale down and Klopp would have been under tremendous pressure, especially because of the not-so-strong starting line-up. But now, everyone’s happy, the momentum is back and Liverpool know the top 4 spot is in their hands.

3-4-3, Liverpool’s new mantra?

Breaking down lower ranked opposition has been a bigger problem this season and the lack of height has always been an issue against the big, tall, physical teams in the Premier League. Three at the back provides an extra centre back and some much-needed height on the pitch especially during set pieces.

Most teams in England need quick centre backs in the side to counter quick wingers when the wing back is caught higher up the field. Klavan struggled against Shaqiri and was close to getting sent off. Signing the right kind of centre-back could provide Liverpool with the opportunity to play 3-4-3 when required.

Coutinho is much closer to goal just like Hazard is in Chelsea’s 3-4-3 and makes him more of a goal threat with him cutting onto his favourite right foot and causing havoc. Liverpool are a team that prefer to play very narrow and 3-4-3 allows their front three to be more narrow and nearer to each other and allows better link up play.

A 3-4-3 system with Coutinho, Firmino, Mane at the top is something Klopp will surely ponder about next season. Of course, Liverpool would be better off having a left footed wing back over Milner – who has done a tremendous job playing out of position – but having a left footed player could be more attacking. With Moreno out of favour, one would expect Klopp to sign a left back this summer.

Samba Magic

Coutinho initiated the comeback with a goal in the 70^th minute

Coutinho in 2017 has not been as dangerous as he was in 2016. But he has scored four vital goals in his last four appearances for club and country and has shown signs of reaching his best again. After losing 3 kilos in 3 days, to come on at half-time and change the game the way he did, Liverpool’s darling will be loved even more by the supporters.

With Mane, arguably Liverpool’s most influential player out, and Lallana not yet fit, it’s Coutinho who is the main man and has to drive the team to the top 4. If his last three Liverpool games are anything to go by he sure is doing that, embracing responsibility and delivering. If the Brazilian continues his recent form, Liverpool would be increasingly confident about finishing in the top 4.

 

Firmino will to sacrifice himself for the team and link up with the others has been highly praised by Klopp but his goal return has been on the lower side. But a spectacular volley from the 25-year-old put Liverpool in front just three minutes after Coutinho’s equaliser and sealed the three points for Liverpool on a tough evening for Liverpool.

The victory against Stoke has not just given Klopp the chance to successfully experiment with 3-4-3 and maybe use it in the future, it has provided them with the three most important points of the season, coming off the back of a disappointing draw against Bournemouth and their first away win in 2017.

The win also comes at the right time, just before Liverpool’s trip to West Brom, who have been the bogey side for Liverpool, after which they embark on their trips to West Ham and Watford.