Potters punish poor Reds

A dream start was followed by a nightmarish performance last night, as Liverpool fell to a disappointing but ultimately unsurprising defeat at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium. Gerrard's early penalty gave the travelling Kop hope but goals from Walters (2) and Jones secured three fully deserved points for the Potters and frustratingly continued the Reds' unpredictable yo-yo form.

Brendan Rodgers naively selected the same side that beat Fulham 4-0 at Anfield four days previously, ignoring the fact that games against Fulham at home and Stoke away are markedly different prospects. As a result, Liverpool's defence struggled to cope with the physical presence of Stoke's attack. A third centre back and 5-3-2 formation would have been advisable but Rodgers seemingly lacked the pragmatism to alter his starting line-up depending on the opposition.

Many expected an unexciting encounter with little in the way of goalmouth action. They were proved comprehensively wrong after a thrilling start to the match produced three goals. First, Gerrard converted Liverpool's first spot kick of the season with ease after Suarez was clearly fouled in the penalty area by Ryan Shawcross.

Unfortunately, defensive errors then cost the Reds dearly. Agger failed to deal with Shawcross' long punt up field and, after Skrtel slipped at the crucial moment, Walters ran through and beat Reina to level only a few moments after the hosts had fell behind. To make things worse, on 12 minutes Jones evaded his marker, Agger, far too easily and headed Whealan's corner beyond Reina and into the net.

Leap for joy! Jones celebrates a remarkable turnaround

With their incessant pressing and evident desire, Stoke managed to subdue Liverpool's normal dominance and, as the Potters are notoriously difficult to score against, the visitors faced an uphill struggle. Gerrard shot wide from range and Begovic made a good save to prevent Suarez's blast from a narrow angle finding the back of his net, but the comeback that the Reds attempted to instigate was insufficient. Stoke retained an attacking threat as well, Reina impressively tipping Matthew Etherington's threatening right footed strike over the cross bar.

Liverpool's task became doubly difficult four minutes after the restart, as Walters controlled the ball and magnificently volleyed past the helpless Reina following Jones' flick on from a throw in. 

Not good enough- Liverpool's defence lament conceding again

Ever the controversial figure, Luis Suarez, who has been on the receiving end of criticism from Stoke supremo Tony Pulis in the past, was booked for a rash challenge on goalkeeper Asmir Begovic before Howard Webb disallowed his goal following Henderson's handball in the build up. 

The Uruguayan's frustration visibly grew as his teammates once again relied on him to try and carve out a route back into the contest. He failed to do so and, bar a curling Gerrard effort that Begovic stopped, Liverpool rarely looked like troubling a Stoke side who moved above them in the table as a result of last night's defeat. 

To improve, Liverpool must first concentrate on replicating Stoke's enviable home form and making Anfield a fortress once again. Moreover, with average players and a mid-table side, Rodgers must be more flexible and willing to compromise his principles if necessary to get a result. The defensive grit and determination that was desperately needed against the Potters was fatally missing last night. 

Nonetheless, there's little he can do with the squad as it is at the moment. The January transfer window cannot open quickly enough for Liverpool.

YNWA