Certainly from today's performance, albeit a brief one, he looks top-class. His anticipation set up both goals, the first running in to follow up his pass in and the second peeling away from his marker to meet the corner. He clearly reads the game quicker than the average striker and that is what makes him so dangerous, he might just be the silver lining from a bitter defeat...
Undroppable. Hope McCarthy gets to keep his place as well, I felt confident with him back there. Assured in the area and showed some good kicking. Pulled of a great save and nothing he could have done with the OG's, Coutinho's goal had a cruel deflection.
Fantastic performance by Vargas - without some good Liverpool defending he could had a 3rd goal too. Perhaps Harry should have started him, and he might have put away a few of those earlier chances? He certainly loks sharp and is definitely in form - 4 goals in the past week. He should have perhaps gone on ahead of Matty Phillips, who doesn't seem to quite cut it at the moment.
I agree, he commands his area well - this was really cruel luck in a fairly quiet day for him - he made several great saves - what can you do against a couple of og's and a deflection like that?
He was sensational in his appearance today. The instinct for his first goal, and the emphatic finish, were top class. His work rate and desire simply can't be wasted. I think he should be aiming for 12 plus goals now if he gets the starts.
The same question applies to Yun Suk Young. Our three best players are Isla (outstanding in the first half before being moved to right back) Vargas & Suk Young. Build the side around them.
This. It was a strange feeling leaving the ground because I was disappointed but very encouraged at the same time. We have a nucleus of players (even young ones!) who we can really build a good side around. I thought McCarthy was very good and couldn't have done anything for the goals. He seems a very confident young GK. It is important that Yun, Isla, Vargas, Fer have a consistent run in the team.
Along with Ned if fit, and Dunne who apart from the own goal was immense today and surely must keep Rio out.
Liverpool will never get a luckier 3 points all season. In the later game today was very glad (after his performance against us) that Shawcross finally got deservedly called for a yellow card & penalty after his usual blatant wrestling antics against an opponent in the box whilst defending a corner kick. On the other hand it looked as if Victor Moses took a blantant dive for Stoke's penalty - not sure if ref Michael Oliver was trying to even up things here, but whilst correct with the Shawcross decision, I believe he got the call wrong here. Of course, naturally, his manager had a differing opinion:- "Hughes unhappy with Shawcross penalty" http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29682896
Completely agree with all of that. Vargas must start every game that we play two strikers, with OBZ and Austin competing for the other place. I'd start him up top with OBZ against Villa. For away games, I'd play Vargas as one of the 3 behind a lone striker.
Very bad luck for Richard Dunne after playing a strong game handling Balotelli. At least, unlike some of the others he didn't have his back to the ball when that quick free kick was taken. Cannot believe they all switched off lke that. I've read that he has accumulated so many own goals in his long career because he's always in the thick of things in front of goal, not passively shying away from action, as Rio is prone to do.
Not a lot. But what has McCarthy done wrong? He's the man in possession and had a very assured debut today with a couple of awesome saves.
Let in more goals than any other premiership goalie . I'm not knocking him (totally) he has let in some soft goals this season though
I wonder how long he could be out? At least he's enjoying this - the ice cream that is - good job it wasn't Taarabt with tonillitus or he'd be gaining another stone for Harry to moan on about. please log in to view this image Here's one for Adel though:- please log in to view this image
