Blog: Reds' steel starting to take shape

It was a nail-biting encounter that could have ended either way, but Liverpool channelled their winning spirit to claim victory in our League Cup semi-final second leg penalty shootout against Stoke City and seal a place at Wembley for the final on February 28. 

Arguably one of our most hard-fought victories of the season, the players were taken right to the wire by Mark Hughes’ side after being pegged back in the tie by Marko Arnautovic’s first-half strike. But heroes were made of the boys in the shootout as Simon Mignolet kept out two of the Potters’ spot kicks in magnificent fashion and Joe Allen sealed our trip to the final with the winning penalty.

For the players, the win must feel like a vindication for its never-say-die attitude and the ethos Jürgen Klopp has instilled into them. Not only was the win a hard-fought one, but it reaffirmed the idea that the German, through time, is set to lead us through what is a transitional campaign.

Despite Stoke levelling the tie on aggregate, the likes of Roberto Firmino, Allen, Emre Can, and later Jordon Ibe continued to press the away side for a goal right to the final whistle of extra-time despite the physical strain of playing over two hours of football. But we showed greater mental steel in the shootout and Manchester City await us in the final, which is due to be a tough match but one we will tackle with vigour and without fear.

Aside from victory, another key positive Klopp can take from the game is the welcome return of unsung hero Jon Flanagan, who made his first start for the club in over 20 months. Marauding up and down the field cutting out passes and involving himself in forward play, Flanagan looked like he has not missed a step after being out for so long, and his return is a vital boost for the squad.

Success in one cup competition sets us up well for a clash in another, with West Ham the visitors to Anfield on Saturday in the FA Cup fourth round. This will be a challenge, considering the Hammers’ ascension this year to contenders for a place in Europe (being two points ahead of us in the Premier League), and they will be up for the game after claiming another victory at Anfield after a 3-0 victory in the league back in August.

Dimitri Payet, arguably one of the best buys of the season, will be their main danger, and he is a playmaker who can make things happen in the blink of an eye. He is also very wiry, getting into a number of positions with relative ease, as he showed against Manchester City last weekend. If we are able to keep Payet at bay and nullify his influence, West Ham’s dynamism going forward will be significantly checked in the process and they will become less of an attacking threat.

Klopp will have highlighted Payet’s potential impact and may set up his team to constrain him. But this is not to say we should aim to set up shop and be defensive – that has been shown to be contrary to Klopp’s philosophy. But knowing what aspect of the opposition to expose is a great way to prepare for the contest.

Personnel wise, Joe Allen has staked a claim for regular inclusion in the starting 11 following a string of fine performances and deserves to continue in the same vein on Saturday. Meanwhile, injury to Nathaniel Clyne means Flanagan is in contention to retain his place after Wednesday’s result, and game time is certainly what the 23-year-old needs to continue his rehabilitation.

The spirit of Wednesday night will well and truly descend upon Anfield come kick-off on Saturday, and the players will be more than ready to avenge our defeat to West Ham in August. Let’s hope things are not as dramatic as mid-week.

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