English Soccer - Liverpool Must Stay Focused

It was so frustrating to watch Liverpool Football ClubStoke. Instead, I witnessed a sequel of the their first
during their match against Stoke City a week ago. Tomeeting.
think that I had to stay up all night waiting for the timeWith United perhaps leading the soccer standing after
of the showing in my part of the globe. They were onthe Saturday night game, Liverpool now have to win
top of the league and everything seemed quiet at thenot only this Monday's Merseyside derby but all their
camp. But an unexpected outburst of words from clubremaining games and win so in convincing fashion. To
manager Rafael Benitez, criticizing the way the FAdo so means that they have to stay focused and
seemed to turn a blind eye to Manchester United'scourageous. And it also means that any external
manager Sir Alex Ferguson's alleged actions offactors be shut out, from the mind of manager Rafael
disrespect to the referees seemed  to have rockedBenitez to the minds of the players.
Liverpool's boat and which made them tense the nightBenitez, with his tirade, appears to have been the first
they played. Which is perhaps a contentious statement.manager to succumb to Ferguson's mind games. Its
But to fail to come up with a win against a side whomdifferent to talk the talk but Benitez also has to show
you have met before, wouldn't Benitez been able tothat the club can walk the walk. That plus his health
come up with a better strategy against Stoke? Formatters, soon to undergo another operation to remove
one thing, I cannot understand his decision to play withmore kidney stones and his ongoing negotiations
only one striker, and picked Dirk Kuyt over Robbieregarding his future with Liverpool Football Club , it
Keane, provided that Fernando Torres still isn't fit toseems that the manager has a lot on his plate at the
play the whole 90 minutes. And to clog the middle withmoment. Rumors about Daniel Agger's agent was
five midfielders with Steven Gerrard playing support?allegedly seen talking to AC Milan representatives also
As if the Stoke half wont get crowded enough whenprovides unwanted distraction.
they let everyone stay back and defend it.It is up to Liverpool's home grown heroes of Gerrard
Stoke has lost 10 games, but has also snatched a winand Jaime Carragher to rally the players and instill in
against Arsenal. Meaning does this team playthem the belief that they can withstand this onslaught
differently against other teams but employ thisof United, break an 18 year title drought and win the
defensive style of play against the big four clubs?English Premier League crown. Lucky for the Reds
Unfortunately though, I can't watch all the games andthat Chelsea are sputtering at this time and that loss to
whenever I watch a game of Stoke against the Big 4,Man U really showed that the Blues appear to be not
I often see this defensive style of play. Is it wrong? No,that in to their campaign. And Arsenal? Until they get
but the team lost against Chelsea and ManchesterCesc Fabregas back from injury, might lose to Stoke
United so there must be a way for Liverpool to defeatonce again. Why do I say that? It's a sequel!