Liverpool FC winger James Milner has described their performance at Stoke as evidence of their adaptability and states that there will be no complaints should they continue to grind out victories this season.
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77 days since they were humiliated 6-1 at Stoke City in the 2014-15 season, Liverpool FC beat Stoke 1-0 on the opening day of the Premier League with a stunning Coutinho goal.
It was not the most fluent performance from Liverpool FC, as they hardly tested Jack Butland in the Stoke City goal. But, on the other end of the pitch, Stoke hardly got a sniff at Simon Mignolet’s goal, too.
Milner happy to win ugly
The former Manchester City midfielder, one of four summer signings to start against Stoke City , insists that the new signings will take time to gel and that he is not worried as long as the squad continues to grind results out.
Milner, who is the new Liverpool FC vice captain, was quoted saying by the Guardian: a It is always about the results.”
a If we played rubbish every game of the season and won every one of them, then everybody would be happy with that.
“It takes time for players to gel and there has been a lot of new arrivals, not just on the pitch but in the coaching staff, too.
“There is a lot of quality there, a lot of younger guys, so there are going to be games when we have ups and downs but that is football. It is going to be like that all season.
“Ultimately, it is about getting that win whether it is a game where we can move the ball about or whether it is a game where it is a battle and we have to grind it out.
“You have to assess the situation and be able to adapt and play in different formations against different sides. It is a top team that can adapt and win games when things maybe arena t playing to your strengths.”
Milner hails Coutinho
Milner had been on the end of a wonder goal by Coutinho last season when he was at Manchester City.
The England international believes the Brazilian has set the tone for a commanding individual campaign.
.@Phil_Coutinho: MotM vs Stoke, Rating 7.85, Goals 1, Shots 3, Dribbles 4 @LFC pic.twitter.com/F08w3c6zEj
a WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) August 9, 2015
a I think he is going to keep improving all the time. I saw him do that a few times last year, so it was nice to have him do that while I was on the field and on his side. He has got that quality and we know we have quality all over the field.
Philippe Coutinho’s game by numbers vs. Stoke: 6 take-ons 3 shots 1 chance created 1 goal Match winner. #LFC pic.twitter.com/4XjLUVEwo0 a Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 9, 2015
a It was pleasing to keep a clean sheet, we looked really solid and as a team we did a good job. There are going to be games throughout the season where maybe you dona t play as well as you want.
“You cana t always play free-flowing football, sometimes it is a battle and you need that bit of brilliance. The pleasing thing is we were solid, kept a clean sheet and Stoke didna t really cause us too much problems with balls into the box. We kept a good line.a
Liverpool FC are playing Premier League new boys Bournemouth at home on Monday night in their next fixture.