December 22, 1941
Liverpool were unlucky to lose a point to Stoke at Anfield, not because the other side got the equaliser a few minutes before the end, but because two of Liverpool’s selected team – Dick Dorsett and Willie Fagan – failed to reach the ground, and a last minute reshuffle ensued.
Without doubt the Liverpool attack would have been much more successful with Dorsett and Fagan in it. In the circumstances it was surprising Liverpool could make any pretence of beating Stoke, who, although employing a youthful eleven, had their best team in the field. What made the loss of a point more aggravating was the coincident failure of Manchester United and Preston, rivals in the League race. Though a vital match, this was the least interesting we have seen at Anfield this season. Its only merit was in its being hard-fought.
There were more mistakes in fifteen minutes than we have in complete games. Liddell’s goal was not a particularly good one. Bowyer’s was little if anything better, and if Hobson had not saved Sale’s penalty kick Liverpool might not have escaped with a draw.
Outstanding in a match in which individual talent was clearly spotlighted was the clever feinting and general excellence of Kaye, who is more like Joe Mercer than any other player I have seen. Cooke had a good match, and so did Hobson and Lambert, and Liverpool as a whole were very much below normal.
Result: Liverpool 1, Stoke City 1.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Alf Hobson, Roy Guttridge (Aston Villa), Ray Lambert, Stanley Eastham, Dennis Cooke, Harry Kaye, Billy Liddell, George Ainsley (Leeds United), Jimmy McIntosh (Preston North End), Len Carney, Stan Palk.
Stoke City (2-3-5): Dennis Herod, Harry Brigham, Stanley Glover, Lol Hamlett, Neil Franklin, Stanley Harrison, Frank Mountford, Frank Bowyer, Tommy Sale, Edwin Blunt, Fred Basnett.
Referee: Mr. R.A. Mortimer (Huddersfield).
(Liverpool Daily Post: December 22, 1941)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 