Stoke can still trouble Liverpool, says Johnson
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Glen Johnson of Stoke City and Alberto Moreno of Liverpool battle for the ball during the Capital One Cup semi final, first leg match between Stoke City and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on January 5, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Stoke defender Glen Johnson is optimistic the Potters can deliver an improved second-leg performance to turn around their Capital One Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
The Staffordshire outfit struggled to get going in Tuesday's first leg at the Britannia Stadium as substitute Jordon Ibe's 37th-minute strike sealed a 1-0 win for the away side.
Johnson has no doubt Stoke are capable of causing the Merseysiders greater problems when they meet again for the second leg at Anfield on January 26.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And the 31-year-old right-back is also mindful of the fact Liverpool, who he left over the summer, have shown signs of vulnerability at home this season.
"It is a tough place to go and play. They are a good side," Johnson said.
"But we are better than we were in this first leg. And if they do have problems at Anfield and we are on our game, then I'm sure we will be right in there.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We're still in the tie, that's for sure.
"I think we could have nicked a goal, but to be fair they probably could have nicked a couple more. So in the end, 1-0 probably isn't a bad result."
Stoke had gone into Tuesday's contest being tipped as favourites by many observers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}They have lost only four of their last 15 Barclays Premier League games and won eight of those, including recent home victories over Manchester City and Manchester United.
Those triumphs have seen attacking trio Bojan Krkic, Marko Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri shine.
But - just as in Saturday's league loss at West Brom - they failed to do so in the Liverpool match, a fourth fixture in 10 days for which Potters boss Mark Hughes named the same starting XI.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Johnson admits the front three having another off day was a significant contributing factor to what happened, but was keen to stress the whole team had to take responsibility.
"Obviously they are match-winners," Johnson said.
"And usually if one is not firing, the others are. So it is unfortunate.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"But they don't win a game on their own and they don't lose it on their own. There are 11 of us out there.
"I think a few of the lads lost a bit of confidence after a slow start.
"In the games we have done well in, we have started quick, with us on the front foot, which gives everyone confidence and belief they can win.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Liverpool started quick and tried to press us. Our passing was a bit sloppy and it encouraged them to keep doing what they were doing."