STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the second goal against Stoke City with team-mates Philippe Coutinho Correia, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Stoke City 1-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool produced a hallmark Jekyll-and-Hyde performance as they fought back to secure a priceless 2-1 victory away to Stoke City on Saturday.

Stoke City 1-2 Liverpool

Premier League, Britannia Stadium
April 8, 2017

Goals: Walters 44′; Coutinho 71′, Firmino 72′


Simon Mignolet – 8.5 (out of 10)

Despite Stoke enjoying the best of the chances in the first half, Mignolet had a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes, but was called into action shortly after the break.

The Belgian managed to get low and make an incredible save to deny Charlie Adam from point-blank range, and then made another with the Reds 2-1 up to stop Saido Berahino. Phenomenal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6

Having been expected to occupy either a central berth in midfield or a wider duty in attack, Alexander-Arnold was deployed in a more regular position at right wing-back.

Was targeted by the Potters’ attack, with Marko Arnautovic seeing a lot of the ball, but was excellent driving forward, with his delivery from the right-hand side always threatening.

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in action against Stoke City's Joe Allen during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Joel Matip – 5

Jurgen Klopp‘s questionable three-man defensive system endured at the Britannia, with Matip coming in between Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan in a progressive role at the back.

It was difficult to pin down quite why the No. 32 was on the pitch until the closing stages, however, with the Reds’ backs-to-the-wall approach undermined by some shoddy positioning.

Dejan Lovren – 5

Lovren can often look heroic when Liverpool are under the cosh, as they certainly were at times on Saturday, but this time around he dissolved into the frantic.

Most notably poor was his contribution to Jonathan Walters’ first-half header, losing the Irishman in the box and making little effort to get back into position.

A flawed display, but he played his part as the Reds held on at the death.

Ragnar Klavan – 4.5

Klavan found himself in worrying form in Wednesday night’s draw with Bournemouth, but retained his place in the starting lineup with Klopp looking to shut up shop against the Potters.

The Estonian didn’t shower himself in glory on Saturday, either: culpable for the opener, arguably warranted a red card for two bookable offences and struggled to gain any composure throughout.

Nathaniel Clyne – 7

Clyne took up an unorthodox position at left wing-back on Saturday, with the 26-year-old accommodating his youthful counterpart, Alexander-Arnold.

He struggled to find the balance in the first half, but certainly improved after the break, providing a constant outlet moving forward in his natural role on the right as the Reds gained control.

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's James Milner in action against Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by Laura Malkin/Propaganda)

James Milner – 6

Having established himself as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back this season, Milner found himself back in his favoured role in the middle of the park at the Britannia.

Like Matip, it was difficult to quite pinpoint where Milner was for much of the first half, but normal, stable service resumed when he adopted his now-customary duty when Alexander-Arnold came off.

Emre Can – 7.5

Another bullish, industrious display from Can, who clearly enjoys a midfield battle—particularly now he is fit enough to dominate one.

Particularly telling was how the German grew in confidence as the game went on: instead of tiring as he has done at times this season, he found a new level of urgency. Now a real asset.

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's Georgina Winjnaldum in action against Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by Laura Malkin/Propaganda)

Georginio Wijnaldum – 7.5

Wijnaldum played an interesting role alongside Can in midfield, with the Dutchman’s more adventurous approach finding himself overlapping more regularly in the final third as the game wore on.

Almost gifted Stoke a second goal of the night with a bizarre header in the penalty area, but moving forward he certainly redeemed himself. A tidy, invaluable presence.

Ben Woodburn – 6

Saturday marked a big day for Woodburn, making his full Premier League at the age of 17 years and 175 days, with only Jordon Ibe and Michael Owen younger when they made their top-flight bow for the Reds.

Found himself performing a thankless task dropping deep to influence play, but was central to Liverpool’s two best attacking movements in the first half. Unlucky to be withdrawn.

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's Divock Origi looks dejected after missing a chance against Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Divock Origi – 3

With Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho on the bench and Sadio Mane sidelined through injury, all eyes were on Origi as the senior man in Liverpool’s attacking line.

But the Belgian was truly frustrating, lacking the energy and dynamism required as Woodburn toiled away.

 

Substitutes

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the second goal against Stoke City with team-mate Philippe Coutinho Correia during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Philippe Coutinho (on for Woodburn, 46′) – 9 (Man of the Match) – Made everything click. A virtuoso display.

Roberto Firmino (on for Alexander-Arnold, 46′) – 8.5 – The most important goal of the season?

Daniel Sturridge (on for Origi, 68′) – 7 – Turned the tide with his natural quality.

Subs not used: Karius, Lucas, Moreno, Grujic

 

Manager

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates after the 2-1 victory over Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jurgen Klopp – 6.5

Klopp’s decision to retain his three-man defensive system was certainly questionable, but his bold move to field Alexander-Arnold and Woodburn was admirable.

The German will have been dismayed to see his side perform so disjointedly in the first half, but he deserves credit for sending both Coutinho and Firmino on before it was too late.

Trying to beat smaller sides at their own game is the right approach is a bemusing approach, however, as attack still seems the best form of defence for Liverpool.


Player ratings definitions: 10 = Faultless | 9 = Excellent | 8 = Very Good | 7 = Good | 6 = Average | 5 = Below Par | 4 = Bad | 3 = Very Bad | 2 Awful | 1 = Surely Not

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