Not a high-quality game to say the least, which was especially noticeable in comparison with the terrific game in Dortmund. Stoke were so bad that if this game was in Ukrainian championship I would have been sure they are throwing the game for money. That defending on Origi's 1st goal was probably the worst I've seen all season – absolutely unbelievable at the top level of the game.
Not that this should take anything away from our players, some of whom produced excellent performances:
Mignolet 7. No chance for the goal, one typical sliced clearance under pressure, otherwise solid.
Clyne 6.5. Didn't have to work too hard in this game.
Skrtel 7.5. A very solid, professional performance from the veteran, showing that the Southampton disaster was probably just a case of rust and not much more.
Toure 6. Played several Stoke players onside TWICE from free-kicks, one of which was the goal. Otherwise no problem.
Moreno 7. Klopp said it was probably his best performance since he came in here and I think part of the reason was Klopp's tactics – Moreno essentially played as a wing-back in this game, with no left-sided midfielder in front of him and Stewart and Toure covering on defense. If Moreno has any future at Liverpool, it's probably in this kind of tactical system.
Stewart 5.5. I thought he was quite nervous from the start and after getting his passes intercepted a few times he started passing only sideways. Defensively mostly OK except for some unnecessary fouls. Have to say he looked much better in those cup games; hope he can recover the confidence he showed before the injury. Will Klopp give him another chance?
Allen 6.5. Decent.
Milner 8 MOM. His best LFC performance I can remember; finally looked at ease with the captain's armband and was popping up everywhere with some good quality too. Didn't stop running even at 4:1 in the 90th minute and really set the tone of the game for his teammates.
Sturridge 7. He was enjoying himself in that striker-playmaker role and he makes his teammates better by demanding the right kind of passes from the them and turning the provider himself (that back-heel pass to Moreno!). The defensive side of the game seems to be coming more naturally too; this is the first game since coming back where he didn't seem always half-step slow on the press. Not quite vintage Sturridge yet, but showing his class.
Ojo 6. Produced one moment of real quality for his first PL assist, otherwise looked pretty raw and lightweight. But those glimpses of quality are all he needs for now to stay in Klopp's plans and he didn't do himself any harm in this game. Subbed off at half-time.
Firmino 6. Didn't do anything memorable in attack, but worked hard in the press and almost got rewarded with the goal. Didn't Suarez score a similar one in 2013-14?
SUBS:
Origi 8. Not bad for a non-scoring striker! Signs of a promising partnership between him and Sturridge.
Lallana n/a
Lucas n/a
Klopp 7.5 Chose a pretty surprising lineup, opting to rotate the CBs and keep the full-backs (who I thought needed rest more than the CBs). Happy for Stewart and Ojo, but disappointed for Brannagan, Flanagan and Ibe being omitted altogether from the squad; hope they will get more chances. Bonus points for the irritating the heck out of Mark Hughes.
