Stoke vs Liverpool player ratings: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino rescue dismal Reds

Who impressed at the bet365 Stadium?

Mark Critchley
Saturday 08 April 2017 13:22 EDT
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Two pieces of Brazilian magic from Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino dug Jurgen Klopp out of a hole as Liverpool came from behind to beat Stoke 2-1.

The Reds' top-four hopes appeared to have suffered a huge blow when Everton fan Jon Walters scored against his favourite opposition just before the break.

His seventh league goal - the most he has scored against any Premier League team - against the Merseysiders was scant reward for the Potters' first-half dominance.

Klopp's surprise decision to switch to a 3-5-2 formation with a weary Firmino alongside Coutinho, recovering from illness, on the bench de-stabilised his side and handed the initiative to their hosts.

He rectified the decision at the interval and the Brazil team-mates repaid him with a goal apiece within three minutes of each other as momentum swung the other way.

The result maintained the two-point gap to fourth-placed Manchester City and extended it to nine over Arsenal, who play the first of their three matches in hand on Monday.

Who impressed at the bet365 Stadium? Take a look at the gallery above to find out how we rated the players.

Do you agree with our ratings? Who was your man of the match? Let us know in the comments.

Additional reporting by PA

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