Stoke City 1-2 Liverpool: Brazilian Super Subs Prove Vital for Reds in Comeback Against Potters

Goals from substitutes Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino ensured Liverpool overcame a one goal deficit to gain all three points against Stoke City on Saturday afternoon. Jonathan Walters headed the home side in front before a second half fightback by the Reds boosted Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of a top four finish.

The German manager’s team selection raised a few eyebrows prior to kick-off, after leaving star men Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino on the bench, as well as opting for a back three in defence. However, a double swap and a tactical switch at half-time proved instrumental in securing the Reds a vital away win.

Stoke started the brighter of the two teams and sent the home crowd into a frenzy when Xherdan Shaqiri produced a superb finish to put the ball in the back of the opposition net – only for the linesman to correctly judge that he was marginally offside. 

The Potters continued to dominate in the early stages as Marko Arnautovic and Shaqiri asked questions of the Liverpool defence on countless occasions.

Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn was presented with a good chance when he dispossessed Joe Allen in the middle of the park and should have ran through on goal – but was eventually hounded out by Stoke as they got numbers back behind the ball.

Walters broke the deadlock to put the Potters ahead just before the break to continue his remarkable scoring record against Liverpool – making it six goals in his last eight home games. 

Reds boss Klopp was furious in the build up to the goal as he felt his side should have been awarded a penalty as Woodburn was brought down in the opposition box. However, referee Mike Dean waved play on and the Potters swiftly countered down the right hand-side with Shaqiri, before he floated the ball in to the six-yard box, leaving Walters with the simple task of nodding home past Simon Mignolet.

Reds boss Klopp brought on Coutinho and Firmino at the start of the second half and the double-swap seemed to be inspired in the opening stages as Liverpool appeared to have more fluidity about their play than their lacklustre display in the first-half.

Mark Hughes’ side should have doubled their lead following a corner, when the ball dropped to Charlie Adam – brought on for the injured Allen in the first half – only to see his effort miraculously saved by Mignolet yards from goal.

Liverpool’s pressure mounted as the second half continued and Klavan saw his header rattle the Stoke crossbar. The home side defended resolutely as the quicker build up play from the Reds forced Stoke to defend deeper inside their own half.

Liverpool’s pressure eventually paid off as Coutinho equalised for the Reds on the 70 minute mark. Glen Whelan failed to clear in the box for Stoke before the Brazilian substitute drilled the ball in to the bottom left corner of the goal.

126 – There were just 126 seconds between Liverpool’s first and second goals against Stoke City. Turnaround.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) 8 April 2017

The comeback was complete only minutes later as Georginio Wijnaldum played a raking 40-yard pass over the top of the Stoke defence and Firmino majestically lashed the ball on the half-volley past a helpless Grant. The Potters nearly replied instantaneously but the heroics of Mignolet denied Saido Berahino an equaliser. 

Stoke seemed deflated after conceding the second and looked tired following their endeavours for the vast majority of the game. Klopp’s men saw the game out to gain all three points and  increase their chances of playing Champions League football next season.

Confirmed #LFC team to face @stokecity: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Alexander-Arnold, Woodburn, Origi

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) 8 April 2017