For the 58^th year, Stoke City could not take all three points from their trip to Anfield in the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool kept up the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table with a 4-1 victory on the penultimate game of the year. Jon Walters gave Stoke City the lead in the first half after Lovren lost him in the box but Adam Lallana equalizer 10 minutes before half time to get the Kop on its feet. The Reds never lost control from then as Roberto Firmino gave them the lead in the dying minutes of the first half. Divock Origi’s ball into the box went in off Imbula as Liverpool doubled their lead at the hour mark and Ryan Shawcross gave Daniel Sturridge an early gift as his back pass set the Liverpool man on goal with his first touch coming on as a sub. It was a comfortable victory for the Reds in the end and here are their player ratings for this game:

Simon Mignolet (7):

Though should have done better to stop the goal, made a match defining save when his side where 1-0 down while also commanding the box in the air to repay the faith on him from the manager.

Nathaniel Clyne (6):

Clyne was his usual self on the right flank as he kept Stoke relatively quite at the back. He provided width in the attack for most of the game on a comfortable night for the Reds.

Dejan Lovren (5):

Constantly lost the battle with Crouch and was at fault for the goal for losing Walters but was generally decent against a decent Stoke City side.

Ragnar Klavan (6):

Stuck to his task well as he kept Walter relatively quite and also won a few balls in the air on a successful night for the defender.

James Milner (7):

Was all over the Stoke City defense in the final third in a superb performance from the left-back for Liverpool who was hardly tested.

Jordan Henderson (7):

Yet another commanding performance from the skipper of the side who won back the ball more than anyone else on the pitch. Played a role in almost all the goals and had a ball.

Adam Lallana (7):

Found the back of the net from the tightest of the angles to get Liverpool back into the game and kept asking questions of the Stoke defense on yet another productive night.

Georginio Wijnaldum (7):

Acted as the link between the midfield and the attack for Liverpool and created a couple of half chances with a decent performance on the night to justify his place in the side.

Sadio Mane (8):

The Senegalese winger played a huge role in changing the flow of the game as he sat on the shoulder of Pieters to add width in the attack and keep Stoke away from his goal helping his sie to a victory.

Roberto Firmino (6):

Scored an important goal right before half time to get Liverpool into the lead and also helped his side keep up the pressure on the Stoke City defense on a victorious night.

Divock Origi (6):

Should do more to help his side win balls in the air but apart from that, he put in a decent performance, running the lines, and keeping the attack of his side going. Also produced a brilliant ball that doubled Liverpool’s lead.

Subs:

Daniel Sturridge (7):

Got a post Christmas gift from Shawcross who set him on goal with his first touch as he picked up his first Premier League goal of the season in the penultimate game of the year.

Emre Can (6):

Came on to replace Adam Lallana with 20 minutes to play and did well to hold off the Stoke City attacks late in the game.

Alberto Moreno (5):

Came on to play as a left-winger and to add some defensive stability with 10 minutes to play and played like he wanted to have some fun, seeing his off to a comfortable victory.