Injuries, fatigue and illness left Jurgen Klopp with a host of selection problems and it showed from the start. Stoke City jumped on Liverpool early but the break benefitted the Reds. Liverpool stoked back for a 1-2 win away from home.
Generally it was a game that was severely lacking in quality from both sides across the pitch, particularly so when former Red Joe Allen left with injury.
Given the circumstances, Klopp opted to change the shape of the side. Despite Liverpool growing into the game through the first half, it was clear something was not working and needed to be changed at the interval.
After replacing the teenagers with the samba boys, Liverpool’s attack was given greater impetus as the set up shop in Stoke’s half. As the side shifted shape again and the subs settled in, the tide turned. Liverpool repeatedly came close. Then Philippe Coutinho found an equalizer.
If goals change games and this one definitely did. It was only a matter of time before the Reds turned the screw and completed the comeback. Within minutes ,Gini Wijnaldum drove a looping pass over-the-top to an onrushing Roberto Firmino who smashed an arcing screamer strike under the bar and in for the game winner.
From there, the Reds just needed to hold on better than they were able to with Bournemouth and they just about did it.
Here are four findings from the match.
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