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Asmir Begovic – 6Did well to keep out the long balls and crosses which came in plenty. Brilliantly kept out Gerrard’s long range shot. Always had an assured hand on proceedings.
Ryan Shawcross – 5Conceded the early penalty for failing to deal with the pace of Suarez and in the end just lazily pulling him down.
Geoff Cameron – 5Started the game out well but later couldn’t deal with the attack of Stewart Downing.
Andy Wilkinson – 6Made some vital clearances against to curb the forward runs of Johnson. Also managed to keep Downing in check for majority of the match.
Robert Huth – 6Kept a tricky Suarez in his pocket always managing to come away with the ball.
Glenn Whelan – 6.5Ran all over the pitch in an attempt to pressurize the Liverpool midfield and did it very well and kept pushing Glenn Johnson back. Earned a yellow card for bringing down Suarez.
Jonathan Walters – 8Asserted his presence with his strength to ward of Agger and Skrtel. Did well to be in the right place to score the first. Showed impeccable technique to chest the ball and half volley the ball for the third.
Matthew Etherington – 7Was denied by a fantastic save by Reina. Kept finding himself in space in the attacking third thanks to his pace and managed to send in come dangerous crosses. Replaced by Shotton with 10 minutes to go.
Michael Kightly – 6.5Stifled the Liverpool midfield along with Whelan. Was a real presence in the midfield. Replaced later by Dean Whitehead after 70 minutes.
Steven N’Zonzi – 6.5Supposed to be more of a defensive player and offered protection to control Liverpool’s counter attacks.
Kenwyne Jones – 8.5Assisted Stoke’s first goal and rose brilliantly well to head home the second. Caused Agger and Skertel all sorts of trouble as he always managed to win any aerial duel. Linked well with Walters and contributed well for the cause of the team. Was replaced by Peter Crouch with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Substitutions
Dean Whitehead -6.5Came on for Michael Kightly with 20 minutes to go.Showed great energy and caused more problems for Liverpool down the wing.
Peter Crouch – N/ACame on with 15 minutes left but didn’t affect the match.
Ryan Shotton – N/ACame on with 7 minutes remaining.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City tangles with Stewart Downing of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on December 26, 2012, in Stoke-on-Trent, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Pepe Reina – 5.5Couldn’t do much to keep out the two goals. Made an excellent save to deny Etherington twice.
Glen Johnson – 6Showed his pace many a time to get past defenders to put in crosses which really had little effect. While he may have been a good attacking outlet, his defensive display was questionable when he was being caught out of position most of the time.
Martin Skrtel – 6Just couldn’t deal with the physicality of Walters and Jones, but did manage to make up for Agger’s lack of show.
José Enrique – 6.5Amazing work rate as he showed immense pace and strength to win the ball when Stoke attacked on the break but like Johnson, he often was caught out of position.
Daniel Agger – 4Was supposed to mark Jones but made a mess out of it resulting in Stoke’s second goal. Didn’t manage Walters as well, as he ran in behind too easily most of the time.
Jonjo Shelvey – 4.5
The young midfielder who’s relishing playing behind the main striker just didn’t manage to find his feet today, losing possession many times. Often left Suarez as the only attacking threat as he tried to drop a bit too deep.
Lucas Leiva – 5Coming back from injury, he just couldn’t cope with the industrious Stoke midfield. On his way back to full fitness it would seem.
Steven Gerrard – 6.5Slotted home a penalty in trademark fashion but was left wanting most of the time with defensive errors. Could have dealt with Stoke’s second a little better. Worked constantly to win back the ball. Kept encouraging his team to perform even if he knew that it was a lost cause.
Suso – 4Tried to put in a good work rate, but was anonymous for most of the time and was substituted for Sterling during half-time. His bright start to the season seemed to have faded away for now.
Luis Suárez – 7Did well to win the penalty using his ace. Was heavily involved in most of the good attacking work by Liverpool. Occasionally tried to nutmeg the opposition one too many times when a simple pass would have done. Worked tirelessly all throughout but had little to show in the end.
Stewart Downing – 6.5Besides occasional sparks, the English midfielder didn’t do much on terms of attack but managed to limit Etherington many a time. Was replaced by Joe Cole with 15 minutes to go.
Substitutions
Raheem Sterling – 6.5Almost set up a goal for Suarez on his first touch of the ball. Provided a more direct form of attack and used his pace to great effect but would be disappointed due to lack of help other than Suarez.
Jordan Henderson – 4.5
Replaced Lucas, but didn’t see much of the ball and didn’t do much defensively. Also failed to link up the defensive play to the attacking.
Joe Cole – N/ACame on for Downing towards the end. Occasionally pushed forward well but lost the ball most of the time.
