DMC) Lucas – 7.5
Lucas gave the back-four the protection it’s been so desperately crying out for. In the second, he provided the team the platform from which Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen could create from. It would be foolish for Rodgers to drop the Brazilian anchorman – even if Steven Gerrard is chomping at the bit to start again.
DMC) Joe Allen – 7
Anonymous in the first-half, Allen struggled to get an increasingly frustrated crowd going, but he was by no means the worst of a very bad bunch. As the game grew more open, the mercurial Welshman was able to thread incisive passes through to Sterling and Coutinho – and he made a number of interceptions too when Stoke tried to break. He should have scored mind, firing over when getting on the end of a tremendous team move with the game at 0-0.
AMR) Jordan Henderson – 6
Sloppy in the first-half, Henderson’s energy and enthusiasm couldn’t make up for a lack of quality and creativity on the ball. He did however supply the ball for Rickie Lambert which led to the goal, and noticeably pressed the opposition more aggressively as the game went on. He’ll be crucial if we’re to turn this season around.
