Mo Salah’s six-minute brace late in the second half, in front of the travelling Reds, sealed all three points for Liverpool on their trip to Stoke City this mid-week. Sadio Mane opened the scoring for the visitors after he was fed through by Dominic Solanke, on his debut but the biggest talking points of the game will remain Simon Mingolet’s challenge on Mame Biram Diouf.
The Belgian should have seen red, but the referee decided that a yellow is all it was, leaving Stoke City raging. But Salah, who now has 17 goals in all competitions for Liverpool, stole the show coming off the bench and takes his side above Tottenham Hotspur in the points table, with this 3-0 victory. Here are the player ratings for the Reds in this tie:
Simon Mignolet (5):
Should have been sent off in the first half but was lucky to stay on the pitch to hand over the armband to Jordan Henderson late in the game. Made a few saves but could have cost his side a few points yet again.
Joe Gomez (8):
Solid at the back, winning some important interceptions and was rarely bullied in the air in a commanding performance from the youngster.
Joel Matip (7):
Won his duels well in the box and was always on the move, ready to win the ball back quickly and give the hosts no time to attack.
Dejan Lovren (7):
Did little wrong all night, keeping Crouch in close quarters but was partially at fault in the build-up that led to the incident in which Mignolet should have been sent off.
Alberto Moreno (6):
Gave too much space behind him for Stoke to attack but did well to recover and minimize the danger.
Emre Can (6):
Gave away the ball a few times but was always on the front-foot looking to break the Stoke City defence on the counter.
Georginio Wijnaldum (7):
One of his best games away from home, where he was always on the turn, looking to break the lines and also provided cover at the back, in an energetic performance from the Dutch.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (7):
Started on the flank and drifted deep after the goal but came to life in the second half, taking on the defenders on the flank before he was subbed off for James Milner.
Sadio Mane (8):
The man of the match on the night for Liverpool, Mane opened the scoring and picked up the assist for Salah’s first goal in easily his best performance coming back from the injury.
Roberto Firmino (7):
Unlucky not to get a goal but was constantly harassing the Stoke City backline, winning the ball back in dangerous areas, keeping the hosts honest all game.
Dominic Solanke (7):
Should have scored in his Premier League debut but missed a sitter in the first half. But did a commendable job, dropping deep at times, and keeping possession of the ball and helping his side maintain pressure on the defenders in the final third.
Substitutes:
James Milner (6):
Added some mettle to the midfield as Stoke tried to press forward and made a few darting runs that constantly created chances for the Reds late in the game,
Mohamed Salah (8):
Came on in the 65th minute, scored in the 77th and the 83rd minute to take Liverpool’s lead from 1-0 to 3-0, taking his goals tally for the month to 8, as he continues his astonishing return to English football.
Jordan Henderson (N/A)
