Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool – Capital One Cup Semi Final 1st Leg – 5th December 2016
Liverpool bounced back from their disappointing defeat to West Ham at the weekend to deservedly beat Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia on Tuesday night.
The Reds were back to their all-action, energetic selves from the off, with the Potters struggling to match their opponents’ work-rate. Already shorn of the injured again Daniel Sturridge, the visitors both playmaker Philippe Coutinho (on 18 mins) and then Dejan Lovren (on 34 mins) forced off with hamstring strains. However, sub Jordan Ibe, who replaced Coutinho, took his chance and bagged the only goal of the game on 37 minutes, after good work from Adam Lallana and Joe Allen…
VIDEO. Jordon Ibe goal vs Stoke City. pic.twitter.com/iGpdoQUOdr
— Anfield Leak (@AnfieldLeak) January 5, 2016
In the second-half, the hosts pushed for an equaliser and had a decent shout for a penalty when Glenn Whelan looked to have been fouled by Alberto Moreno in the box. However, ref Anthony Taylor wasn’t having it. Reds’ ‘keeper Simon Mignolet was forced into a couple of decent saves but ultimately, Jurgen Klopp’s charges got the win their impressive display warranted.
While Klopp will be delighted to get a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg at Anfield (despite the moutning injury crisis), Stoke boss Mark Hughes will no doubt be disappointed by his side’s failure to build on their recent strong league form. Photos…
Highlights…
(Highlights: Footytube)