Jurgen Klopp’s injury crippled Liverpool side bounced back from their horror show away to West Ham United with a 1-0 first leg victory in the League Cup.
Liverpool started the match in blistering fashion, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana all combining well to test Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland.
Two hamstring injuries in the first half to Coutinho and centre-back Dejan Lovren curtailed the Reds’ pressing momentarily before substitute Jordon Ibe rounded off a superb move from the away side to take the lead on 37 minutes.
It was no less than the visitors deserved, but in the second half the home side rallied and put their opponents under significant pressure.
Stoke continually bombarded Liverpool’s penalty area, although it would it would ultimately amount to nothing as Klopp’s men take a precious lead back to Anfield for the second leg.
Here is some of the best reaction from Twitter:
Jordon Ibe scored his 3rd #LFC goal this evening. pic.twitter.com/GgZC6AMdjy
— LiverpoolFF (@LiverpoolFF) January 5, 2016
Kolo & Lucas keeping a clean sheet despite possessing less speed than dial-up internet in the Nineties has to go down in #LFC folklore.
— Nik Postinger (@nikpostinger) January 5, 2016
Allen played like a man fighting for his #LFC career tonight & he didn’t do a bad job. Dominant display. A consistent performer of late.
— TalkLFC07 (@TalkLFC07) January 5, 2016
Another #lfc hamstring. Lovren off, Milner on. Klopp’s views on the need for a winter break are well-known and are bound to be voiced again.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) January 5, 2016
Unbelievable!!!! #LFC are actually bullying Stoke.
— Bliss Andoh (@BlissAndoh) January 5, 2016
Mark Hughes has been furious his whole half. #LFC have been quite superior in this first half.
— Viktor Fagerström (@ViktorFagerLFC) January 5, 2016
When you get bullied off the ball by Joe Allen… #LFC pic.twitter.com/dKEZpWZ45D
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) January 5, 2016
Great half from #LFC – Allen has been very good. Firmino good too in a more fluid – Bentekeless – system.
— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) January 5, 2016
#LFC current injury list: Coutinho Lovren Flanagan Sakho Skrtel Gomez Henderson Rossiter Sturridge Origi Ings pic.twitter.com/KwhfjeFrqg
— Goal Adviser (@GoalAdviser) January 5, 2016
Liverpool fans at Stoke tonight. #lfc pic.twitter.com/vMXq1TFiQL
— Football Away Days (@AwayDays_) January 5, 2016
I love kolo ? brilliant block #LFC pic.twitter.com/Km3bKG4VJ7
— Andy (@Andyriley88) January 5, 2016
Toure might not play that much but when he does get given a chance he always gives 110%. Love him. #LFC
— Anfield Bond (@AnfieldBond) January 5, 2016
WE. DO. NOT. HAVE. A. SINGLE. FIT. CB. OH. MY. GOD. #LFC
— Abdu (@abdu3324) January 5, 2016
Big shout out to our whole defence Clyne, Moreno, Kolo & especially our makeshift CB Lucas for nullifying this Stoke attack #LFC
— OneTrueRed (@darryl1truered) January 5, 2016
Losing one key player to injury was unfortunate but #LFC response to Lovren withdrawal shows the gulf between current manager & the last
— Richard Buxton (@RichardBuxton_) January 5, 2016
Much more like it from Liverpool, that. Fought for it, dug in, and showed quality when needed. Up the Reds! #LFC pic.twitter.com/hzEP2Yhcbw
— THE ANFIELD WRAP (@TheAnfieldWrap) January 5, 2016
So, all four main centre backs injured, main striker injured, best player and playmaker injured too and may aswell throw in the Captain #LFC
— Anfield Talk (@Anfield_Talk) January 5, 2016
That was a performance full of guts, grit & flashes of quality when it mattered. Klopp can be proud of his players tonight! #LFC.
— Si Steers (@sisteers) January 5, 2016
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.