Player Ratings – Stoke City 6 Liverpool 1 [VIDEO]

Stoke City spoiled Steven Gerrard’s chance of a happy ending to his Premier League career, instead scoring six goals to inflict a 6-1 defeat to Liverpool, their biggest in 23 years.

The Potters began the match with plenty of passion and intensity and after they picked up two yellows they took the lead through Mame Diouf. A second for the Senegalese and one from Jonathan Walters saw the lead stretch out to 3-0 after 30 minutes.

Midfielders Charlie Adam and Steven N’zonzi found their names on the scoresheet as the buffer extended to five. They were unable to pick up on the same form in the second-half, but they sent the 27,000 strong crowd home happy with a Peter Crouch goal in the final stages.

It was not the result he would have liked, but Gerrard did find a way to score one last English Premier League goal, but it was hardly even consolation for Brendan Rodgers’ men, who now have plenty of work to do between now and August.

Stoke City

Asmir Begovic – 7: The Bosnian did not have a busy afternoon but looked comfortable when he was called upon -especially with set-pieces – well beaten for Gerrard’s goal although not helped by his defenders.

Geoff Cameron – 6.5: Had a game of two halves. Managed to contain and frustrate Lallana, but struggled with Jordan Ibe’s pace and was thrown off the ball too easily.

Ryan Shawcross – 7: Liverpool never had a main forward so the former Manchester United defender had a relatively easy afternoon. He dealt comfortably with the attack they did bring.

Marc Muniesa – 7: The same can be said for his central partner Muniesa. Came off with a hamstring injury late on but had a relaxed 71 minutes.

Erik Pieters – 6.5: Another defender who had an easy game, although the Dutchman made too many rash challenges and was booked for a foul on Jordan Henderson.

Steven Nzonzi – 8: The performance justified him winning Stoke’s player of the season with a barnstorming game in the middle. Scored a spectacular curling goal just before the break. Created a lot for Stoke in attack and defence.

Glenn Whelan – 7: Did not have as big of an impact as his fellow team-mates but played a vital role in closing down most of Liverpool’s attacks. Booked for consecutive fouls on Lallana.

Jonathan Walters – 7: Showed intelligence to anticipate a Liverpool error and be standing on ceremony to score Stoke’s third.

Charlie Adam – 8: The Scot was one of the best on field. Showed plenty of passion and maturity. The former Liverpool player was booked but scored his team’s fourth and kept looking for more.

Marko Arnautovic – 9: Emre Can could not deal with the Austrian attacker, no one could. Created two goals and deserved to score one of his own.

Mame Diouf – 8: The Senegalese striker had a stellar first 45. Scoring a tap in to begin proceedings then added an unstoppable second from distance moments later. Did not look like a player who was on his hat-trick in the second-half though.

Substitutions

Peter Odemwingie – 6: Harsh given he only featured in the last 25 minutes, but it was a welcome relief for Liverpool as he did not pile on as much pressure as Mark Hughes would have desired.

Marc Wilson – N/A: Replaced Muniesa at the back after his injury.

Peter Crouch – N/A: Came on for Arnautovic and scored the final goal of Stoke’s campaign.

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Liverpool

Simon Mignolet – 4.5: Was at fault for the first. Could not do anything about the second. Did his best to prevent the third, but the Reds did not given him much chance with their unstable defence.

Emre Can – 3: Right-back is not his most natural position as Arnautovic made obvious. Inadvertently assisted Walters’ goal. Substituted at the break.

Mamadou Sakho – 4: Looked uncomfortable, left Crouch unmarked in the middle for the sixth.

Martin Skrtel – 5: Did his best to halt Stoke’s attack but it was too strong. He was good in the air and on the ground, but was probably lucky not to be sent off.

Alberto Moreno – 4: Did not get forward enough and struggled with the strength of Adam and Walters. Made way for Kolo Toure at the break

Jordan Henderson – 4.5: He had the desire to change things for his side but failed to offer anything going forward.

Joe Allen – 4.5: The Welshman was good on the ball, but was bombarded by the Stoke midfield and could not offer anything in attack.

Lucas – 3: Failed to offer much defensively and in attack.

Adam Lallana – 4: Should have been awarded a penalty or two, but let his emotions affect his performance. Narrowly missed the goal with the scores were locked at 0-0.

Steven Gerrard – 6: Scored in his last ever game in a Liverpool jersey, although he would like to forget it pretty quickly. The result tainted the end of one of the greatest career’s in football history.

Coutinho – 4: Without a focal point of attack the little Brazilian was not quite sure where to go with the ball at his feet and struggled to create much.

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Substitutions

Kolo Toure – 5: Came on for Moreno at half time but did not make Mignolet’s job any easier.

Jordan Ibe – 6.5: Replaced Can when Rodgers altered his formation. A promising future lies ahead for him.

Rickie Lambert – N/A: Most likely his last match for his boyhood club.

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