Liverpool vs. Stoke City: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City

Glen Johnson scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool eased the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers by ending a three-match Premier League losing sequence with victory over Stoke City.

The Reds upped the tempo after a disappointing first half, and when Rickie Lambert's looping header bounced back off the crossbar with five minutes remaining, Johnson was on hand to head home the rebound.

Stoke were not without their own chances, though, and Liverpool were grateful to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who tipped away a superb Bojan Krkic strike in the closing stages.

Rodgers sprang a surprise by dropping Steven Gerrard to the bench, 16 years to the day since the Liverpool captain made his debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers.

Alberto Moreno was another omission, with Jose Enrique and Johnson in the full-back roles for the Reds.

Raheem Sterling attempted to get Liverpool off to a flying start, but there was nobody in the area to finish off his fifth-minute cross.

Liverpool were looking for an improved performance in front of their own fans but were still looking for a first shot on target after the opening 15 minutes.

Stoke were forced into a 22nd-minute change, as Glenn Whelan replaced injured Steve Sidwell.

The first Liverpool attempt on goal came in the 27th minute, but Lambert's long-range free-kick flew high over the crossbar.

Enrique produced a rare piece of quality in a disappointing match with a great cross into the area after a Sterling pass, but Lambert was unable to connect.

However, the full-back's effort could not disguise the lack of entertaining football on display at Anfield.

Liverpool lifted the tempo slightly as the end of the first half approached, with Lambert and Sterling particularly looking to open up the Stoke defence. And Philippe Coutinho also began to liven up with a strong run on goal.

However, these efforts were not enough to break the deadlock in a disappointing first half.

Stoke made another change at the interval, with Charlie Adam replacing substitute Whelan.

Liverpool looked more alert at the start of the second half, and Joe Allen's strong run needed to be checked by the Potters defence.

Adam was grateful to Marc Wilson when he cleared the danger after Lambert had dispossessed the former Liverpool midfielder and shaped up to shoot.

And Jordan Henderson went close for the Reds with a volley, which flew into the side-netting and had some of the home fans mistakenly celebrating.

Mignolet was swift to spot the threat as Krkic's flick found striker Mame Biram Diouf, who saw his effort blocked by the Reds No. 1.

Bojan then found space down the right flank before unleashing a tremendous drive that struck Mignolet's post.

Lucas Leiva went close for Liverpool after a great Sterling ball, and Asmir Begovic did well to push the Brazilian's shot away.

Liverpool were beginning to build momentum, and Lambert forced a good save from Begovic, before Allen clipped the crossbar for the Reds.

Gerrard came on to replace Lucas with 15 minutes remaining.

But in the 82nd minute, Stoke were denied twice, with Sterling blocking Adam's in-swinging corner on the line, before Jon Walters' curling effort was saved by Mignolet.

Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 85th minute through the unlikeliest of sources. A looping Lambert header looked to have beaten Begovic, but the ball bounced back into play off the crossbar. First to react was Johnson, who stooped to head home for the Reds, injuring himself in the process.

"

Johnson scores https://t.co/YLomxSGGSb

— VinesChelsea (@VinesChelsea) November 29, 2014"

Moments later, though, Liverpool were also grateful to another under-fire player when Mignolet tipped a tremendous Bojan strike wide. 

But Liverpool held on to seal the points and end a woeful string of defeats. The victory, although earned from an unlikely source, may now act as a catalyst for a return to form for the Reds.

Selected Player Ratings

Raheem Sterling: A-

Attempted to open up Stoke occasionally in the opening period, and found his feet again after the interval with a determined display.

Bojan Krkic: A

The former Barcelona man made his presence felt in the second half at Anfield and looked most likely to give Stoke the advantage.

Philippe Coutinho: B+

Still not finding some of the form of last season, but looked for chances in the first period.

What's ahead

Liverpool travel to Leicester City on Tuesday in the Premier League, while Stoke manager Mark Hughes takes his Stoke team to former club Manchester United on the same night.

Post-Match Reaction