Liverpool 4-1 Stoke City: Three things we learnt

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Stoke can still play the Stoke way, but not quite with the same impact

Mark Hughes has rebuilt the Potters in his own way, with the Potters playing an almost unrecognisable style of football to that which was their trademark under Tony Pulis, but at Anfield they reverted to their former selves.

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When John Walters gave his side the lead in the first half, it seemed that it was the right choice. It is no secret that Liverpool have been vulnerable defensively of late and they couldn’t handle the physicality and aerial threat of Walters and former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch in a striker partnership.

Later on, it became clear that the two lacked the quality to make the difference. The loss of possession just invited more pressure onto the Potters defence and it proved costly, with Liverpool not needing to be asked twice.