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Stoke logo
Premier League
Jan 12, 2014 at 4.10pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

3-5

Crouch (39'), Adam (44'), Walters (84')
FT(HT: 2-2)
Cissokho (4'), Suarez (31', 70'), Gerrard (50' pen.), Sturridge (87')

Liverpool overcome Stoke City in eight-goal thriller

Liverpool beat Stoke City 5-3 at the Britannia Stadium to climb into the Champions League places.

Liverpool have climbed into the Champions League places with a thrilling 5-3 victory against Stoke City in the Premier League.

The visitors got off to the best possible start when Aly Cissokho's shot took a deflection off Ryan Shawcross before finding the net.

The defender's effort from 25 yards looked to be going off target, but the deflection took it past Jack Butland.

Liverpool's Aly Cissokho celebrates with teammate Jordan Henderson after scoring the opening goal against Stoke during their Premier League match on January 12, 2014© Getty Images

Stoke fought back strongly after the goal and showed plenty of attacking intent. However, they lacked the killer touch in the final third.

With 20 minutes played, a quick counter-attack from the visitors ended with Philippe Coutinho hitting the ball over the bar from the edge of the box.

However, the Reds were 2-0 ahead with 30 minutes gone. Martin Skrtel lifted a long ball upfield, which Stoke failed to clear. Marc Wilson, Shawcross and Butland all missed the ball, and Luis Suarez tapped into an empty net.

The hosts managed to pull a goal back five minutes before the break when Peter Crouch glanced a header past Simon Mignolet.

It was 2-2 just moments later. Charlie Adam picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a fierce shot past Mignolet.

Stoke started the second half in positive fashion, but they were soon behind again. Raheem Sterling made a run in the box and went down under a challenge from Wilson. Anthony Taylor awarded the penalty and Steven Gerrard sent Butland the wrong way.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Stoke during their Premier League match on January 12, 2014© Getty Images

Steven Nzonzi had a shot blocked, before the Reds extended their lead. Daniel Sturridge led a counter-attack and played in Suarez, who curled the ball around Butland.

Mignolet kept out Jonathan Walters's header, but the goalkeeper was unable to do anything about the striker's next effort, which gave Stoke a glimmer of hope.

Liverpool's Luis Suarez celebrates with teammate Daniel Sturridge after scoring his team's fourth goal against Stoke during their Premier League match on January 12, 2014© Getty Images

However, Sturridge made sure of the win when he fired in at the second attempt after Butland had done well to save his initial effort.

There was still time for Crouch to hit the post with a header, but Stoke were unable to find another goal.

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Liverpool's Aly Cissokho celebrates with teammate Jordan Henderson after scoring the opening goal against Stoke during their Premier League match on January 12, 2014
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