Klopp responds to Guardiola by beating Stoke City, going second in the table ahead of their clash at Anfield on New Year’s Eve.
Liverpool‘s manager Jurgen Klopp should be happy with his side after trashing Stoke City 4-1 to go back second in the table just six points behind leaders Chelsea.
Stoke, in the first period, caused the Reds defence various problems, especially with former players Peter Crouch and Joe Allen who seemed inspired for the Potters. So much so that on the 12′, Jon Walters headed home to put the visitors ahead, highlighting once again Liverpool‘s vulnerability in defence.
Liverpool recovered well levelling the score on the 34′ through Adam Lallana, with Roberto Firmino putting them ahead before the strike of half time.
Once in the lead the Reds took command of the game and in the second period added two more goals as Giannelli Imbula put the ball in his own net trying to anticipate Mané and with 20′ to go Daniel Sturridge added his name to the score sheet with his first of the season and Liverpool‘s 100th under manager Klopp.
With these three points Liverpool regained second place in the table a point ahead of Manchester City whom they host on New Year’s Eve in a clash which could determine Chelsea‘s biggest opponents for the title race.