Liverpool player ratings: 0-1 (6-5) Stoke City

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Liverpool players look on during the penalty shoot out during the Capital One Cup semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on January 26, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Liverpool players look on during the penalty shoot out during the Capital One Cup semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on January 26, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Jon Flanagan of Liverpool holds off Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City during the Capital One Cup semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on January 26, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: Jon Flanagan of Liverpool holds off Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City during the Capital One Cup semi final second leg match between Liverpool and Stoke City at Anfield on January 26, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Jon Flanagan – 6

At first glance, I thought Flano had a poor game, but when thinking back he had an incredible amount of positives even after missing 18 months. He kept Marko Arnautovic quiet during the majority of his time and the pitch, and contributed several strong tackles throughout the game. He got involved with the physical aspect of this game and handled himself well.

His passing was off in places, but what can you expect from a guy who hasn’t played in so long? He was a good source of possession when we needed the ball keeping, and as Luis Suarez says in his autobiography, Flanagan knows when to move up the pitch and what he is and isn’t capable of. He rarely makes mistakes because he plays to his strengths, and of course Flanagan will improve as his fitness does.

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