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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp gave us a real telling off at half-time, says Adam Lallana

The Reds prevailed against Stoke by a penalty shoot-out to reach the League Cup final

Wednesday 27 January 2016 23:44 GMT

Adam Lallana (left) said Klopp’s words at half-time prompted a heated discussion among the players (2016 Liverpool FC)

Adam Lallana has revealed the shaky performance of Liverpool’s defence prompted “a few strong words” from Jürgen Klopp at half-time of the League Cup semi-final against Stoke City on Tuesday night.

With Stoke drawing level in the tie through Marko Arnautovic’s goal and the visitors generously afforded other one-on-ones with goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Klopp sparked a heated discussion among the players.

Lallana said: “We told each other we had to be more composed on the ball, to want it and play out from the back rather than hitting it long, which we did a few too many times.”

In Liverpool’s last home League game, a 1-0 defeat by Manchester United, something similar happened in the visitors’ changing area.

“It wasn’t over the top like it was with them,” Lallana said. “We could hear it kicking off from our dressing room. We tried to have a bit more structure but we all knew that we hadn’t been good enough.”

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

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1/24Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

LIVERPOOL: Mignolet: 6 out of 10

Couldn't do much about the opening goal but flapped at a ball he could have easily caught and continued to look a liability at corners. Redeemed himself with a couple of saves in the shoot-out.

PHIL NOBLE

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Flanagan: 6 out of 10

Won his battle with Arnautovic during the first half and showed his crossing ability when he got further forward. But considering this was his first start in 20 months, it was unsurprising he looked tired as it went on. Booked.

2016 Getty Images

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Toure: 6 out of 10

Did enough to put Walters off when the striker was looking dangerous and was generally solid. Went off late on.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Sakho: 5 out of 10

Allowed the ball to bounce and with it caused chaos at the back. However his vital block saved Liverpool from conceding to a Walters effort. At the other end of the pitch the Frenchman headed into the ground when perhaps he should have done better.

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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Moreno: 5 out of 10

Used his pace to pose questions of the Stoke defence from deep but his delivery was not always up to scratch.

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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Lucas: 5 out of 10

Unable to find a way through in the final third and was untidy at times in midfield before being moved back into central defence to fill in for Toure.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Jordan Henderson

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Milner: 6 out of 10

Didn't always make the right calls, particularly when he passed when perhaps he should have shot at goal. Tireless as always.

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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Can: 5 out of 10

His shot from range was about as close as Liverpool came in the first period. He also went on some decent runs but not his more effective match.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Lallana: 4 out of 10

A bit like Firmino, a frustrating game for Lallana that lacked openings despite him playing in an advances position.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Firmino: 4 out of 10

Busy performance but few chances for the in-form Brazilian. He saw a shot hit the post whilst another effort from range when he should have passed showed his frustration.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Best off the bench - Joe Allen: 6 out of 10

After coming on Allen did little but show his touch can let him down. Then he scored the penalty that sent Liverpool to Wembley - worth two points alone.

Reuters

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

STOKE CITY: Butland: 5 out of 10

Had little to do during the match but when it came to the penalties was unable to outshine his opposite number.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Johnson: 6 out of 10

Up against his former club the right-back was tidy throughout although failed to get forward as much as he would have liked.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Wollscheid: 7 out of 10

Aside from a loose pass out from the back the Stoke defender did a fine job in the absence of captain Ryan Shawcross, notably blocking a shot from Firmino and making a last ditch clearance when Liverpool looked like they might be in.

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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Muniesa: 7 out of 10

Took a booking for tripping Milner in the first half but despite being on a yellow continued to make the necessary challenges. Can't be blamed for missing one of Stoke's penalties.

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Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Pieters: 6 out of 10

Showed his ability to put in a fine delivery with a free-kick from the left and was part of Stoke's solid quartet at the back.

2016 Getty Images

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Whelan: 6 out of 10

In there with the tackles, not so much with the ability. However his penalty was the best of an excellent bunch.

2016 Liverpool FC

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Walters: 6 out of 10

The best chances for Stoke fell to Walters but he was unable to convert them, with one close range effort being blocked b Sakho and another creeping just wide.

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Afellay: 5 out of 10

Was twice wayward with shots from range when perhaps should have got closer to goal.

2015 Getty Images

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Bojan: 6 out of 10

Gave it away too easily at times but showed some lovely touches. Replaced with Charlie Adam after 71 minutes.

2016 Getty Images

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Arnautovic: 7 out of 10

Kept relatively quiet by Flanagan up until he broke the deadlock late in the first half - however his goal should have been ruled offside.

PHIL NOBLE

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Crouch: 7 out of 10

As always, the striker used his height to his advantage and caused Liverpool problems throughout.

PA Wire

Liverpool 0 Stoke City 1 player ratings

Best off the bench - Shaqiri: 5 out of 10

Came on for Arnautovic but failed to provide as much of a threat as the man he replaced.

Getty Images

Liverpool were better after the break, although it took a penalty shoot-out to see them through. Had James Milner, Liverpool’s vice-captain, missed his spot kick, then they would have had only the FA Cup, in which they face West Ham United on Saturday and the Europa League to play for. West Ham have beaten them twice this season.

Milner still feels justified in choosing to leave Manchester City for Liverpool last summer despite the fact he was promised a central midfield role under Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers.

“Whatever happens you make that decision and you stick to it,” he said. “You don’t look back. The fact that we have got to the first cup final this season, I’ve played a lot of football, I am enjoying my time immensely.

“I don’t think I have hit the levels I want to achieve and I know I can. But I will keep working hard and hopefully my best form will come and the fans will see the best of me.”

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