Mike Henson's match report, which is far more considered than the stuff I've been chucking at you for the last two hours, is now up. Read it here. You can watch highlights of today's game on Match of the Day 2 at 22:30 BST (or 23:25 BST if you're in Scotland, where it's on after Sportscene). Thanks for joining me. Catch you again soon.

Image source, #bbcfootball

Liverpool deserved the win over 90 minutes, even though Stoke caused them plenty of problems in the first half. It's worth noting that, although the visitors won more duels, they led 27-17 on that front at half-time - so Liverpool picked up on that front considerably after the break.

Stoke left-back Erik Pieters, by the way, looked a little miffed when he was substituted in the second half. Mark Hughes skipped round a question about Pieters' frustrated reaction, instead preferring to explain why he made the change.

“I just made the decision that we needed to make a change," Hughes said. "They were getting joy down the left side."

Here's more from Hughes, who is visibly struggling to contain his anger with his side's display: “It’s one of those days. When we needed to deal with things at source, we didn’t deal with that. That’s unlike us, we’re normally very resolute.

"Once goals go in, it becomes difficult. It could have become embarrassing for us. It was damage limitation in the end.

“Today’s result has hurt us obviously. We allowed Liverpool to go above us and teams around us are picking up points. But when we have a setback, we almost always bounce back, and we need to do that."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes, speaking to BBC Sport: “We didn’t deal with situations where balls were put into our box. I was reasonably happy with the first half performance, even though we were behind. But we kept on letting ourselves down by not switching on when the ball went dead. That led to goals. It was a difficult day, where we didn’t acquit ourselves well enough."

On the absence of injured midfielder Glenn Whelan: "We were a little shorthanded and lightweight in midfield when we need to get a foothold. We need to get the ball off players in key areas."

Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross, speaking to Sky Sports: "We conceded two sloppy goals in the first half, but we were probably the better team. Then, within 20 minutes of the restart, we were 4-1 down and the game had gone. We conceded goals at crucial times. 

"It is frustrating. It was bad defending. We have to work on it. We’re conceding too many goals. We knew they’d change the team, because they have Europa League commitments and we hoped to take advantage. But they were too good for us.

“We won’t give up on Europe. There are a lot of points to play for and we hope we can finish on a high."

Here's more from Klopp - on his decision to make seven changes: "We had to rest players today. We needed fresh legs. We needed to be greedy and not think a single per cent about it being another game. I'm really happy."

On the defending for Stoke's equaliser: "We watched the Stoke goal at half-time because we wondered what we did wrong. It was a foul on Martin Skrtel. A block - more than a block."

And on the performance of Divock Origi: "Divock is still a young lad. We have to be patient. He can play together with Daniel. There's absolutely no doubt about that. We hope it stays like this that we have two strikers available like this because we have a big number of games to go."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is bouncing as he walks in to speak to Match of the Day's Conor McNamara: "Today, I'm really proud. We made changes and it was a completely new formation,. I'm sure the players have never played together before in this line-up.

"Stoke played 70 to 80% long balls to Peter Crouch, and you have to be tuned into that. We were quickly tuned after a half-session on the training ground yesterday. It was a smart performance."

Totum: Whisper it quietly but Klopp's Liverpool are going in the right direction. I hope now that the M6 is moving in any direction...

From my own experiences of trying to drive between Manchester and Birmingham, the M6 rarely moves in any direction...

There's a mildly-confusing post-match interview with Divock Origi for the Premier League's international television audience. The striker is asked if he meant to score his second goal, or whether he was intending to cross the ball for Daniel Sturridge.

Origi seems to misunderstand the question, thinking he is being asked about playing alongside Sturridge. "You have to play as a team," he says. "That's our strong point, you have to play as a team."

Anyway, Origi is a happy man. "That was very satisfying. It's never easy to play against Stoke but we showed we had a lot of qualities.

"I'm never satisfied with my own play, but I'm happy. It's nice to play and score. I'm learniing and enjoying my football."

And what about the Europa League return against Borussia Dortmund on Thursday? "It's very important," he says. "It's a very good competition, the Europa League. We have to do everything to get to the end."

Comprehensive. Jurgen Klopp walks on to the field to congratulate his players. There are big hugs for Kolo Toure and Alberto Moreno. A much-changed Liverpool side get a win that moves them above Stoke into eighth, and puts everyone at Anfield in a good frame of mind for the big one on Thursday.

Image source, Reuters

Peter Crouch almost has the last word. Mame Biram Diouf battles on the edge of the area, and the ball drops for the former England forward, whose first-time shot is deflected wide. The resulting corner comes to nought.

Liverpool fancy a fifth. Lucas Leiva slides in to dispossess Geoff Cameron, and the ball is worked via Daniel Sturridge to Adam Lallana, who sights goal from 20 yards. Ryan Shawcross, who picked up a silly booking a few moments ago, atones with an excellent block.

Stoke have long since shuddered to a standstill here. Phil Bardsley lifts a cross from the right in towards Peter Crouch, but the striker looks disheartened as he goes for the cross, and Simon Mignolet is off his line to make a comfortable catch.

Ryan Shawcross has had a tough afternoon on his return from injury, and it's showing now. Divock Origi beats the Stoke captain for pace down the left; and as Shawcross puts the ball out for a throw near the corner flag, he has a little kick out at Origi's ankles and is booked.

Stoke make their final change, meanwhile, with Marc Muniesa on for Erik Pieters.

JdeSatge: Leicester walking away with the league, Stoke concede 3 in a game to crosses... how times have changed.  

Jurgen Klopp makes his third and final change. Lucas Leiva, who has not played because of a hamstring problem since the League Cup final at the end of February, comes on to warm applause, replacing Joe Allen.

Peter Crouch hasn't had much fun on his return to Anfield, particularly in the second half. The striker's frustration perhaps gets the better of him as he goes in late and fouls James Milner. It's a free-kick and nothing more, and rightly.

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder David Thompson at Anfield

"Kevin Stewart has mopped up very well in the second half, picking up loose balls and restarting attacks. I think the debutant has been good in the second half." 

Two changes for Stoke. Mame Biram Diouf and Joselu are on for Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan Krkic. Mark Hughes said before kick-off that Joselu didn't start the game today because he's been ill.

Image source, Reuters