Player Ratings: Stoke City 1-0 Liverpool

Last updated : 11 September 2011 By Dan Buxton

Asmir Begovic - 8 - Defence kept the opposition away from goal for most of the game but when called into action he was spot on. Triple save during second half will be remembered for years to come

Robert Huth - 8 - Shuffled from right back to left back and back across but was steady and reliable and didn't get sucked in by some fancy footwork

Marc Wilson - 8 - Also was switched over from wing to wing but stayed on his job and hardly put a foot wrong, not allowing the widemen the space they craved to get their deliveries in

Ryan Shawcross - 9(Man of the Match) - Sensational from the skipper! Was on hand every time danger was apparent and threw his body in front of many a shot. Some great shepherding and tackling to keep the clean sheet in tact.

Matthew Upson - 9 - Like Shawcross every time there was danger he was there to thwart the opposition. A superb double block in the second half as part of a mad ten second spell that also saw Begovic produce three saves. Two great blocks in the first half stopped goalbound efforts from troubling Begovic

Jermaine Pennant - 7 - Showed some great close control and also kept the ball better than most of his teammates. Didn't provide much of an attacking threat after the Potters took the lead although he did keep going to the last whistle

Matthew Etherington - 6 - Drove at the defence when given the ball early on but after taking a kick when trying to clear a ball in his own box went out of the game before being substituted

Dean Whitehead - 8 - Was everywhere Liverpool didn't want him to be as he broke up countless attempts to get in at the City goal. Showed great resilience and once again proved what an asset he can be to this Stoke side

Rory Delap - 8 - 100th Premier Leaguie victory and a great performance on his return from injury. Never stopped running and chasing. Was maybe lucky with one penalty appeal for handball but deserved that stroke of luck

Jon Walters - 7 - Won and scored the penalty and also chased and harassed the defence at every opportunity. Moved out wide for final twenty odd minutes and adapted well, making sure Wilson wasn't exposed

Peter Crouch - 8 - Won near enough every header and knocked the ball off well. Put the ball into the paths of the wingers or nodded down for a teammate and ran his socks off

Andy Wilkinson - 7 - Was brought on for Delap and played full of heart and passion as always. Relished the backs to the wall job and refused to let Maxi get the better of him out on the right

Kenwyne Jones - 7 - Came on and sat deeper, basically playing centre midfield, to add more power and steel to the middle of the park. Was handy in the defensive box as he nodded away some late balls into the box

Wilson Palacios - 7 - Came on to make sure the Potters had plenty of legs left in the middle and did well, taking no chances and hurrying the Scouse midfield in possession