Liverpool walked away with a stale 0-0 result at Anfield as Premier League strugglers Stoke City held on to secure a solitary point.
As expected, Jurgen Klopp rotated the squad, which saw the likes of Alberto Moreno, Danny Ings, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez come into the starting XI.
Klopp also fielded Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder, which raised quite a few eyebrows. However, the teenage sensation put in a solid shift in central midfield.
Mohamed Salah was held back from scoring and the Egyptian marvel looked visibly exhausted by the end of the game.
Our attack, in general, was rather blunt and even Roberto Firmino was far from his best. The attackers clearly missed Sadio Mane’s pace and intensity as the Senegalese had to sit this one out due to a minor injury.
Ings played in his stead but failed to do much to influence the attack. As far as our defenders are concerned, Virgil van Dijk once again put in a hardworking performance at the back and Klavan provided sufficient support. However, our full-backs were rather underwhelming as both Gomez and Moreno failed to put in a promising display.
There was also a controversial point in the game as Liverpool did not receive what seemed like a clear-cut penalty and that severely dented our chances of scoring a much-needed goal.
One point will not do much for our hopes of catching 2nd-placed Manchester United but with the second leg of the Champions League semi-final clash against AS Roma coming up next week, it is unrealistic to expect anything more.
With that said, here is how our fellow supporters reacted to the goalless draw:
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/990232016183586816
Last Penalty awarded to Liverpool by an English referee was 12 games ago
In the same period, Crystal Palace have 5
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kloppholic/status/990218875286573057
Injuries, rotation, Roma distraction and a terrible referee aside, Klavan, Moreno, Ings and Gomez (at right back) have shown Liverpool need to improve their squad depth this summer. Inexcusable result, but top 4 done with a draw vs Chelsea or win vs Brighton (if lose vs Chelsea).
— Joe Musker (@JoeMusker_) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/mshfutbol/status/990215897678843904
https://twitter.com/Gilly0151/status/990216607384461312
Lovren
Mignolet
Danny Ings
Alberto Moreno
Joe Gomez
BodganThey shouldn’t be with the team next season …. Sell them @LFC
— Nick (@nicky_fizzy) April 28, 2018
How is Ings a Liverpool player. Who's idea was that?
— Joseph Cousins (@JCuzzy1) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/rossic89/status/990231325104918528
https://twitter.com/ClinicalFirmino/status/990225295918731264