It was quite a day for Liverpool’s goalkeeping department. Their goalkeeping coach, John Achterberg, drew the Grand National winner, One for Arthur, in the club’s sweepstake, while, rather more importantly, Simon Mignolet made two world-class saves to ensure Liverpool are still favourites to make the Champions League come May.

After the 2-1 victory at Stoke secured by substitutes Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho – “my half-ill, half-fit boys” as Jurgen Klopp called them – Liverpool have six hurdles to clear. None of them looks especially daunting.

For a man who began his Liverpool career by saving a penalty against Stoke in August 2013, Mignolet has had a hard job convincing their supporters that his goalkeeping ability met their ambitions.

Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Show all 24 1 /24 Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Lee Grant – 6 out of 10 Caught off his line by Firmino, but in truth, was little else he could do about such an inch-perfect strike. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Glen Johnson – 5 out of 10 Initially comfortable against his former club but, like many of his teammates, faded as the game went on. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Bruno Martins Indi – 5 out of 10 Too easily let Firmino slip for Liverpool’s second after a long ball over the top. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Ryan Shawcross – 6 out of 10 Has the measure of Origi, but struggled once up against the quality of Firmino. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Erik Pieters – 6 out of 10 Another who was not troubled by anything Liverpool tried in the first half, but Clyne proved to be a much tougher opponent than Alexander-Arnold. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Xherdan Shaqiri – 8 out of 10 Enjoyed himself against Clyne, especially for the goal, producing an inch-perfect cross for Walters. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Geoff Cameron – 6 out of 10 Had no trouble with Liverpool’s midfield in the first half but was overran as the visitors gained momentum in the second. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Joe Allen – 6 out of 10 Injured early on in a challenge and forced off, will be disappointed to not have lasted against his former club. Replaced by Charlie Adam. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Marko Arnautovic – 7 out of 10 Had his way with Liverpool’s makeshift backline before the break but saw his influence diminish in the second half. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Saido Berahino – 5 out of 10 Really should have levelled the score when presented with a simple tap in a few yards out. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Jonathan Walters – 7 out of 10 A handful for Liverpool’s defence and took his goal well, but was fading by the time he was replaced. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Simon Mignolet – 9 out of 10 Saved his team on several occasions, particularly with two brilliant point-blank saves. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4 out of 10 Like his fellow teenager Woodburn, struggled with the physicality of the game. Perhaps should not have been thrown in at the deep end, was subbed at half time. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Ragnar Klavan – 4 out of 10 Continued his worrying vein of form with another disappointing performance. Never looked comfortable up against a runner like Arnautovic. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Joel Matip – 4 out of 10 Should have blocked the cross for Walters’ goal but appeared to duck out of its way. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Dejan Lovren – 6 out of 10 Will be unfairly singled out for the goal, was left with three men to mark. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne – 6 out of 10 Could have done better to track Shaqiri and prevent the cross for Walters’ goal. Massive improvement in the second half on his preferred right flank, especially offensively. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Emre Can – 5 out of 10 Another underwhelming display, though it featured moments when Can showed he can be the all-action, bustling midfield presence Liverpool need. Those moments were too rare. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum – 4 out of 10 One of his poorest displays in a Liverpool shirt, one with many mistimed tackles. Heading a Stoke corner back into his own box at the start of the second half was suicidal. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings James Milner – 7 out of 10 Probably Liverpool’s best outfield player before Coutinho and Firmino’s introductions, but that was not saying much. Adapted well to a midfield role after spending the season at left-back. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Ben Woodburn – 4 out of 10 Will feel he deserved a penalty just prior to Stoke’s goal, but ultimately, the incident was an example of how easily he was bullied. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Divock Origi – 6 out of 10 Struggled alone up top in the first half but also lacked any kind of service. Replaced by Daniel Sturridge. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Philippe Coutinho – 9 out of 10 Even when under the weather, the best player on the pitch. The game changed following his introduction. Stoke 1 Liverpool 2 player ratings Roberto Firmino – 8 out of 10 Superbly taken goal. He may be tired, but Klopp cannot afford to rest him over the coming weeks.

Stoke has been Mignolet’s litmus test. In May 2015, in Steven Gerrard’s farewell game for the club, Mignolet conceded six. Here, he was superb.

“There was never a doubt that Simon is a top keeper,” said Klopp. “He is how goalkeepers are. He is very confident and this was a goalkeeper’s day. I cannot remember the last time he made a big mistake.”

Bringing in Loris Karius from one of his former clubs, Mainz, in the summer suggested Klopp had plenty of doubts. However, Mignolet seems to have seen off that challenge – Karius has not featured since the three disastrous days in January when Liverpool exited the League and FA Cups at home to Southampton and Wolves.

However, of the six teams challenging for the four Champions League places, Liverpool and Manchester City are the two who field the weakest goalkeepers.

The Liverpool manager argued that there are certain keepers, like Mignolet and Manchester City’s Claudio Bravo, who are judged solely on their errors. Once the media has made up their mind that a goalkeeper is world class, every mistake he makes will be accompanied by the adjective “uncharacteristic”.

“I was a few years in Germany when the whole world was 100 per cent sure Manuel Neuer was the best goalkeeper in the world,” said Klopp. “He made mistakes but nobody spoke about it. When you play at that level, nobody speaks about your mistakes.

“With all goalkeepers it is about the image. Simon is a fantastic, hard-working guy and this was his day. We also heard it was John Achterberg’s day so this was a day for goalkeepers.”

Klopp did not play down the importance of Liverpool’s comeback at Stoke. He admitted to feeling sick when Bournemouth scored their late equaliser at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Had Stoke held on to their first-half lead, Liverpool would have finished the day knowing that Arsenal could afford to lose one of their three games in hand and still overtake them.

Now their six games left pitch them against opposition ranging in difficulty from West Bromwich Albion to Middlesbrough, who will probably already be relegated when they come to Anfield on the season’s final afternoon. In the equivalent games earlier in the season, Liverpool won four and drew two. A repeat of those results will see them back among the European elite.

Firmino celebrates his late winner, having started the match on the bench (AFP/Getty)

Klopp knew he was taking a gamble by leaving the Brazilians on the bench and starting with Divock Origi and 17-year-old Ben Woodburn. But it paid off as spectacularly as any Grand National bet.