Brendan Rodgers grateful for "Spanish penalty"

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has thanked referee Anthony Taylor for awarding his team a "Spanish penalty" in the 5-3 win over Stoke City this evening.

The Potters had recovered from a two-goal deficit in the first half through two former Reds in Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam, who cancelled out an earlier Ryan Shawcross own goal and a Luis Suarez strike.

However, there was a moment of controversy six minutes into the second half when Raheem Sterling went down in the box with what appeared to be minimal contact from a Marc Wilson challenge, with Steven Gerrard duly dispatching the penalty to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.

Although Rodgers admits that his team were fortunate to be given the decision, the 40-year-old has no complaints over his side benefiting from the call.

"I thought it (the penalty) was soft if I am being honest," he told Sky Sports News. "I would call that a Spanish penalty, it is one where the attacker goes into the defender - who does not get the ball - and the contact puts him over.

"If we get that wee bit of fortune, we will take it."

Suarez and Daniel Sturridge added further strikes for Rodgers's men either side of a Jonathan Walters goal as Liverpool moved fourth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of leaders Manchester City.