The Spaniard struck the post and worried Simon Mignolet before Glen Johnson won the match for the hosts and his manager believes he was the best player on the pitch

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes took heart from Bojan Krkic’s performance in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

The Spaniard struck the post and forced an impressive save from Simon Mignolet, only for Stoke to be undone by a late Glen Johnson header.

Stoke remain without a win at Anfield since 1959 but Hughes was pleased with the showing of former Barcelona man Bojan – a summer signing from the Catalan giants.

“We feel a little bit disappointed because we put a huge effort in,” Hughes explained.

“Our record here over the years has not been great so we all feel it was a big opportunity to wipe the slate clean in that regard and get a positive result.

“In the first half, Liverpool created very little to be perfectly honest and I thought we were comfortable and able to deal with anything they threw at us. 

“In the second, it became a bit more open because we were more encouraged and were looking for a winner ourselves.”

Hughes – who saw Steven Sidwell limp off in the first half before his replacement Glenn Whelan suffered a calf problem – added: “The outstanding player on the day for me was Bojan.

“[I was] really pleased with what he produced but unfortunately he hit the post and an outstanding volley at the end, which needed to be dealt with.

“[I was] pleased with his performance but just felt it was a little bit harsh on us to lose the game today.

“I felt we needed to take something because I think it’s what our performance deserved.”