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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Aug 17, 2013 at 12.45pm UK
 
Stoke logo

1-0

Sturridge (38')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Daniel Sturridge earns Liverpool victory on opening day

Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool started the season with a win over Stoke City, thanks to a late penalty save from Simon Mignolet.

Daniel Sturridge has ensured that Liverpool have started the season with a victory by scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Stoke City at Anfield.

The contest started at a frenetic pace, with both sides coming close to opening the scoring in the early stages.

Mignolet, making his debut for Liverpool, looked less than convincing when he failed to collect a cross but Robert Huth could only strike the crossbar with his header.

The hosts threatened soon after at the other end of the pitch when Sturridge headed in a Steven Gerrard free kick, but his celebrations came to a premature end when he noticed that the offside flag had been raised.

Kolo Toure was the next player to rattle the crossbar with a good header and Sturridge's bad luck seemed to be continuing when he struck the rebound over.

Stoke had Asmir Begovic to thank for keeping the scores level as he made saves from Jose Enrique and Premier League new boy Iago Aspas in the space of a couple of minutes.

Sturridge finally ended his and Liverpool's frustration shortly before half time when he broke the deadlock with a powerful low strike from 20 yards out to beat the in-form Begovic.

Philippe Coutinho looked a threat for the majority of the match and he worried Stoke early in the second half with a weaving run through the visiting defence before firing an effort wide of the target.

Liverpool were in full control for most of the second half, with only the inspired Begovic preventing Gerrard from curling in a free kick.

Mignolet's debut almost turned into a nightmare as the match approached its closing stages when Charlie Adam attempted to find the net from the halfway line to force the Belgian goalkeeper to tip the ball over the crossbar.

However, Stoke were given one more lifeline when Daniel Agger was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area.

Jonathan Walters has the opportunity to snatch a point for the visitors but Mignolet secured hero status with the Anfield supporters on his debut as he kept the penalty out to secure three points for Liverpool.

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Brendan Rodgers manager of Liverpool applause to fans during the match between the Indonesia XI and Liverpool FC on July 20, 2013
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