Liverpool have made a winning start to their Premier League campaign by beating Stoke City 1-0 this afternoon.
The Potters came closest to scoring in a subdued first half when Glen Johnson fired over from inside the box.
Both teams improved after the break and Martin Skrtel saw a header saved, before Mame Biram Diouf nodded over the bar.
With four minutes left to play Philippe Coutinho broke the deadlock with a powerful strike from long range, as the Reds started their season by claiming all three points.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon everyone! It's been a great weekend on the return of the Premier League and the action continues at the Britannia Stadium, as Stoke City and Liverpool get their new seasons underway.
It's great to be back! #SCFC #BPL pic.twitter.com/RG46hEQcjM
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) August 9, 2015
There could be a sense of déjà vu for the players and the fans as these teams met on the final day of last season. It was a remarkable occasion too, as Stoke romped to a stunning 6-1 victory over Liverpool, to ruin Steven Gerrard's last game at the club.
Gerrard's exit from Anfield has not been the only thing that has changed for the Reds his summer, as they have made a host of new signings. A few of those players have even made the starting lineup today, so before we go any further, let's take a full look at the team news!
STOKE XI: Butland, Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters, Whelan, Adam, Walters, Van Ginkel, Afellay, Diouf
LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho, Benteke
STOKE SUBS: Given, Wollscheid, Sidwell, Ireland, Odemwingie, Joselu, Crouch
LIVERPOOL: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Moreno, Can, Origi, Ings
So, that's how the teams will be lining up this afternoon. Stoke have handed a debut to former Barcelona man Ibrahim Afellay, while there is also a first appearance for Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel. They were dealt a blow earlier in the week after it was announced that Ryan Shawcross will undergo back surgery, so Geoff Cameron and Marc Muniesa start in the defence.
Mame Biram Diouf, who scored 12 goals last season, will lead the attack for the Potters, with summer signing Joselu left on the bench. Jack Butland is also named in goal, as he looks to fend off competition for the number one spot from Shay Given.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have handed debuts to four of their recent arrivals. Christian Benteke, James Milner, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne all start, with Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Danny Ings named on the bench.
Today will also mark a special occasion for Jordan Henderson, who will be captaining the Reds for the first time since taking the armband from Steven Gerrard. Another notable inclusion in the starting XI is 19-year-old Jordon Ibe. The winger has been tipped for big things at Anfield and is seen my many as the man to replace the departed Raheem Sterling.
Let's get back to our build up for today's match with a look at the two teams, starting with today's visitors, who will be looking for a positive start to the season. The Reds were expected to challenge for the title last term, but they finished in a disappointing sixth place and failed to put together a run in any of the cups.
Following that disastrous defeat at the Britannia in May there were many who thought that Brendan Rodgers would be sacked, but he has kept his job and will be a man firmly under the microscope. He was heavily criticised for his team selections throughout the season and the signings he made during the summer.
The club seem to have gone back to the drawing board and Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino have signed for big money fees to boost their attack, while James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne's arrivals have also been warmly welcomed.
© Getty Images
Liverpool will be hoping that their new signings can get off to a flying start, as they have a tricky run of games over the next few weeks. They will be wary of a tie against Bournemouth in their next match, while trips to Arsenal and Manchester United await in their next two away games. It's worth noting that they are also in the Europa League this season, with teams notoriously struggling the weekend after a Thursday evening match.
Taking on the Reds today are a Stoke side who will begin the season with aspirations of achieving a third successive finish in the top half. They have come ninth in the table in the previous two campaigns, with last season's points tally of 54 a new record for the club in the Premier League.
Mark Hughes has been praised by many for the job he has done at the club since taking over from Tony Pulis two years ago. He has become well known for the big name players that he has persuaded to join the Potters and the same can certainly be said of this summer's acquisitions.
Perhaps the biggest coup of all is the signing of former Barcelona man Ibrahim Afellay, who joined the club on a free transfer following his release by the La Liga giants. There is no doubting the quality of the Dutch international and if he can shake of his previous injury problems then he could turn out to be the bargain purchase of the summer.
Other notable signings include Glen Johnson, Phillip Wollschied, Shay Given and Joselu. They have also snapped up Marco van Ginkel on loan from Chelsea. Despite those impressive additions they have lost goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to the Blues, while Steven N'Zonzi has moved to Sevilla.
Of course the big talking point ahead of today's match has to be the result of the last meeting between these teams back in May. Liverpool were completely torn apart by the Potters and they found themselves five goals down at the break. Even Gerrard's late consolation failed to lift their spirits, with Peter Crouch soon adding another goal to complete the rout for Stoke.
© Getty Images
Despite that victory, the Potters had lost their three previous matches against Liverpool and they have traditionally fared badly in meetings with the Reds over the years. However, their form at home has been good and they have won four of the past six league games against the Reds at the Britannia.
PREDICTION: I don't think that we will witness the same kind of game that these teams produced in May and I expect that things will be a lot tighter. Stoke will probably have a slight psychological edge over their opponents, but the Reds have a point to prove and I can see them coming away with a decent result, so I am going to tip this match to end in a 1-1 draw.
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Britannia!
Liverpool have made a decent start and they win an early corner when Ibe ghosts past Pieters down the right and sees his cross cut out before Benteke can arrive. The Reds then send plenty of men into the box for the set piece, but Henderson's delivery is comfortably cleared, with the referee also giving a foul against Benteke.
YELLOW CARD! We've had less than five minutes on the clock, but the referee has already shown a booking. It goes to Afellay on his Stoke debut for a high challenge on Clyne.
We're still yet to see any chances on goal and there has already been a lot of stoppages. Liverpool are giving away the most fouls, but Rodgers won't mind seeing that after the ease at which they capitulated in May.
Almost a decent chance for Stoke as Van Ginkel bursts towards the byline and pulls the back to Adam in the middle. The Scot is unmarked and in a great position to fire a strike on goal, but he completely misses his kick and the chance goes to waste.
At the moment Liverpool are bossing the possession, but they have struggled to get in behind the Stoke defence. Ibe has probably looked their most dangerous player and Pieters will have to keep a close eye on him after getting beaten for pace by the winger in the opening minutes.
While there hasn't been too much action the pitch, Xherdan Shaqiri has been spotted in the stands. He has been heavily linked with a switch to the Potters this summer and his appearance at the Britannia could hint that a move is on the cards.
SHOT! I make this out to be the first shot on target this afternoon. A long ball finds Walters and he knocks a header down into the path of Diouf. The Senegal international then fires in a strike, but he doesn't catch the ball cleanly and it rolls through kindly to Mignolet.
Coutinho has been relatively quiet so far, but the Brazilian shows his class with a run through the midfield to the edge of the box. He then manages to work the ball onto his right foot, before firing in a drive, but Stoke had plenty of men back and blocked his attempt.
You just wonder if a set piece could lead to the breakthrough this afternoon and Liverpool win a free kick next to the corner flag after a foul by Pieters on Ibe. Henderson goes across to whip it into the box, but once again the captain's delivery is poor and Stoke have no problems getting the ball clear.
It really is turning into a battle out there between Pieters and Ibe. The two players are seeing an awful lot of each other and they have not been afraid to go in hard in the tackle.
YELLOW CARD! Liverpool's first booking of the new season goes to Skrtel for a rash tackle from behind on Diouf. Stoke were then given a free kick in a decent position that was headed just wide of the post by Walters, but the flag was already raised for an offside by the linesman.
At the moment a repeat of the last meeting between the teams looks a long way off. There had already been three goals scored at this stage of the game, with five at the end of the first half. There was also a 5-3 thriller that Liverpool won at the Britannia last January, so there is still every hope of some goalmouth action today.
CHANCE! There haven't been too many chances in this first half, but Stoke have come close here. Van Ginkel bursts down the right and delivers a low ball across the box that is deflected into the path of Johnson. The former Liverpool defender then gets the ball out of his feet and sends an effort towards goal, but he gets underneath the strike and puts it over the bar.
YELLOW CARD! It has threatened to boil over at times and Milner is fortunate to only pick up a yellow card for a strong tackle on Adam. The Scot was furious and reacted angrily by shoving the Liverpool midfielder, but he escaped without a caution from the referee.
It does appear that we will be heading into the break without a goal and there has been little to suggest that changing. Stoke have looked slightly better, with Van Ginkel a threat down the right, but Liverpool's attacking players have not yet found any fluency.
Afellay has struggled with a number of injury problems over the years and the winger is down after falling awkwardly. The medical staff are on and they take a good luck at him, before deciding that he is fine to continue.
There are going to be two minutes added on to the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: Stoke 0-0 Liverpool
Well, the first half comes to an end and there hasn't really been too much to get excited about. Stoke and Liverpool have both battled well in the opening 45 minutes, but a goal in this match looks to be a long way off at the moment.
PHOTO: @bentekechris20 in action on his league debut for #LFC at Stoke pic.twitter.com/P70pQMuYmd
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 9, 2015
Here's how the statistics shape up from the first half. It has been rather even in the possession stakes, with Stoke slightly ahead after seeing 52% of the ball. They have also had five attempts on goal, compared to three from Liverpool, with Mame Biram Diouf's shot the only effort on target.
The match has not been helped by the amount of stoppages we have seen. Liverpool have actually given away nine fouls, which is four more from their opponents. I am slightly surprised that we have only seen three yellow cards, and if some players fail to keep their tempers in check, then a red is likely after the break.
Stoke take the kick off and get the second half started!
SUBSTITUTION: Stoke have made a change at the break, with Wollscheid coming on to replace the injured Pieters.
SHOT! Van Ginkel has the first effort of the half when he cuts in from the right and lashes in a shot towards the near post. However, he ends up scuffing the shot and it causes no problems for Mignolet, who comfortably holds on.
YELLOW CARD! Lovren can consider himself lucky to only pick up a yellow card, as he catches Diouf in the face with an elbow while the two players were both competing for a long ball. There was clear contact, but the referee deemed that it was not a deliberate elbow and was rather lenient.
There hasn't been much to indicate that a goal is close to arriving and both managers may be thinking about making some changes. Liverpool fans will be most excited about seeing Firmino for the first time, while striker Joselu is an option for Stoke.
Having just spoken about the attacking players that each team could bring on, Rodgers has just been having a word for Can on the touchline. The midfielder didn't have his best game on his last visit to the Britannia and was dragged off at half time.
From the very start of the match there has been a number of disruptions in play and it has continued into the second half. It isn't making for the most attractive contest and it could get even tighter with both teams unwilling to lose a valuable point in their opening games.
SUBSTITUTION: Liverpool are making the first change of the match and it's Can who comes on in place of Lallana.
YELLOW CARD! The cards continue to pile up and Gomez is the latest player to be booked for a foul on Walters.
SAVE! I spoke about a set piece possibly leading to the opener and the hosts almost make a free kick count. The delivery from out wide is whipped into the box by Adam and it misses everyone, before Mignolet sticks out a glove to turn the ball behind.
CHANCE! Coutinho shows his class with a driving run through the midfield, before he is eventually stopped by the defence. However, Stoke lose the ball cheaply to the Brazilian and he lays the ball for Benteke, but the Belgian's strike is closed down quickly and the hosts are able to clear.
SAVE! It's another good chance for Liverpool as Skrtel rises above everyone to win a header from a corner. His effort is looping towards the far corner, but Butland gets across his line well and manages to hold on to the ball.
The tempo of the match has certainly improved in recent minutes and both teams are looking dangerous. Liverpool also put together their best move of the game, as Coutinho flicks a lovely pass over the top for Henderson, who then drives a low ball across that box that is just out of the reach of Benteke.
YELLOW CARD! This booking has been a long time coming. Adam, who was taken out by Milner in the first half, goes in on the back of Henderson and is shown a deserved yellow card.
Benteke has not had too many chances to impress this afternoon, but he almost gets in behind after a threaded pass from Coutinho. He looks favourite to latch onto the ball and face Butland, but Cameron makes a great last-ditch tackle to cut out the danger.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both teams here, as Firmino comes on for his Liverpool debut in place of Ibe, while Stoke have brought on Afellay and Sidwell for Odemwingie and Adam.
SHOT! Stoke haven't seen much of the ball in the past few minutes, but they put together a flowing team move with Walters flicking a pass to Van Ginkel. The Dutchman then drives in a low strike, but Skrtel is quickly across to make a vital block.
CHANCE! Big chance for Stoke to take the points as Johnson whips a ball to the back post that is met by Diouf, but the striker sees his header take a slight deflection off Clyne and drop over the bar.
GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Liverpool (Philippe Coutinho)
What a stunning way this is to open your account for the season. Coutinho collects a pass from Gomez and spins past Sidwell, before working some room and firing a brilliant strike into the top corner and beyond the helpless Butland. It was a wonderful goal and Liverpool are surely going to claim the three points today.
There are going to be at least three minutes of stoppage time.
Stoke are on the ball, but Liverpool have got everybody back as they attempt to see out the match. They are almost caught out from a long ball that Diouf is close to getting onto, but Mignolet is quick off his line to punch to safety.
FULL-TIME: Stoke 0-1 Liverpool
The final whistle blows and Liverpool have claimed the points in their opening match of the season. It seemed for long periods that the game would end without any goals, but Philippe Coutinho's stunner has ensured a great start to the campaign for the Reds.
Stoke will feel aggrieved at not being able to hang on for a point, but they were a shadow of the side that hit six past Liverpool back in May. Right, that's all for our live coverage, but we've got analysis and player ratings from the Britannia to come, as well as all of the day's biggest news. Goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
