Liverpool 1-0 Stoke

The England frontman scored the first goal of the new Premier League season with a long-range effort that secured Brendan Rodgers' men all three pointsWith suspended striker Luis Suarez in attendance, the England international gave the hosts the lead just before half-time, having seen an earlier effort disallowed for offside.

A penalty in the dying stages looked to have denied Liverpool the win, but debutant Simon Mignolet dived low to his right to claw away Jonathan Walters' effort to secure the Reds' first opening day win since 2008.

Brendan Rodgers handed full debuts to Mignolet, Kolo Toure and Iago Aspas, while Erik Pieters made his Stoke bow. Mark Wilson was called into Mark Hughes' midfield at the last minute, with Wilson Palacios suffering from illness. in a match they dominated