Stoke City 0-1 Liverpool: Premier League as it happened

That is all we have for you today. Thanks for joining us for the first weekend of the 2015/16 Premier League season.

Manchester City, fresh from handing manager Manuel Pellegrini a new one-year contract extension on Friday, travel to West Brom tomorrow night. Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Far from a vintage performance for Liverpool, but Rodgers will not mind that one jot with an opening three points safely in the bag. The 'redemption' aspect of today's fixture was perhaps exaggerated by some, but there is no doubt that victory will taste all the more sweet given how badly they were beaten on their last visit to the Britannia.

Positives to take from the afternoon for Hughes and Stoke too. They stifled their opponents for long spells and even looked the more likely to score at times, but were ultimately undone by a classy finish from a special player.

Full-time

Stoke 0-1 Liverpool

Coutinho was actually about to be replaced before that special goal. Ings' introduction not required after all.

That strike looks better with every new viewing. A moment of brilliance from Coutinho.

Three minutes of added time for Stoke to find an equaliser.

The most lacklustre of matches is brightened up by a trademark moment of magic from Coutinho.

After receiving possession from Gomez, the Brazilian shows strength to bely his slender frame and turns Sidwell before unleashing a fantastic right-footed strike.

Butland got his fingertips to it, but he was never likely to keep it out. Will that prove to be the winner?

Goal: Stoke 0-1 Liverpool (Philippe Coutinho)

A moment of uncertainty for Liverpool as Odemwingie's free-kick bounces in the six-yard box but eventually goes wide. Johnson then cuts inside from the right-flank and crosses for Diouf. His header is deflected wide by Clyne for a corner.

Mignolet claims.

Walters' ball sets up Van Ginkel but his shot is blocked. 10 minutes remaining and a stalemate looks the most likely outcome.

Composed defending on Geoff Cameron's part to stop Benteke picking up an enticing through ball. A vital intervention on the edge of the penalty area.

Coutinho crashes a long-range volley hopelessly over Butland's crossbar and it's a first Premier League outing for Firmino as he comes on for Ibe.

Two final changes from Stoke too as Peter Odemwingie and Steve Sidwell replace Afellay and Adam.

A moment of ingenuity from Milner as he exchanges passes with Jordon Ibe before chipping a lovely ball into the path of Henderson.

Rather than crossing low to pick out Benteke, however, the Liverpool captain tries to cushion a volleyed pass to the back post and the chance goes begging.

Adam in the book for scything down Henderson.

Better from Liverpool as Benteke tries to work space for a shot after strong running from Coutinho. Skrtel connects with a Milner corner but Butland makes a comfortable if somewhat overtheatrical save.

Jack Butland, looking to establish himself as the permanent number one at Stoke following the sale of Asmir Begovic to Chelsea, is called into action as he saves Lovren's effort following a free-kick.

At the other end, a set-piece delivery from Adam evades every outfield player in the box and Mignolet has to turn it round the post.

Gomez is in the book for a foul on Walters. The strong 18-year-old is being given a tough introduction to life in the Premier League.

Attacking options on the bench for Stoke too in the likes of Stephen Ireland, Peter Odemwingie, new recruit Joselu and the evergreen Peter Crouch.

Liverpool do make their first change, but it's Emre Can who takes to the pitch in place of Lallana.

Approaching the hour mark and this match is yet to spark into life. You wonder if Rodgers will be content with a draw given the horrors of Liverpool's last visit to this ground or if he intends to push for victory by introducing the likes of Firmino and Ings.

One or two rushed clearances creating some unnecessary panic in the Liverpool defence.

Van Ginkel attempts to release Walters but he does not watch the line and is whistled for offside.

Diouf hits the deck after clashing with Dejan Lovren and the Croatian centre-back is booked for a flailing elbow.

An early sight of goal in the second half for Van Ginkel but his shot is easily gathered by Mignolet.

The players are back out on the pitch and the second half is now underway. No changes for Liverpool at the break, but Stoke have been forced to withdraw Pieters. Philipp Wollscheid on.

A quiet first half draws to a close. We have had just one shot on target and even half-chances have been at a premium.

Stoke have looked the more settled and capable team after a positive start from Liverpool, but they have not created much apart from Johnson's miscued shot.

Afellay looking tidy for Stoke.

Half-time

Stoke 0-0 Liverpool

Quite a claustrophobic feel to this game with neither side allowing the other any space whatsoever, and that is leading to something of a feisty atmosphere with Adam Lallana getting involved with Van Ginkel.

Two minutes of added time at the end of the first half but it looks like these two sides are going to head in at the break at 0-0.

Medical attention required for Afellay after he comes off second best from an aerial challenge with Milner. Liverpool actually win the free-kick, but the Stoke man landed very awkwardly indeed.

A crunching 50-50 challenge between Milner and Adam results in the former being awarded a yellow card.

An angry Adam is probably a tad lucky not to be cautioned for shoving the Liverpool vice-captain afterwards.

A real chance for Stoke to edge ahead as Walters gets the beating of Gomez in the air before releasing Van Ginkel down the right-hand side of the Liverpool penalty area.

His cross is deflected by Mignolet and hooked away by Skrtel, but only as far as Afellay. The Dutchman's volley is blocked by Clyne and Johnson spurns a perfect opportunity to get one over on his old side by shooting over the crossbar.

Mignolet will certainly not thank Skrtel for that underhit backpass as he is forced to knock it out of play under pressure from Diouf. Liverpool awarded a free-kick for the striker's overly aggressive attempt to steal possession.

Erik Pieters down and receiving treatment.

Afellay feeds Diouf but the Senegalese striker is upended by Skrtel before he can control the ball. Yellow card.

Adam's floated free-kick is then headed wide by Walters but the offside flag is raised by the referee's assistant on the nearside.

It's probably worth noting that Liverpool were 2-0 down by this stage in May thanks to an early Diouf brace. As long as they do not somehow ship four by half-time, then they are making progress.

A few early corners for Liverpool but they fail to make good use of any of them. Philippe Coutinho sees a shot well blocked by Glenn Whelan.

It's difficult to watch this game without being distracted by the rather zany pattern of grass in the centre circle. It looks like Stoke's groundsmen have had fun this summer.

Just past the 15-minute mark and no real chances for either side as of yet. Jon Walters beats Martin Skrtel in the air but Mame Biram Diouf's long-range shot fails to trouble Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.

Rumours abound on social media that Xherdan Shaqiri has been spotted in the stands here this afternoon and he is quickly picked up by the television cameras.

The Inter midfielder has been linked with a move to Stoke this summer and his arrival would undoubtedly represent a major coup for Hughes.

A delightful flick from Afellay draws rapturous applause from the home supporters.

An early penalty appeal for Stoke waved away by referee Anthony Taylor as Charlie Adam tumbles in the box. That came just moments after the midfielder botched a shot attempt.

Daniel Sturridge remains the biggest absentee for Liverpool, of course, but Rodgers is expecting to have his star striker back in contention ahead of schedule next month.

Injury-plagued full-back Jon Flanagan is not expected to be fit until at least December and Joe Allen is set for a three-week layoff with a hamstring strain.

Four minutes into his Stoke career and Afellay has already picked up a yellow card for a very high foot that connects with Clyne's midriff.

No Bojan for the hosts today despite him returning from a long-term knee injury during pre-season. Skipper Ryan Shawcross is set to miss two months as he requires surgery on a back problem.

We are underway at the Britannia.

Can Liverpool successfully seek sweet redemption for one of the worst results in the club's history or will Stoke once again prove too much to handle in front of their vocal home crowd?

Glen Johnson's first league start for Stoke comes against the club he left in July at the end of his contract. Charlie Adam also faces his former employer. Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel starts in midfield and there is a debut for former Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven winger Ibrahim Afellay.

New striker Joselu named on the bench by Hughes. 25 minutes until kick-off.

Rodgers hands first Liverpool starts to four of the club's eight summer signings as Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne start at full-back, James Milner partners Jordan Henderson in central midfield and Christian Benteke leads the attack.

Roberto Firmino is named among the substitutes, as is goalkeeper Adam Bogdan and fellow newcomer Danny Ings. Divock Origi also on the bench after joining the Reds on a full-time basis following his loan spell at former club Lille.

Stoke v Liverpool

Stoke: Butland, Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters, Whelan, Adam, Walters, Van Ginkel, Afellay, Diouf

Subs: Given, Ireland, Odemwingie, Joselu, Sidwell, Crouch, Wollscheid

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho, Benteke

Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Moreno, Can, Origi, Ings

Liverpool's embarrassing 6-1 loss to Stoke on the final day last season was their worst defeat in 52 years and raised huge questions regarding the position of manager Brendan Rodgers.

Quite right then that their first match after re-shaping both the playing squad and backroom staff during the summer should come back at the Britannia Stadium, where Mark Hughes' side will be eager to prove that their top-half finish in 2014/15 was no fluke.

Team news and live updates from the Potteries to follow....