Stoke 0 Liverpool 1: Liverpool ratings

Philippe Coutinho: Scores from long range against Stoke

Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez made encouraging debuts for Liverpool, but it was Philippe Coutinho who stole the show in the win at Stoke.

TEAMtalk rates Liverpool's players from the drab 1-0 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Five of the players that started the embarrassing 6-1 defeat at the Britannia Stadium in the final game of last season made the starting line-up on Sunday and although the scoreline was more favourable to the visitors, the attacking fluidity was again missing.

Simon Mignolet: Quickly off his line on a couple of occasions, but had little to do on an uneventful afternoon. 7/10

Joe Gomez: Booked on his debut and looked more nervous early on. Almost played the ball into danger across his own box in the second half, but made an important drive forward from which Liverpool scored. 6.5/10

Nathaniel Clyne: Solid debut and showed enough to suggest he will prove to be a good signing. 6/10

Martin Skrtel: Booked after coming through the back of Diouf and had his hands full with the Stoke man, but stood up to the task. 6/10

Dejan Lovren: Also received a yellow card for clattering Diouf, but looked solid enough and kept Stoke's chances to just one effort on target. 6/10

James Milner: Great link-up with Henderson in the second half and produced a Milner-like performance on his debut. Mr Consistent. 7/10

Jordan Henderson: Not seen much as an attacking force, but provided a good screen in front of Liverpool's two centre-backs. 6/10

Jordan Ibe: Replaced on 78 minutes of a frustrating afternoon. Kept his width, showed neat control and worked hard, but rarely got the better of his marker. 6/10

Philippe Coutinho: Kept looking for the ball and eventually grabbed the winner with a superb trademark dipping strike and was Liverpool's most potent attacking threat all afternoon. Won man of the match. 7.5/10

Adam Lallana: Made way for Emre Can on 62 minutes after making little impact. Not a good start to the season. 5/10

Christian Benteke: Did not have one cross from wide to feed from and had very little service in general, but kept battling away. Saw a second-half shot charged down. 6/10

Substitutes

Emre Can: Replaced Lallana on 62 minutes and failed to make an impact. 5/10

Roberto Firmino: Came on for Ibe on 78 minutes and had little involvement. Too little time to get a mark.

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