Glen Johnson ended Liverpool's five-match winless run in all competitions by scoring an 86th-minute winner against Stoke City in the Premier League.

The England defender's first goal in over two years was enough for the hosts to snatch a pressure-relieving 1-0 victory at Anfield this afternoon.

Brendan Rodgers left Steven Gerrard on the bench on the 16th anniversary of the club captain's first league start for the Reds, who initially lacked creativity in his absence.

Neither they nor the Potters managed a shot on target during the first half as Mame Biram Diouf headed wide from Bojan's cross, with Liverpool's best forward venture resulting in a penalty shout for Lucas Leiva.

Things livened up significantly after the break as stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson went close for the Merseysiders, and Steven N'Zonzi and Diouf both tested Simon Mignolet before the hour mark.

The Belgian goalkeeper was beaten when Bojan ran past Henderson and into the area, only to strike the post.

It was soon Liverpool's turn to threaten in an end-to-end second half, as Raheem Sterling fired narrowly wide, Lucas shot straight at Asmir Begovic and Joe Allen blazed over the bar from eight yards.

Sensing that his side were moving into the ascendancy, Rodgers brought on Gerrard in search of a winner 15 minutes from time, but it was the Potters who came within inches of the opening goal.

Ryan Shawcross won a knockdown from a corner and Diouf turned to sweep the ball goalwards, only for Sterling to clear off the line as Liverpool survived a major scare just moments prior to Johnson's strike.

Lambert's looping header came back off the crossbar, and Johnson bravely stooped to knock in the rebound to earn the Reds three points which take them above Stoke and to 11th in the table.

It could have still ended level, though, with Mignolet, who has been heavily criticised for his recent performances, producing a crucial stoppage-time save to tip over an sweetly-struck volley from Bojan.