Liverpool made a winning start to their Premier League campaign by earning a 1-0 victory over Stoke City this afternoon.

The Potters almost took the lead in the first half when Glen Johnson fired over from inside the box.

After the break Martin Skrtel saw a header saved and Mame Biram Diouf nodded over the bar, as both teams improved.

With the game heading towards a draw, Philippe Coutinho fired in a powerful strike from long range, as the Reds started their season by claiming all three points.

Here, Sports Mole rates the best and worst performances from the Britannia Stadium.

STOKE

Goal

Jack Butland: The keeper was forced into making just one save all afternoon and he can hardly be blamed for not stopping Coutinho's stunning effort. (6/10)

Defence

Glen Johnson: The right-back enjoyed a solid if unspectacular outing against his former club, but he should have scored late in the first half with a shot that he fired over the bar. (6/10)

Marc Muniesa: Produced a solid display at the back and was rarely troubled throughout the match. (7/10)

Geoff Cameron: Another reliable performance from a Stoke defender, who made an outstanding tackle to stop Benteke going clean through on goal in the second half. (7/10)

Erik Pieters: Was run ragged by Ibe in the first half and could not handle the pace of the Liverpool winger, before he was replaced with an injury at the break. (5/10)

Midfield

Glenn Whelan: Solid display in the middle of the pitch from the Irishman who went about his job without fuss and worked hard all afternoon. (6/10)

Marco van Ginkel: Promising showing from the Chelsea loanee. He created a chance for Johnson to score in the first half and threatened with two efforts of his own after the break. (7/10)

Charlie Adam: Not the Scot's greatest display. Despite almost scoring from a free kick, many of his deliveries were poor and he was substituted late on after picking up a booking. (6/10)

Ibrahim Afellay: Tough start to life in the Premier League for the Dutchman. Did not see too much of the ball and was booked early on for a poor challenge on Clyne. (6/10)

Jonathan Walters: The Ireland international put in a great deal of effort and won a number of headers, but he was largely subdued and struggled to make a telling impact. (6/10)

Attack

Mame Biram Diouf: Was left isolated by his teammates for large spells of the match. He did have the chance to score a late winner, but his header was deflected over by Clyne. (5/10)

Substitutes

Philipp Wollscheid: Came on for Pieters at the break and didn't put a foot wrong. (7/10)

Peter Odemwingie: Made little impact after his late arrival. (7/10)

Steve Sidwell: Was easily turned by Coutinho as the Brazilian scored the winner. (5/10)

LIVERPOOL

Goal

Simon Mignolet: Confident display from the keeper who conceded six goals on his last visit to the Britannia. He made a good save to tip a free kick from Adam wide and he dominated his area throughout. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Decent showing from the full-back on his debut. He did not get forward too much, but was never beaten down his side of the pitch. (7/10)

Dejan Lovren: Was impressive in the air and won all of his battles with Diouf. However, he was slightly fortune not to be shown a red card for an elbow on the Senegal international. (7/10)

Martin Skrtel: Gave away some poor fouls and was booked early on, but he grew into the match and saw a decent header saved by Butland in the second half. (6/10)

Joe Gomez: The youngster was given a tough time on his debut and he struggled to contain the runs of Van Ginkel down his flank. (6/10)

Midfield

Jordan Henderson: Battling display from the Liverpool captain. He was strong in the tackle and was always reliable on the ball. (7/10)

James Milner: Worked hard for his team throughout and formed a decent partnership in the middle with Henderson. Did not make too much impact going forward, but used his experience well. (7/10)

Adam Lallana: Lacklustre display from the England international. He was barely involved in the match and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Can just after the hour mark. (6/10)

Attack

Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian made the difference with a wonderful strike into the top corner to seal the points. It was not his best display in a Liverpool shirt, but he proved his importance to the club once again. (8/10)

Jordan Ibe: Made a strong start to the match and gave Pieters no end of trouble down the right. He saw less of the ball in the second half and was eventually replaced by Firmino. (7/10)

Christian Benteke: Was not given enough support from his teammates and cut a lonely figure for most of the game. However, he did look strong in the air and put in a committed display. (6/10)

Substitutes

Emre Can: Helped Liverpool to dominate the midfield when he came on and was a reassuring presence to his teammates. (7/10)

Roberto Firmino: Did not have much time to make an impact after coming on for his Liverpool debut. (6/10)