The 23-year-old striker scored the only goal of the game, while the Belgian goalkeeper saved a late Jonathan Walters penalty, to ensure the Reds started the season with a victory

Brendan Rodgers hailed Daniel Sturridge and Simon Mignolet for their match-winning performances in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Stoke City.

England international Sturridge grabbed the only goal of Saturday’s Premier League opener at Anfield with a fierce 25-yard-drive that evaded man-of-the-match Asmir Begovic and nestled in the bottom corner.

But after dominating proceedings for much of the match, Liverpool nearly came undone when Stoke were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute as Daniel Agger was adjudged to have handled Charlie Adam’s free kick.

However, Mignolet ensured Rodgers’ side would take home all three points with a terrific double save from penalty taker Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones on the follow-up, and Rodgers was thrilled with the duo’s contribution to a deserved win for his side.

“Considering he’s [Sturridge] only been back just over two weeks, it was a great credit to him,” the Northern Irish manager said.

“He played 90 minutes in midweek behind closed doors, so to come out and play another 90 today [was impressive].

“Just at the point he scored, I made a note for him to take more shots. It was a real good move, to get the space and the power. He’s disappointed he didn’t get more but he continues to score and that’s why he’s here that’s his job.”

On Mignolet, Rodgers added: “He made three terrific saves. When you get the penalty against you at the end you get a sinking feeling.

“But he did his homework – he knows where all the penalty takers are going, he made a good first save and then obviously the second action to get up and make the double save was impressive.”

Rodgers also refused to be drawn on whether Luis Suarez had apologised to his team-mates before his return to training on Friday.

The wantaway Uruguay international is still serving a ban for his bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season and had been banished to training alone as he seeks a transfer away from the club.

“The concentration is on the players who are available to play,” Rodgers added. “Luis is doing his work, there is nothing to be said there.

“I’m very satisfied with how everything has been resolved, as a club we are looking to the future and moving up.”

Liverpool began the new Premier League campaign with a win, as they overcame a resilient Stoke City side 1-0 at Anfield on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a lone Daniel Sturridge goal.

With 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.

The hosts largely dominated proceedings early on, but Stoke went close to taking the lead in the eighth minute as Mignolet flapped at a cross under pressure from Peter Crouch. However, Robert Huth lashed his volley onto the crossbar after latching on to the loose ball.

But Rodgers’ side reasserted their dominance and had the ball in the net just three minutes later as Sturridge headed home, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Toure then hit the crossbar from Steven Gerrard’s outswinging corner, with Sturridge blazing the loose ball over before the England man rounded Begovic in the box but, with the angle too narrow to shoot, he saw his clever ball across goal acrobatically cleared by Pieters.

Begovic then had to be alert, rushing off his line to deny Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson in quick succession, before palming away Sturridge’s fierce right-footed drive.

But the Bosnian was helpless in the 37th minute as the former Chelsea man finally grabbed the first goal of the 2013-14 Premier League season.

After receiving the ball from Jordan Henderson 25 yards out from goal, the Stoke defence failed to close Sturridge down and he lashed a low effort across Begovic into the right-hand corner.

Stoke were unlucky to go in behind at the break, with Mignolet palming Walters’ fierce drive wide and Lucas forced to clear a Ryan Shawcross header off the line.

Coutinho was at the heart of everything as the hosts pushed for a second after the break, first curling wide before cutting down the left and squaring for Sturridge, whose scuff fell kindly for Henderson, but Begovic produced another superb stop, stretching to his right.

Begovic was again called upon to save Sturridge’s near-post effort before getting fingertips to Henderson’s lashed effort, diverting the ball onto the inside of the post.

Gerrard smashed a free kick towards the top corner with 10 minutes to go, but it was not good enough to get past the fabulous Begovic.

Begovic’s good work was almost rewarded with a point with time running out as Daniel Agger handled Charlie Adam’s free kick in the area, with Martin Atkinson given no choice but to award the penalty.

However, Mignolet proved to be the hero as he kept Walters’ effort out and reacted smartly to save Kenwyne Jones’ follow-up with his feet and win the game for Liverpool.

The Catalans made offers for both defenders earlier this summer, but Gerardo Martino has claimed they will no longer sign a centre-back

Gerardo Martino has stated that Barcelona no longer plan to sign a centre-back this summer after attempts to lure David Luiz and Daniel Agger away from Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively proved to be unsuccessful.

The Liga champions were prepared to pay €25 million for the Brazil international, but Chelsea were holding out for double that figure, while Barca’s offer for Agger was deemed insufficient by Liverpool, prompting the Catalans to end their pursuit of a new defender.

“A new centre-back? I’m happy with the team I have. There’s always the January window if we need anything. Last year’s problems in defence were the result of injuries. We have enough options if everybody’s fit,” Martino said at a press conference.

“Puyol is on schedule with his recovery process. We are awaiting his return and expect him to be match fit again come September.

“We have Puyi in defence, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Marc Bartra and even Adriano. If someone gets injured, the January transfer window is only months away.”

Barcelona start their 2013-14 Liga campaign on Sunday as they host Levante.