Jonathan Walters grabbed the game's only goal - a 21^st minute strike from the penalty spot after Jamie Carragher had dragged him down inside the area while contesting a hopeful ball forward.

The Reds can consider themselves unfortunate to have not taken something, having applied heavy pressure to the Stoke goal in the second half as they pressed in search of an equaliser, but they were to be left frustrated by the home side's stubborn defending.

Kenny Dalglish opted to make just one change to the side that beat Bolton so comprehensively last time out, with Martin Skrtel drafted in for the recuperating Martin Kelly.

That meant new signings Craig Bellamy and Sebastian Coates were named on the substitutes' bench at the Britannia Stadium as the Reds went in search of a first win on the Potters' home turf since a League Cup tie in November 2000.

On that occasion, Liverpool ran out emphatic 8-0 victors, but Stoke have come a long way since that night - as proved by a teamsheet that contained club record signing - and ex-Red - Peter Crouch in the starting XI and fellow new boys Cameron Jerome and Wilson Palacios on the bench.

But an effervescent start from the visitors saw Luis Suarez go close twice inside the opening four minutes as he first struck narrowly over from the edge of the box before he was millimetres away from connecting with a Charlie Adam corner.

Next, another well-worked corner routine saw Skrtel tee up Suarez on the edge of the box, but his strike was repelled by a wall of bodies.

Liverpool had looked by far the most threatening in the opening exchanges - but Stoke took the lead on 21 minutes.

Carragher was adjudged to have hauled down Walters inside the box as the pair tussled for a bouncing ball. Referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot, allowing the Stoke winger to crash beyond Pepe Reina from 12 yards.

The Reds' response was almost instant as Asmir Begovic flapped at a Dirk Kuyt cross. The ball fell for Suarez, who was left holding his head in his hands after Ryan Shawcross blocked his half-volley on the line.

Skrtel then had a fine opportunity to draw the visitors level 10 minutes before half-time, however the makeshift right-back blazed high and wide after Suarez's low centre had been allowed to travel right across the area.

Moments later, Suarez spun neatly on the edge on the area, though his low drive produced a routine stop from Begovic to ensure Stoke maintained their advantage heading into the interval.

The Reds cranked up the pressure in the early stages of the second half, with a finely crafted move opening up a shooting chance for Lucas only for Matthew Upson to deflect his eventual strike behind for a corner that came to nothing.

Then, an incredible passage of play on 61 minutes left everybody wondering how Liverpool had not levelled terms.

The Reds broke swiftly from a Stoke corner, with Jose Enrique's pass sending Jordan Henderson bearing down on goal.

However, with only Begovic to beat, the No.14 saw two tame efforts repelled by the 'keeper before his third struck Shawcross. The ball fell for Adam, who was thwarted by Marc Wilson and then Begovic as Stoke clung on by the skin of their teeth.

Dalglish responded by introducing Andy Carroll and Bellamy in place of Henderson and Kuyt - and it almost paid instant dividends, but Downing headed straight into the arms of the goalkeeper from Enrique's cross.

Bellamy and Suarez combined well soon after, with a one-two between the pair resulting in the latter having a shot deflected behind.

With time ticking away, Liverpool were firmly camped out in their opponent's half and Downing was guilty of spurning a good chance when he lashed wide after a short corner with Suarez.

But despite their best efforts, an equaliser was to prove elusive - despite massive injury-time penalty appeals when Upson appeared to handle a Downing cross and an uncharacteristic glaring miss from Suarez - as Stoke held on for the win.