Suarez debut strike lifts Reds

02 February 2011 23:00
Luis Suarez scored on his debut as Liverpool concluded a turbulent few days with a valuable 2-0 victory over Stoke. The Uruguayan slotted home the Reds' second goal of the game in front of the Kop to ensure Fernando Torres' £50million move to Chelsea was no longer the major talking point. Record £35million signing Andy Carroll's introduction to the crowd before kick-off was the closest he is likely to get to the pitch for a month as he recovers from a thigh injury. Suarez's appearance off the bench to jog down the touchline brought a standing ovation from the Kop, who as a result almost missed Asmir Begovic's brilliant reaction save to keep out Glen Johnson's close-range header. But then Gerrard's low, driven free-kick deflected off Marc Wilson on the end of the wall to Kyrgiakos 12 yards out and although Huth nicked the ball off the defender Meireles was on hand to smash home left-footed. Just after the hour Suarez got his chance to start repaying his £22.8million transfer fee and his goal came when Kuyt's through-ball sent the forward racing through and having gone round Begovic he rolled the ball goalwards.

Source: PA