Liverpool bounces back with thumping win over Stoke

Liverpool bounces back from their opening day defeat at Tottenham with a convincing 4-0 victory over Stoke at Anfield.

The win stretches the Reds' unbeaten home record to 31 games and quashes any worries that the Anfield faithful may have had after last weekend's setback at Tottenham Hotspur.


Rafa Benitez made two changes from the side that lost on the opening day of the season.

Spanish defender Daniel Ayala was handed his full debut replacing Martin Skrtel who failed to recover in time from a bruised jaw sustained in the Spurs clash, while Yossi Benayoun came in for Ryan Babel.

Steven Gerrard created the first goal of the season for Fernando Torres, the Spaniard drilling home from 12-yards early on.

Glen Johnson, who had an outstanding game on his home debut, hooked in the second a minute from the break, and then aided Gerrard’s advance to set up the third for Dirk Kuyt.

Substitute David Ngog headed in the fourth from under the bar after another fine run and cross from Johnson had deflected into his path in injury-time.

Watch all the Liverpool goals here.

Liverpool next lock horns with Aston Villa at Anfield on Monday evening with the Reds hoping to continue an impressive home record against the Midlanders. The Merseysiders have only lost once to the Villans in front of the Kop in the last ten meetings.

Last season, a Steven Gerrard hat-trick helped Liverpool to an emphatic 5-0 victory over Villa at Anfield. Steven Gerrard has scored ten goals against Aston Villa in his career (including nine in the league) – that’s his highest tally against any one club.