Rush, Thompson and more: Twitter reacts as Liverpool beat Stoke City

Philippe Coutinho’s brilliant late goal handed Liverpool a 1-0 victory in their Premier League opener against Stoke City at the Brittania Stadium on Sunday.

With a largely uninspiring game seemingly heading for a goalless draw, the Brazilian playmaker smashed home in the 86th minute to hand Brendan Rodgers’ men a winning start.

The result was in stark contrast to their 6-1 reversal at the hands of the Potters on the final day of last season.

And the Liverpool win inevitably prompted plenty of activity on Twitter following the final whistle. Here are some of our favourite updates.

Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki tweeted her support early on:

Come on @LFC ! 😊 #firstgameoftheseason #GoReds

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) August 9, 2015

Rodney Marsh was not convinced by what he saw early on from the visitors:

Liverpool not firing on all cylinders yet. Stoke, well they're Stoke. 0-0 HT….

— Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) August 9, 2015

John Aldridge gives his take after the first half at the Britannia:

1 positive of the 1st half is that benteke has won every header!something we havnt had for ages, good to see,from a strikers point of view.

— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) August 9, 2015

Gary Lineker keeps himself entertained as a dull game continues:

By chance, is there any chance of a chance? No chance, I suspect!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 9, 2015

Matt Le Tissier is impressed by Coutinho’s winner:

Wow! Now thats a strike. Tho keeper might be a bit disappointed

— Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) August 9, 2015

Troy Townsend is equally happy to see the deadlock broken:

Oh Coutinho, how to wake everyone up on this sunny afternoon.

— Troy Townsend (@Towno10) August 9, 2015

Liverpool chief John Henry’s wife Linda is pleased:

Liverpool has done it! Starting the season with a win and a clean sheet! Great start, @LFC, keep it going #LFC

— Linda Pizzuti Henry (@Linda_Pizzuti) August 9, 2015

Phil Thompson is a happy chap:

Great result,great start,Coutinho the little magician

— Phil Thompson (@Phil_Thompson4) August 9, 2015

And that just leaves Liverpool legend Ian Rush to have the final say:

Positive start @LFC 👍

— Ian Rush MBE (@Ian_Rush9) August 9, 2015