Liverpool earned a vital first-leg advantage in the Capital One Cup, defeating Stoke City 1-0 on Tuesday at the Britannia Stadium as the Reds deservedly won the match.
A solitary goal from early substitute Jordon Ibe in the first half was enough for manager Jurgen Klopp, and the Merseyside club will take their slim lead into the second leg.
It was a dogmatic performance by Liverpool as they played their best football for a number of weeks, defending in numbers late in the day to secure the victory.
The visitors were without injured defensive duo Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel for the first leg, with Kolo Toure partnering Dejan Lovren in the heart of the Reds defence.