It took barely five minutes for the league’s deadliest partnership to resume normal service.
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge was thrown into the high octane environment that is the Britannia Stadium with his team holding a slender 3-2 advantage over a tenacious Stoke City outfit.
There are a few grounds in English football that represent such extreme discomforts as an away team, let alone an individual returning from an ankle injury.
But with a decisive run at the heart of the Stoke defence, the English international cut swiftly inside and reversed a neat ball that the onrushing Luis Suarez duly dispatched into the bottom corner.
It was quite simply, the perfect introduction.
Any doubts that had been raised about Sturridge’s return potentially unsettling Liverpool’s shape, and in particular their star Uruguayan, was laid to rest almost instantaneously.
At 4-2, and seemingly in cruise control it looked like the Reds would ease their way to the final whistle, but boyhood Everton fan Jonathon Walters had yet to plunder his customary goal against the Merseysiders, and so he duly obliged six minutes from time.
Stoke were not going to relinquish their formidable record on home soil against Liverpool without an almighty fight to the death.
As the cacophony of noise echoed around the ground once more, one could envisage another brave turnaround from the Potters.
But within three minutes the ‘SAS’ struck again to seal a first victory at the Britannia in the league since 1984.
Suarez played a sumptuous ball across goal and Sturridge waiting at the back post was thwarted by an incredible Jack Butland save, before he juggled the rebound on his chest and head and then sent a powerful strike underneath the onrushing goalkeeper.
It was a classy finish, from a classy player which confirmed his extreme talents and that of his relationship with Suarez too – who have now scored 17 goals in eight league games they have featured in together.
The re-introduction of Sturridge presents a healthy selection dilemma for Brendan Rodgers – who will make way for the centre-forward next weekend against Aston Villa?
With the trio of Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling more than worthy of first-team football, following their strong form in recent weeks, it’s a predicament that when decided upon will be extremely harsh on the victim.
Notably, the efforts of Sterling, who was arguably the best player on the pitch against Stoke, and not to mention away to Manchester City last month, means that Rodgers could ousted one of his teammates instead.
Sterling had a solitary start prior to December and appeared a peripheral figure who would be loaned out in January.
In just over a month the 19-year-old has responded to criticism about his private life levelled at him by the manager, and produced displays of intelligence and maturity.
Sterling’s decision making has improved significantly and his raw pace and skill means he’s an increasingly difficult opponent to negate.
Dropping a player in devastating touch is a risky move, despite his tender age, and Rodgers will be hard pressed to exclude the starlet.
On a weekend where all of Liverpool’s direct rivals collected maximum points, and perhaps the Reds were expected to drop at least a couple, the gritty victory at Stoke could be a landmark day come May.
Back into fourth position above Tottenham and neighbours Everton with a decent fixture list on the horizon, Rodgers’ men and the supporters can revel in their growing optimism for the immediate future.
Aside from centre-back Daniel Agger’s projected four-week absence, Liverpool will welcome back Joe Allen, Mamadou Sahko, Jon Flanagan and Jose Enrique in the next fortnight.
Strength in depth will be vital to the Reds’ quest for a top four finish, and if the manager has a fully fit squad to choose from for the remainder of the campaign then perhaps a title tilt isn’t out of the question either.
While defensively they still experience issues that could dispel such thoughts, having conceded at least two goals in seven of their past eight league outings, they do have world-class talent in the final third.
But for now such problems can wait for further examination, after securing three points that even Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton couldn’t obtain from a gruelling away test.
After breaking the White Hart Lane hoodoo a month prior to this crucial triumph, Liverpool are exemplifying a team on track to end their Champions League exodus.
And if the explosive strike force continues to score at a rapid rate, then dreaming of loftier heights could become a distinct reality.
