Uruguayan star Luis Suarez has begun his Liverpool career in the most spectacular fashion. “The first thing he said to me was to be patient,” Suárez said. No wonder. It took Forlan eight months and 27 games to score his first goal in English football. It took Suárez all of 13 minutes.

It was a test of nerve under the floodlights. On as a substitute, still playing his way into the game, he sensed an opening. Setting off from inside the centre circle in anticipation of Dirk Kuyt’s pass, he sprinted clear.

Asmir Begovic, the Stoke goalkeeper came rushing out to meet him. Behind the goalkeeper, the Kop loomed. With his right he took the ball out of Begovic’s reach but, having gone slightly too wide, he undercooked his left-foot finish. All seemed to be lost, but a touch from defender Ryan Shawcross took it back into Suarez's path, and he finished with aplomb.

Suarez is already a hit with the Liverpool fans, with sales of Uruguayan Football Shirts up 6000% since he joined!