Before Liverpool’s cathartic 1-0 victory over Stoke City on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers was asked if he remained in complete command of the club he manages despite the pressure he has come under. Although he answered in the affirmative, it was only when the Northern Irishman delivered his first team sheet of the season that his response became emphatic.

After a summer in which he had to survive a stern post-season review, it is becoming clear that, rather than having his wings clipped by Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s owners, Rodgers feels sufficiently empowered to do things his way, without compromise. The team that took to the field at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday highlighted this bold approach as it showed that, whether Rodgers succeeds or