As an incredible contest was brought to a close, the travelling Kop were in full voice.

"There's only one Brendan Rodgers", echoed around the Britannia Stadium - it was a fitting soundtrack at the end of a rollercoaster afternoon.

The hoodoo had finally been broken. For the first time in Premier League history, the Reds claimed the scalp of Stoke City on their own patch.

An away victory against modest mid-table opposition doesn't usually trigger scenes like this, but this was a landmark triumph for Liverpool as they climbed back into the top four.

So often in recent years the Britannia has been the setting for the Reds' weaknesses to be brutally laid bare.

Stoke have made a habit of exposing Liverpool's soft underbelly and delivering painful setbacks.

They did it to Rafa Benitez's title challengers in 2009 and they inflicted one of the most chastening defeats of Roy Hodgson's short-lived reign.

The Potters turned over Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool and then successfully preyed on the Reds' frailties during Rodgers' first season at the helm.

Not this time. When Jon Walters reduced the deficit to 4-3 with five minutes to go, the sense of impending doom was tangible.

But rather than wilt under the pressure, Rodgers' side dug deep and delivered the glorious killer blow courtesy of substitute Daniel Sturridge.

The fans rejoicing in the away end responded by toasting their manager in song. Never over the past 18 months has Rodgers' name been chanted with such feeling.

Some have been slow to take him to their hearts but in this thrilling season of progress he's belatedly getting the accolades he richly deserves.

This was far from a vintage performance but the win was testament to both the spirit and the attacking brand of football Rodgers has installed.

Having carelessly tossed away a 2-0 lead before the break, Liverpool produced a show of real character. They simply refused to be bullied.

Crucially, after skipper Steven Gerrard restored their advantage from the penalty spot, Rodgers was bold.

Rather than attempt to hold on to what the Reds had, he went for the jugular with the introduction of Sturridge and it paid a rich dividend.

With Sturridge reunited with two-goal hero Luis Suarez, Liverpool ran riot.

"What a dynamic duo!" tweeted principal owner John W Henry. No-one was arguing.

Having conceded just seven goals in 10 league games at the Britannia this term, Mark Hughes' side shipped five in one crazy afternoon.

The impact of Sturridge after six weeks out with ankle ligament damage was remarkable.

The £12million man brilliantly created Suarez's 22nd Premier League goal of the campaign before the Uruguayan returned the compliment for the Reds' fifth.

There is no better strike partnership in the top flight and if Suarez and Sturridge maintain these standards then the coming months promise to be some ride.

It's just as well Liverpool boast such firepower because defensively they continue to look vulnerable.

In seven of their last eight away league games they have conceded at least twice. Injuries haven't helped with Rodgers having to chop and change his line-up so often but it remains an area of concern.

Neither Kolo Toure nor Martin Skrtel covered themselves in glory and the full-backs weren't blameless either.

This time it didn't matter, but there will be days when Suarez and Sturridge can't get them out of jail.

For most of the first half the Reds were cruising. They led inside five minutes courtesy of a big slice of good fortune.

Aly Cissokho's 25-yarder was heading for the corner flag before hitting Ryan Shawcross and flying past Jack Butland.

Liverpool worked tirelessly as a unit as they pressed Stoke relentlessly and forced them into mistakes.

Raheem Sterling extended his purple patch with another eye-catching display - he was as impressive without the ball as he was when tormenting the Potters' backline with his pace.

One mazy run from the young winger ended with a pass to Philippe Coutinho, who curled a right-footer over the bar. If only the talented Brazilian had an end product this victory would have been a lot more straightforward.

Just past the half hour mark the Reds doubled their account,  aided by comedy defending and Suarez's commitment to chasing down lost causes.

Martin Skrtel launched a clearance forward and centre-backs Marc Wilson and Shawcross messed up.

Shawcross could only divert Wilson's header into the path of Suarez who finished clinically. The irony of Stoke being caught out by such route one tactics wasn't lost on anyone.

Yet from a position of control, the Reds floundered badly as in the space of six minutes before the break they undid all their good work.

First, Marko Arnautovic was granted far too much time and space on the left. His cross was met by Peter Crouch, who pulled away from Toure to guide a header past Simon Mignolet.

Suddenly, the atmosphere around the Britannia Stadium was transformed. Coutinho should have swiftly silenced the home fans but his volley from Suarez's cross was too close to Butland.

With half-time looming, another Anfield old boy returned to haunt his former employers.

Jordan Henderson's error gifted possession to Charlie Adam and he unleashed a 20-yarder beyond Mignolet and into the bottom corner.

The interval gave Liverpool the chance to regroup and within six minutes of the second half they had regained the initiative.

Sterling blocked Wilson's attempted clearance close to halfway and raced goalwards. The Irish defender tried to atone for his error but a clumsy challenge sent the teenager sprawling inside the box.

Stoke were incensed but Gerrard kept his cool to mark his 650th appearance for the club in style.

Coutinho made way for Sturridge and the substitute needed just five minutes to make his mark as Stoke were picked off on the counter-attack.

The England international ran from inside his own half and showed great vision and awareness with a wonderful pass to Suarez. The outcome was inevitable as the Uruguayan found the bottom corner.

That should have been game over but Mignolet somehow allowed Jon Walters' weak shot to squirm under him.

Stoke had a glimmer of hope and Crouch headed wide before Liverpool bagged a match-clinching fifth.

This time Suarez turned provider, whipping an enticing cross towards Sturridge at the back post.

Butland made a smart save but Sturridge reacted quickly to ruthlessly put away the rebound.

There was still time for Crouch to nod against the woodwork and Mignolet to claw away Gerrard's misplaced header.

They say the true gauge of a team is how they measure up on a cold, windy night in Stoke. Finally, Liverpool have passed the test.

Source: Liverpool Echo