In a game during which goal-scoring opportunities were few and far between, it was a moment of magic which separated the sides on 86 minutes, as the Brazilian turned a fired a shot past Jack Butland.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers - keen to avenge a 6-1 defeat in this fixture just three months ago - handed debuts to four summer signings including Christian Benteke, who was chosen to lead the line.
Stoke, meanwhile, lined up with former Liverpool man Glen Johnson at right-back, while Dutch duo Marco van Ginkel and Ibrahim Afellay both made first appearances for the club.
With all eyes on an attack-minded Stoke side, including those of reported target Xherdan Shaqiri, watching from the stands, there were no signs of a repeat thrashing in the opening stages.
