Liverpool have been psychologically scarred by opening-day disappointments in recent years. Roy Hodgson never recovered after a Pepe Reina howler against Arsenal a few years ago, the Dalglish era was undermined by a series of home draws, and even last year Liverpool were out of the race for fourth before Rodgers was settled into his office.
Mignolet may yet look back at this first meaningful contribution as pivotal to the year's ambitions.
The jubilation, in part, was also due to the fact it would have been a travesty had Liverpool not won.
While attention focuses on Luis Suarez's mood swings, Sturridge's return from injury just in time for the kick-off was a neon lit 'remember me?' to anyone who'd overlooked how well he performed without the Uruguayan at the end of last season.
He galvanised Liverpool in the second-half of the campaign and can do likewise for club and country in this one. Fitness permitting, Sturridge will comfortably score 20 goals this season.
The individualistic nature of Sturridge's strike from 20 yards underlined him as a striker, like Suarez, with the capacity to score goals of many different flavours.
Sturridge's perfectly-placed left-foot strike on 37 minutes gave Liverpool a deserved lead at a time when, as so often the case in recent years, it seemed the opposition goalkeeper was destined to claim the plaudits.
Asmir Begovic had prevented Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson scoring the Premier League's first goal, the former due to excellent keeping and latterly because of Henderson's tame finish.
But with the newly-crowned most popular South American at Anfield, Philippe Coutinho, probing the Stoke defence with all the menace and persistence of a KGB interrogator, it was only a matter of time before Liverpool had some reward.
Kolo Toure also headed against the bar, but Stoke were not without encouragement of their own.
Mignolet started anxiously, flapping at crosses and labouring in possession, and one misjudgement offered Robert Huth and empty net on eight minutes. His volley struck the crossbar.
Long before his late heroics, Mignolet was more impressive to push away a Walters drive a minute after Liverpool took the lead.
For those seeking evidence of a new-look Stoke, the afternoon was not without encouragement.
There are Hollywood A-listers who would wince at the levels of nip-tuck required for Mark Hughes to make Stoke more pleasing on the eye.
A couple of six-yard passes from Ryan Shawcross into midfield had the away fans screaming 'Revolution!'
"We're passing the ball," they sang, gratifyingly self-effacing. There were no long throws, either.
Hughes should have left with a point, Daniel Agger's handball for Walters' penalty the gift that should been accepted.
Hughes may ask, however, why Walters - who missed two penalties last year - rather than Charlie Adam took the kick.
Anfield was jubilant and Rodgers could clench his first thankful that, on this day, the conversation Liverpool are part of is an encouraging one.
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