Stoke (A): Build Up

[DannyMan2006]

If rumours are true:

Clyne and Skrtel were obviously a given. Gomez has done well in pre season and arguably deserves the opportunity. I think the one soft goal that really annoyed me was against Swindon when Moreno backed off from Obika who curled it in. It reminded me of the Bellerin goal for Arsenal last season. Lovren, well he's played all pre season with Skrtel and the other three I mentioned. Would be a bit daft to pull him out now and put Sakho in.

My disagreement is that Sakho should have played all pre season with the others, but I guess his injury knocked him back in the queue, maybe rightly so since he is always getting small knocks.

Midfield wise, it's been Milner and Hendo all pre season. Captain and Vice Captain so of course they both line up. And having watched pre season, I don't think anyone can disagree with us needing Phil in there as well as opposed to Lucas. We need a spark and a bit of creativity to add to the fight and energy. Watching last season, Phil is wasted out wide in a front three. He belongs centrally with license to roam.

Front three, Benteke should be fit despite joining us late as he did pre season with Villa. He is our big signing and Stoke is a team he should be starting against. It's an away game and we need him. Ibe was sensational pre season, he has to start. Lallana also did well getting on the score sheet.

Firmino was late back and is new to the league. Right to have him coming off the bench. As an aside, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Firmino, Origi & Ings is a very good bench. Not forgetting Markovic of course! Or Sturridge...... And Bogdan looks to be better than Jones who was probably just getting past his peak.

Plenty of positives to start the season.

[Exiled_red]

Probably not
Bogdan, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Firmino, Ings, X

Still leaves a place for just one out of Lucas, Origi, Teixeira, Kolo, Markovic, Ilori... Rossiter. Assuming it's migs clyne skrtel lovren gomez milner hendo coutinho ibe lallana benteke of course.

Lots of players, with Allen, Sturridge and Flanagan still coming back.

I'd like to see us put one of the youngsters on the bench but I guess it is easier to leave them out for one of the more experienced players who you want to keep happy

[McDermotX]

Carra and his microphone

[G]

Lovren playing was expected, he's been there all pre season bar one. Hope he's improved but unlikely. Either he has and we can do well or he hasn't and he will be out of the team soon enough unless Brendan fancies getting the bullet by sticking with him.

[baronvonskidmark]

Lovren playing was expected, he's been there all pre season bar one. Hope he's improved but unlikely. Either he has and we can do well or he hasn't and he will be out of the team soon enough unless Brendan fancies getting the bullet by sticking with him.

I'll see it as a relief if he doesn't have another car crash of a performance. But like you say, it's Rodgers' neck on the line so you'd hope he has seen some sort of improvement. Fingers well and truly crossed.

[Mattshark]

Lovren playing was expected, he's been there all pre season bar one. Hope he's improved but unlikely. Either he has and we can do well or he hasn't and he will be out of the team soon enough unless Brendan fancies getting the bullet by sticking with him.

I sadly fear that Rodgers still knows about as much at setting up a defence properly as Kevin Keegan did.

[McDermotX]

Carra was still questioning the thought process of the midfield selection when referring to our issues with backline.

[G]

I sadly fear that Rodgers still knows about as much at setting up a defence properly as Kevin Keegan did.

The clean sheet record last season is very much an anomaly when viewed with his wider record defensive both with us and Swansea.

[baronvonskidmark]

I sadly fear that Rodgers still knows about as much at setting up a defence properly as Kevin Keegan did.

But the thing I find the most bizarre is that you'd think that Sakho would be more of the type of Rodgers' CB anyway. Strong, technically good on the ball, quick, defends on front foot. Whereas Lovren is just ****e and I genuinely do not know any Liverpool fan that would pick Lovren over Sakho.

Apart from Rodgers.

[kingfunk]

I can't understand how people think Sakho is good in the ball.

[Chris]

I can't understand how people think Sakho is good in the ball.

They have eyes.

[Muddled]

I can't understand how people think Sakho is good in the ball.

They have eyes.

[Rigadon]

Really looking forward to this game. Have a similar feeling about this season as I did before the 2013/14 season.

Can remember Bob asking me why I felt so optimistic about the 2013/14 season before it started and like back then it is just a gut feeling.

I reckon we are going to surprise a lot of teams (and many of our own fanbase) this season, and whilst I am not expecting to win the title I think a 3rd place finish (and maybe a cup) could be comfortably gotten.

Hope you are right. The first three games should give a good indication as to where we are - Stoke (typical mid table), Bournemouth (relegation contenders) and Arsenal (top four contenders). We usually start slow under Rodgers - don't think we (or Rodgers) can afford a slow start this season.

As for the Stoke game - looking forward to it Still think we look weak through the middle but will get behind all the players (including Lovren ).

[ChesterDave]

They have eyes.

Obviously faulty ones if they don't see him dally on the ball and get himself into a mess due to his criminal one-footedness.

[Chris]

Obviously faulty ones if they don't see him dally on the ball and get himself into a mess due to his criminal one-footedness.

I know, he's so **** at passing his stats rank up there amongst the best in Europe. The horror!!