Lovren is a liability so I hope he does not start next weekend .

So would BR & FSG! Hendo was awful, yes awful under Kenny. Liverpool were prepared to let him go, he chose not to. Nobody should be criticised years down the line for not rating a player who at that time was poor because years later he comes good, well better.

For me he has to deliver, by that I mean if not top 4 then a cup plus a run at top 4, which sadly we lacked last season. No 3/4 of a cr%p season like we had last time around.

Why? Do you not trust Brendan's judgement? He sees what he sees on the training pitch, surely he is capable of judging a players form, mindset?

As a target for the season we should be looking at a points total rather than a final position. Top 4 will be hardert than ever. We really should be aiming for 70 pts plus. At one stage last season before we came off the rails that looked a realistic possibility despite our generally dire form. Tbh I don't hold out much hope for this season. I'm not that impressed with the quality of our signings. Benteke is going to be under enormous pressure to deliver. I suspect his presence will force Sturbridge out wide into the positions he used to hate playing in. We need the entire team to gel and start loving playing the game again and that's going to be very hard with the hellish start we've got. I hate being this pessimistic and hope I'm wrong but the last 18 months has really taken its toll.

Sturridge is expecting to return to training within the next two weeks, and is hoping to return against Man United on the 12th of September. Tough game to come back after pretty much a year out, especially away. I don't imagine he'd be starting, of course. Especially if Benteke starts well.

Wonder if Liverpool will meet the £22m for Pedro? Can't understand why they wouldn't at least try.

His simply not a very good player. Some of the errors Lovren makes are real schoolboy stuff and I dont believe those errors will simply disappear. You either have the correct instincts and awareness of what happens around you or do not. Lovren doesnt.

With the two Brazilians and our decent crop of strikers, where would he fit? If he was 5 years younger maybe...

yeah i dont see where pedro would fit into our team. would be spending £22m just because he is available.

good player no doubt but not for us at the moment.

Milner confirmed as Vice Captain, I know that there are going to be a lot of mixed feelings over this, seeing as he has only just joined us, but think he will do well.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/firs...s-vice-captain

Allen out for a month with a hamstring injury.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33755641

What a horrible time to pick up an injury. A slight worry also because I thought Brendan might play him behind Milner and Hendo, but now I guess that responsibility will fall to Lucas, who might have been first choice for that role anyway. Would still like us to buy a ball-winning midfielder with more mobility than Lucas.

RedmenTV Stoke starting XI prediction show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=352&v=0G3OQl9hXkM

Agree or disagree with this? I can see this being the starting XI. Gomez might start at LB, and Lucas might start in place of somebody...but then the formation would have to change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-2-1, maybe Coutinho and Firmino or Lallana in the middle behind Benteke, though I have heard that Ibe can play the CAM role if needbe.

I and I'd imagine most people would choose Sakho at LCB, but Lovren has caught Brendan doing something naughty and is blackmailing him into starting him so it looks like he'll be starting, given that he's played most of pre-season.

I'd like to think that Can would be in that position ahead of both Allen AND Lucas.

Well here we go, the beginning of 9 months of blood, sweat, tears - and hopefully a bundle of joy at the end of it all. Jitters are starting - will it be a cup, or a title, or will the team not unite and we have to wait for the next chance?

Whatever, here's to a new season, new hopes and dreams, and may they be fulfilled!

Van Gaal dropping De Gea is good news he is their best player, got to fancy Spurs come on.

Where he'll no doubt do himself in again, which wouldn't surprse me

A gift of a goal and Utd being given free kicks for nothing all game.Some things never change in the PL.

I have reservations over Milner and Hendo protecting the back four, but I've not seen much of Milner in that role. Hopefully my doubts are without foundation.


If he's willing to sit back and not make too many of those marauding runs we've come to associate him with, then I don't see why not.

Strange to think that tomorrow is the first time since 1996, that we've started a Premier League season without Steven Gerrard in the squad.

For those with FB, here you go:

https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC...92573/?fref=nf


Must admit he's looking good out there, I didn't recognise him til he spoke!

First game of the season for Liverpool, really don't know what to expect for the season but will remain optimistic as always. Come on reds!

Well, having seen Man United, Chelsea, Spurs looking a bit dire, and Arsenal and S'hampton getting beat (atm), I am not so bothered if we lose today - not like our rivals are off to a flying start, and Stoke at home is one of the worst fixtures going.

Nope, be meh if we lose, happy if we draw, and ecstatic if we win.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Henderson, Milner, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe, Benteke.

Subs: Bogdan, Moreno, Toure, Firmino, Can, Origi, Ings.

No Sakho?

Looks like the Redmen were correct with their prediction. Hope we can exact our revenge today.

I hope gomez isn't having to bail out Lovren.