Liverpool start the new Premier League season where they finished the last – at the Britannia Stadium – and will be aiming to gain some retribution against Stoke City this Sunday.
The Potters dealt the Reds a 6-1 hammering in May which has left a cloud over Anfield over the summer, but Brendan Rodgers has been busy in the transfer market trying to brighten the mood.
So which of Liverpool’s new signings will feature this weekend? Here is fanatix’s predicted XI…
GK: Simon Mignolet
Adam Bogdan’s arrival on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers puts little more pressure on Mignolet than there was last season, when his form dipped as he was briefly dropped from the side. The Belgian finished the campaign strongly to reestablish himself as first choice.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
One of 10 summer recruits, Clyne will slot straight into the team at right-back, and will be perfectly suited to a wing-back role should Rodgers change formation. The England international is an upgrade on Glen Johnson, whose last couple of years at Anfield were marred by errors and injury.
CB: Martin Skrtel
The long-serving Slovakian was surprisingly overlooked for the vice-captaincy in favour of James Milner, but definitely remains Liverpool’s best centre-back and will be key in organising a new-look defence.
CB: Mamadou Sakho
Centre-half is one of the few areas of concern which Rodgers has not addressed yet this summer, and so Mamadou Sakho is the best option to partner Skrtel. Liverpool spent plenty of money on the Frenchman, and Dejan Lovren, and will be hoping that one of them steps up as their left-sided defender this season.
LB: Joe Gomez
There was very much an eye on the future when the Reds brought Gomez in from Charlton Athletic earlier this summer, but the 18-year-old has proven to Rodgers that he is ready for the first team. He was one of the standout players on Liverpool’s pre-season tour and should get the nod over Alberto Moreno.
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