Liverpool begin the new campaign with a tough trip to the Britannia to face Stoke on Sunday, with Brendan Rodgers having bad memories from last season.
It’s been just 77 days since the visitors suffered their biggest defeat in 52 years, losing 6-1 to Stoke on a humiliating final day of last season.
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However, plenty has changed at both clubs over the summer with Mark Hughes making no less than eight signings while Rodgers is expected to hand Premier League debuts for the club to five of his new faces.
Christian Benteke will lead the line for the Reds, while Roberto Firmino is expected to play alongside Philippe Coutinho as the Brazilians hope to provide the creative spark.
Jordon Ibe has impressed in pre-season and could be handed a start, while James Milner, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne are all expected to feature from the opening minute.
As for Stoke, Hughes has continued to change their style and approach with a number of exciting acquisitions, and the hosts are certainly expected to play some eye-catching football which should result in a quality contest.
Bojan and Ryan Shawcross are out, while Marko Arnautovic is a doubt. For the visitors, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan and Joe Allen all miss out.
Life without Steven Gerrard begins for Liverpool this season, but Rodgers will be confident that he has done enough in the transfer window to make up for his loss and put together a squad capable of competing for the top four at the very least.
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