Ouch. It’s a really tough one to start the season with, and the scene of last season’s humiliation.
But perhaps this is a good way to start the campaign with no chance of complacency – Liverpool will want revenge on The Potters.
And this team feels like one on the up. Brendan Rodgers has made more serious investment, partly due to the £49m sale of Raheem Sterling, and we really like his buys.
There were doubts about the signing of Christian Benteke.
But we always felt that he would be a top signing and his ridiculous debut goal should assuage any fears that the fans have about his quality.
Benteke is going to bang in the goals for Liverpool this season and offer that cutting edge in attack that was lacking last time out.
Roberto Firmino will also be an excellent purchase and should help to form a beautifully creative attacking triumvirate behind Benteke.
With Daniel Sturridge not yet fit we can leave him out of the equation for now.
When he does return he may take one of the places behind Benteke in a 4-2-3-1. But, for now, it has to be Firmino, Coutinho and Ibe for the first game, if they are all match fit.
Behind them Henderson and Milner will form a solid foundation, which Liverpool will need because, despite the addition of the brilliant Nathaniel Clyne, the defence still looks less than top notch.
So here is our strongest XI for the season opener against Stoke (Kick off 16:00 Local Time, Sunday 9th August)
Liverpool fans: let’s have your elevens.
The view of the Anfield pitch from the Anfield Road Upper Stand.
Ibz
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:39 pm
Definitely not the strongest if Lovren is on.
Joe Spade
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Lovren lol!
——————————Mignolet
— Clyne———Skirtel————Sakho———Gomez
———————————Can
———Henderson————————Milner
—————————— Coutinho
——————— Firminho——Benteke
kevin
Aug 4, 2015 at 12:09 am
I agree With ur selection: mignolet, clyne, skrtel, Sakho, gomez, Can, Milner, Henderson, Coutinho, Firmino & Benteke; Ibe, Lallana, Lucas, Balotelli, Moreno, Bogban as subs
truth
Aug 3, 2015 at 10:55 pm
Comment:lovren nt part
king melody
Aug 3, 2015 at 11:00 pm
dont even say the strongest because loveren is there,Rodgers are u realy ok?stop this joke plz
Torben Piechnik
Aug 4, 2015 at 12:12 am
Mignolet: Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez: Lucas, Henderson: Ibe, Milner, Coutinho: Benteke
Subs: Bogdan,Toure, Moreno, Can, Lallana, Firmino, Ings
I suspect Rodgers will start with Lovren
mino brown
Aug 4, 2015 at 1:20 am
Comment:loveren is nt good to fit the first team. Loveren lol
Brent Brache
Aug 4, 2015 at 10:10 am
Ibe by far most impressive in preseason. Coutinho, Firmino and Benteke a given. Back 4 will include Sakho, Skrtel, Moreno, Clyne. Gomez also put his hand up. Dilemma is in midfield for me. Milner or Can.?