There will be more than a few raised eyebrows around the Premier League today, as everybody realises that Raheem Sterling has indeed been dropped to the substitutes bench for our final game of the season.
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Liverpool transfer news
Sterling, who is at the centre of a lengthy and ongoing contract saga, was distanced from the prospect of signing a new deal by outspoken agent Aidy Ward earlier this week (via the Evening Standard), leaving the Reds with a mountain to climb to convince the youngster to stay.
As a result, Philippe Coutinho starts up front against Stoke City today, with Adam Lallana and Steven Gerrard playing just behind. Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva return in midfield alongside Jordan Henderson.
Elsewhere, Mamadou Sakho comes back into the team to parter Martin Skrtel at the back, in what is his first start since early April. Dejan Lovren drops to the bench, alongside Sterling, Jordon Ibe, Lazar Markovic, Kolo Toure and Rickie Lambert. There was no place for Mario Balotelli or Glen Johnson.
You can read the team in full below:
Today’s confirmed #LFC line-up and subs in full on our matchday graphic pic.twitter.com/Rex05YjHSk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 24, 2015
Starting line up and substitutes for today’s game against Liverpool #scfc pic.twitter.com/QX7GkcuRBY — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) May 24, 2015