This coming Monday, Liverpool will return to Anfield for the first time since the penultimate game of last season, giving many members of Merseyside a first chance to see their new-look side close up.
Of our seven summer signing, only Danny Ings and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan failed to play any part against Stoke last time out, as the Reds avenged last season’s 6-1 defeat with a hugely valuable 1-0 win.
Brendan Rodgers will be loathe to make much in the way of change to that side although both Roberto Firmino and Emre Can, who made a big difference after coming on at the Britannia, will be pushing for a start.
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Here’s how we expect Liverpool to start this evening…
GK) Simon Mignolet
Was rarely troubled against Stoke and gave us no cause for concern with his performance. He’ll naturally keep his place ahead of Adam Bogdan, although it’s good to hear that this week that the Hungarian is pushing him hard.
RB) Nathaniel Clyne
The full-back was excellent against Stoke and was arguably the pick of our summer signings on the opening day. He’ll be looking forward to getting forward a little more in this one and giving Bournemouth plenty to think about.
LB) Joe Gomez
Rodgers will know it’s important not to push the teenager too hard at such an early stage in his career. However, with eight days having been and gone since our last fixture, it’s hard to see any reason why he wouldn’t get the nod once again in this one.
CB) Martin Skrtel
A couple of sloppy moments aside, the Slovakian was back to his imperious best on the opening day, and will no doubt be hopeful of continuing that form here. Liverpool didn’t concede a single goal during the first three games of our 2013-14 campaign, when we finished second. What chance of a repeat this year?
CB) Dejan Lovren
The Croat was much better against Stoke and looked more like the player we bought from Southampton twelve months ago, rather than the walking shadow he became at times last season. It’s absolutely crucial that he continues that same form here, with Mamadou Sakho still in waiting.
DM) Emre Can
We’ve given the German the nod for this one. He made a real difference in that holding role against Stoke, allowing both Henderson and Milner to push further forward. There are question marks over his discipline – in terms of whether he can stay put in front of the back four – but this feels like the right game to test him.
CM) Jordan Henderson
The captain will likely enjoy the chance to push a little bit further forward and influence the game as he likes to do. He’ll be well aware that Can likes the odd burst forward and will need to be ready to provide cover if required.
CM) James Milner
Our new vice-captain put in a pretty decent showing on debut and will surely be eager to impress on his first outing at Anfield. There should be plenty of time for him to get on the ball and his passing game could be crucial.
RAM) Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian showed plenty of promise with his brief cameo against Stoke and the sheer weight of disappointment that would likely greet him being left on the bench might just be enough to sway Rodgers’ decision. We all know he’s great, so let him start showing us!
LAM) Philippe Coutinho
The inclusion of Can and Firmino means that two of the front six from the Stoke game are going to have to drop out. However, there’s no chance that it’s going to be this man, whose winning goal at the Britannia was the latest in a long line of magic moments for him in a Liverpool shirt.
ST) Christian Benteke
He was quiet against Stoke but showed plenty of clever touches and will want to be more involved in this one. Rodgers might have been tempted to go two up front and include Danny Ings as well, but we think he’ll stick with the team that finished in the Potteries.
