Liverpool open to Lucas bids

Although Sakho missed some training sessions in the build up to the Stoke game due to the birth of his child, he is clearly now behind Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren in the pecking order.

Coutinho’s technical, passing, dribbling and scoring abilities have now seen him receive several call-ups to the Brazilian national team as well as earn himself the title of “Little Magician”.

“Defensively we were strong and then we know we have the quality to win a game”.

After performing the role previously as a stand-in for the now-departed Steven Gerrard, Henderson has been appointed skipper on a full-time basis ahead of the new season.

Liverpool will probably play in a variation of a 4-3-3 formation, concentrating on ball possession, and fast movement between the lines.

Centre backs I have a real concern about.

“All the boys used it as motivation and it made it that bit more important to try and get the win”.

Rodgers came under fire after his side finished sixth in the Premier League last season, and eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

He added: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on any one game or the need to get off to a good start, but it would certainly help [if we beat Stoke]”.

Brendan Rodgers’ side are hoping to fetch in the region of £8m for the defensive midfielder, who will find first-team opportunities limited following the arrival of James Milner and the emergence of Emre Can.

He also spoke about the balance in the dressing room between young and experienced players, and that it was an exciting time to be involved with the club as a result.

“We do believe Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward“.

Preseason has been able to wash away the stain of last season to a certain extent, and we have had a stellar transfer window with the additions of Milner, Ings, Firmino, Clyne, Benteke and the unexpected diamond in the rough known as Joe Gomez.

“He also has big character and mentality, and I felt that we needed that in the team, to the extent that he should be the vice-captain”.

As you can see from the above, have far more confidence in attack to defence, but I am happy to be proved wrong if clean sheets galore and goals against column looks very stingy, but goals for column looks very prosperous, bring on the new season!