Liverpool won’t make it easy for Stoke this time

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner believes manager Brendan Rodgers is the right man for the job, but he expects to see “strong improvement”.

Doubts about his position, however, could resurface if Liverpool endure the sort of miserable start to the season they had a year ago.

“Stoke is always a hard place to go”. I am as driven now as the first day I came in as manager – if not more. We all knew it was unacceptable and whatever stick we got for it we deserved. Stood there watching, it was uncomfortable for sure.

“We lacked in everything that day”.

“Maybe in the subconscious there was a feeling that the season was dead”. But it should never be the case, whatever the excuse, because you are fighting for people who live their lives for the football club. It should be noted that the last time these two teams met at this same ground, with Raheem Sterling still at Liverpool, Stoke City destroyed them 6-1.

Liverpool kick off the brand new Premier League 2015-16 campaign away to Stoke City on Sunday afternoon at the Britannia Stadium.

Rodgers has confirmed Liverpool will be without Wales midfielder Joe Allen for “three to four weeks” after he picked up a hamstring injury during their pre-season friendly against Swindon Town. Liverpool were awful in the first half of last season and need to ensure they do not showcase the defensive frailties from last season.

Much has changed over the summer at Liverpool.

The 21-year-old, who helped his country to the semi-finals of the European U21 Championship this summer, also backed the Reds to mount a challenge at the top end of the table this season. And he has been limited to just over an hour’s action during Stoke’s pre-season programme because of the problem.

“There’s no difference in terms of the pressure”.

Adam admits he was surprised by the turn of events at his former club but thinks Rodgers will not be safe from further scrutiny should Stoke emerge victorious again.

“All the players we have brought in are top players and it’s about adapting to the demands of being at a huge club”. ‘Technically he is very good and he is very comfortable on the ball.’.

This is first time in Premier League history that a fixture has been played in consecutive games at the same venue. Their neighbours United will also look to step up after regaining top-four status and a summer of strengthening. “He leads by example, he’s a wonderful footballer but a big personality as well”, Rodgers added. “It was just something I felt I needed to do”. I’m settling in well and I’ve been made to feel welcome, so it couldn’t be going any better at the moment.

“For me he has massive potential”. I don’t think any of my teams have ever conceded that number of goals in my years in football. He can link the game up.

“I’m certainly planning to score a few good goals!”