LIVERPOOL PREVIEW: Suarez saga leaves side in limbo but Rodgers craves a Champions League return

Club at a glance

Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Captain: Steven Gerrard
Ground: Anfield
Capacity: 45,276
Last season’s finish: 7th
Official club website:liverpoolfc.com

Story of the summer…

There has only really been one story at Anfield this summer: The Luis Suarez Story. The Uruguayan’s transfer saga has not helped Liverpool’s preparations but Brendan Rodgers has made some astute new signings and at little net cost after trimming last season’s squad.

Manager’s main challenge…

Getting Liverpool back into contention. For the last four seasons they have finished no higher than sixth place – everyone at the club expects and demands more. 

One goal: Brendan Rodgers is aiming for the Champions League

Hiccups on horizon…

Suarez seems to be a perennial hiccup. Even though it looks as if he is staying, a disgruntled Suarez could be destabilising.

First name on the team sheet…

Steven Gerrard – If they lose Suarez, Rodgers will need his captain at his best.

Stalwart: Whatever the final destination of Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard will once more be the heart and soul of the Liverpool team

Youngster to watch...

Jordan Rossiter Age: 16 Position: Midfielder Twitter: @jordan_rossiter

When this young midfielder made an appearance in the NextGen Series last season, Robbie Fowler tweeted that 'it's a big shout but this kid is like a young Stevie G'. Held in high regard at Liverpool's Academy, plays with aggression and always looks forward to bring his excellent passing into play.

Pre-season quote…

‘The great name of Liverpool as a club and the history of the club dictate that we should be in the Champions League. There's no other measure for us.’ – Brendan Rodgers.

Top Tweeter

Lucas Leiva (@LucasLeiva87) - Cult hero. Frequent tweeter. Translates himself.

New face: £9m signing Simon Mignolet has replaced long-serving keeper Pepe Reina

Ins: Kolo Toure (Manchester City, free), Luis Alberto (Seville, £6.8m), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo, £7.5m), Simon Mignolet (Sunderland, £9m)

Outs: Andy Carroll (West Ham £15.5m), Danny Wilson (Hearts, free), Jamie Carragher (retired), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea, £6m), Suso (Almeria, loan), Conor Coady (Sheffield United, loan), Pepe Reina (Napoli, loan), Jack Robinson (Blackpool, loan)

New kit

Made by Warrior, the home kit is the second produced by the American sportswear manufacturer and is based on the club’s 1984 kit – the year Liverpool won their fourth European Cup.

The all-red strip contains subtle changes from this season’s number, with the sleeves and collar now displaying white trim in a strip that is sure to go down well with supporters. Two embroidered Eternal Flames alongside a 96 logo are located on the nape of the shirt’s neck to commemorate those who lost their lives at Hillsborough in 1989.

The main positive about the new Liverpool change shirt is that, presumably, it functions as a shirt should - i.e. it keeps the rain off your back. Warrior have done well with the home shirt, which does give the updated version of a classic feel, but few Liverpool fans will be splashing out again for this.

Kit cost: £45

Interesting choice: Liverpool's second and third (pictured) kits haven't been too popular

Stats from 2012-13 season...

• Liverpool’s goal difference of +28 is the best ever recorded by a team outside the top six (since goal difference replaced goal average).
• 32 of Liverpool’s goals in 2012-13 were scored by English players – more than any other side.
• Luis Suarez touched the ball 363 times in the opposition penalty box in 2012-13; 140 more times than any other player in the Premier League (next most – Robin van Persie with 223).
• Liverpool had the youngest goal scorer in 2012-13 (Raheem Sterling vs Reading 17y 316d).
• Luis Suarez scored the latest goal of the season (96min 30sec vs Chelsea).
• Liverpool managed more shots than any other side in 2012-13 (528) but also managed more shots off target than any other team (296).
• Glen Johnson kept more clean sheets than any other defender in 2012-13 (16).
• Daniel Sturridge became the first Liverpool player in PL history to score 10 goals from his first 13 PL games for the club.

The next Gerrard? Jordan Rossiter is extremely highly thought of at Liverpool

Where do I buy tickets and how much do they cost?

Tickets can be bought through the official website, via phone, 08431705555 or at the stadium box office, which is open 9-5 Monday to Friday. Category A £44-£52, Category B game £41-£49 and Category C games £38-£46.

Pre-season results

July 13 Preston North End (Deepdale) - won 4-0
July 20 Indonesia XI (Gelora Bung Karno National Stadium, Jakarta) - won 2-0
July 24 Melbourne Victory (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne) - won 2-0
July 28 Thailand (National Stadium, Bangkok) - won 3-0
August 3 Olympiacos (Anfield - Steven Gerrard testimonial) - won 2-0
August 7 Valerenga (Ullevall Stadium) - won 4-1
August 10 Celtic (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) - lost 0-1

FULL PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

AUGUST

17: Stoke City (h) - (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

24: Aston Villa (a) - (Sky Sports, 5.30pm)

SEPTEMBER

1: Manchester United (h) - (Sky Sports, 1.30pm)

16: Swansea City (a) - (Sky Sports, 8pm)

21: Southampton (h)

29: Sunderland (a) - (Sky sports, 4pm)

OCTOBER

5: Crystal Palace (h)

19: Newcastle United (a) - (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

26: West Bromwich Albion (h)

NOVEMBER

2: Arsenal (a) - (Sky Sports, 5.30pm) 

9: Fulham (h)

23: Everton (a) - (BT Sport, 12.45pm)

DECEMBER

1: Hull City (a) - (Sky Sports, 1.30pm)

4: Norwich City (h)

7: West Ham United (h)

14: Tottenham Hotspur (a)

21: Cardiff City (h)

26: Manchester City (a)

28: Chelsea (a)

JANUARY

1: Hull City (h)

11: Stoke City (a)

18: Aston Villa (h)

28: Everton (h)

FEBRUARY

1: West Bromwich Albion (a)

8: Arsenal (h)

12: Fulham (a)

22: Swansea City (h)

MARCH

1: Southampton (a)

8: Sunderland (h)

15: Manchester United (a)

22: Cardiff City (a)

29: Tottenham Hotspur (h)

APRIL

5: West Ham United (a)

12: Manchester City (h)

19: Norwich City (a)

26: Chelsea (h)

MAY

3: Crystal Palace (a)

11: Newcastle United (h)

*Fixtures subject to change