Brendan Rodgers looks likely to spring some surprises in Liverpool’s starting XI at Stoke

Liverpool fans have been getting exciting about Joe Gomez for some time now.

The youngster arrived from Charlton last month with most people assuming that he was 'one for the future' and may even be sent out on loan for the season to gain some valuable first-team experience. But Gomez's displays in pre-season have persuaded Brendan Rodgers that he has the ability to contribute to the first team now and the 18-year-old looks set to be rewarded with a starting place at left-back in Sunday's Premier League opener at Stoke City. https://twitter.com/Liverpool_Arm/status/629586512275972096 Not only that, but Rodgers is also said to be considering giving Jordan Ibe a starting place at the Britannia. Ibe could start in the right of a front three as new signing Roberto Firmino is still short of match fitness having begun pre-season training late following his involvement in the Copa America earlier this summer. Rodgers is on the record as saying his preferred formation for the season is the 4-3-3 he favoured at Swansea. With that in mind the rumoured line up for Liverpool is: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez; Milner, Can; Henderson; Ibe, Benteke, Coutinho. Liverpool were beaten 6-1 at Stoke in the final game of last season. But Rodgers is going into the new campaign with the unequivocal backing of chairman Tom Werner. Hat tip to Liverpool Echo.