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The Reds, now without star striker Luis Suárez, begin the Premier League seson against new look Southampton.
Liverpool open their new season without Luis Suárez, but with all the heavy expectations after a tremendous 2013/14 season that saw them finish second behind Manchester City. The Saints lost their head coach, along with several key players during the summer, and it will be interesting to see how quickly, or if, new signings Fraser Forster, Shane Long and Ryan Bertrand can settle and have a positive affect.
Key Player:Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
While Sturridge will not be expected to single-handedly replace the departed Luis Suárez, there's little doubt he's under considerable more pressure this season to generate goals at at least the same pace as he did last season. If Sturridge can once again break the 20-goal mark, chances are Liverpool should be in good shape to contend for Champions League football again. If he struggles, and the rest of the attack struggles as well without Suárez, who knows what will happen with this team.
Key Matchup:Liverpool's attack vs. The Ghost of Luis Suárez
Suárez is alive and well at Barcelona, but there's not question his ghost will be haunting Liverpool, at least early in the season. If the likes of Rickie Lambert, Adama Lallana (when he's healthy), and Sturridge can find a way to scores goals then everyone will be able to move on. If the offense struggles, especially with the addition of European football to their schedule, losing Suárez is all fans and the media will be talking about.
While a season opening win wouldn't be proof that all is well, it would be a great step in the right direction towards getting the Uruguayan's ghost safely contained in an Ecto-Containment Unit.
Liverpool injuries and suspensions
Out: Adam Lallana (knee), Joe Flanagan (knee), Daniel Agger (calf), Lazar Markovic (ankle).
Southampton injuries and suspensions
Out: Jay Rodriguez (knee).
Adam Lallana will miss out on a chance to face his former team thanks a lingering knee injury. He's joined on the sidelines by defenders Joe Flanagan and Daniel Agger, along with new signing Lazar Markovic who is working back from an ankle injury. The Saints will be missing striker Jay Rodriguez who continues to rehab from a torn ACL that forced him to miss the World Cup for England.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. local, 8:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S.), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.), TSN (Canada)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), TSN Go (Canada)
