For all the distractions caused by you-know-who, Liverpool at least enter the campaign with goals in their team and an established style of play after one season with Brendan Rodgers. Daniel Sturridge is back from an ankle injury ahead of schedule and may start in place of Iago Aspas, who struggled against Celtic's physical defence in Dublin last weekend. Stoke, by contrast, begin life under Mark Hughes with the same attacking options that produced only 34 goals last season – a tally bettered by every team apart from relegated QPR – and searching for a new identity after the exit of Tony Pulis. Andy Hunter

Kick-off Saturday 12.45pm

Venue Anfield

Last season Liverpool 0 Stoke 0

Live BT Sport 1

Referee M Atkinson

Last season G24 Y90, R1, 3.8 cards per game

Liverpool v Stoke City: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Illustration: Graphic

Odds H 4-9 A 9-1 D 15-4

Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Kelly, Skrtel, Ibe, Wisdom, Coates, Luis Alberto, Yesil, Henderson, Aspas, Borini, Assaidi

Doubtful Agger (knee), Skrtel (knee), Sturridge (ankle)

Injured None

Suspended Suárez (fifth of 10)

Form guide (last season) WWDWDD

Disciplinary record Y54 R2

Leading scorer Suárez 23

Stoke City

Subs from Butland, Sorensen, Wilson, Muniesa, Whelan, Pennant, Palacios, Jones, Edu, Ness, Kightly, Wilkinson, Shotton, Jerome, Cuvelier

Doubtful None

Injured Shea (knee, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide (last season) DLDWWL

Disciplinary record Y78 R4

Leading scorer Walters 8