Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hands debuts to James Milner, Christian Benteke, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne in their Premier League opener against Stoke City.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has handed debuts to James Milner, Christian Benteke, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne in their Premier League opener against Stoke City.

Benteke makes his competitive debut for the Reds following his £32.5m move from Aston Villa over the summer, while Clyne and Gomez also make their first starts in the full-back positions.

Vice-captain Milner starts in the heart of the midfield alongside skipper Jordan Henderson, but Roberto Firmino has to settle for a place on the bench as Jordon Ibe starts ahead of him in a forward role.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has handed debuts to Marco van Ginkel, Ibrahim Afellay and former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson at the Britannia Stadium.

Ryan Shawcross is out with an injury and Geoff Cameron starts in his place in the heart of the defence alongside Marc Muniesa. Jack Butland starts ahead of Shay Given between the sticks for the Potters.

Stoke City: Butland; Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters; Whelan, Adam; Walters, Van Ginkel, Afellay; Diouf
Subs: Given, Ireland, Odemwingie, Joselu, Sidwell, Crouch, Wollscheid

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Henderson, Milner, Lallana; Ibe, Coutinho, Benteke
Subs: Bogdan, Toure, Firmino, Moreno, Can, Origi, Ings

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