Who Should Start in Liverpool's Attack on Premier League Opening Day?

Liverpool are preparing for the start of the new Premier League season, which they will open with a home match against Stoke City on August 17.

While much of the Reds' side appears to be picking itself early on due to form or availability of players, the attack is more open-ended at present.

Luis Suarez will be banned for the first six games of the season, presuming he stays at Liverpool that long, while Daniel Sturridge has only just returned to training after injury. The English striker is unlikely to feature against Valerenga on Wednesday, meaning he'll have just one friendly fixture against Celtic to build up his fitness before the season starts.

Therefore, he's unlikely to be selected in the starting XI, with a bench spot probably the most Sturridge can hope for during the first game of the season.

So who should make up Liverpool's most attacking quartet?

Formation Unknown, but Roles Will Not Change

Manager Brendan Rodgers has slightly altered the system used during this summer in terms of the midfield and attacking line.

At times, he has utilised almost a 4-2-2-2 system, with two attacking midfielders moving wide out of possession and central in attack. His usual 4-3-3 was in evidence in the most recent friendly and an inverted midfield to give a  4-2-1-3 was used at times in the second half of last season.

Liverpool could go with any of these systems, but the essential characteristics of the front four players for the team will not change.

There will be an offensive central midfield player—likely the playmaker of the team—one single centre-forward and two supporting players from the flanks.

No. 10

The obvious candidate, and probably the fan favourite for the role, is Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian has all the tricks and flicks in the book, but allies his wonderful technique with some impressive vision and a good resilience to challenges.

Picking up space in midfield and turning to play in fellow attackers is what Coutinho is all about, but Stoke won't have lost much of their work ethic and power in midfield despite the departure of Tony Pulis.

The other possibilities for Liverpool are Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson, both of whom are more defensive-minded than Coutinho and less technically able. Nevertheless, they have their talents.

In preseason, Allen has shown more of the form which made him a standout member of the Reds' team from August to October last season. Jordan Henderson continues to grow and show his worth to the team whenever he is called upon.

There are no two ways about it: Coutinho's creativity and individual on-the-ball brilliance are going to be key for Liverpool this year.

However, it's also important to maintain balance and solidity in the side against a team such as Stoke, so one of the other two are going to be required.

Lining up the Striker

Daniel Sturridge is almost a certainty to play Liverpool's No. 9 role this season, but with the former Chelsea man short of fitness, he's not likely to start against Stoke.

That means it should be a straight fight between Fabio Borini and new signing Iago Aspas.

On preseason form, the Spanish forward is hugely likely to get the nod. Borini hasn't been poor by any stretch, showing good movement and attacking qualities at times, but Aspas has been amongst the goals already as a Liverpool player.

The Reds will need that, especially at home.

Supporting Roles from the Flanks

Stewart Downing remains at the club and played a regular part in Liverpool's second half of last season, but his time as a fixture in the side is surely up. Downing does not offer enough as a forward, despite his tactical solidity and defensive awareness going the other way.

For Liverpool to move up the table and gain wins more regularly, more than that is required from the wide forwards.

Youngsters Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe have both impressed over the summer and both will hope to, at the very least, make the squad on Premier League matchdays.

It might be one or the other at times, but with two or three key attackers missing, they could both be in the squad vs. Stoke.

Henderson and Coutinho, both candidates for the No. 10 role, have also featured from the left under Rodgers. Luis Alberto is the final possibility, but it is unlikely he will be thrown in from the start of the season in a new league—especially against Stoke.

Oussama Assaidi is almost certain not to be involved.

Picking the Quartet

To provide the best balance of attack and defence, it is probable that an interchangeable left-centre pivot of Coutinho and Henderson should be involved, but preseason form and lineup selections indicate that Joe Allen will be handed a start.

With Allen in an advanced midfield role, Coutinho will be asked to start from the left flank, cutting infield to create danger for the Reds.

He could certainly find more space this way, but only if the Reds are able to effectively find him early with the ball before he is double-marked by both the opposing central midfielder and a covering wide man.

On the opposite flank, Sterling has both the form and experience of last season to show he can be hugely effective against Stoke. He should be given the opportunity to start this campaign the way he did last year, especially as he's likely to be up against a Premier League debutant in Erik Pieters.

With Aspas therefore up front, the Reds will have plenty of work-rate, pace and movement in the final third, but it's going to take some direct running in behind the defensive line—from Sterling in particular—to ensure the team retains a vertical threat into the penalty area.

Allen also showed the need for late runners into the box several times against Olympiacos. Again, this will have to be a key feature of his game for his own sake and that of Liverpool.

Liverpool front four: Joe Allen (central), Raheem Sterling (right), Philippe Coutinho (left), Iago Aspas (striker).

Subs: Fabio Borini, Jordan Henderson and, depending on other options selected, Jordon Ibe.

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