Liverpool’s new boss Roy Hodgson has chosen the team for his first league game for the club and it features Javier Mascherano in midfield and Fernando Torres on the bench.
Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel are in the centre of defence but with Emiliano Insua still not ready to accept the terms on offer for a move he didn’t ask for there still isn’t enough money around for a new left-back. Insua isn’t in the squad and Aurelio is on the bench so Agger starts at left-back. Glen Johnson is fit and ready at right-back.
Alongside Mascherano in midfield is Steven Gerrard, with Lucas left on the bench. Hodgson hands league debuts for the club to Milan Jovanovich and Joe Cole, with World Cup finalist Dirk Kuyt back in the side. David Ngog starts up front, hoping to add to the three goals and one assist he’s achieved already this season.
World Cup winner Pepe Reina is back in the nets, with his fellow World Cup winner Fernando Torres on the bench to ensure he’s not rushed back too soon. Ryan Babel got a runners-up medal from the World Cup and is on the bench today.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Ngog
Subs: Cavalieri, Lucas, Babel, Torres, Kelly, Maxi, Aurelio
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Wilshere, Arshavin, Chamakh
Subs: Fabianski, Gibbs, Song, Rosicky, Walcott, Vela, Van Persie