Luis Suarez gets his first start for Liverpool against Wigan today since his big-money move from Ajax, the new number seven will be hoping to carry on from where he left off in his scoring debut ten days ago. His future strike partner Andy Carroll was back in training yesterday and although it’s still early days in his recovery it hopefully won’t be much longer before the duo are both starting games together. Dirk Kuyt starts today.
Reds captain Steven Gerrard is missing for the Anfield clash – the groin injury that kept him out of England’s midweek meaningless friendly clearly not the fake that some were trying to suggest it might be.
That means Jamie Carragher will wear the armband in what is his second appearance for “new” manager Kenny Dalglish – the vice-captain was of course injured when the King got his old job back. Carragher won’t be lining up alongside Daniel Agger though – the Dane is another victim of that same midweek meaningless friendly.
It looks like Kenny has gone back to a four-man defence after using that approach of three centre-backs and two wing-backs in the last two outings. Alongside Carragher is Skrtel, with Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson expected to both start at full-back.
Raul Mereiles has been Liverpool’s main man for goals in recent games and also starts today’s match.
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson, Maxi, Meireles, Lucas, Aurelio, Kuyt, Suarez.
Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Poulsen, Jovanovic, Pacheco, Ngog.