Sturridge in line to start against Stoke

Daniel Sturridge is likely to feature in tomorrow lunchtime’s season opener against Stoke City despite not being 100% fit, while Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are expected to recover from knee injuries in time to play some part.

New signings Simon Mignolet and Kolo Toure are expected to start while fellow new arrivals Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto are also in the provisional match day squad though Luis Suarez continues his ten match suspension.

Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to end a run of four opening day fixtures without a win as they take on a Stoke side heading into a new era under manager Mark Hughes, who replace Tony Pulis in the summer.

Meanwhile, the club are on the verge of completing a loan deal for Valencia defender Aly Cissokho, the Express understands.

The 25 year old is expected on Merseyside for a medical next week after agreeing personal terms with the club.

The left back, who was also a target for Sunderland, only moved to Spain last summer, having spent four years with Lyon in Ligue 1, during which time he won his one and only cap for France, in a 2-1 friendly defeat to Norway back in 2010.