Liverpool Legend Mark Lawrenson believes that the Reds can make a rollicking start to the Premiership next season as they have a comparatively easy fixture against Sunderland in the opening match of the 2008/09 season.
Lawrenson feels that the fixture will give Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez a huge chance to show the rest of the teams in The Premiership that they will not be taking things lightly and will be aiming to clinch the title right from the start.
"I think Liverpool's opening game up at Sunderland could suit Rafael Benitez's side," said Lawro.
"It looks like there will be no Kenwyne Jones for the hosts as he picked up a nasty injury in Trinidad & Tobago's friendly with England and although Sunderland seem to have plenty of cash burning a hole in Roy Keane's pockets it's unlikely that he'll know his best team for the opener if he brings in a few new faces.
"It's a good fixture for Liverpool as the pressure will be off and Sunderland will be trying to win rather than looking at their own points tally so early in the campaign.
Lawrenson claimed that he was certain that Spanish international Fernando Torres would definitely be amongst the Reds when they travel to the Stadium of Light, no matter what the papers claim.
"One player I fully expect to be in Benitez's starting line-up at the Stadium of Light so long as he's fit is last season's top scorer Fernando Torres.
"There might be a few stories flying around that the Spanish striker is going to be lured to Chelsea for a huge fee and massive wages but I genuinely believe that he loves being at Liverpool.
"Although it's a big club it's also very much a friendly, family club too.
"Torres might be able to earn more money at Chelsea but if you're a good player then money will always end up coming to you anyway.
"At Anfield he's got a manager who speaks the same language and a set of supporters who love him.
"The fact that Torres stayed at Atletico Madrid so long also shows that he has certain qualities of loyalty and his attitude is very refreshing in the modern game.
"Another thing I like about him is that despite all his goals, he's a real team player.
"The way he created David Villa's first goal against Russia was very unselfish."
Lawrenson feels that the fixture will give Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez a huge chance to show the rest of the teams in The Premiership that they will not be taking things lightly and will be aiming to clinch the title right from the start.
"I think Liverpool's opening game up at Sunderland could suit Rafael Benitez's side," said Lawro.
"It looks like there will be no Kenwyne Jones for the hosts as he picked up a nasty injury in Trinidad & Tobago's friendly with England and although Sunderland seem to have plenty of cash burning a hole in Roy Keane's pockets it's unlikely that he'll know his best team for the opener if he brings in a few new faces.
"It's a good fixture for Liverpool as the pressure will be off and Sunderland will be trying to win rather than looking at their own points tally so early in the campaign.
Lawrenson claimed that he was certain that Spanish international Fernando Torres would definitely be amongst the Reds when they travel to the Stadium of Light, no matter what the papers claim.
"One player I fully expect to be in Benitez's starting line-up at the Stadium of Light so long as he's fit is last season's top scorer Fernando Torres.
"There might be a few stories flying around that the Spanish striker is going to be lured to Chelsea for a huge fee and massive wages but I genuinely believe that he loves being at Liverpool.
"Although it's a big club it's also very much a friendly, family club too.
"Torres might be able to earn more money at Chelsea but if you're a good player then money will always end up coming to you anyway.
"At Anfield he's got a manager who speaks the same language and a set of supporters who love him.
"The fact that Torres stayed at Atletico Madrid so long also shows that he has certain qualities of loyalty and his attitude is very refreshing in the modern game.
"Another thing I like about him is that despite all his goals, he's a real team player.
"The way he created David Villa's first goal against Russia was very unselfish."
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