Blog: Excitement all round for Anfield start
As Kopites prepare to make the pilgrimage to Anfield for the first time this season tonight, this guest blog by Liverpool fan Donavan Chandler looks ahead with excitement to the new faces set to be on show.
After earning a hard-fought win at Stoke City last weekend, Liverpool kick off their home campaign on Monday night. And while it's always a special occasion whenever the Reds play at Anfield, the first home game of the season just holds that extra bit of significance. And excitement, of course.
Newly-promoted Bournemouth are our first visitors. Eddie Howe's side will relish the occasion; it's a huge night for a host of their players, many of whom will have the chance to experience the noise from the Kop for the first time.
You know, that 'hairs-standing-on-end' feeling, the one that you just can't replicate anywhere else.
Anfield is one of the greatest places in the world to play football and that's something the Cherries' players and staff will undoubtedly learn. It's all part of the Premier League package they've been striving to achieve.
But after a busy summer in the transfer market, it's also the time for a section of Liverpool's new-look squad to step out onto the hallowed turf for the first time. Brendan Rodgers has added no fewer than seven new players to his main squad for the 2015-16 season and there's a case to be made that this could be our strongest unit of Rodgers' reign.
We already boasted a strong core. Jordan Henderson has made the step up to club captain and alongside the ultra-experienced James Milner in the centre of midfield, he has the perfect foil to work with. Milner's acquisition on a free transfer from Manchester City could well prove to be one of the best signings of the summer - across the country that is and not just on Merseyside.
Milner was effective at Stoke last weekend and with the likes of Philippe Coutinho now handed a more prominent role in the starting team, we're right to expect more big things from the diminutive Brazilian. He certainly confirmed he's capable with that wonderful late strike at the Britannia Stadium last Sunday.
He's joined at Liverpool, of course, by fellow countryman Roberto Firmino this season. The pair hold a healthy off-field relationship and could be named in tandem at Anfield for the first time if Rodgers sees fit on Monday.
Generally, friendships off the pitch translate to an understanding on it, so rest assured it's going to be a huge treat to watch the two youngsters develop alongside each other this year. It's certainly one of the most promising attacking partnerships in the country.
English pair Danny Ings and Joe Gomez could also feature at Anfield for the first time in a competitive fixture for Liverpool tonight too. Though a near-certain starter is Nathaniel Clyne, who is set to be the long-term owner of Liverpool's right-back position. We've already seen as supporters that he can fit right in and he's impressed us all before with his performances for former club Southampton.
And then there's Christian Benteke. The striker is all set to lead the line this evening and there's going to be nothing sweeter than seeing the Belgian open his Anfield account if he can manage it.
It's up to us as supporters to get behind Benteke and the rest of the new boys. We need to make Anfield a fortress this season. If we're to achieve the goals set at the start of the year - whether that be earning our place back in the top four or putting together a spirited challenge for the title - we have to play our part.
We are Liverpool's 12th man. And when the team need us, we'll need to ramp up the volume. Our home form is key to our aspirations of success, and we play as big a part as any in encouraging our boys to make the best of themselves.
Through thick and thin, we'll always be there.
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