Rodgers set to lead Reds in Premier League

Brendan Rodgers will lead Liverpool into Premier League battle this weekend and he will be hoping to have three points on the board after the trip to West Brom.

Saturday afternoon’s opener at The Hawthorns marks the Carnlough man’s first League match in charge of the Reds since he was unveiled as boss on June 1.

And barring any injury mishap in Northern Ireland’s inetrnational friendly with Finland this evening, Larne man Gareth McAuley should also feature in the season curtain-raiser as part of Steve Clarke’s Baggies squad.

Thirty-nine-year-old Rodgers watched his side cruise into the final qualifying round of Europa League last week, thanks to a 4-0 aggregate win against FC Gomel. Their reward for progressing in the competition is a match-up against Scottish Cup holders Hearts. The two teams will go head-to-head at Tynecastle on Thursday, August 23 before the return leg on Merseyside at the end of the month.

Sandwiched between the all-British Europa League clashes for Liverpool is the small matter of Premier League champions Manchester City at Anfield on August 26.