Lawrenson fears Liverpool will be bullied

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Liverpool were humiliated 6-1 on the final day of the 2014-15 season and, in a twist of fate, will begin 2015-16 back at the Britannia Stadium.

The Reds have added the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke to their squad over the summer, but Lawrenson believes a relatively easy pre-season schedule could leave Brendan Rodgers’ side under-prepared for the real action.

“You can win games, you can lose games, players can have blinders, some have stinkers,” Lawrenson told the Liverpool Echo.

“The single aim during pre-season, though, is being ready for the big Premier League kick-off.

“And I’m a little concerned Liverpool could be undercooked going into the new campaign.

“We haven’t really faced any opposition of note yet, and the scheduled remaining friendly matches don’t look capable of changing that.

“We know all too well that going to Stoke City on the opening day isn’t going to be easy.

“The players who featured in the 6-1 defeat there on the final day of last season are no doubt still smarting from that embarrassment.

“But knowing what Stoke is like and actually dealing with it are two completely different things.

“I worry one or two players will have strolled through pre-season, then be alarmed as soon as the real stuff starts.

“I know all about the importance of fitness, and the sports science bods are all no doubt ticking off the boxes to say our players are ready.

“It’s totally different, though, when somebody is trying to kick seven shades of you-know-what out of you.

“I think back to Hull City away, Crystal Palace at home and that Stoke game towards the end of last season.

“We were bullied in every one of those games, and I’d like to know whether it’s going to be any different.

“The fixture list hasn’t been kind and we have some seriously difficult games – especially away from home – during the opening months, and you don’t want to go into those games not looking like we are ready.”