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| It'll be interesting if he finds the back of the net... Image: football365.com |
Liverpool don't have any new injury woes but still unavailable is Jonjo Shelvey who is serving his ban. Stoke have similar problems with Andy Wilkinson out through suspension too. Interestingly for Stoke they have four players who will know Anfield very well - Crouch, Owen, Pennant and Adam.
Michael Owen has turned into a bit of a talking point for this game but not because of his football, because of the reaction he will or won't receive. Most Liverpool fans can't stand him and they certainly aren't afraid to make their opinions clear and so anyone hoping for a good reception for Owen may be disappointed.
Most people who have read my Past Players feature on Owen will know where I stand on the situation and whilst I can't personally hate him I still understand others frustrations and it doesn't bother me whether he's applauded or booed, he's a grown man, he can deal with it.
Anfield was once a fortress for Liverpool but it's more like a pile of ruins at the moment. Our home record isn't the best in the league and so it would be nice to get up and running against Stoke.
Liverpool were very familiar with Stoke last season after they met them in both cups, plus the league. The last time the two sides met was in March for an FA Cup tie and the Reds won 2-1. Stoke beat us in the first meeting between the sides of that season though with a 1-0 win in September.
Stat Sandwich
- Liverpool have only kept one clean sheet in their last 16 league games.
- Stoke haven't won away in their last 17 trips in the league.
- Liverpool haven't lost three on the trot at home since September 1963.
Stoke are always a tough side to play but for me with the freshness of our youngsters and a league win finally under our belts we can have these on Sunday.
I won't be expecting a high scoring game and this time out I'm going to go for a 1-0 win for Liverpool.
Enjoy the match folks!