After a somewhat unconvincing yet slightly improved performance against Ludogorets in the week, Brendan Rodgers finds himself deeply under the spotlight. The pressure is on the Reds boss because Liverpool have only managed to collect one point in their last four matches.
Injuries for the Reds mean they are still without strikers Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli. Stoke have suffered a blow after a virus apparently swept the the training ground this week meaning some players could fail to start. A thigh problem for Victor Moses keeps him out whilst there are doubts hanging over Erik Pieters and Marc Wilson.
The last time the two sides met was in January this year. With eight goals scored in the match it certainly was a must see game for the neutral. The game kicked off with an own goal by Ryan Shawcross just three minutes in. Liverpool then scored their other four via Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.
The Reds fortunately have a fantastic record against Stoke at Anfield, you have to go back decades to find a win for the Potters on our turf.
Stat Sandwich
- Liverpool have only had eight shots on target in their last three league games.
- Jonathan Walters has scored four goals in his last six league games against the Reds.
- Liverpool have only kept two clean sheets so far this season.
I usually ask you all to tweet in your score predictions but I completely forgot today as I was pretty busy so soz about that haha! To be honest I think it's going to end in a score draw. Stoke is always a pretty tough game and despite our good record against them at Anfield we don't have the fire power at the moment.
Add to that a struggling defense and a team lacking in any sort of positivity, well it's hard to think about winning games currently. If I was popping a quid on the game tomorrow I'd go for a 1-1.
Enjoy the match folks, wherever you are watching!