Liverpool V Stoke City, 14th Jan - Kick off 3pm

seanwhite20

After two successive cup games, Liverpool return to league action this Saturday with a home fixture against Stoke City. The Reds have already met Tony Pulis` men on two occasions this season, suffering a contentious 1-0 defeat at the Britannia in September before gaining a degree of revenge a month later with a 2-1 victory in the Carling Cup.
Dalglish’s side have been far too inconsistent at home this season. While they are unbeaten in 10 league matches at Anfield, they have drawn four of them. However, since the return of Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s frail look since Suarez’s absence, not to forget Lucas’, who was outstanding for the Reds, has suddenly disappeared. Gerrard has led from the front since his return, and after seizing an important advantage in their attempt to reach Wembley for the first time since 1996, Liverpool will be hoping to continue their impressive recent run of form.
A clash with Tony Pulis’ Stoke is the first of three very winnable games for Liverpool, with meetings against Bolton and Wolves to follow. Liverpool will host Tottenham and travel to Old Trafford for a clash with Manchester United after those first outings. Stoke have been on a rise of their own however, and are not to be underestimated. Recent progress in the FA Cup following a 1-3 away victory against League Two side Gillingham and entering the round of 32 in the Europa League is indeed worth the praise. Also, with the Potters being the current incumbents of the eighth spot in the League, it is safe to say that all is well at the Britannia. But, Anfield is a very hard place for them to go on Saturday and Matthew Etherington and Jonathan Walters, who have both laid on five assists this campaign, will need to produce their best if Stoke are to come away with anything.
Liverpool will be brimming with confidence after recent results and I expect them to come away with a comfortable three points. The Reds will be without Lucas and Suarez, with Spearing ‘touch and go’ according to Dalglish. Henderson will be the player to watch this weekend after his impressive, energy-sapping performance vs Manchester City, and along with Downing, Adam and Bellamy will provide a strong source of pace and creativity behind Gerrard, who could start just behind Carroll. Former Red Peter Crouch will lead the attack for Stoke and will be trying to score his first goal against them in his ninth attempt.
Stoke have scored just eight goals away from home so far this season. Only Fulham have a worse record having netted just six times on their travels. Equally worrying for the Potters is the fact that Liverpool have conceded just eight times at home in the league, a statistic bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester City.

seanwhite20

I hate them big throw ins!!!:mad::mad:

tommyhaas

seanwhite20 wrote: »

I hate them big throw ins!!!:mad::mad:

Its alright, the touchline at Anfield is at least near the grass verge, so that knocks a good five yards off the length of their throw in's:pac:

applehunter

Stoke are ****e away from home.

Comfortable home win.

3-0

internelligent

I still struggle to see where the goals will come from. Gerrard doesn't seem to be the worst bet at the moment. I'm nowhere near as nervous now when we get a penalty. I'd like to see Maxi thrown in. Pace isn't his strong suit but I imagine that he won't need it playing Stoke at home since I feel they'll play for a draw and hope to nick a goal with the majority of play in Stoke's half. Right now though, I'd take 1-0 with a controversial goal deciding it. I'm confident we'll win at the same time.

sparrowcar

Pool 2-1...ye just know Crouchie will score

NukaCola

applehunter wrote: »

Stoke are ****e away from home.

Comfortable home win.

3-0

But LFC havent been great at home either

0-0

daithijjj

1-0

Gerrard to step up and put the reds level on points with Chelsea (after a surprise result at the bridge) :cool:

Jesus Wept

2-0

barone

hendo to score today in a pool win, .. had a dream

Leiva

2-1 Liverpool.

Glad this is at home .

Need a big performance today to get the ball moving for what is a hellish schedule of games right up til early March.

RayCon

1-1 ... not feeling good about this.

amiable

I'm going 2-0 Liverpool with Maxi to get a goal if he starts.

Kenny may revert to 3 centre backs again today?

stick-dan

Liverpool 3-0 (Gerrard X 2, Skittels X 1).

Them long throws should be banned. Ridiculous amount of time that they take.

Crazy Horse 6

4-0 Liverpool. We are due a big win.

Melion

Id be delighted with a scrappy 1-0 win with an OG in injury time. I hate playing Stoke

Kess73

Liverpool to win by two goals today.

I'd be more confident if we were away today

Turtyturd

6-3...3 hat-tricks for Andy Carroll.

jenno86

rarnes1 wrote: »

I'd be more confident if we were away today

Against Stoke? No thanks!

mike65

Maxi to start and score.

Leiva

rarnes1 wrote: »

I'd be more confident if we were away today

Not against Stoke .

Morzadec

Funnily enough this season Stoke have only picked up 3 points more at home than away.

But despite everyone going on about our away form, it has to be remembered that we've picked up more points at home than away and are still unbeaten at home.

Anyway, I think this will go one of two ways, and the first 20 minutes is key.
I think we will undoubtedly dominate the early stages and put a lot of pressure on Stoke. If we can get a goal in this stage, I think the game should be relatively comfortable and we should end up winning without too many scares.

If we fail to capitalise on early pressure, I think it could be same old home performance, with maybe a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, or perhaps finally getting an elusive late goal and nicking it 1-0. In this scenario Begovic will make at least 1 wondersave and the woodwork will be hit at least once.

seanwhite20

Morzadec wrote: »

Funnily enough this season Stoke have only picked up 3 points more at home than away.

But despite everyone going on about our away form, it has to be remembered that we've picked up more points at home than away and are still unbeaten at home.

Anyway, I think this will go one of two ways, and the first 20 minutes is key.
I think we will undoubtedly dominate the early stages and put a lot of pressure on Stoke. If we can get a goal in this stage, I think the game should be relatively comfortable and we should end up winning without too many scares.

If we fail to capitalise on early pressure, I think it could be same old home performance, with maybe a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, or perhaps finally getting an elusive late goal and nicking it 1-0. In this scenario Begovic will make at least 1 wondersave and the woodwork will be hit at least once.

I think when we look back on 11/12 it will always be known as the "woodwork season"

Raskolnikov

0-0.

Hoki

Melion wrote: »

Id be delighted with a scrappy 1-0 win with an OG in injury time. I hate playing Stoke

I certainly wouldnt , i plan to watch it

Crash Bang Wall

Morzadec wrote: »

Funnily enough this season Stoke have only picked up 3 points more at home than away.

But despite everyone going on about our away form, it has to be remembered that we've picked up more points at home than away and are still unbeaten at home.

Anyway, I think this will go one of two ways, and the first 20 minutes is key.
I think we will undoubtedly dominate the early stages and put a lot of pressure on Stoke. If we can get a goal in this stage, I think the game should be relatively comfortable and we should end up winning without too many scares.

If we fail to capitalise on early pressure, I think it could be same old home performance, with maybe a 0-0 or 1-1 draw, or perhaps finally getting an elusive late goal and nicking it 1-0. In this scenario Begovic will make at least 1 wondersave and the woodwork will be hit at least once.

Sorensen is first choice afaik......agree with the rest though

opr

Richard_Buxton_ Word Thief
Raheem Sterling currently making his way into #LFC dressing room. Looks like he'll be featuring in some capacity today, even as a sub.

Opr

Kess73

Reina, Johnson Skrtêl Agger Jose Enrique; Henderson Gerrard Adam Downing; Bellamy Carroll

bench.. Doni, Carragher Kelly Coady Sterling Shelvey Kuyt

Not confirmed

opr

Coates starts the game with Carra!!!

#LFC line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt.

Opr

ynwa_17

Kess73 wrote: »

Reina, Johnson Skrtêl Agger Jose Enrique; Henderson Gerrard Adam Downing; Bellamy Carroll

bench.. Doni, Carragher Kelly Coady Sterling Shelvey Kuyt

Not confirmed

Richard_Buxton_ Richard Buxton
#LFC line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt.

Dont really like the look of this side

Interesting to say the least

Kess73

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Richard_Buxton_ Richard Buxton
#LFC line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt.

Dont really like the look of this side

As I said not confirmed. It was just something I saw on another site

opr

Sterling must just be around for the experience of a match day

#LFC subs: Aurelio Carroll Doni Shelvey Kelly Flano Bellamy.

Opr

Tusky

opr wrote: »

Coates starts the game with Carra!!!

#LFC line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt.

Opr

Yikes. Not a fan of that lineup at all.

Kess73

ynwa_17 wrote: »

Richard_Buxton_ Richard Buxton
#LFC line-up: Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Coates, Enrique; Henderson, Adam, Gerrard, Downing; Kuyt.

Dont really like the look of this side

That line up would mean a 5-4-1 using wingbacks. If true then what would it say about Kenny trusting Carroll?

Turtyturd

Tusky wrote: »

Yikes. Not a fan of that lineup at all.

It's short on about 4 defenders.

whatawaster

Kuyt doesn't deserve a start, even carroll deserves to play ahead of him

quarryman

Crazy Horse 6 wrote: »

4-0 Liverpool. We are due a big win.

LOL!

This ain't Wigan. Stoke are 2 places below Liverpool.

Laughable that not one person is going for a Stoke win here...

opr

Kess73 wrote: »

That line up would mean a 5-4-1 using wingbacks. If true then what would it say about Kenny trusting Carroll?

Kess he is resting him :pac:

Opr

Zapp Brannigan

What's up with Dagger, he's not injured is he?

Kess73

quarryman wrote: »

LOL!

This ain't Wigan. Stoke are 2 places below Liverpool.

Laughable that not one person is going for a Stoke win here...

Liverpool at home are favourites against Stoke. Hardly a shock then if people think Liverpool will win.

stumpypeeps

Kess73 wrote: »

That line up would mean a 5-4-1 using wingbacks. If true then what would it say about Kenny trusting Carroll?

It says he doesn't. Simple as that.

I think we've had success with that formation. Chelsea away last year springs to mind.

Confirmed

Liverpool: Reina, Enrique, Coates, Carragher, Skrtel, Johnson, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Gerrard, Kuyt.

Subs: Aurelio, Carroll, Doni, Shelvey, Kelly, Flanagan, Bellamy.

No Agger?


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Knex*

Dagger injured apparently but they don't know how serious yet

This formation needs to be very fluid to work, don't think it will suit Carroll at all, you'd almost be better playing Maxi up front.

As for Kuyt, hopefully he proves me wrong today but he's been poop all season. His days are numbered IMO.

Edit. Where the hell IS Maxi?

Turtyturd

rarnes1 wrote: »

No Agger?


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Any reason given? looking forward to seeing Coates though.

opr

Got a sinking feeling we might try using Carra as a DM.

Opr

Raskolnikov

Just when you think Kenny couldn't get anymore defensive :P

Knex*

Raskolnikov wrote: »

Just when you think Kenny couldn't get anymore defensive :P

Johnson and Enrique are gonna spend most of the game in Stokes half me thinks. Hope so anyway

Sappy404

Mad starting 11 if true, 5 defenders at home to Stoke? Did Kenny play wing backs against them at Anfield last year too?