The same fixture last season announced the end of a very disappointing season for Liverpool. In their final match of the season the Reds were at the receiving end of a 6-1 mauling at the hands of the Potters. Since then Liverpool have signed a host of quality players which are likely to improve the squad.
Among the new players are former Man City man James Milner, Belgian international Christian Benteke as well as former Southampton man Nathaniel Clyne who are all expected to start during Sunday's match.
Having signed the players of his choice, Brendan Rodgers is now out to regain the trust of Liverpool fans starting with the match against Stoke on Sunday.
"I never take for granted the support I have had here," Rodgers said. "I also understand the disappointment of last year. I'm sure, after a game like Stoke, there was huge disappointment.
"Of course I have always been the one to take responsibility and rightly so. The anger goes towards the manager and I accept that.
"Yes, I need to regain their trust again. It has been an incredible journey since I came in here and it is an absolute privilege to manage this club and have the supporters behind us but, of course, you have to do well to earn that support and I know I need to earn that again."
"You never take your position for granted. You certainly can never be complacent," he added. "The owners have given me great trust since I have been in here and, in the main, I have had a great response from the players.
"I have confidence in how I work. It certainly didn't take away from my beliefs in my work but it sharpened that I needed to refocus and look at how we could take the club forward.
"I'm as driven now – if not more – as the first day I came in here. We want to put a disappointing season behind us."
Stoke on the other hand have had a disappointing pre-season which has seen them suffering defeats in all of their last three matches, the final of which came at the hands of Porto. The Potters have added strength to their side as well in the form of Joselu and Ibrahim Affelay, whereas Glen Johnson is also poised to start against his old club.
Captain Ryan Shawcross will remain on the sidelines and is set to undergo a back surgery, whereas Marc Wilson has been ruled out with an ankle injury as well. Spanish international Marc Muniesa is thus expected to partner Philipp Wollscheid at the heart of the defence.
Stoke City's First XI: Butland, Johnson, Cameron, Muniesa, Pieters, Whelan, Adam, Walters, van Ginkel, Diouf
Liverpool's First XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Coutinho, Benteke
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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