Liverpool, following a demoralizing home loss in the Europa League to Udinese, takes on Stoke City.
Both the sides involved in this clash won their respective Premier League clashes last week. Liverpool was rampant against a Norwich side that had previously leaked five against Arsenal. Liverpool also struck the same number. Nuri Sahin’s signing seems to have improved the Liverpool midfield. Stoke beat a Swansea side that had started the season in amazing fashion rather easily, 2-0.
Tony Pulis’ men will revert to their basic ‘nature’. This involves defending and hitting Liverpool on the counter. This also involves long throws into the penalty area to allow their tall players to score using headers. Clashes between the two sides have been edgy in recent times. Stoke because of their doggedness can pull out results against oppositions much superior to them.
Lucas Leiva, Martin Kelly, and John Flanagan have been ruled out of this already. Jonjo Shelvey remains suspended following his red card against Manchester United. Jose Enrique is also doubtful. Mamy Sidibe is injured for Stoke. Andy Wilkinson is suspended as well thanks to a red card.
The two sides previously met in the FA Cup with Liverpool pulling out a 2-1 win en route to the final. Luiz Suarez and Stuart Downing scored for Liverpool that day while Peter Crouch grabbed Stoke’s goal. Their previous meeting in the league ended in the manner in which most games featuring Stoke tend to end- in a 0-0 draw. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-0 victory for Stoke with Jonathon Walters grabbing the goal.
Expect this one to be a tight affair too. Liverpool has been playing eye-catching football with little end product. They are seemingly trying to become one of those patient teams that base their play on possession.
Barcelona has won many a title with that style while Bayern has made many a final with that style as well. However, a good defence is required for that kind of style and currently Liverpool’s back-line does not look convincing. Using that style will get them into plenty of trouble against a physical Stoke side.
However, the Liverpool front-line and midfield might compensate for the weakness at the back and allow Brendan Rodgers some much needed breathing space.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke
Tony Pulis’ men will revert to their basic ‘nature’. This involves defending and hitting Liverpool on the counter. This also involves long throws into the penalty area to allow their tall players to score using headers. Clashes between the two sides have been edgy in recent times. Stoke because of their doggedness can pull out results against oppositions much superior to them.
Lucas Leiva, Martin Kelly, and John Flanagan have been ruled out of this already. Jonjo Shelvey remains suspended following his red card against Manchester United. Jose Enrique is also doubtful. Mamy Sidibe is injured for Stoke. Andy Wilkinson is suspended as well thanks to a red card.
The two sides previously met in the FA Cup with Liverpool pulling out a 2-1 win en route to the final. Luiz Suarez and Stuart Downing scored for Liverpool that day while Peter Crouch grabbed Stoke’s goal. Their previous meeting in the league ended in the manner in which most games featuring Stoke tend to end- in a 0-0 draw. The reverse fixture ended in a 1-0 victory for Stoke with Jonathon Walters grabbing the goal.
Expect this one to be a tight affair too. Liverpool has been playing eye-catching football with little end product. They are seemingly trying to become one of those patient teams that base their play on possession.
Barcelona has won many a title with that style while Bayern has made many a final with that style as well. However, a good defence is required for that kind of style and currently Liverpool’s back-line does not look convincing. Using that style will get them into plenty of trouble against a physical Stoke side.
However, the Liverpool front-line and midfield might compensate for the weakness at the back and allow Brendan Rodgers some much needed breathing space.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke
