Liverpool vs Stoke Match Preview

Liverpool vs Stoke City
14 January 2012
15.00 GMT
Anfield

History:
Total Appearances: 102
Liverpool Wins: 62
Stoke Wins: 27
Draws: 33

Last Premier League Meeting: 10 September 2011 – Stoke 1-0 Liverpool

Form:
Liverpool: Liverpool, 20 games into a rollercoaster season, continue to dominate in their cup ties but struggle in the Premier League. Most recently, they capped 5-1 and 1-0 wins against Oldham in the FA Cup third-round and at Manchester City in the first leg of the semi-final of the League Cup, once again proving Kenny Dalglish’s knack for domestic cup success to be true. However, they have been strictly average in the League, having taken just five points from the last four games, highlighted by a 3-0 loss to City and disappointing draws to Blackburn and Wigan. The 3-1 victory over Newcastle proved how good this team can be when they are at their best, something they’ll need to be to beat Stoke. The Reds currently sit in sixth, but a win could take them up to fourth.
Stoke: Like their opponents, Stoke are going through somewhat of a bad patch in the League. Tony Pulis’ men have also taken just five points from their last four games, with their unimpressive performances dealing a big blow to their good start. They have a phenomenal 2-2-2 record against the current top six clubs this season, and know what it takes to punch in above their weight. They currently are in eighth, but with a minus-9 goal difference, they won’t be going anywhere, even with a win.

Injury News:
Liverpool: The Reds appear to finally be returning to full fitness. Steven Gerrard playing 90 minutes against City in the Cup suggests he is completely back and will face Stoke, and the only new injury to report is one to Jay Spearing’s hamstring, the severity of which is unknown. Lucas remains out with an ACL tear, and Luis Suarez is set to serve the third of his eight-game suspension.
Stoke: The Potters have been rather lucky on the injury front, with no major losses to report. Striker Mamady Sidibe is expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while defender Andy Wilkinson is likely to miss the game with a suspected back injury. Other than that, Stoke are at full strength.

Key Battles:
Martin Skrtel vs Peter Crouch: Ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch will, as always, be the targetman up front for the Stoke midfielders. The 6’7″ England international scored twice against Blackburn last week to add to his season tally of eight, and is without a doubt the dangerman for Stoke. Martin Skrtel has been one of Liverpool’s better players this season, and it will be up to him to keep Crouch at bay.
Stewart Downing vs Jonathan Woodgate: Veteran journeyman Jonathan Woodgate has played a lot of right-back this season in the absence of Andy Wilkinson, and the natural centre-back has often struggled. Another player who has struggled, Stewart Downing, will be placed on the left-wing, somewhere he could thrive against the likes of Woodgate. This is a big game for Downing to prove his worth, so look for him to breakout.
Andy Carroll vs Robert Huth/Ryan Shawcross: With the absence of Suarez, Andy Carroll will once again be thrown out onto the pitch in the hope that he might, just this one time, do something right. He scored in midweek against Oldham, showing he’s still got his scoring touch, and he’ll look to hit the back of the net again against Stoke. He’ll lock horns with the Potters’ giant central defense pairing of Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth in what could be one of the more entertaining clashes of the season.

Bet365 Odds:
Home Win: 4/9
Draw: 10/3
Away Win: 13/2

Anfield Red Score Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke