Liverpool return to Barclays Premier League action having travelled away to Germany midweek. While the game at Westfalenstadion ended in a good result for Jurgen Klopp’s men, they now face a daunting task at Anfield in the weekend as they welcome Mark Hughes’ Stoke.
After playing two games back to back at the highest intensity, Liverpool will now look to grind out a result against a team they have had trouble beating in recent times. Stoke on the other hand will look to cap off a good campaign with a good result at Anfield as well.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD 1
Date and Time: 10th April, 08:30 P.M. IST
Venue: Anfield
Live Stream: Starsports.com
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool come into the game with a midfield-crisis as Jordan Henderson will possibly miss rest of the season and Emre Can is suspended for two games after accumulating yellow cards over the course of the season. Joe Allen is expected to step in with James Milner expected to start in midfield.
Lucas Leiva and Kevin Stewart could also play a part after having played 45 minutes in trial games in training. Roberto Firmino could start after recovery from a hamstring strain. Liverpool could make a number of changes with the threat of the Europa League return leg in midweek looming large.
Stoke City
Stoke come to Anfield ravaged by injuries themselves. Not only have they lost Jack Butland for the season but may also play the Reds without Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron, Glen Whelan and Xherdan Shaqiri who are all doubts for the game. Jonathan Walters is out long term and Glen Johnson will need assessment prior to the game before being passed fit.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool(4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Flanagan, Lovren, Sakho, Clyne; Allen, Milner; Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
Stoke City (4-2-3-1): Haugaard; Bardsley, Cameron, Wollscheid, Pieters; Imbula; Afellay, Bojan, Shaqiri, Arnautovic; Joselu
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool face Stoke after two very strong outings against Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund. Jurgen Klopp’s men have lost only one of their last eight games but have a number of draws to their credit which doesn’t help their points tally. Liverpool have also dropped a record 17 points from winning positions this season, of which 13 have been dropped under the German manager.
Last 5 Matches: W-D-L-D-D (Last Match: Borussia Dortmund 1-1 Liverpool)
Stoke
Stoke enter the fray at Anfield having lost just one of their last seven matches themselves. In the last match, a spectacular comeback from the Swans saw Stoke throw away a two goal lead and settle for a draw instead. Stoke are unbeaten in their last three away games and will look to bring that form to Anfield.
Last 5 Matches: W-D-L-W-D ( Last match: Stoke 2-2 Swansea)
Key Stats:
- Liverpool have won four of their last five league games against Stoke.
- Stoke have won only once in their last 37 games at Anfield.
- This is the 4th game between the teams this season. The last 3 have been won by the away team.
- 8 of Stoke’s last 10 games in the Premier League have seen an average of under 2.5 goals per game.
Key Battles:
Daniel Sturridge vs Phillip Wollscheid
Daniel Sturridge will enter the game with a point to prove having been benched by Jurgen Klopp in midweek for the more physical Divock Origi. Daniel Sturridge hasn’t really been in the pink of form since his return from a series of injuries which had brought his future at the club into question.
Right now, he faces an uphill task recreating his form of previous seasons. Having effectively lost a yard of space in the last few months, Daniel Sturridge seems to be struggling to get the best out of his game and could use the occasion to deliver one of his better performances simply to make his German manager sit up and take notice.
Phillip Wollscheid on the other hand has been ever present in Mark Hughes’ preferred defensive line-up and will look to keep the defense together, especially if his regular partner Ryan Shawcross doesn’t make the starting 11.
Bojan vs James Milner
Bojan Krkic has enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance season at Stoke under Mark Hughes who has cleverly deployed him right behind the striker giving him the freedom to make most of his movement and quality. Liverpool’s depleted midfield could see James Milner serve as the man to thwart Stoke’s attacks and also keep the threat of Bojan at bay.
James Milner is the sort of player you don’t want following you around as he does a very good job of keeping his opponent in check. If Stoke are to indeed get something out of this game, Bojan will be key.
Prediction
Stoke are in good form and Liverpool are on the back of two physically exhausting games. Based on these two facts alone, it is safe to say Liverpool may draw this game against a lively Stoke side.
Liverpool 1-1 Stoke City
Betting Odds: (Bet 365)
Liverpool Win – 8/13
Draw – 16/5
Stoke Win – 5/1
