The first away game for Liverpool in 2014 sees them travel away to the Britannia Stadium to face a Stoke City side, who in previous years have become somewhat of a bogey team for Liverpool; with the corresponding fixture last season ending in a humiliating 3-1 Boxing Day loss for the Reds.
However, after two home wins on the bounce for Brendan Rodgers to kick off the calendar year he will feel confident that Liverpool will be able to collect maximum points to bolster their Champions League charge.
While Liverpool’s squad looked stretched over the festive period, key players are set to make a return from injury this weekend and in the not-so-distant future, and to use the old cliché in what has been one of the slowest starts to a Transfer Window ever; these key players will “feel like new signings”.
Daniel Sturridge will make a return to the squad and is likely to play some part against Stoke, Brendan Rodgers has confirmed. Although Joe Allen will miss out once more with an injury he sustained against Chelsea, Mamadou Sakho looks set for an incredible return to the side after initially being ruled out for 6-8 weeks, it has only been two since he picked up his injury in the same fixture as Allen.
Sakho’s return is incredibly timely as despite the good news on the injury front, Vice-captain Daniel Agger will miss the next four weeks of action after he limped off in the last few minutes in Liverpool’s FA Cup victory.
Martin Skrtel will likely make a return to the side to partner Sakho at the heart of defence, after he was rested for the aforementioned cup victory. Jose Enrique is still an absentee, as well as Jon Flanagan, so Aly Cissokho should once again get his chance at left-back.
Despite a change in style under manager Mark Hughes, Stoke have will not forget the physical mentality instilled into them by now Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis and are still tough opponents to face.
On-loan winger Assaidi will have to watch from the stands as the terms of his loan don’t allow the Moroccan to face his parent club and considering his impressive form of late, this can only be beneficial for the reds.
However, former Liverpool man and current Stoke top-goalscorer Charlie Adam is almost certain to line-up against his former captain Steven Gerrard in the heart of midfield and will no doubt be looking to show his former employers just what he is capable of producing.
Another former Liverpool man Peter Crouch has been favoured upfront this season by Hughes and will also likely line-up against his former club.
Two Stoke players who definitely won’t be in the squad are goalkeepers Thomas Sorenson and more importantly Asmir Begovic, who has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the league; meaning Jack Butland will continue in goal for The Potters and it’s unlikely he will be relishing the prospect of facing Liverpool’s December Player of the Month and Premier League top-goalscorer: Luis Suarez.
Liverpool have lost on their last three visits to Stoke and despite The Potters change in style, they haven’t lost at home since September in a run which included a dramatic 3-2 over Chelsea.
No match is easy and Liverpool will have to be on top form if they want to take maximum points back to Anfield on Sunday evening.
Predicted result: Stoke 1-2 Liverpool
Stoke XI: Butland; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Whelan; N’Zonzi; Arnautovic, Adam, Pennant; Crouch.
Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Cissokho; Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Suarez, Coutinho.
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Betting Tips:
1. It has been well documented that despite dominance, Liverpool have failed to keep clean sheets and with an apparent ineptness to defend set-pieces, Peter Crouch could have a field day and will be looking to impress against his old club. Crouch to score anytime would be a decent bet.
2. As mentioned above, Liverpool have struggled to keep clean sheets and although I expect a slim victory, Stoke are dangerous at home and are likely to score. Both Teams to Score and Liverpool to win should provide some good value.
3. Luis Suarez has been in sensational form so far this season and after a brief cameo appearance in The FA Cup he should be nice and fresh to add to his impressive goalscoring tally. Suarez to score first or anytime is a safe place to put your money.
4. Raheem Sterling seems to have found his feet and form which is only beneficial for club and country. With a growing understanding with Suarez, Sterling has been getting more chances and could be an outside bet to bag a goal on Sunday. If you wanted to add more value, you could try a Scorecast of Sterling to score and Liverpool to win 2-1.
