It’s not been going too well at Anfield recently, the team are struggling off the field and pressure is being applied off of it. It surely can’t get much worse for Liverpool than the appalling performance of Crystal Palace, and it is fair to say that they would settle for a replication of Stoke at home from last year, with a solitary goal winning that one. I spoke to Stoke fan @SCFCRoss about the upcoming fixture, here:
Can you tell us about the main dangers Stoke can pose to Liverpool on Saturday, and who you think the real danger-men for your side are?
Prior to this week I would have said former Liverpool man Victor Moses who has been a real danger since joining on loan from Chelsea. Now though, with Moses injured for up to 8 weeks, I would have to say Bojan who has just recently found his feet and began to show just why the club took a gamble on a player who has struggled to live up to his hype after breaking all sorts of records at Barcelona. Elsewhere, Mame Diouf is a player I feel could trouble a Liverpool defence who seem low on confidence at the moment; he must literally cover miles every game the amount of running after defenders he does! Marko Arnautovic was a real danger last season but looks devoid of confidence or interest at the moment, but with Moses and Assaidi out it is a great chance for him to show why he’s rated so highly.
How do you feel Mark Hughes has gone about changing the reputation and typical view of Stoke City after replacing Tony Pulis, particularly with the players he has brought in?
I think it was the right time for Tony Pulis to go, but clearly there is a difference in the style of play of the current squad, perhaps highlighted by the fact we had 73% possession against Burnley at the weekend. Obviously it’s all well and good playing a more attractive style of play, but we would have won that match in the Pulis days. We’ve brought in a lot of creative players and we’re performing much better on our travels but against clubs that we’re expected to beat we are struggling (see Leicester, Aston Villa, QPR, Burnley, West Ham). I feel personally that we had an unfair reputation under Tony Pulis anyway but judging by some of the decisions given at the Britannia especially this season, it seems referees still aren’t too keen. Mark Hughes has done a more than adequate job so far, but the results need to be as consistent as we know they can be before we drop too many points over the coming weeks against the likes of yourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton.
Do you have any particular areas of your squad you’d like to see strengthened in January?
Defence. I’m sure Liverpool fans are asking for the same thing as Stoke fans really! Even though Ryan Shawcross has once again improved dramatically this season and been one of if not THE stand out player, we’re not looking like a team that will keep a clean sheet. We could really do with another centre back because we have to face up to the unfortunate reality that Robert Huth may never recover fully and may never be the player we know and love. His absence has been helped by Marc Wilson who has performed reasonably well but he too is guilty of a few errors that have allowed teams to punish us. A centre back to challenge for a place alongside Ryan Shawcross is almost a must in January and I would think other fans would agree.
Last season saw this fixture settled by a solitary goal, and Stoke have a fairly poor record at Anfield in terms of scoring goals- do you think this can change on Saturday?
I couldn’t tell you which Stoke team will even turn because we’ve had a rumoured outbreak of Norovirus at the training ground this week leaving Phil Bardsley, Geoff Cameron and Asmir Begovic potentially out of the fixture. Elsewhere we have Moses injured and Assaidi ineligible so in terms of width it’s time for Marko Arnautovic to live up to his hype and deliver! We’re a different team in terms of scoring goals under Mark Hughes and I truly believe we’ll get a result on Saturday. We’ve won twice away from home this year; Spurs & Man City. Can we take another three against an out of sorts big club? I hope so.
When looking at the current Liverpool squad, who do you feel poses your side the most threat on Saturday?
Obviously we’re happy that there is no Daniel Sturridge but Rickie Lambert has a horrible knack of scoring against us. I think with Sterling providing, Lambert could be a real threat against an improvised Stoke defence even if he isn’t playing to the same level as last season. As mentioned, of course Raheem Sterling could be a threat as well and if we play an unwell or makeshift defence then he could really make the difference.
Do you feel now is a good time to be playing Liverpool, so soon after a midweek match and with our recent awful form?
Perfect time in terms of Liverpool but the sudden outbreak of sickness in the Stoke camp could make it the perfect opportunity for Liverpool to get a good result too. Both teams are in need of consistency, clean sheets and confidence and I would hope that it’s only a matter of time before both teams get these. Obviously I hope Liverpool wait until next weekend though!
From an outside perspective, do you think that Liverpool can get out of this rut?
I think they honestly will, but it may take time. Obviously it goes without saying what the club is missing and whilst you’re missing a certain bite in attack, it will take a few back to back wins to get that confidence back given that the club are missing such a huge piece of the puzzle. Sturridge coming back would be a big boost too, but another top four spot is by no means out of reach just yet given that everybody seems to be stuttering apart from Chelsea. Brendan Rodgers has to turn it around and get back that winning mentality that almost won them the title last season.
Finally, can we get a score prediction from you?
It’ll be a tough match for both sides with both eager to bounce back but I fancy Stoke to get a draw at the least. 1-1. Everton fan Jonathan Walters with the Stoke goal.
It’s hard to predict anything with Liverpool at the minute, I’ve been convinced we’ll eventually remember how to play football and become good again but it just hasn’t been coming. However, we should (heavy emphasis on that) have enough to beat Stoke, particularly at Anfield, however unconvincing it needs to be. 1-0 Liverpool.
