Last season: 3-1
Preview & injury news
Stoke may be a side in transition in Mark
Hughes' first season in charge of the
Potters but they've certainly made the
Britannia Stadium a difficult place to go
this season, with Manchester City, Chelsea
and Everton all struggling and failing to
leave with all three points - so they will
fancy their chances of getting another
good result against Liverpool. The Potters
currently sit 12th on 22 points, five points
above the drop zone.
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Liverpool will be hoping to end their
dreadful record at the Britannia Stadium in
the league which has seen them only pick
up two points from five visits. They're
currently sitting in the top four after
getting through the difficult festive period
which saw them lose at both Manchester
City and Chelsea but they bounced back
with a home win against Hull City. Both
sides have managed to come through their
FA Cup third round ties from the weekend.
On the injury front, Stephen Ireland could
be in line for a return for the Potters after a
spell on the sideline with a hamstring
injury, but will have third choice
goalkeeper and promising talent Jack
Butland in goal for them. Asmir Begovic
has a broken finger whilst Thomas
Sorensen has a calf problem. There is a
chance of Robert Huth returning from a
knee injury at the heart of the home side's
defence whilst Oussama Assaidi is
ineligible for the game against his parent
club.
Vice-captain Daniel Agger has been ruled
out for Liverpool with a calf strain he
picked up in the FA Cup win over Oldham
Athletic, but the Reds are likely to be
boosted by the return of Mamadou Sakho
at the heart of the defence after recovering
from a hamstring injury earlier than
expected. Daniel Sturridge is also expected
to return from injury after an ankle
problem, but Joe Allen is still expected to
miss out with an adductor injury, but could
return to the side next week. Jon Flanagan
is still out with a hamstring injury until
later this month at least, whilst Jose
Enrique continues to recover from a knee
problem.
Key stats
Charlie Adam is Stoke City's top scorer in
the league this season with four goals.
Luis Suarez is Liverpool's top scorer in the
league this season with 20 goals.
Stoke City had 40% possession in their last
league match, a 1-1 draw at home to
Everton.
Liverpool had 58% possession in their last
league match, a 2-0 win at home to Hull
City.
5 players to watch
Charlie Adam - Adam lines up against his
former club and seems to relish playing
under Mark Hughes this season, as he
seems to have become a bit more of a
threat in the final third of the field. Brendan
Rodgers was the man that sold him, so
will Adam come back to haunt his former
employers?
Daniel Sturridge - Sturridge returns after a
lengthy absence with an ankle injury but is
available again and could link up with
strike partner Luis Suarez. Sturridge
himself scored nine goals in 12 Premier
League games before his injury, so can he
return with a goal at the Britannia?
Stephen Ireland - Ireland is in line to return
to the Stoke squad after struggling with a
hamstring injury and has proved to be a
threat in the final third for the Potters when
he has played this season. It may be a
choice between him and Adam to get
selected, but Ireland could trouble
Liverpool in between the lines if given the
opportunity - whether that's from the start,
or the bench.
Mamadou Sakho - Sakho is in line to make
an earlier than expected return from a
hamstring injury, and it's a welcome one
for Liverpool given Daniel Agger's absence.
Sakho is a physical defender, and should
be up to the challenge the home side will
pose. The visitors will also be hoping he
comes through the game unscathed.
Peter Crouch - Another former Liverpool
player in the Stoke City line-up, but
Crouch's threat in the air is likely to be a
big factor in this game. If on song, the
home side could have some joy, especially
with Liverpool's record of defending set
pieces this season.
Earlier on in the season
Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City, August 2013
There may have only been one goal in the
game but there was plenty of action. Stoke
hit the bar early on after some uncertain
goalkeeping and defending from the home
side. Asmir Begovic kept Liverpool at bay
for most of the game before a Daniel
Sturridge strike from the edge of the area
gave the Reds the lead before half time.
Begovic was in fine form in the second
half as he, along with the woodwork
prevented Liverpool from doubling their
lead. Daniel Agger inexplicably handled a
Stoke free-kick in his own area late on into
the game to give Jonathan Walters the
opportunity to equalise from the spot, only
for debutant Mignolet to save both his
penalty and Kenwyne Jones' follow up to
give Liverpool a winning ..