Despite overcoming Manchester United in their last Premier League encounter, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has issued a caveat to his side ahead of this weekend's clash with Stoke City.
Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio is set to remain sidelined with the calf injury that prevented him taking to the field in the midweek win over Marseille.
Instead, Rafa Benitez will deploy Andrea Dossena on the left side of defence as Aurelio continues his rehabilitation.
Confidence is brimming at Anfield with the hoodoo against Manchester United broken, but Benitez is not getting too carried away.
He believes that this weekend's opponents, Tony Pulis' Stoke City, are a side that deserve respect following their strong showings against Everton and Aston Villa.
The Potters defeated Villa by three goals to two at the Britannia Stadium before losing out by the same scoreline at the same venue to Everton last weekend.
Benitez is aware that the newly-promoted side will be keen to make an impression at Anfield and his side should be on the front foot.
He told the press: "We know that Stoke will be difficult opponents because they have just come into the Premier League and they will be keen to do well, particularly when they come to places like Anfield," he said.
"They have already had one good win against Aston Villa at home and they have been unfortunate in another couple of games so we know that they will be hard to beat."
"Beating Man United was a good achievement and it will improve our confidence but now we have to try to beat Stoke. They play with a different style to United and they cause different kinds of problems but we must treat them with the same respect."
Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio is set to remain sidelined with the calf injury that prevented him taking to the field in the midweek win over Marseille.
Instead, Rafa Benitez will deploy Andrea Dossena on the left side of defence as Aurelio continues his rehabilitation.
Confidence is brimming at Anfield with the hoodoo against Manchester United broken, but Benitez is not getting too carried away.
He believes that this weekend's opponents, Tony Pulis' Stoke City, are a side that deserve respect following their strong showings against Everton and Aston Villa.
The Potters defeated Villa by three goals to two at the Britannia Stadium before losing out by the same scoreline at the same venue to Everton last weekend.
Benitez is aware that the newly-promoted side will be keen to make an impression at Anfield and his side should be on the front foot.
He told the press: "We know that Stoke will be difficult opponents because they have just come into the Premier League and they will be keen to do well, particularly when they come to places like Anfield," he said.
"They have already had one good win against Aston Villa at home and they have been unfortunate in another couple of games so we know that they will be hard to beat."
"Beating Man United was a good achievement and it will improve our confidence but now we have to try to beat Stoke. They play with a different style to United and they cause different kinds of problems but we must treat them with the same respect."
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