Liverpool travel to Staffordshire this weekend to take on struggling Stoke City. While the Premier League leaders hope to gallop further away from the chasing pack, their hosts will be aiming simply to keep their heads above water.
The Potters sit third from bottom coming into this crucial clash, and that's no less than most expected of them after they won promotion from the Championship last season. They’ve failed to consistently match teams man for man, and often look sadly one-dimensional in attack – well, two dimensional with Rory Delap’s wicked, super-long throws.
What’s more, it became evident on Stoke’s last league outing that morale within the playing squad was not great. Ricardo Fuller earned himself a red card and in-house sanctions when he had a pop at skipper Andy Griffin, rubbing salt into the open wounds of their 2-1 defeat by West Ham United.
And yet, sitting in the drop zone without a win in six league games and still smarting from their FA Cup loss to Hartlepool United, Tony Pulis’ men can take a sliver of hope into their clash with the Reds.
Back in September, Stoke became the first team this season to leave Anfield with a point. Only three other clubs – West Ham, Fulham and Hull City – have replicated that feat. That display proved that England’s second-oldest professional club had the ability to nullify and frustrate a top-drawer side; although they might find it more difficult to keep a clean sheet on their own patch.
Liverpool are, quite simply, on top of the world right now. 20 games in, they hold a three-point lead and look like a team capable of ending their 19-year title drought. They are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, having tasted defeat just once this term – and even though that loss came at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane, their record on the road is bettered only by that of second-placed Chelsea.
While at times this season the Merseysiders have looked unconvincing, even pedestrian, their recent form has been blistering. They have won each of their past three outings, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one – which, ironically, came in their most impressive showing of the season to date.
Rafael Benitez’s men closed out 2008 in some style, thrashing Newcastle United so absolutely that even the 5-1 scoreline didn’t do their performance justice. Indeed, the margin may have reached double figures if not for Shay Given’s superb shot-stopping – Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Lucas Leiva could each have had hat-tricks.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of that romp at St James’ Park was that a number of first-team regulars were absent from the starting line-up. In-form Xabi Alonso sat on the pine before making a late cameo, as did fit-again Martin Skrtel, while the likes of Fernando Torres, Albert Riera, Robbie Keane, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio didn’t feature at all.
And after kicking off 2009 with a comfortable win against Preston North End in the FA Cup, Liverpool will feel confident of strengthening their hold on top spot this Saturday – especially with Chelsea facing Manchester United the following afternoon.
FORM GUIDE
Stoke City
Dec 13 Stoke City 0 - 0 Fulham (Premier League)
Dec 20 Blackburn Rovers 3 - 0 Stoke City (Premier League)
Dec 26 Stoke City 0 - 1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Dec 28 West Ham United 2 - 1 Stoke City (Premier League)
Jan 03 Hartlepool United 2 - 0 Stoke City (FA Cup)
Liverpool
Dec 13 Liverpool 2 - 2 Hull City (Premier League)
Dec 21 Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 26 Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1 - 5 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 03 Preston North End 0 - 2 Liverpool (FA Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Stoke City
Mr. Fuller’s decision to whack his skipper across the chops resulted in a three-match ban, meaning Vincent Pericard or Dave Kitson may partner Richard Cresswell up front.
Andy Wilkinson is available again after being sent off against Manchester United on Boxing Day, as is Abdoulaye Faye after the confusion over his yellow-card count was sorted out.
On the treatment table, captain Griffin is nursing a muscular problem in his leg and could sit out, while Leon Cort (groin) and Mamady Sidibe (knee) are also carrying injuries.
Meanwhile, winger Matthew Etherington is set make his first appearance for the club after signing from West Ham earlier this week.
Possible XI: Simonsen – Shawcross, Sonko, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham – Delap, Whelan, Amdy Faye, Etherington – Cresswell, Pericard
Liverpool
Midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano both departed Deepdale looking worse for wear. Alonso has been cleared of any serious damage after sustaining a nasty gash and severe swelling on his foot, but he is unlikely to be risked this weekend. Mascherano (thigh) might also be saved as a pair of derby dates with Everton loom on the horizon.
Fernando Torres made his first appearance in a month when he came on and scored in the second half against Preston. Boss Benitez is wary of rushing the superstar striker back from his hamstring injury too soon, though, so another substitute showing is on the cards.
Brazilian wing-back Aurelio is fit and could get the call as Emiliano Insua, the impressive young Argentine, is away in Venezuela for the next month, taking part in the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina. Alvaro Arbeloa will sit out as he recovers from a hamstring problem, but Martin Skrtel could make his first start since rupturing his knee ligaments during the 3-2 win over Manchester City in October.
Possible XI: Reina – Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio – Benayoun, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera – Keane, Kuyt
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
Having tasted very little first-team action at Upton Park this term, the 28-year-old will be eager to get out of the blocks quickly with his new club. A crafty and experienced left-sided player, he is certainly capable of causing Jamie Carragher and co a problem or two.
Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
The young Brazilian has copped plenty of flak from his own fans this season, but he was among the Reds’ most impressive performers in the demolition of Newcastle. The creative and energetic midfielder should be handed another chance to shine on Saturday, what with Alonso and Mascherano both potential absentees.
The Potters sit third from bottom coming into this crucial clash, and that's no less than most expected of them after they won promotion from the Championship last season. They’ve failed to consistently match teams man for man, and often look sadly one-dimensional in attack – well, two dimensional with Rory Delap’s wicked, super-long throws.
What’s more, it became evident on Stoke’s last league outing that morale within the playing squad was not great. Ricardo Fuller earned himself a red card and in-house sanctions when he had a pop at skipper Andy Griffin, rubbing salt into the open wounds of their 2-1 defeat by West Ham United.
And yet, sitting in the drop zone without a win in six league games and still smarting from their FA Cup loss to Hartlepool United, Tony Pulis’ men can take a sliver of hope into their clash with the Reds.
Back in September, Stoke became the first team this season to leave Anfield with a point. Only three other clubs – West Ham, Fulham and Hull City – have replicated that feat. That display proved that England’s second-oldest professional club had the ability to nullify and frustrate a top-drawer side; although they might find it more difficult to keep a clean sheet on their own patch.
Liverpool are, quite simply, on top of the world right now. 20 games in, they hold a three-point lead and look like a team capable of ending their 19-year title drought. They are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, having tasted defeat just once this term – and even though that loss came at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane, their record on the road is bettered only by that of second-placed Chelsea.
While at times this season the Merseysiders have looked unconvincing, even pedestrian, their recent form has been blistering. They have won each of their past three outings, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one – which, ironically, came in their most impressive showing of the season to date.
Rafael Benitez’s men closed out 2008 in some style, thrashing Newcastle United so absolutely that even the 5-1 scoreline didn’t do their performance justice. Indeed, the margin may have reached double figures if not for Shay Given’s superb shot-stopping – Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Lucas Leiva could each have had hat-tricks.
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of that romp at St James’ Park was that a number of first-team regulars were absent from the starting line-up. In-form Xabi Alonso sat on the pine before making a late cameo, as did fit-again Martin Skrtel, while the likes of Fernando Torres, Albert Riera, Robbie Keane, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio didn’t feature at all.
And after kicking off 2009 with a comfortable win against Preston North End in the FA Cup, Liverpool will feel confident of strengthening their hold on top spot this Saturday – especially with Chelsea facing Manchester United the following afternoon.
FORM GUIDE
Stoke City
Dec 13 Stoke City 0 - 0 Fulham (Premier League)
Dec 20 Blackburn Rovers 3 - 0 Stoke City (Premier League)
Dec 26 Stoke City 0 - 1 Manchester United (Premier League)
Dec 28 West Ham United 2 - 1 Stoke City (Premier League)
Jan 03 Hartlepool United 2 - 0 Stoke City (FA Cup)
Liverpool
Dec 13 Liverpool 2 - 2 Hull City (Premier League)
Dec 21 Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 26 Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1 - 5 Liverpool (Premier League)
Jan 03 Preston North End 0 - 2 Liverpool (FA Cup)
TEAM NEWS
Stoke City
Mr. Fuller’s decision to whack his skipper across the chops resulted in a three-match ban, meaning Vincent Pericard or Dave Kitson may partner Richard Cresswell up front.
Andy Wilkinson is available again after being sent off against Manchester United on Boxing Day, as is Abdoulaye Faye after the confusion over his yellow-card count was sorted out.
On the treatment table, captain Griffin is nursing a muscular problem in his leg and could sit out, while Leon Cort (groin) and Mamady Sidibe (knee) are also carrying injuries.
Meanwhile, winger Matthew Etherington is set make his first appearance for the club after signing from West Ham earlier this week.
Possible XI: Simonsen – Shawcross, Sonko, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham – Delap, Whelan, Amdy Faye, Etherington – Cresswell, Pericard
Liverpool
Midfield duo Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano both departed Deepdale looking worse for wear. Alonso has been cleared of any serious damage after sustaining a nasty gash and severe swelling on his foot, but he is unlikely to be risked this weekend. Mascherano (thigh) might also be saved as a pair of derby dates with Everton loom on the horizon.
Fernando Torres made his first appearance in a month when he came on and scored in the second half against Preston. Boss Benitez is wary of rushing the superstar striker back from his hamstring injury too soon, though, so another substitute showing is on the cards.
Brazilian wing-back Aurelio is fit and could get the call as Emiliano Insua, the impressive young Argentine, is away in Venezuela for the next month, taking part in the Under-20 South American Championships with Argentina. Alvaro Arbeloa will sit out as he recovers from a hamstring problem, but Martin Skrtel could make his first start since rupturing his knee ligaments during the 3-2 win over Manchester City in October.
Possible XI: Reina – Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio – Benayoun, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera – Keane, Kuyt
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
Having tasted very little first-team action at Upton Park this term, the 28-year-old will be eager to get out of the blocks quickly with his new club. A crafty and experienced left-sided player, he is certainly capable of causing Jamie Carragher and co a problem or two.
Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
The young Brazilian has copped plenty of flak from his own fans this season, but he was among the Reds’ most impressive performers in the demolition of Newcastle. The creative and energetic midfielder should be handed another chance to shine on Saturday, what with Alonso and Mascherano both potential absentees.
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