Liverpool vs Stoke - as it happened: Reds put Potters to the sword in storming second half performance
Re-live all the action from Anfield
Liverpool welcome mid-table Stoke to Anfield as the Reds look to reclaim their second-placed spot behind league leaders Chelsea.
The Reds are in emphatic form, having lost just one of their last 15 Premier League matches, while the Potters head into today’s game without a win in three.
History shines favourably on the Reds too. Liverpool have won five of their last six League meetings with Stoke, including the notable 4-1 rout in this fixture last season.
Nonetheless, Mark Hughes’ men have repeatedly showcased their resilience throughout the season and will no doubt pose another tough test for the home side following their gritty 1-0 victory in last week’s Merseyside derby.
Teams:
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Klavan, Lovren, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Origi, Firmino.
Stoke: Grant, Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters, Whelan, Imbula, Walters, Allen, Diouf, Crouch.
Follow the live action below…
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Monday’s Boxing Day results:
Watford 1-1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
Burnley 1-0 Middlesbrough
Chelsea 3-0 Bournemouth
Leicester City 0-2 Everton
Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland
Swansea City 1-4 West Ham United
Hull City 0-3 Manchester City
Good afternoon and welcome to the Independent's live coverage of Liverpool vs Stoke. We'll be bringing you minute-by-minute updates from Anfield as Jurgen Klopp's men look to reclaim their second-placed spot behind league leaders Chelsea. Team news to follow shortly so stay tuned!
A look at all the ins-and-outs to today's Premier League clash, courtesy of our man Jack de Menezes:
What have the managers been saying ahead of today's game? Well, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp issued a firm festive warning to his players, suggesting that those motivated by money would not be welcome at Anfield.
Klopp acknowledged he may looks at things through “rose tinted glasses” but insisted he wants to cultivate a culture at Liverpool where money is a secondary issue for players, compared to the football aspect of their careers.
“At the end the players should know they can earn really serious money here, reasonable money here, but we will not go nuts,” Klopp said.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp
“Because we believe that if someone needs to be convinced by money then at one point when you really need character you will not get it.
“I can say we don’t want to convince players with money, we want to convince them with the way we go.
“We want to have players who are ready to develop and it’s not a message for the winter transfer window, it's a message for the next few years."
And Stoke City manager Mark Hughes had this to say...
"Not many people are thinking we have a chance of gaining positive results but that certainly isn't the case within our camp.
"Of course they have players who can hurt us, but we have players who can hurt them too.
"We went to Liverpool last year and beat them and we also got our first point at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League so we know we can go to these places and be positive." Real fighting talk from the Welshman. Bring it on.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes
Liverpool fans will undoubtely be optimistic ahead of today's game, given the resilience and determination they showcased in the Merseyside derby. Last week's game against Everton wasn't the best but the Reds proved they know how to win dirty - the sort of quality needed for a Premier League title challenger.
Against lesser opponents, in the form of Stoke today, the home side will be expected to raise their game and take another step forward in the right direction as they bid to keep up with league leaders Chelsea. Anything other than a convincing performance could cast a degree of doubt - especially given the consistency and form of Antonio Conte's Blues.
As expected, Liverpool's side remains unchanged from the starting XI that ran out against Everton. Simon Mignolet once again starts for Jurgen Klopp having reclaimed the No 1 jersey from Loris Karius following the latter's fall from grace.
And for Stoke, just the one change with Peter Crouch stepping in with his long legs for Bojan Krkić.
The man, the myth, the legend - Peter Crouch
Stoke may not have the best of records against Liverpool (having lost five of their last six Premier League encounters with the Reds) but the visitors will certainly be able to call upon the happy memories of their 6-1 victory last May. Added to that, Stoke beat Liverpool in a 3-1 win on Boxing Day four years ago in which Jonathan Walters scored twice.
Speaking ahead of today's game, Walters said this: “I ruined their Christmas a few years ago and I hope I ruin it this year as well.” We like your spirit Jonathan.
Jonathan Walters
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