Premier League: Liverpool vs Stoke match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Anfield

(Getty Images)

Liverpool will look to turn around their disastrous run of form with a win against Stoke this Saturday. Coming into the game, the Reds have not recorded a victory in five competitive fixtures.

Brendan Rodgers – who’s under increasing pressure – will have Dejan Lovren back after he sat out mid-week against Ludogorets. Liverpool can’t afford to slip up against the Potters as they are already five points adrift from the final Champions League place.

Mark Hughes will know that through the likes of Mame Biram Diouf, Peter Crouch and Jon Walters, Stoke can provide all sorts of problems for Liverpool’s vulnerable defence. Stoke – who sit above Liverpool in the Premier League – will know that a win away to Liverpool will be an astounding result for the West Midlands club.

A win for a struggling Liverpool side will lift morale in the squad and can project them back into the challenge for Champions League qualification.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Stoke 3 (Crouch, Adam, Walters) Liverpool 5 (Shawcross OG, Suarez x2, Gerrard, Sturridge), Premier League, January 2014

Liverpool 1 (Sturridge) Stoke 0, Premier League, August 2013

Stoke 3 (Walters x2, Jones) Liverpool 1 (Gerrard), Premier League, December 2012

STATS…

Liverpool have been drawing at half time and going on to lose at full time in their last 3 consecutive matches in the Premier League.

Stoke have won 2 matches away in the Premier League so far this season, one less than they managed for the whole of the season last year.

Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.

Stoke have conceded 3 goals less than Liverpool all season and have an overall better goal-difference.

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 7 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.

ODDS…

Liverpool to win: 1.66

Stoke to win: 5.0

Draw: 3.8

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

Last season we were engrossed in what was a magnificent spectacle between Stoke and Liverpool. 8 goals were on offer that day, in which we saw Stoke clawing their way back into the game after some brilliant goals from Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam. However, Liverpool proved to be too strong for the Potters and through the partnership of Suarez and Sturridge, escaped the Britannia with a mighty win.

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10:20pm.