Stoke City V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 10 September 2011 (15:00 GMT)

Venue: Brittania Stadium

Preview

Despite a summer revamp and a bright start to the season, many are still to be convinced that Liverpool can seriously challenge for the Premier League. A home draw with Sunderland would usually be unforgivable but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt seeing as it was on the opening day and all that, while victories over Arsenal in London and Bolton on Merseyside were tidy enough – but we’re still only guessing. Bring forth Stoke.

The Brittania Stadium – otherwise known as Fortress Brittania, more frequently referred to as a hellish venue to play your football in. Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all came a cropper there last season – Arsenal and Liverpool both losing as Chelsea were held to a frustrating draw – and neither of those went on to lift the coveted trophy aloft. Have a guess how the eventual champions got on… Yep, Man Utd were 2-1 winners despite producing one of their most average performance of the season. That’s how champions do it!

So Liverpool, who have never won a Premier League match at the Brittania Stadium in three previous attempts, will have their championship credentials examined with a fine tooth comb on Saturday as they seek to build on their promising start to the campaign. The Reds find themselves in third heading into the fourth round of fixtures, two points shy of the formidable Manchester duo but two ahead of their weekend opponents, a Stoke side who remain unbeaten in 2011/12 and have strengthened since they were last in action.

Stoke’s objective this season is to finally break into the top half of the table whilst ensuring the enjoy a good run in the Europa League, a competition which will be a drain on their limited resources. The early signs are ominous after Stoke produced a lethargic performance away to West Brom last time out, albeit in victory, hence why Tony Pulis felt the need to bring in reinforcements – I’m just not convinced Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch are the answer.

It was clear for all to see that Stoke were crying out for the international break, a team in desperate need of some respite. Liverpool, on the other hand, were in cruise control after impressive back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Bolton. However, the two-week interval hasn’t only disrupted their momentum and rhythm, it’s deprived them of valuable time with their key players.

Whereas most of the Stoke team will have spent the international break at home, the majority of Liverpool’s will have played as many as two internationals and won’t have arrived back home until the Wednesday. It could prove costly as the last thing any manager needs ahead of an intimidating physical at Stoke is tired legs and the lack of a coherent game-plan.

Match Pointers

Met on six occasions in Premier League – Liverpool narrowly ahead with 2 wins to Stoke’s 1.

Liverpool have never won a Premier League match at the Brittania Stadium (W0 D2 L1), going down 2-0 on their last visit.

Stoke have failed to score in four of their six PL encounters with the Reds.

The Potters have lost just one of their last ten home league games; a 1-0 defeat to Wigan on the final day of last season.

Liverpool have lost only four of their last twenty Premiership matches under Kenny Dalglish’s watch (W12 D4 L4).

The Reds have also notched at least one goal in twelve of their previous thirteen away matches in the league.

Betting Verdict

The last thing any manager needs before a physical at Stoke is tired legs and minds, yet the timing of recent internationals couldn’t be more critical. Whereas Stoke were clearly in desperate need of the respite, Liverpool were building up ahead of steam. They were magnificent against Bolton last time out. But even more detrimental to their chances this weekend is the fact most of their first-team were involved in as many as two international games and won’t have arrived back in training until the Wednesday, whereas the majority of Stoke’s stayed at home. Could this prove decisive?

In spite of the above, I’m taken with the visitors. Their record away to Stoke in the Premier League is lousy, but they’ve never gone to the Brittania with as much attacking prowess and options than they will on Saturday. Stewart Downing was in inspired form for England and will be full of confidence, as will Luis Suarez who seemingly never puts in a dull shift, and so long as Charlie Adam, Lucas and Jordan Henderson boss the midfield – which shouldn’t be that difficult up against the likes of Glen Whealen and Dean Whitehead – then I see value in Liverpool’s odds-against quote.

Match Prediction: Liverpool to WIN – 5/4 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Liverpool/Liverpool (HT/FT) – 11/4 Boylesports

Match Odds

Stoke – 13/5 bWin

Draw – 23/10 SkyBet

Liverpool – 5/4 WilliamHill

Stoke City V Liverpool

Saturday, 13th November – 17:30 (GMT)
Venue: The Brittania
TV Coverage: ESPN

Stoke City

League Position: 16th
League Form: LLLLW

Following their hard-fought victory over Birmingham City at The Brittania, Stoke manager Tony Pulis has promised not to bemoan the lack of quality officiating from now on, finally heeding the call of so many. It’s just as well as we were concerned with the mental state of the Stoke players, as I’m sure he was, as the constant belittling of referee’s by Pulis, even though some terrible decisions have gone against the Potters in recent outings, was providing the players with an excuse, an easy escape route during a torrid period of form, while it was also covering over the cracks that, quite simply, Stoke just haven’t done enough in their recent matches.

Bad decisions in football is part and parcel with the game and what Stoke should have done several weeks ago they did on Tuesday night, which was to put their recent bouts of bad luck aside and concentrate on the task at hand: Steering the club as far away from the relegation as humanely possible. They had let their recent misfortunes get straight to their head, which was a surprise as in their previous two Premier League campaigns Stoke oozed resilience and mental toughness. We haven’t seen anything of the sort this season, with the Potters reliant on form and momentum to get them through difficult encounters rather than thriving off adversary.

The basic rule of thumb with Stoke this season has been to back them when they’re winning and back in amongst the points, and to avoid them whenever they’ve recently tasted defeat as mentally, their concentration and application just hasn’t been there in the aftermath of defeats. So, that should make Stoke a decent bet on Saturday considering they arrive at The Brittania, a fortress you might say what with Stoke having already recorded wins over Aston Villa (2-1), Blackburn Rovers (1-0) and Birmingham City (3-2), with the only two teams to have beaten them on home soil this season part of last term’s top-four in Tottenham (2-1) and Man Utd (1-2), on the back of a 3-2 victory over Birmingham City. Then again, Stoke weren’t exactly convincing, being pegged back to 2-2 despite boasting a 2-0 lead in the second half, but Dean Whitehead may have just turned Stoke’s season right around by scoring the third and winner which sealed a win of vital importance as it ended a sequence of four successive league defeats and thus, hopefully, banished the misery which accompanied so many controversial and gut wrenching referring decisions.

So are Stoke on the right road now? We’re about to find out as next up is the supposedly rejuvenated Liverpool, although the Reds were held but more importantly played off the park by Wigan Athletic in midweek so there is a genuine opportunity here for Stoke to bring the Reds back down to earth with bang, although there has been nothing to separate the two sides in the only two Premier League meetings at The Brittania. Jermaine Pennant is set to start against his old club so he may well have a point or two to prove despite Rafael benitez no longer being at the helm, the manager Pennant felt pushed him out of Anfield, while Tony Pulis can welcome back Ryan Shawcross from suspension.

Liverpool

League Position: 9th
League Form: LWWWD

So the renaissance period at Anfield came to an abrupt end at The DW Stadium in midweek, with Liverpool failing to capitalise on a tremendous three points earned courtesy of s sublime 2-0 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend. Nevertheless, the club are at least moving in the right direction, which is up the table, and they are enjoying their best spell of league form all season. But how will they handle the physical assessment which Stoke City will put them under at The Brittania in a fixture which the Reds clearly haven’t excelled in, having won only one of the four previous meetings in the Premier League and are still awaiting their first win at The Brittania.

While the majority of the team couldn’t maintain the momentum gained from three successive league victories, four in all competitions, as well as an outstanding team display at home to Chelsea last Sunday, one player who did continue where he left off was the previously out of sorts and lacking in confidence Fernando Torres, whom, within a couple of matches, has bounced back to his best form after scoring twice at Anfield en route to Liverpool beating Chelsea and firing the Reds into an early lead at Wigan only to see the rest of the team fail to match his quick start by dropping two valuable points at The DW.

Despite their recent upturn in form, you cannot help but worry for Liverpool ahead of another testing away encounter, one which poses far more problems than their previous away to Wigan. Their hard-fought, although not entirely fully deserved, 1-0 win away at Bolton two weeks ago was only their second away win in the league in 2010, and when you consider the other was against Burnley last season, who were subsequently relegated, it look good nor bode at well for their visit to a stadium where they haven’t faired at all well in two previous league visits even though they came within a whisker of winning there last term.

Just two wins in their last 15 away league matches, as well as managing only two away goals in six outings this season, is the dismal away record Liverpool need to better if they’re to leave The Brittania with all the spoils and continue their climb up the table, and continue climbing is what they must do, imperative you might even say, if they wish to hang onto their most prized assets as without Champions League football and the regular challenge for silverware, the big names, your Torres and Pepe Reina etc, will begin to look elsewhere, as Reina hinted at doing just recently.

Fortunately for Roy Hodgson, one of his most consistent performers this season will be available for the trip to Stoke on Sunday, with Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos back from illness – Scorer of two league goals this season as well as coming within minutes of scoring the winner at The Brittania last season when prodding the Reds into the lead last season. However, Daniel Agger and Joe Cole are definitely out, although Hodgson hopes to have Glen Johnson back.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 4.10 bWin
Draw – 3.50 Boylesports
Liverpool – 2.05 VCbet

Stoke City V Liverpool

Saturday, 16^th January – 12:45 GMT (Sky Sports 1)

Stoke City

League Position: 10th

Recent Form: DLLLW

The Potters frustrated the Reds’ when the pair last and only Premiership clash at The Brittania last season, with Stoke holding out for a more than deserved 0-0 draw. But, however, with Stoke getting smashed off the park at Anfield earlier in the season, losing 4-0, is the tide slowly turning against them as opposing managers finally begin to realise how predictable a team Stoke are becoming, or will Tony Pulis’ attempt at playing pretty, on the floor football finally pay off for good against a travelling Liverpool this Saturday?

Stoke’s first season in the Premiership seen them play in a one dimensional fashion in that they focused completely on their main asset which was height. The plan was to earn a set-play from any which way possible in order to get the big guys forward. This paid dividends whether it was from a Matthew Etherington corner or a Rory Delap throw-in, so it was no surprise that Stoke maintained this ‘rustle & bustle’ approach throughout the course of the season as it kept them in the division. However, being the wise old codger Pulis is he is now trying to convert Stoke into a more attractive outfit which, against a team like Liverpool who could potentially play them into the ground, could be a catastrophic tactic.

We personally feel Tony Pulis will opt for a bit of both this Saturday, using Etherington down the flank to whip in some glorious crosses whilst also looking for corners. However, although Etherington does have the potential to be a thorn in Liverpool’s right-hand side this Saturday, there aren’t too many others who would cause the Reds’ too many problems in terms of beating an opponent with pace and skill, so perhaps the route 1 method they were so renowned for last season should be the chosen style of play instead.

Stoke, to the credit of the manager, have quickly become a very solid outfit and a team many hate facing at The Brittania. They work their socks off in front of a capacity support, they don’t give you any time nor space and are far more intimidating in their own back yard. However, despite being a tricky customer for all of the top four this season, Stoke have been beaten in each of their two clashes with ‘Big Four’ opponents this season; losing 2-1 to Chelsea via a 95^th Malouda strike while suffering a 2-0 defeat against Man Utd. Perhaps the Potter’s luck is finally wearing thin…?

Liverpool

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: LWLWW

It’s a fragile Liverpool that travels down to Stoke on Saturday off the back of a morale bashing defeat in the Cup in midweek. The Reds’, of whom have already had to wave goodbye to Champions League football and are 12 points off the pace in the league, swiftly exited the FA Cup on Wednesday night in what was their last chance at some real silverware. However, the problem for them now is that the club are struggling with large sums of debt and finishing outside the top four is unthinkable, but with Liverpool four points adrift of the top four they will now know that any more slip ups could be costly as their abysmal season becomes centred solely around just finishing above 16 other teams.

After Liverpool’s demise in the FA Cup, to what is a Reading side struggling in the Championship, one can only assume that the Liverpool camp is at it’s lowest right now in terms of morale and spirit. That was the clubs last chance at some creditable silverware as their only real adventure now lies in the Europa League, a second tier competition for European competitors. That’s not good enough for a club of Liverpool’s stature, nowhere near, and questions are finally being asked by the Liverpool fans themselves about whether Rafael Benitez is the right man for the job and all this speculation will only hinder the confidence of the players and their concentration levels ahead of some big games in the league.

As far as this game goes, Liverpool will have a real fight on their hands for any share of the points, especially now that Stoke will take great pleasure in their recent disappointment. The Reds’ had to battle hard just to earn a draw on their last visit to The Brittania but, after a dire week of football, a draw might be the best they can hope for in this contest, although the fans will now be expecting nothing less than a win. However, the fans hopes of seeing a Liverpool win will look even slimmer after hearing that their side has won just two of it’s last seven away games.

Since the start of October, a 2-0 win at Goodison against Everton & a fortunate 1-0 victory at Aston Villa are Liverpool’s only away wins in seven outings. The latter result, though, was actually their last outing in the league but it did come several days before the new year, over three weeks ago, so that win won’t be as fresh in the memory as perhaps Rafael Benitez would of liked as the players certainly need some inspiration right now. They’ve won just four away games all season after ten away ventures and the fact that they’ve suffered five of their seven defeats away from Anfield just reiterates how vulnerable Liverpool are when on the road this season.

However, the most concerning thing about this Liverpool side is they are so dull, boring and damn well predictable. All of their football goes down the centre of the park, with width a thing of the past. They also look a team which can easily be bullied and against one of the more physically demanding teams in Stoke City, Liverpool really could come a cropper, once again. They don’t have any bulky players, there is a distinct lack of height and their marking from set-pieces is often non-existent – which is a huge negative against one of the best teams from set-pieces in the land. Pepe Reina was absent in Liverpool’s pathetic cup exit on Wednesday with a small injury but I pray, for the Liverpool fans at least, that he returns else this could be another horror show.

Head-to-Head:

Stoke City W: 0 Liverpool W: 1 Draws: 2

• Liverpool won the last encounter between the two in emphatic style, smashing Stoke 4-0 at Anfield.

•  Liverpool’s only victory against Stoke City came at Anfield.

• Stoke, after three attempts, has yet to score a goal against Liverpool, failing twice at Anfield and once at The Brittania.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.50 BetFred

At a tough of odds-on, we couldn’t touch Liverpool with a complimentary free bet. Their displays, not only on Wednesday but throughout the season, have been outstandingly bad and their spirit in that Liverpool dressing room will be at its lowest for time. To add to their woes, Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Pepe Reina could all miss the trip through injuries. Stoke, however, will be brimming with confidence as they won’t get a better opportunity to beat another of the so called ‘Big Four’ then this visit of Liverpool and we expect the Potters to make a bright start. This game will be decided on set-pieces though – How well Stoke attack from set-plays and how poorly Liverpool defend them. The danger for Stoke is that Liverpool, regardless of their lull in confidence, can still pack a punch when going forward so they mustn’t get too carried away when committing men forward.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 5.00 BetFred

Draw – 3.50 BetFred

Liverpool – 1.91 Bet365

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Both teams to score – 2.00 WilliamHill