A month ago a visit to Anfield would have been somewhere we would have reasonably expected to come away with at least a point, but the arrival of King Kenny and their new mega signings this week have given the Kop some new found confidence – whether that confidence is justified we’ll judge at the end of the season. But for now, the Potters will be looking for a first top flight win at Anfield in 117 years.
Vital Quotes:
Tony Pulis told the official site that it would be an uphill battle if we’re going to do the double over Liverpool: ‘Although they have lost Torres, Suarez is a top, top replacement, and they have a number of other players who can hurt you.
‘Beating them at our place was a special occasion, but I think a lot of sides were getting tremendous results against them back then.
‘Things will be a lot different this time, but what we have to do is go there and give it our best shot. We know it’s going to be tough.’
Liverpool Team News:
They’ve had the benefit of a week’s R&R since their 1-0 win over Fulham, but still have to come to terms with the loss of Torres – that can be tempered with the arrival of Luis Suarez from Ajax and Andy Carroll from Newcastle. Carroll’s debut will have to wait with the £35m striker still injured – shame!
Player to watch: Luiz Suarez
The former Ajax striker will be expected to hit the ground running and continue to score at the same prodigious rate that saw him score 81 goals in 4 years for the Dutch club
Stoke City Team News:
Ryan Shawcross is suspended, Danny Higginbotham is still suffering from a hamstring problem and Mamady Sidibe is getting closer to full fitness.
Player to watch: Ricardo Fuller
He may be likely to be sitting on the bench, but at least we’ve still got our Ric.
Match Facts & Stats
Match Prediction:
No top flight win at Anfield since 1894? Aren’t records there to be broken?
Next Fixtures:
Sat 5th February: Sunderland (home) kick-off: 12.45pm
