Vital Stoke Predicts: Liverpool (A)

After Stoke`s first victory of the season last week, the Vital Stoke prediction table looks the same as 5 out of the 6 contenders got the Swansea result perfectly correct. Niall Cope is starting to slide away though and is in danger of being caught adrift at the bottom.

Here is the league as it stands after the last week:
1. Tom Barker Prediction (2-0; 3pt) 11 points
1. Mark Lawrenson Prediction (2-0; 3pt) 11 points
1. Lloyd Reddin Prediction (2-0; 3pt) 11 points
1. Tom McKeon Prediction (2-0; 3pt) 8 points
5. Ryan Kalisz Prediction (2-0; 3pt) 6 points
6. Niall Cope Prediction (3-1; 1pt) 3 points

The Vital Stoke team will go head-to-head with BBC`s Mark Lawrenson in predicting Stoke`s result against Liverpool at Anfield.

Points will be given for any member of the team that gets the score correct (3points) or the result correct (Win, Lose or draw (1 point)), and all points will be calculated throughout the season.

The team`s predictions are as followed:

Editor Lloyd Reddin- Liverpool0-1 Stoke

“After last week`s victory and just general good game play over the last month, I have a reall good feeling that we can go and grab our first victory at Anfield. Liverpool haven`t started the season off the best but are coming off a good result over Norwich but I believe Crouch and Co will have enough to register Stoke`s first away victory of the season”

Co-Editor Tom Barker- Liverpool2-1 Stoke

“After a fantastic result at Carrow Road last week, Liverpool will look to build on that and aim to beat Stoke at Anfield. Stoke had a good game against Swansea last week and should look to carry that form into the game, however, i feel that the strength of Brendan Rogers’ team should make this a closely fought battle, with Liverpool coming out on top. Just.”

Co-Editor Ryan Kalisz- Liverpool0-1 Stoke

“This will be the best ever time to play Liverpool, just when they’re having perhaps the most unsteady and unpredictable run of form for a long, long time. Or at least since Hodgson was in charge. Still, I hope Rodgers and his style work wonders for the reds, because I respect the board’s decision to take a chance on a humble manager with clear spirit and passion, over a more high profile candidate. Obviously, before you go shooting me down, I don’t want it to work tomorrow, at all! So, in hoping that Owen gets the chance to play against the club that made him big (so to speak)”

Co-Editor Tom McKeon- Liverpool1-1 Stoke
“This has to be the best chance Stoke will get of winning at Anfield. We’re looking very good at the moment and it seems Pulis’ approach away from home has improved, if we play like we did at Stamford Bridge we’ll be in with a chance. Liverpool obviously has plenty of good players but Rodgers has yet to stamp his mark on the club and the only player I’m really wary of is Suarez. The one thing we mustn`t do is sit back from the beginning – I’d hope Pulis will have learned his lesson in that respect and I’m confident it will be a good game. We have a side now good enough to go there and get a result, if we won it would really set up a fantastic season ahead, I don’t think that’ll happen but I expect us to prove how far we’ve come with a good performance.”

Co-Editor Niall Cope- Liverpool1-2 Stoke
“‘Brendan Rodgers is slowly starting to stamp his mark on a squad he has inherited that is a millions miles away from competing with the big boys.


‘Silly mistakes have cost them as a result of the transition, with Pepe Reina suffering badly in goal.


‘Liverpool have found it tough going in this season and have lost their last three at home in all competitions.


‘An early Stoke goal will certainly silence large parts of Anfield as The Potters go in search of three points for the first time at Liverpool in the Premier League.’


BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson- Liverpool0-1 Stoke

“Liverpool has had a good couple of good results, beating West Brom in the Capital One Cup and then thrashing Norwich in the Premier League, which is exactly what they needed after the start they made to the season.

“The youngsters have come in and have no fear, which is great. The Reds are moving the ball around better than they were a few weeks ago and the general movement of the whole team is much improved too.


“They will have to deal with the threat Stoke pose in their penalty area but I think with all their young, nippy and athletic players, Liverpool are going to cause the Potters a lot more problems.


“Stoke will approach this match with the same resolve they do with all their matches but they will need to get a few breaks at both ends of the pitch if they are going to avoid leaving Anfield empty-handed.”

Can anyone pull ahead at the top of the league or can the stragglers pull their way back up the table?

What do you think the score will be? Don`t be afraid to let us know in the comments section below!