Stoke v Liverpool preview: Brendan Rodgers out to avoid 6-1 repeat
Sunday 9 August 2015 15:03, UK
Liverpool will be aiming to avenge last season’s humiliating 6-1 defeat when they travel to Stoke for the start of the 2015/16 campaign.
Brendan Rodgers’ side conceded five times in the first half as they were swept aside in the final Premier League match of last season at the Britannia.
The Reds could field an almost entirely different starting XI this weekend after making seven signings over the summer, including Christian Benteke, James Milner and Roberto Firmino.
Stoke, who finished ninth last season, have also been busy in the transfer market as they look to build on a record-breaking campaign.
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Among the new additions are Ibrahim Afellay from Barcelona and Sergio Molina from Real Madrid.
Team news
Liverpool will be without Joe Allen after the midfielder was ruled out for three to four weeks with a hamstring problem.
The other definite absentees are striker Daniel Sturridge (hip) and defender Jon Flanagan (knee), who are expected to return in early September and just prior to Christmas respectively.
Summer recruits Benteke, Danny Ings, Firmino, Milner and Nathaniel Clyne are poised for Reds debuts, while it remains to be seen whether forwards Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini - who both look set to leave the club - are involved.
Stoke will be without captain Ryan Shawcross, but striker Bojan Krkic is in line to make his first competitive appearance in seven months.
The Potters this week revealed centre-back Shawcross required surgery on a troublesome back issue and will miss at least two months of the campaign, with defender Marc Wilson (ankle) also unlikely to face the Reds having not trained all week.
Bojan returned to action this summer following his long-term knee problem and could even be selected from the start by boss Mark Hughes, who expects new signing Ibrahim Afellay to feature but could be without Marko Arnautovic due to a thigh strain.
Merson's predictions
Liverpool have bought well this summer. I like what James Milner brings to a team and Christian Benteke is a very good player.
Having said that, I think if Liverpool come away from the Britannia with a draw they would be more than happy - especially after their 6-1 defeat there on the final day of last season. If Stoke can get Bojan back from injury and bed in their new signings, then I think they are a decent football team.
What Mark Hughes has done at the club has been outstanding; the team passes the ball brilliantly now. But it remains to be seen how they cope without Steven N’Zonzi, who was excellent for them last season. I rarely go against Stoke, particularly as the season progresses, and I expect things to be tight on Sunday.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Stats
This is first time in Premier League history that a fixture has been played in consecutive games at the same venue.
The 6-1 last season was Stoke’s biggest Premier League win and Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers’ biggest Premier League defeat.
Liverpool’s strikers scored a combined eight league goals last season – Benteke scored 13 goals.
Charlie Adam has scored in Stoke’s last four league home games and is the first Stoke player to do so.
There have been 19 goals scored in the last three meetings (Stoke 12, Liverpool 7).
Betting
Sky Bet make Liverpool 6/5 favourites to end their poor recent run at the Britannia with victory over Stoke (12/5). The Reds have won only two of their last eight visits to Stoke but expectations are high for Brendan Rogers' men after extensive summer spending making them one of the best backed teams at odds of 28/1 to end their Premier League title drought.
The Potters won this fixture 6-1 last season, a 250/1 shot this time. Sky Sports football pundits Jamie Redknapp and Phil Thompson are backing Christian Benteke to mark his league debut with the opening goal at 9/2.
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