Liverpool vs. Stoke City: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Liverpool looks to get back to their winning form on Saturday when they host Stoke City at Anfield in a match that is crucial for both clubs.

The Reds need to bounce back after they lost their previous league match 3-0 to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium. Liverpool needs to start taking three points from all the inferior clubs they play, because if they don't then a top-four finish won't happen for them.

Stoke City are currently eighth in the Premier League table and have not lost in league play since December 21 against Manchester City. A win against Liverpool would be huge for the confidence of the club going forward as the second half of the season gets underway.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this exciting matchup.

Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England

Watch: Fox Soccer Plus

Live Stream: Foxsoccer.tv

When: Saturday, Jan. 14 at 10:00 a.m. EST

Player to Watch for Liverpool: Andy Carroll

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll really needs to start finding his good form, or the club seriously needs to consider parting ways with the young forward.

Carroll's tenure at Anfield has been a disaster thus far, and with each disappointing performance there is even less hope that he will turn it around.

Carroll should be able to find success against Stoke City, who have allowed 31 goals in the league this season.

Player to Watch for Stoke City: Peter Crouch

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch scored twice in the club's last Premier League match on January 2, a 2-1 victory at Blackburn.

Crouch is always a threat in the air with his height and heading ability, but he has been a complete goal scorer for Stoke this season.

He leads the club with six goals in league play and will certainly be an attacking player to watch on Saturday.

Key Matchup: Liverpool Center-Backs vs. Stoke City Forwards

The Liverpool center-backs were not spectacular against Manchester City in their most recent league match, and defending set pieces has to be better for Kenny Dalglish's squad.

With Crouch and Kenwyne Jones giving Stoke City goal-scoring ability in the final third, Liverpool must be strong defensively or they will be beaten in the air by the talented Stoke forwards.

What They're Saying

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini recently commented on Luis Suarez's ban for racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra.

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"Sometimes it can happen on the pitch, a situation like this," Mancini said. "It is important to apologise for what you did. Sometimes on the pitch you can do something that you don't want to do, because you are nervous, you don't think. I don't think Suarez is a racist. I think he made a mistake, probably, yes."

 

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Prediction: Liverpool 2-1

Liverpool beat Stoke City 2-1 back in October, and I think that will be the score in the match at Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds will be determined to follow their disappointing loss to Manchester City with an impressive performance in front of the home crowd.

Expect Red captain Steven Gerrard to play a bigger role as he continues to return to full fitness after his long battle with injuries in 2011.

With an advantage in every third of the pitch over Stoke, expect Liverpool to earn a hard-fought win and take all three points in this match.