Stoke City vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
The final game of the season sees Liverpool travel to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke City. Brendan Rodgers' side need three points to ensure they finish the season in fifth place, and thus avoid their season starting in July with Europa League qualifying rounds.
The game is, of course, the 710th and final appearance of Steven Gerrard's 17-year career with the Reds. Can the inspirational captain add another goal to his tally of 185 with Liverpool?
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Last week Rodgers kept Gerrard on for the full match as Liverpool weakly succumbed to the occasion once again, losing 3-1 to Crystal Palace on Gerrard's farewell Anfield appearance. This week Rodgers will be looking to substitute the 34-year-old before full-time, ensuring an ovation for one of the Premier League's greatest players.
For Stoke, they are guaranteed a ninth-place finish regardless of the result in this game. Mark Hughes' side have already recorded their record points total in the Premier League era and will be looking to end the season on a high note.
Liverpool will unveil their new third kit for next season in this match.
Date: Sunday, 24 May, 2015
Time: 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET)
Venue: Britannia Stadium, Stoke
TV Info: NBC Sports Live Extra
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Predicted Formations
Liverpool have no new injury concerns, with long-term absentees Jon Flanagan and Daniel Sturridge ruled out, while Mario Balotelli is a doubt again. Mamadou Sakho and Lucas Leiva are back in full training and one or both could therefore return to the fold.
Stoke have an almost fully fit squad to choose from. Victor Moses, who spent last season on loan at Anfield, faces a late fitness test.
Stoke: Butland, Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters, Nzonzi, Moses, Diouf, Arnautovic, Walters.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling, Lambert.
Form Lines (All Competitions)
Stoke
Drew 0-0 vs. Burnley
Won 3-0 vs. Tottenham
Lost 2-0 vs. Swansea City
Drew 1-1 vs. Sunderland
Won 2-1 vs. Southampton
Liverpool
Lost 3-1 vs. Crystal Palace
Drew 1-1 vs. Chelsea
Won 2-1 vs. QPR
Lost 1-0 vs. Hull City
Drew 0-0 vs. West Brom
Player to Watch
Stoke City: Jonathan Walters
Stoke forward Jonathan Walters has been a thorn in Liverpool's side down the years, scoring four times against the Reds since 2011. Liverpool's defence has looked far from solid of late, missing the injured Sakho and with Dejan Lovren devoid of confidence.
Walters will look to benefit from Liverpool's fragilities much like Christian Benteke has done in recent weeks.
Liverpool: Raheem Sterling
After a headline-dominating week for 20-year-old attacker Raheem Sterling, all eyes will be on him at the Britannia Stadium.
Rodgers has insisted that the player is available and will feature. "My relationship [with Sterling] hasn’t been affected at all," said the Liverpool boss per Press Association, via This Is Anfield. "If he is fit, which he is, he will be available for selection."
Some supporters may suggest dropping Sterling following his agent's claims that the player would not sign a new deal at the club even if it were for "£900,000 per week", according to Evening Standard, but the truth is Sterling's place should be under threat due to his poor performances in recent weeks.
Key Battle
Focus
The final game of the season can often see pretty slow affairs, with players' minds lacking focus. This one could come down to desire and motivation. Liverpool actually really do need the three points in order to ensure Southampton and/or Tottenham don't overtake them. Stoke will be looking to do as Palace did last week and spoil Gerrard's farewell.
After a turgid display in that Palace defeat, Liverpool's players must show some character and desire, ensuring their departing captain leaves after a victory.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Stoke win: +245
Liverpool win: +110
Draw: +250
Prediction: Stoke City 1-2 Liverpool
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