Stoke vs. Liverpool: The Reds Make an Important Trip to the Britannia

During the already long forgotten Hodgson era, Liverpool lost the corresponding fixture to Stoke 2-0 and looked like a side on the decline. Less than a year later, things couldn't look to be more on the up.

Tempering expectations is going to be one of King Kenny's toughest jobs this season, as the Liverpool faithful are desperate for some domestic success. Without any Champions League or Europa matches to worry about this season, it is essential that the Reds keep up the momentum from a promising start.

Under the radar of all the high profile transfer comings and goings, Tony Pulis has done well to strengthen his squad and continue to cement the Potter's place in the Premier League. With the additions of Cameron Jerome and Peter Crouch up front, their domination in the air can only be furthered. In Wilson Palacios, he got what I think is a gem. He is your consummate holding midfielder. Your heart can only go out to him after the tragedy that befell his brother.

Pulis will be delighted to get just a shade of the player from before his form trailed off. I would expect Palacios to start on the bench along with Crouch, as they have just joined the squad and will take some time to work their way into the system.  Looking at the squad, though, it begs the question of how many big-target men a manager needs.  

Whenever coming to the Britannia, a side is going to have to deal with two things—the great atmosphere and the physicality of the Stoke style of play. I anticipate Dalglish fretting this one just a bit. Stoke should come out in 4-5-1, looking to Etherington and Pennant to provide some creativity.

Pennant has been used in the hole to support the main striker and with Liverpool going 4-4-2, he could employ the same strategy at a home match. The big question in the lineup for the Reds is whether or not Andy Carroll will start. But considering how well Liverpool looked against Bolton and how good the understanding is between Dirk Kuyt and Suarez, I would except more of the same.

Look for the left side partnership of Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique to continue to get better. If Gary Cahill and Zat Knight of Bolton struggled with the dynamism and movement of Luis "just can't get enough" Suarez, I don't see how Woodgate and Shawcross are going to cope. Charlie Adam is a fitness doubt after limping off for Scotland over the weekend, but he should make it.

One would expect Lucas and Adam to run the show through midfield and give Stoke a lot of problems developing their own attacks. They were definitely lacking going forward as they somehow came away with three points last time out against WBA. Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger have looked like a top-four center back pairing and shouldn't yield to any Delap long throws.

In the modern Premier League, where one weekend loss can apparently dent your title or Champions League chances, as ridiculous as that is, it is vital that Liverpool win matches that they are supposed to and keep up the pressure on everybody else.

My Prediction

It should be a difficult match and take a little time to get going. Stoke were poor last time out and will struggle to score goals, though one set piece could change all that. Suarez, Kuyt and Downing should cause real problems for Stoke and result in some goals. 2-0 Liverpool.