Stoke City vs. Liverpool preview, English Premier League
Stoke City take on Liverpool in their second home game of the new English Premier League season, having welcomed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 at the Britannia Stadium on the opening day of the new campaign. Stoke City managed a goal-less draw against the Blues and will be hoping to do better against the Reds on the Saturday.
Liverpool have done better this season, winning two of their opening fixture and drawing one, while Stoke City won just one match and drew two. Both sides will be looking to continue their so far unbeaten run in the Premier League early on in the season.
Both sides were somewhat even last season, with Stoke City managing a somewhat comfortable win over Liverpool at Britannia Stadium. However, the Reds repaid them with securing all three points with a win at Anfield, when new arrival Luis Suarez scored in his debut.
One of Liverpool’s summer transfer window signings, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stewart-Downing-c34221 revealed that he was confident his side had what it took to finish in the top four at the end of the season. The English midfielder arrived from Aston Villa and has been in top form for Liverpool since the start of the campaign.
With a decent start to the season, Downing was hopeful his side would continue with their good form against Stoke City over the weekend. He was aware of the tough challenge his side faced on Saturday and urged his side not to take Stoke City lightly.
Downing said while speaking to reporters:
“There is a feel-good factor. We started the season very well but we've got a tough run of games coming up, starting with Stoke (on Saturday).”
Team news
Stoke City
Stoke City manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mamady-Sidibe-c23298. However, they are all unavailable for the clash against Liverpool.
Pulis said in an interview:
“Not just Ric, but also Mama Sidibe, they both have a part to play for us in the future when they get themselves fit.
That's why I named them and Danny Higginbotham in our Premier League squad, even though they're still injured at the moment. That shows how much I respect all three.”
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ryan-Shotton-c31997.
Stoke City’s deadline day arrival Wilson Palacios revealed he was hopeful of making his debut for his new side after transferring from Tottenham Hotspur. The midfielder is still recovering from a knee operation he underwent in the summer, but after training he feels he is fit to play on Saturday.
Palacios said:
“Hopefully, if I can come through the sessions later this week then I may get the chance to play on Saturday. That would be fantastic.”
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809
With no significant injuries, Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish will field a relatively unchanged team against Stoke City over the weekend. Jamie Carragher, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Agger-c9884, Jose Enrique and Martin Skrtel will make up the defence, while Stewart Downing and Lucas Leiva will aid in midfield. Andy Carroll, Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt are expected to be presented together up front in attack.
Luis Suarez was initially thought to be a doubt for the trip to Stoke City because of a tiresome international break. However, the 24-year-old insisted he did not need a rest and wanted to play on Saturday against Pulis’ side. He has already joined the team at the Melwood training ground and revealed he felt he was ready to feature for his side if the manager selected him.
Suarez revealed:
“I want to play in all the games I can for Liverpool. I don't want any rest at all.”
Possible line-ups
Stoke City
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kenwyne-Jones-c20659.
Liverpool
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dirk-Kuyt-c11348, Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll.
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