Liverpool vs Stoke team news: Steven Gerrard dropped to the bench by Brendan Rodgers

 

Tom Sheen
Saturday 29 November 2014 15:08 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Brendan Rodgers has opted to drop Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to the bench.

The Reds, who lost to Crystal Palace last week and only managed a draw against Ludogorets in Bulgaria in the Champions League, are struggling for form and the skipper makes way.

Gerrard has looked tired this season and has failed to hit the heights he reached last year in a deep role. Gerrard was pushed further forward in Sofia but was ineffectual in that role.

Rodgers has opted to stick with Kolo Toure ahead of Dejan Lovren at centre-back, and Lucas in midfield, after the pair were two of the better performers in midweek.

Rickie Lambert, who has two goals in two matches, again leads the line.

For Stoke, Mark Hughes has changed three players from the team that suffered a shock defeat at home to Burnley last weekend.

Phil Bardsley and Marc Muniesa are replaced in defence by Mark Wilson and Erik Pieters, while Marko Arnautovic replaces Victor Moses on the wing.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert

Subs: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Gerrard, Markovic, Can

Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Nzonzi, Sidwell; Arnautovic, Bojan, Walters; Diouf

Subs: Butland; Whelan, Muniesa, Adam, Ireland, Crouch, Shenton

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in