Stoke vs Liverpool live: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino turn things around for the Reds
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool will bid to bounce back from the disappointment of their mid-week draw with Bournemouth as they take on Stoke this Saturday.
Mark Hughes’ men are suffering from a sudden loss in form having succumbed to defeats in their last three games. As a result, the Potters now sit in 12th place in the league with 36 points to their name.
As for Liverpool, their recent draw with Bournemouth has put their hopes of European football on hold as the battle for a top-four spot heats up. Jurgen Klopp’s men cannot afford to slip up again.
Follow all of the action with our liveblog below.
When is it?
Kick-off is 3.00pm, Saturday 8 April, at the bet365 Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
The game won’t be broadcast live on TV but replays will be available on MOTD from 10.30pm.
It’s a big game for…
Emre Can. With Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and now Sadio Mane all out of the equation, the German midfielder can expect a busy day at the office on Saturday. Can struggled against Leicester in February when he was tasked with anchoring the Liverpool midfield but has gone on to find his feet since. Stoke head into the game with three successive defeats to their name but Can would be wise to have his wits about him on Saturday against a typically resilient side.
Remember when…
Stoke embarrassed Liverpool 6-1 at the end of the 2014/15 season? Steven Gerrard was sent off in his final game for the club as the Potters ran riot against Brendan Rodgers’ side on.
Player to watch…
Xherdan Shaqiri. The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan player is expected to make his first appearance for Stoke this weekend after a lengthy injury spell on the sideline. The Swiss hasn’t featured for the side since January but given the technical quality of his game, and the ability to make something out of nothing, Shaqiri will be one player to keep a close eye.
Last three meetings…
Liverpool 4 Stoke 1, Premier League, December 2016
Liverpool 4 Stoke 1, Premier League, April 2016
Liverpool 0 Stoke 1, League Cup, January 2016
Form guide…
Stoke: LLLDWL
Liverpool: DWDWWL
Odds…
Stoke to win: 3/1
Liverpool to win: 94/100
Draw: 13/5
(Odds provided by Bet 888)
GOAL
STOKE 1 - 2 LIVERPOOL
Firmino doubles Liverpool's scoring in quick succession, also after being introduced at half time. The Brazilian picks up an over the top ball and smashes it home past a helpless Grant. Two correct substitutions from Klopp, it seems.
WEST HAM 1 - 0 SWANSEA
Lanzini fires a free kick towards the goal, but it flies high and wide. Wasteful for a man of such ability.
WEST BROM 0 - 1 SOUTHAMPTON
What a chance for The Baggies! Forster parries a cross from McClean into the path of Robson-Kanu, but he fails to convert and fires the attempt over.
GOAL
MANCHESTER CITY 3 - 1 HULL
Ranocchia scores from close range following a pull back from Maloney. That is the defenders second goal for The Tigers.
WEST HAM 1 - 0 SWANSEA
Lanzini beats two with sublime skill, before he sends the ball across to Calleri, but the final strike can only rattle the side netting.
WEST HAM 1 - 0 SWANSEA
Byram bravely puts his body in front of a strike from Sigurdsson to deny the 27-year-old an equaliser.
FULL TIME SCORES
Manchester City 3 - 1 Hull City
Stoke 1 - 2 Liverpool
West Ham 1 - 0 Swansea
Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Burnley
West Brom 0 - 1 Southampton
Up next, Bournemouth host Chelsea.
The pressure at the top of the pile continues for Conte's men as Spurs steal yet another three points today. The title tussle slowly reaches its climax and it looks like a two horse race, with Tottenham staying closely on Chelsea's tail. A win today here at Dean Court is vital for the visitors.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five top-flight fixtures and a win today will elevate them to tenth in the table.
It's all to play for today for both sides.
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