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)
42 MINS
GOAL
BOURNEMOUTH 1 - 2 CHELSEA
King strikes the ball from the edge of the area, it takes a lucky deflection from Luiz and it flies past Courtois. The 25-year-old has put the Cherries back into this fixture at a crucial time.
HALF TIME
BOURNEMOUTH 1 - 2 CHELSEA
It looked like it was all over at Dean Court following goals from Costa and Hazard, but a late strike from King has certainly provided extra impetus for the home side. Chelsea were in cruise control for the majority, but the late goal has certainly provided a problem for Conte's men. It's all to play for in the second half.
47 MINS
The ball goes over the top to Afobe, but Courtois is too quick off his line to collect possession.
50 MINS
Alonso charges into the box from a wide left position, but his final ball falls straight into the hands of Boruc.
51 MINS
King presses forward, before threading it through to Fraser. The 23-year-old's attempted ball into the box is intercepted, but it's encouraging to see from the home side. There's certainly been an element of confidence surrounding Howe's men, since the goal just before the interval.
54 MINS
Hazard volleys a delivery across the face of goal, but the ball was carrying too much pace for Costa to connect with it. That will be a wake up call for Bournemouth.
57 MINS
The ball goes wide to Alonso, who sends the ball exquisitely into the danger zone. It falls to the feet of Costa, but the Spanish striker completely miss-kick's the effort and it falls to the Bournemouth defender.
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