Stoke vs Liverpool live: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino turn things around for the Reds
Keep up to date with all the action from the bet365 Stadium
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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)
61 MINS
Smith charges down the right, before feeding possession to Fraser. The 23-year-old knocks the ball off Alonso's leg to win a throw in.
64 MINS
Chelsea are back on top at Dean Court, with Bournemouth seeing very little going forward. Conte's men are pumping balls wide to Alonso and Moses, which is putting their full backs under constant stress.
66 MINS
Daniels goes for a powerful strike from outside the area, but Azpilicueta leaps in front of the attempt to block it.
68 MINS
GOAL
BOURNEMOUTH 1 - 3 CHELSEA
Alonso has scored the third with a sublime free kick, leaving Boruc helpless. It's an immaculate example of how a free kick should be taken. Top stuff from the 25-year-old.
77 MINS
Wilshire threads the ball through to King, he turns and strikes the ball but it flies wide of the post.
Substitution: Afobe is replaced by Mousset.
79 MINS
Newly introduced Ibe picks up possession and moves into the Chelsea box. Alonso then comes flying in with a perfectly timed slide tackle to save the day for Conte's men.
82 MINS
Alonso delivers a menacing ball into the box, but it's top defending from Cook who manages to head the cross to safety.
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