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)
2 MINS
Alli makes an early bust down the right, but his attempted cross into the box is blocked. Corner kick to the home side.
3 MINS
Janssen crashes into the back of Holebas, giving The Hornets a free kick in a potentially dangerous position.
4 MINS
Holebas strikes the set piece over the wall, but it is a fairly routine save for Lloris.
6 MINS
Holebas takes a corner short for Watford, which finds Cleverley on the edge of the area. The 27-year-old attempts to return the ball, but Lloris charges out of goal to collect possession.
7 MINS
At the other end, Son goes for goal and his deflected strike rattles the outside of the woodwork. Corner kick to Spurs.
9 MINS
Janssen looks for his first Premier League goal from open play, but Gomes manages to block the close range strike with his right leg. Top save.
11 MINS
Holebas delivers an imposing free kick towards the back post, but it manages to only find the head of Vertonghen. The attempted clearance drops to the feet of Cathcart, but his strike only manages to rattle the side netting.
14 MINS
Janssen charges down the right and sends a swift delivery across the face of the goal, but it's easily collected by Gomes.
17 MINS
Vertonghen finds Davies on the left, but the 23-year-old fails to find Alli with his attempted delivery into the danger zone.
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