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)
25 MINS
Watford have gone off the boil here following an auspicious start. Pochettino's men are pinging the ball around confidently and controlling the tempo of the fixture, so far.
27 MINS
Son tests the limits of Janmaat with a sequence of step-overs, but it's not enough to stump the 27-year-old. The ball is intercepted and Watford redeem possession.
30 MINS
Niang attempts to charge down the left, but he is fouled by Alderweireld. Free kick to The Hornets.
32 MINS
Janssen finds Eriksen on the edge of the area, but his left-footed strike is easily collected Gomes.
33 MINS
GOAL
TOTTENHAM 1 - 0 WATFORD
A moment of magic from Alli opens the scoring for Spurs. He picks up the ball on the edge of the area, looks up and fires a right-footed strike into the far corner. That's a sensational strike from a youngster in sublime form.
35 MINS
Eriksen attempts an over the top through ball, but it's over hit and easily collected by the Watford keeper.
39 MINS
GOAL
TOTTENHAM 2 - 0 WATFORD
Dier doubles Tottenham's lead with an absolute rocket. The ball bounces to him on the edge of the area, he looks up and pulls the trigger with his right-foot. Top strike from the 23-year-old.
Game on!
42 MINS
Holebas sends a deep free kick into the Spurs box, but there is not one Watford player challenging for the ball. Lloris strolls out of his goal and collects the set piece.
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