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)
45 MINS
There will be a minimum of one additional minute to play. The interval can not come quick enough for Mazzarri and his men.
HALF TIME
TOTTENHAM 3 - 0 WATFORD
Tottenham head into the break with full control of this fixture, following three top strikes. Alli opened the scoring, closely followed by Dier and finally Son capped the scoring for the first half just before the half time whistle. The Hornets started well, but as the game progressed they looked lacklustre and unorganised. Mazzarri's men certainly do not look like a side that are battling to secure their position in the top flight for next season. Things will have to change in the interval for the visitors, otherwise this could get out of control.
45 MINS
Watford kick off to get the second half under way. Can they redeem this three goal deficit? We'll see.
47 MINS
Dembele goes for glory from the edge of the area, but the strike deflects and flies over the top of the target. Corner kick.
49 MINS
Trippier receives treatment on the pitch following a collision with Niang.
50 MINS
Success breaks forward, but his delivery is intercepted by Alderweireld before it could find Okaka at the back post.
52 MINS
Eriksen cleverly flicks the ball over an innocent Watford midfielder, before threading the ball through to Vertonghen. The Belgian charges through on goal, but he quickly runs out of steam and is dispossessed.
55 MINS
GOAL
TOTTENHAM 4 - 0 WATFORD
Son doubles his tally, with a clinical first time finish. Trippier bursts down the right and delivers an imposing ball into the box and to Pochettino's pleasure, it falls to the South Korean. Top stuff.
58 MINS
The home side are in cruise control right now, with Watford looking lifeless apathetic.
The movement of Kane on the Spurs sideline is a sight that the visitors will not want to see.
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