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Preview: Liverpool vs. Stoke City

Preview: Liverpool vs. Stoke City
© PA Photos
Liverpool will hope to be more clinical in front of goal as they host Stoke City at Anfield.

Liverpool will expect a tough encounter as they go head to head against Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday.

Kenny Dalglish's side will feel buoyant following their 1-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final at the Etihad Stadium last night.

While spirits in the Reds camp will be on the up following a difficult few months off the pitch, Liverpool's mid-week clash and inconsistent home form could serve as a disadvantage as the Potters arrive on Merseyside on the back of two straight victories.

Steven Gerrard is expected to start for the Reds after regaining full fitness from a lengthy absence, while Charlie Adam is likely to return to the midfield, causing Jay Spearing, who limped off against City, to make way.

It is expected that Andy Carroll will continue to lead the line for the Reds, despite a continuous goal drought. However, Craig Bellamy could find himself on the bench with Dirk Kuyt returning to the side.

Tony Pulis is likely to ring the changes from the side that defeated Gillingham 3-1 in the FA Cup last weekend, with Peter Crouch expected to return to the Potters starting XI.

Current form:

Liverpool: WWDDWL
Stoke City: WWLDDW

Possible lineups:

Liverpool: Reina; Enrique, Skrtl, Agger, Johnson; Downing, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson; Kuyt, Carroll

Stoke City: Sorensen; Woodgate, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson; Shotton, Whelan, Whitehead, Etherington; Walters, Crouch

Sports Mole says: 1-0

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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