If they overcome this hurdle, who knows how high they can go

Liverpool will not have to face primary slingshot Delap who is side lined but they have a few injury concerns of their own. Gerrard is still not fit enough to play and Adam sustained a hip injury at the weekend which may keep him out. Which means young Henderson may start alongside Lucas. As for Stoke they will have to make do without Delap but still have plenty of options for those long throws, and they now have Crouch to add even more height.

Stoke like Liverpool remain unbeaten this season and will be confident of getting a result against the Reds. The potters in many ways represent the best of the English football (intensity, physicality, passion) and the worst (lack of technique, ugly route one football and overreliance on set pieces). That should not take away from the sterling job Pulis has done, and no one should blame him for playing to his team’s strengths.

So can Liverpool do it on a cold wet night in Stoke? Well it won’t be cold or dark it may be wet but it will definitely be taxing. Liverpool will be primed for a physical barrage and a feverish atmosphere. Dalglish will tell his troops to carrying on playing the sharp incisive football that demolished Bolton and avoid getting dragged into a war of attrition. If Liverpool overcome this hurdle then who knows how high they can soar.

This article was written by Chaitanya and is courtesy of our partner website thisisfutbol.com. Read the latest news and blogs about European Football at TiF. – ed

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This week it is former LFC WAG Gisela Molinero!!