LIVERPOOL return to Anfield this Sunday to host Tony Pulis’ Stoke City after a week of two matches that yielded eight goals for the Reds whilst conceding five goals.
The Reds are currently showing immense improvements on their goal scoring record, however their defense looks a bit shaky this season in a role reversal of last season when the defense was solid and attack lacked the final sting.
Reds will be looking to build on their confidence which got a major boost by the massive win away at Carrow Road last week. Stoke on the other hand, also on the back of an impressive home win against Brendan Rodgers’ former club Swansea City last weekend, will be looking to build on that momentum and will look for a win at Anfield. Both teams have had a slow start to the Premier league this season, though Stoke have fared slightly better than the Reds so far.
Charlie Adam will make his return to Anfield after leaving the club this summer and also former Red Peter Crouch, who is the highest scorer for the Potters this season with four goals.
The Reds endured a heartbreaking defeat to Udinese this Thursday to Italian club Udinese in the Europa League. It was a match that Reds could and should have won easily though. Now the focus is back to the Premier League and let me start off with picking the best possible XI for the match.
Starting XI
Keeping Brendan Rodgers’ favored 4-3-3 formation in mind, here is my preferred XI to face Stoke City and get the first win for Rodgers at Anfield.
Reina
Wisdom—Skrtel—Agger—Johnson
Gerrard—Allen—Sahin
Borini—Suarez—Sterling
And now here are the key battles that the Reds needs to win to ensure three points and the first home win at Anfield this season.
Martin Skrtel vs. Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch has been in really hot form this season already notching up four goals. He will be up against Martin Skrtel, who unlike last season, hasn’t been at the top of his game and in no way is near to that of Crouch’s at the moment.
Skrtel hasn’t had the best of starts to his season and has already committed some big mistakes directly leading to goals conceded. Skrtel is known to be a good header of the ball but he’s up against 6ft 7 inches tall Crouch, who doesn’t need much effort to reach the aerial balls. It will be interesting to watch how Skrtel copes with it.
Apart from his effectiveness with the aerial balls, Crouch has a knack of scoring spectacular goals and opening defense with some individual displays of brilliance.
Andre Wisdom vs. Michael Kightly
If Andre Wisdom gets the chance and I assume he will, in the absence of Martin Kelly, the 19 year old powerhouse will have a huge task to constrain the threat of Michael Kightly.
He has the strength, pace and physique to stifle any left-winger, but at 19, he still has a lot to learn in the Premier League. His rawness and enthusiasm might yet get the better of him.
Kightly, though not the best of wingers but still has enough in him to trouble any full back. He’s had a decent season last year with Wolverhampton Wanderers and started off on a good note with the Potters this season. He will look to impress his new boss with great display on the pitch.
Joe Allen vs. Charlie Adam
The midfield battle is the one which will in some way define who’s going to go home with all three points. It will be interesting to see Charlie Adam surplus to Reds and sold this summer have a go at the new boy Joe Allen.
Both players, famous for their passing ability though in a contrasting way, will be looking to exert superiority over each other in the midfield. Adam loves to play long balls while Allen keeps it short and precise.
Their playing style represents the philosophy with their respective teams play: Stoke has a direct approach to the game with long passes while Liverpool play quick and short passes on the floor.
Adam hasn’t had the best of seasons with Liverpool last year, but he still has the creativity and vision to pick out his forwards, not to forget he still has a powerful left foot. Allen has been the best player for the Reds so far and he will need to ensure that when he comes face to face with Adam.
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Nuri Sahin vs Steven Nzonzi
In absence of Shelvey, Nuri Sahin looks favorite to play in front of Allen along with Gerrard. Sahin has been on an impressive run of form and will be up against Stoke new boy Steven Nzonzi.
Both midfielders have the ability to play as box-to-box midfielders, however Sahin will be playing more attacking role and Nzonzi, like in previous games, will be dropping back to take a more defensive position.
Both midfielders do get on the scoresheet with some important goals and they will be looking to make their respective marks at Anfield on Sunday.
Raheem Sterling vs. Robert Huth
Raheem Sterling, though mainly operates on the left wing, with his brand of cutting in on his right, will face Robert Huth as a formidable physical presence.
Sterling has showed that he has the stamina and discipline to deal with a physical defense. A regular starter at only 17 years of age for the Reds, he has shown an impressive attacking ability with some good crosses and has developed a good understanding with Luis Suarez, which can prove handful for Stoke defenders, regardless of his size.
Huth, while a much-improved defender compared to his Chelsea days, has the obvious advantage of physical presence over the pint-sized Sterling, will have to be at his best to keep a check Sterling’s runs and crosses which can cause problems to any defender.
Luis Suarez vs. Ryan Shawcross
Huth’s defensive partner Ryan Shawcross will handle the unenviable responsibility of dealing with Luis Suarez, who looks to have found his goal scoring boots and comes off from four goals in two games.
Suarez’s has always been the main attacking threat for Liverpool since joining them from Ajax, and has the ability to give the defense a run around on and off the ball. Everyone, including me will be hoping that Suarez picks up from where he left off last week and continues his fine run in front of the goal.
Shawcross, a no nonsense defender and the captain of the visiting Stoke side, is more than capable of dealing with any kind of attack and stifling the best players on his day. He leads the back line with discipline and always gives his 100 percent in every game. Having said that, he will still have his hands full dealing with a Suarez determined to build on his excellent outing at Carrow Road. He will have to be at his very best to stop Suarez
My Prediction
This match has cracker written all over it and it will be exciting to watch two teams that play with entirely different philosophy. Stoke are known for their discipline while defending and direct style of play, while Liverpool play quick short passes and look to have finally found their way in front of the goals. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top; in the meanwhile here is my prediction for the match:
3-1 Liverpool.
Thanks a lot for reading. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. You can also find me on Twitter @LEONGUI7E.
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