Topic: Stoke City vs Liverpool FC. The Preview. Wed 26th Dec (Away)

[redtel]

Team selection and tactics are worthy of discussion but away at Stoke we are at the mercy of the ref.

Will he allow Stoke to get away with murder or will he allow us to play. You know what I mean.

It's Howard Webb.   Lee Mason allowed them to rotate the fouls on Suarez in the home game, not booking anyone until it was too late to accrue a red.

If Webb does the same we will find it difficult to play our game. Get past them and you are chopped.

[Mal]

Stoke are Stoke, they'll play the way they play, better than they're given credit for but still uber aggressive. It won't be a surprise, we should be ready...

We will do well to get nil.

[RichardM]

Quietly confident for this fixture for once. Agger and Skrtel need to be on top form, keeping a clean sheet is vital, but we have a team of nimble and quick players who can do some real damage to Stoke.

[NZ Red]

Team selection and tactics are worthy of discussion but away at Stoke we are at the mercy of the ref.

Will he allow Stoke to get away with murder or will he allow us to play. You know what I mean.

It's Howard Webb.   Lee Mason allowed them to rotate the fouls on Suarez in the home game, not booking anyone until it was too late to accrue a red.

If Webb does the same we will find it difficult to play our game. Get past them and you are chopped.

Completely agree with that. I think we'll be able to tell pretty early on how the game is going to go. If Stoke pick up a yellow in the first 10-15 minutes for a normal ('soft' by Stoke standards) foul it'll be a good sign. But if Webb decides to 'let the game flow' (i.e. let Stoke get away with murder, with the standard for a yellow card becoming a leg-breaking, two-footed challenge) early on then we could be in for a long afternoon. Also have a feeling it'll be one of those games where Suarez gets absolutely nothing from the ref. So, in a sense, business as usual.

Would absolutely love it if we could manage get the 3 points from this lot. I've always disliked Stoke, but the game earlier this season has made me really despise them.

[ArchieC]

At some point in the post match interviews whether win lose or draw Tony Pulis will critizise Luis Suarez for something that he does.

[SYLENTm]

At some point in the post match interviews whether win lose or draw Tony Pulis will critizise Luis Suarez for something that he does.

Because Huth will feel some pain in his ankle after stamping Suarez

[Gifted Right Foot]

That is a brilliant op mate.  Sorry I can't add too much to it at this point in time but all I can think about is how much I despise stoke. If we can somehow come away with a win away from home against stoke we are a top four contending team.

[Malaysian Kopite]

At some point in the post match interviews whether win lose or draw Tony Pulis will critizise Luis Suarez for something that he does.

Definitely.

[Kop10]

Wouldn't it be great if Phaseofplay introduced all pre-match threads and gave us his great insight into how the other team sets up and the various approaches we could use to outwit them?

The intros to the pre-match threads have been great recently by the way - the opener on this thread being a fine example - but it might be worth seeing how my suggestion could improve the quality of pre-match threads.

PS: That's if phaseofplay would be kind enough to want to do it course.

[Anfield Ed]

Tough match, but if we believe in ourselves we can get a result.

My team would be:- Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez, Sterling.

We've got the physical presence of the back 4 and Lucas and Gerrard in the middle. Henderson and Downing are in good form and deserve a start.

First goal is so so  crucial, imo whoever gets it will not lose the game.

[SYLENTm]

Since they're all fucking huge I think Coates will start, maybe that 3-5-2

[Jamie1983]

It's a nickname if you are a clueless bellend.

I think we need to stop worrying about 4th this year and just see where we are at the end of the season. All of this up and down shite and false dawns do nobody any good.

Completely agree man, let's just take it 1 game at a time, and hope we get a result. It's still far too early to be thinking about if we win we could be in for 4th or if we lose we're out of it.

1 game at a time fellas, all pulling together and we'll get where we wanna be!

Ynwa!!!!!

[Malaysian Kopite]

Crab?

Don't want the subs getting hungry now would we?

[Number 7]

Since they're all fucking huge I think Coates will start, maybe that 3-5-2

Carragher seems to be more in favour these days, but if we're looking for height to combat throw-ins or corners then I'd rather Coates play.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if it was 3-5-2. Skrtel-Coates-Agger at the back. Johnson and Enrique as wingbacks. Gerrard-Lucas-Allen in midfield, and Sterling just off Suarez upfront.

I think that set up is very possible.

[trembles97]

Would be pleased with a draw to be honest.

But I think we'll get our first pen of the year and snatch it 1-0.

[alvaro]

I had a dream when we were leading 1-0 at half time against Stoke City( however in my dream we were playing at Anfield). To make things more intresting Ian Rush showed up at my house to watch the game . Too bad we then switched the channel to a soap opera so I dont know how the game ended.

[B0151?]

coates is a must imo. (though i'm not too expectant)

as much for his threat at set pieces as defending

i remember a stat from a while ago that stoke for all their aerial prowess were actually pretty dogshite at defending set pieces

[SlowRap]

I'd go with

-------------------Reina------------
---------Skrtl--Coates--Agger------
--Johnson-----------------------Enrique-
-----------Lucas----------Henderson-------
-------------------Gerrard-------------------
----Downing----Suarez----------Sterling---

Gives us height and energy, I'd be tempted to bring Wisdom at RB and have Glen LB with Enrique taking Downing's place (swapping wings with Sterling). But Downing is on form at the moment.

[PhaseOfPlay]

I'd go with

-------------------Reina------------
---------Skrtl--Coates--Agger------
--Johnson-----------------------Enrique-
-----------Lucas----------Henderson-------
-------------------Gerrard-------------------
----Downing----Suarez----------Sterling---

Gives us height and energy, I'd be tempted to bring Wisdom at RB and have Glen LB with Enrique taking Downing's place (swapping wings with Sterling). But Downing is on form at the moment.

We need 12 players to beat Stoke?

[Alex7]

I don't wanna sound cliche, but I think Sterling would have a hard time of it. Not that we have any other option but to play him.

If we win this game, it'll be down to a deserved stroke of luck or a moment of magic from Suarez.

Real sign of progression if we manage to nick a win in my opinion, no matter how we do it.

[gorgepir]

Really hope for a win, but just can't see it. Maybe if Shelvey is up for it and plays instead of Allen we could potentially match up to their physicality better, otherwise everyone will be pushed off to easily in the midfield.

[Groundskeeper Willie]

Stoke have conceded something like 3 goals at home this season, so I can´t see us getting more than 1. That likely means a draw.

[sidneyroughdiamond]

A turgid match with a deflected goal following a goal mouth scramble. 1-0 stoke.

[DangerScouse]

I think I'd trade every gift I receive for us to give these the twatting they have thoroughly deserved for years.

4-0 sounds about right.

Haha well said mate. Would love to stuff the time wasting, shite foot playing, negative twats.

Huge respect to their fans btw for their support of Hillsborough.

[pougueme]

Completely agree man, let's just take it 1 game at a time, and hope we get a result. It's still far too early to be thinking about if we win we could be in for 4th or if we lose we're out of it.

1 game at a time fellas, all pulling together and we'll get where we wanna be!

Ynwa!!!!!

Good luck with your approach mate!

Me, I'm looking for CL football next year.  And a loss against Stoke (however unlikely!) won't change that!

[arcticus]

We need 12 players to beat Stoke?

Pretty much, we don't have anyone of their size bar Coates and maybe Gerrard.

[SlowRap]

We need 12 players to beat Stoke?

Had one too many mulled wines 

[stevied]

Last time i had an invite into the Stanley Matthews suite we won 8-0 and i nearly got my head kicked in , well i have had the invite , now to find a tin hat and hope we score loads

[steveeastend]

Death by football. Come on Brendan and the redmen!!

[Mizerooskie]

The fabled match at the Brittania on a Wednesday night in December.

I guess we'll learn who's really suited to the Premier League?

In all seriousness, if we're clinical with our chances, we get the 3 points.  If not, I'm guessing it ends up a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.

[moloch]

Boxing Day match at Stoke. Can't get much sexier than that footballwise I guess. I'm inclined to agree that Webb will be the clincher in this one.

[stevied]

Score early, then hang on and hit them on the break no pissing about at the back with the ball, just lump it up the park to Sterling and Suarez and get another, this ain't the place to be passing it about across the back 4 they will pressurise us and we will make mistakes

[TheMissionary]

They've conceded only 3 at home this season and they're on an 8 game unbeaten run.

All good things must, and will, come to an end.  This is a good place to apply BR's "model" of keep-ball and passing the opposition to death.  We must prevent them launching it into the box and hoping we can deal with it, as of late, cut of the source instead.  Rip into them from the start, early goal, knock it about as they get more and more frustrated.  That's the plan, but against this lot plans often go out the window. 

[Number 7]

Great post phaseofplay.

Set pieces will be vital. And you're right we're capable of nicking it.

[horne]

imagine you were a stoke fan?....would you fancy playing aginst us?...go through our team one by one,and see how we have bossed teams lacking only that final finnish...which in the last game improved
bring that fucking game on you bunch of muppets !...

[cox3100]

Maybe it's to much christmas turkey but I think tomorrow could be the day that we finally get a penalty.


1-0 or 1-1

[LondonRedMan]

imagine you were a stoke fan?....would you fancy playing aginst us?...go through our team one by one,and see how we have bossed teams lacking only that final finnish...which in the last game improved
bring that  game on you bunch of muppets !...

I think they will be confident. Stoke have a very mean defence and we can be quite wasteful in front of goal so they may be confident in keeping a clean sheet

They are also a strong physical side which can take advantage of the size difference - we are much smaller in stature

So they will be confident

[SYLENTm]

I think they will be confident. Stoke have a very mean defence and we can be quite wasteful in front of goal so they may be confident in keeping a clean sheet

They are also a strong physical side which can take advantage of the size difference - we are much smaller in stature

So they will be confident

Hopefully they are (over)confident and it will end up as our game vs Villa

[horne]

if we play like we did on saturday.its them worrying about us
we will beat them...and if there was any penalties to be had this season,its against stoke...
i can see the lads being really up for this...five points off the group ...considering we have been left massively short up front for half the season,and evrything seems to have gone against us,were not lying in too bad a position...transfer window round the corner with decent players lined up,should motivate a few even more...looking forward to the battle

[B0151?]

i dont think stoke will worry about us too much. they will set out like they usually do and hope suarez doesnt produce a moment of magic.

for me then that's what we're counting on, unless rodgers comes up with some genius

it would be our most important game of the season if we twatted them. would give us shitloads of confidence that.