Liverpool FC vs Stoke City [MATCH PREVIEW]

It’s every football fan’s favourite day of the week: matchday. Today Liverpool FC will be taking on Stoke City in their FA Cup encounter at Anfield.

Liverpool FC Team News

Liverpool will have a few absentees for today’s encounter against Stoke City. Injury casualties include long time absentee Lucas Leiva (ACL) and Daniel Agger (rib). Furthermore, there are doubts over the fitness of fullbacks Glen Johnson (hamstring) and Jack Robinson.

It looks likely that Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez will start up front together following their impressive showing as a partnership against Merseyside rivals Everton in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory against the Toffees during the mid-week match.

Liverpool FC Predicted Lineup

I reckon it will be a flexible lineup, with Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing (or whoever starts in his place) going further up the pitch and supporting the strikers whenever possible. Luis Suarez should be starting right behind the Reds’ targetman, who is likely to be English striker Andy Carroll.

(4-4-1-1)

Reina
Kelly-Skrtel-Carragher-Enrique
Gerrard-Henderson-Spearing-Downing
Suarez
Carroll

Statistics

Stoke have won 8 of their last 9 matches in FA Cup.
Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 home matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Stoke have been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 7 matches in FA Cup.
Liverpool have won their last 3 matches in FA Cup.
Liverpool have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Stoke in all competitions.
Stoke have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches in FA Cup.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Liverpool’s last 3games in FA Cup.
Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches in FA Cup.

Stats from WhoScored.com