Liverpool face a tough task this weekend with a trip to Stoke City on the cards, as domestic action resumes after the international break. Kenny Dalglish’s side arrive at the Britannia on the back of two straight victories but are up against a home side unbeaten in seven games in all competitions so far this season. Stoke have only scored more than a single goal in one of those games, though, and will need to be at their best to fend off their in-form visitors.
Likely Line-Ups
Dalglish dropped Andy Carroll for the home game with Bolton but may feel his physical attributes will be a valuable weapon against their battle-hardened hosts. Dirk Kuyt could drop out as Carroll joins Luis Suarez up front, though it’s worth remembering Dalglish played Carroll as a lone striker in Liverpool’s previous away game. Charlie Adam pulled out of the Scotland squad with a thigh injury and is considered doubtful- a blow, considering his goal and assist in the previous game. Elsewhere, Martin Skrtel could continue at right-back as a replacement for the injured Martin Kelly.
Tony Pulis has a trio of new faces to consider ahead of the Saturday afternoon showdown. Peter Crouch, Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome are all pushing for debuts, with £10m signing Crouch looking likely to replace Jonathan Walters up front. Palacios could start in place of Glenn Whelan in the heart of midfield, while Pulis is sweating over the fitness of left-back Marc Wilson- he was subbed off at West Brom with a hamstring problem.
Key Battles
Luis Suarez v Jonathan Woodgate
The Uruguayan continues to dazzle for Liverpool and his trickery tore Bolton apart in the Reds’ previous game. Stoke need to formulate a gameplan to cope with his threat and the man most likely to be charged with stopping him will be Jonathan Woodgate.
Woodgate’s arrival at the Britannia on a free transfer this summer proved a brilliant piece of business by Tony Pulis- released by Spurs, the centre half clearly felt he had a point to prove and has been one of his side’s most impressive performers in the opening month of the season.
Despite failing to complete ninety minutes so far this season, Suarez’s stats have still stood out. He’s made 2 key passes per game but Woodgate has shown the form to break up his play, though; he has made 2 interceptions per game. In terms of goal attempts, the Liverpool man has averaged 2 shots and his opponent will need to close him down quicker here- Woodgate has made just 0.3 blocks per game- low compared to central defensive partner Ryan Shawcross (1.3).
Suarez has been dispossessed 1.7 times per game- almost double Andy Carroll (1)- and this bodes well for Woodgate, who has managed an average of 2.3 tackles per game. While the Uruguayan has made 0.7 successful dribbles, Woodgate is yet to have been beaten by a dribble- his reading of the game proves a vital aspect of his defensive play.
Two goals in his three appearances has earned Suarez a WhoScored rating of 7.25, while Woodgate’s stats –which also include 8.7 clearances per game and an 87% aerial success- has picked up 7.01 per game, the highest of any Stoke outfield player.
Peter Crouch v Daniel Agger
Stoke’s record signing should be thrown into the action on Saturday afternoon, and Crouch’s aerial ability should fit in perfectly with his new team’s style of play. The new boy played just one game for Spurs this term before his last-minute transfer and won 67% of aerial duels- more than Stoke’s current front two Kenwyne Jones (59%) and Jonathan Walters (48%).
Agger has cemented his place in the Liverpool back-four with some solid performances so far this season and his stats suggest Crouch will be up against a worthy opponent ; the Dane has won 82% of his aerial duels, though Crouch will be a different test altogether. The Stoke man has 2 shots per game while Agger has blocked 1 shot per game- the best tally of any Liverpool first-choice defender.
Crouch’s knock-downs and flicks are a crucial part of his play and have helped him make 2 key passes in his only appearance of the season while Agger’s 1.3 interceptions, particularly when compared with defensive partner Jamie Carragher (0.3), suggest just how vital his reading of the game will be.
Crouch was dispossessed 1 time in his single appearance and Agger will be quick to the challenge- he makes 2 tackles per game, again far superior to Carragher’s 1.3. Overall, WhoScored have awarded Crouch 6.18 for his showing so far this season, while Agger –with a series of performances that include 5.3 clearances per game- has scored an impressive 7.17.
