please log in to view this image Vs please log in to view this image Hello and welcome to the official match thread for the Carling Cup 4th round tie between Stoke City and Liverpool. Season So Far. Both Stoke and Liverpool have had solid starts to the season. Stoke currently sit 9th in the Premier League with 12 points. They have had impressive wins against Liverpool and West Brom in the league and draws against Manchester United and Chelsea show that Tony Pulis and his side continue to improve. After reaching the F.A cup final last season, they were entered into the Europa League. In my opinion, this has been the highlight of Stoke's season. They currently sit top of their group with 7 points from 3 games. A 2-1 victory against Besiktas is the highlight of Stoke's Europa League campaign. Stoke have reached the 4th round of the Carling Cup by beating Spurs on penalties 7-6 after the game finished 0-0. Thomas Sorensen was the star after he saved Massimo Luongo's penalty to send Stoke into the next round. Liverpool have also had a solid start to the season. We sit 6th with 15 points. We have had impressive results against Arsenal and Everton and draws against Sunderland and Norwich. These are games in which Liverpool had much of the play but couldn't finish them off and it cost them. Liverpool have played lower league opposition in the Carling Cup. We kicked off with an away tie against League 1 Exeter. Kenny Dalglish put out a strong team and was rewarded with a 3-1 victory in which Luis Suarez, Maxi and Andy Carroll got the goals. They then travelled to newly-promoted Brighton. With a new stadium and some impressive players, Liverpool expected a difficult game. They came out with a 2-1 victory with Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt getting the goals for us. Team/Injury News. Stoke City winger Jermaine Pennant, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, looks unlikely to play against his former club. But Danny Higginbotham could feature following a knee injury. Liverpool midfielder Lucas is available after missing the weekend draw against Norwich because he was serving a one-match ban. Fit-again defender Daniel Agger came on as a late substitute in that game and could be involved on Wednesday. Stoke City 1 - 2 Liverpool Goalscorers: Stoke City... K.Jones: 44th minute. Liverpool... L.Suarez: 54th minute. Liverpool... L.Suarez: 85th minute. Stoke City: Sorensen Huth Shawcross Woodgate Wilson Pennant Whelan Delap Etherington Walters Crouch SUBS: Nash Shotton K.Jones Diao Upson Jerome Palacios Pennant on for Shotton. Crouch on for K.Jones. Liverpool: Reina Kelly Skrtel Coates Agger Henderson Lucas Spearing Bellamy Kuyt Carroll SUBS: Doni Aurelio Suarez Adam Maxi Carragher Flanagan Skrtel on for Carragher. Bellamy on for Maxi. Kuyt on for Suarez. YNWA.
Agreed. We have played strong teams so far and I can see us putting out another strong team. Kenny is taking this competition very seriously indeed.
If it's a strong team Liverpool put out, I think they will beat us whatever side we put out, as I think we won't play our best team, as I think this is the competition Pulis cares about the least. Predicted team: Sorensen Shotton-Huth-Woodgate-Higginbotham Pennant-Palacios-Diao/Whitehead-Etherington Jones Jerome Match Prediction: 2-0 to Liverpool
Indeed. He is still with us. The reason why he is still playing and not just a scout, coach or ambassador, still eludes Stoke fans. He actually came on yesterday off the bench, ahead of Palacios. Yes I know how ridiculous that sounds.
True. Only 2 out of my predicted XI would start every week if fit. If only Pulis invested in a backup winger, or didn't send out our only backup winger out on loan we could rest Jermaine or Matty every now and then.
Cheers! I did have a look on the BBC earlier but it the preview wasn't up. Can see Agger coming back to build up some more match fitness.
Betting odds taken from William Hill... Stoke: 11/5 Draw: 23/10 Liverpool: 5/4 First goalscorer: Crouch: 7/1 K.Jones: 15/2 Walters: 15/2 - Suarez: 5/1 Carroll: 13/2 Bellamy: 13/2 Link: http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-gb/betting/e/2432928/Stoke-v-Liverpool.html
Sgt We're at home, why can't you be the slightest itsey, bitsey on the confident side.. I know I missed the league game v Liverpool due to my daughters wedding but?? We don't play Newcastle till next Monday night, WHY not play our first team/best 11. Oh, and I know that Liverpool battered us and we got lucky. P.S. just wondering guys. IF it's all square after extra time is it pen's again as v Spurs
I think stoke will have to prioritise something at some point with the old europa campaign but i have to wonder if it's this one. I think kenny will need to beat his team until they get sense i'm afraid. the old hazel switch across the legs is in order. If we don't pick carroll cos stoke have big men then whats the point? I said in january on old 606 it was wasteful and i stand by that. We need to go do one thing against stoke and thats create overlaps that get us to the byline where a low cut back can occur... enrique and johnons can cut them up if our supposed wingers would stay wide enough to allow them to overlap. If we throw in another goal i'll go mad.
Given the squad that he has and the need to play them. Given that we also need a good cup run. Then I think our starting 11 will be strong. My guess is that Suarez will be on the bench with Carroll starting.
