Match Day Thread PL: Stoke City vs Liverpool FC

Ryan Shawcross: Stoke captain out for two months with back injury
Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross is to undergo back surgery and will miss the first two months of the season.
The 27-year-old centre-back missed six weeks last season with back trouble.
And he has been limited to just over an hour's action during Stoke's pre-season programme because of the problem.
But goalkeeper Jack Butland is confident the Potters have adequate cover, telling BBC Radio Stoke: "To lose him is a big loss, but we've got players capable of filling the void."
Marc Wilson, Marc Muniesa and Philipp Wollscheid are defensive options for Potters manager Mark Hughes, as his side prepare for their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
Butland added: "The likes of Geoff Cameron, Marc, Philipp and Muni are top-class centre-halves and would be brilliant replacements."

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They've lost Shawcross to injury, and N'Zonzi has left the club.

Both players formed part of a solid spine - big losses IMO.

 

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http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/07/stoke-city-liverpool-match-preview

 

Needs more Can.

 

This. However I think Can and Firmino will both be on the bench due to lack of fitness.

 

Is that like being injured

 

i am willing to bet both will play... no better way to freaking get fit than to play.

60mins out of either is better than 90 mins out of a lucas or lallana

 

yup.

 

This is what I said he would do last week. I'm certain of this line up.

 

Wouldn't have thought that would mean much after your last game against them, the attack should be more of a concern.

 

Keep trying....

 

Not long now..........how's everyone feeling? Is it .........or is it

 

I want some fight today.

I want this lot put to the sword.

Nothing else will do, I've already got Rodgers sack letter written from last december

 

I'm very nervous, a few drinks needed before KO.

 

I feel pretty confident for a bit of revenge this afternoon

 

Season stays today

 

I'd like skertl to split one of them open with an elbow and only get a yellow... then their keeper should try and take benteke out only to bounce off and hit his own post and have to go off.

Then to round it off their cbs should run into each other get concussed and also go off.

That allied with Charlie Adam scoring a hat trick of og well that'd be just nice.



Or lfc win 5-0

 

Right, all negativity stops today (until after the match). Time to back the team and manager - hopefully they go out and just get the result.

I've seen a 'likely' starting line up and whilst I don;t agree with it, it should still be good enough to win.

Bring it on!

 

As it's my Birthday today a good win combined with a good performance would be a great present.

Be watching it in a pub as my son, now working after 5yrs at University, has offered to buy all my booze. I feel a sudden liking for 100 yr old port coming on!