Predicted Stoke City Line-up To Face Liverpool In The Premier League
Stoke City have been one of the most inconsistent teams this season in the top flight. They stand at 15th place in the points table, just three points above the relegation zone, but a run of good games can easily push them closer to the top half of the table. They are fresh from a 2-2 draw at Brighton and will hope to put on a similar show against Liverpool this mid-week.
Jurgen Klopp’s men dropped a couple of points at home to Chelsea at the weekend and are in search of a victory but the BET365 is not the easiest place to play your football and the Potters will surely make it tough for the visitors.
Team News
Jack Butland, Geoff Cameron, and Stephan Ireland remain the long-term absentees and are the only players missing from the squad for this game against Liverpool. Ramadhan Sobhi and Saido Berahino are both expected to be fit for this game.
Formation: 3-4-3
Manager: Stoke City
GK – Lee Grant
With Butland out injured, Grant has taken up the mantle at Stoke and has done a decent job. However, he will have a tough task against an in-form Liverpool attack.
CB – Kurt Zouma
The Chelsea loanee has been Stoke’s best defender this season and he should keep his place in central defence against the Reds.
CB – Ryan Shawcross
Having found a new role in the squad, Shawcross has been solid at the heart of the backline for his side and should retain his place for this game.
CB – Kevin Wimmer
The former Tottenham Hotspur man has also been consistently solid at the back for Stoke but against the likes of Salah, he needs to be at his best.
RWB – Mame Biram Diouf
The winger has found decent form in a wing-back role and Hughes seems happy to stick with him in that role, even for crunch games like the one against Liverpool.
CM – Darren Fletcher
The veteran midfielder adds balance to the Stoke midfield and is one of the first names on the team sheet for his side this season.
CM – Joe Allen
Playing against his former side, Allen might have a point to prove and could be the danger man for the home side in this game.
LWB – Erik Pieters
The 29-year old has not been effective on the attacking front but has been solid at the back so Hughes should stick with him as the wing-back on the left flank.
RW – Xherdan Shaqiri
The Swiss international has been Stoke’s best player this season and needs to be kept quiet for Liverpool to take anything from this game.
LW – Jese Rodriguez
The former Real Madrid man has dropped down the pecking order recently but he could help Stoke pick up more than just a point from this fixture and should start on the left wing.
ST – Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Another player who has been consistent for Stoke this season, Choupo-Moting has also been effective in front of goal and should lead the line for his side against Liverpool.