Date: 19th September 2008 at 6:06am
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Ok, here we go again. As per usual the games are coming thick and fast and as soon as you seem to have grabbed a breath another match looms on the horison. So Stoke come to Anfield on Saturday since November 2000 when they were thumped 8-0 in the Worthington (or as it was fondly renamed the Worthless Cup) when R.Folwer bagged a hat-trick. This is The Potters second trip to Meryseyside in the same number of weeks and will be trying to come away with a better result than they went home with against our “friends” across the park last Sunday.

So I am thinking can Stoke pose a threat this weekend and there is a few factors to consider to put forward any case for concern. Firstly, we all know that Rafa is going to make some changes in order for some players to have a wee rest but what we don’t know to what extent this is going to be. He must ensure that the winning momentum is maintained as success breeds success and there is no point doing all the hard work so far and especially last week against ManU just to toss 2 points away tomorrow against Stoke with a silly draw. Secondly, it is well known that Liverpool sometimes have a difficulty turning up for matches after a midweek Euro fixture. So no matter what Rafa does we still need the players on the pitch to treat Stoke with the correct attitude and not think that they simply have to turn up in order to secure 3 points. Finally Stoke themselves. This is the type of game that the Stoke players have been dreaming of since securing promotion to the top flight last season. They are going to be up for the match and Liverpool need to ensure that they arenot fought out of it but stamp the authority on the game from the start. Who knows, a draw between Chelski and The Scum on Sunday could see us on top on our own.

The match sees the second top against second bottom, the club with the joint least losses against the one with joint most, the second best defence against the second weakest, and the club with a 100% home league record against one without a point on the road. Liverpool are unbeaten against Stoke in eight games in all competitions and have won 6 and drawn 2. Liverpool did the double over Stoke when they last met for league action in 1984-85. Bill Asprey’s bottom of the table strugglers lost 0-1 to a Ronnie Whelan winner at the Victoria Ground, and to Kenny Dalglish and Steve Nicol goals at Anfield (2-0).

A good win tomorrow may bring some other reasons to celebrate. If we score three more goals we will become the third club to net 1,000 in the Premier League. Manchester United lead the way with 1,223 and Arsenal are second with 1,056. If Gerrard scores one of these goals it will be his 100th career goal for The Reds. Another milestone (if he plays) will be Hyypia’s 300th EPL outing.

Some other useless bits of info are that Liverpool will be facing two ex-players in Salif DIAO (61 games for LFC with 3 goals) and also Dominic MATTEO (155 games for LFC with 2 goals). Richard Creswell (31) and Jimmy Phillips (19) will be playing on their birthdays – so lets not give them the best birthday present ever.

Shankly Quote of The Week –

Above all, I would like to be remembered as a man who was selfless, who strove and worried so that others could share the glory, and who built up a family of people who could hold their heads up high and say “We’re Liverpool.”

 

4 responses to “Liverpool V Stoke – Sat 20th Sep KO 1500”

  1. Ron says:

    I am sure Rafa is going to ring the changes for this one but we should still be able to get a result. I see us winning 3-0.

    I think this is how they are going to lineup tomorrow: Reina, Deggen, Hyypia, Carragher, Dossena, Riera, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Keane, Torres.

  2. Bobaldo says:

    ok the guru is back – between you and me, i didn’t mind not being correct with my champions league prediction since they scored an absolute cracker of a goal! This week, i’m going with a 2-0 victory to LFC, with Keano bagging his first.

    Last night i attended an LMA event and the highlight was an audience with Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson. Despite the rivalry between our club and the gooners and mancs, i must say that these two blokes are quality! They certainly are among a dying breed of special managers; interestingly, after a few glasses of vino, Alex was rather friendly towards Arsene (who would of thunk it after the infamous sulk of a couple of seasons ago!).

    Anyway,i just thought it might be of interest to fellow football fans so i’ll outline a few highlights from the event!

    Q(Richard Keys) – Which past player do you think could easily slot into your present team and take them to the next level?

    A(Wenger) – Dennis Berkamp – best player he’s ever had
    A(Fergie) – Cantona – confidence of the boy is unreal!

    Q (RK) – Which player from each others team do you think could play in your team and which one would you like?

    A(W) – Ronaldo – because we nearly had him! Only a couple hundred grand away! (When asked, Ferguson denied this!)
    A(F) – Fabregas – the boy is talented

    Fergie rant: Cristiano is the most gifted player he’s ever seen… (apparently the boy has got talent? still a whinger imo)

    Funniest part of entire interview came when asked whether they prefer talent over determination… both said determination trumps talent – wenger interestingly revealed that he psychoanalyzes his players to determine whether his players have the requisite drive and hunger to play for his club. He reckons that a player with all the talent in the world will never be able to consistently put it on the pitch if he does not have the necessary burning desire! Fergie agreed and added that his best players in the past had limited talent! Shocker! Actually, he mentioned names too…Roy Keane, no talent but balls of steel; Bryan Robson, couldn’t head, couldn’t shoot, couldn’t run, yet he has over 90 caps for england! Bold statement right there! Also thrown in the mix were players from his time at Aberdeen…

    Overall, it was a fantastic event although Gerrard Houllier pulled out at the last minute and I did not spot Rafa in amongst the other managers… That would have been the icing on the cake!

    Anyway, sideshow over.

  3. LS says:

    2-0 liverpool, watch my prediction turn out to be right

  4. Benjamin says:

    4-0