MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 13:03:53| >> :120:18458:18458:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Premier League
Nov 29, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Stoke logo

1-0

Johnson (85')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Team News: Steven Gerrard, Dejan Lovren benched for Liverpool's visit of Stoke City

Captain Steven Gerrard and defender Dejan Lovren are left out of Liverpool's Premier League lineup for the first time this season for the visit of Stoke to Anfield.

Steven Gerrard has been left on the bench for Liverpool's Premier League visit of Stoke City this afternoon.

On the 16th anniversary of his Reds debut, Gerrard is axed for a top-flight game for the first time this season, along with £24m summer signing Dejan Lovren.

Manager Brendan Rodgers prefers Kolo Touro in the heart of his defence, and recalls Jose Enrique at left-back as he tries to stem the leak of goals which has seen them go five matches without victory.

Lucas Leiva was brought back into the fold for the 2-2 Champions League draw with Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday and maintains his place in a midfield which includes Philippe Coutinho, but not Adam Lallana.

In the absence of injured duo Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, the Liverpool line is led by Rickie Lambert, who has scored in each of his last two games and will be supported by Raheem Sterling.

Stoke welcome back defenders Marc Wilson and Erik Pieters in two of three changes made to the side which suffered a third home defeat of the campaign to newly-promoted Burnley last weekend.

Phil Bardsley and Marc Muniesa drop out of defence, with Geoff Cameron switching to right-back. Further up the pitch, Marko Arnautovic comes in for Victor Moses, who is out for six weeks with a thigh strain.

Liverpool Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique; Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho; Sterling, Lambert
Subs: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Gerrard, Markovic, Can

Stoke: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Nzonzi, Sidwell; Arnautovic, Bojan, Walters; Diouf
Subs: Butland; Whelan, Muniesa, Adam, Ireland, Crouch, Shenton

Follow Sports Mole's live text coverage of the game by clicking here.

ID:190686: cacheID:190686:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4701:
Written by
Joe Fish
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Brendan Rodgers, manager of Liverpool looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on November 23, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Liverpool vs. Stoke
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!