Liverpool face Stoke City on December 27th, and ahead of the game, confirmed team news is already trickling in.
In his pre-match press conference this week, Stoke boss Mark Hughes told reporters:
“Phil Bardsley is still a few weeks away. Geoff Cameron is another one who isn’t going to be available to us over the Festive period".
Hughes also confirmed that long-term injury absentee Ibrahim Afellay will return to Premier League action against Liverpool:
"Ibi played last Friday and came through the game strongly, so he is now back in the squad and available for selection. I have no qualms about including him".
Bardsley and Cameron are experienced mainstays of Hughes' side, any absence of experienced players is good news for Liverpool.
Irrespective of the team Hughes puts out, the Reds haven't lost a home league game against Stoke since 1959 (!), so the probability of a Liverpool victory is extremely high.
That said, Stoke beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in last season's League Cup semi-final, which shows that the Potters are capable of achieving a surprise victory.
* Afellay: Reportedly on £30k-a-week. Hailed by Mark Hughes as 'outstanding'.
In his pre-match press conference this week, Stoke boss Mark Hughes told reporters:
“Phil Bardsley is still a few weeks away. Geoff Cameron is another one who isn’t going to be available to us over the Festive period".
Hughes also confirmed that long-term injury absentee Ibrahim Afellay will return to Premier League action against Liverpool:
"Ibi played last Friday and came through the game strongly, so he is now back in the squad and available for selection. I have no qualms about including him".
Bardsley and Cameron are experienced mainstays of Hughes' side, any absence of experienced players is good news for Liverpool.
Irrespective of the team Hughes puts out, the Reds haven't lost a home league game against Stoke since 1959 (!), so the probability of a Liverpool victory is extremely high.
That said, Stoke beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in last season's League Cup semi-final, which shows that the Potters are capable of achieving a surprise victory.
* Afellay: Reportedly on £30k-a-week. Hailed by Mark Hughes as 'outstanding'.
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