Premier League preview: Liverpool v Stoke City

Liverpool will be out to spark their English Premier League campaign when they host Stoke City on Saturday.

Kenny Dalglish’s side have been inconsistent this term, and while they are unbeaten in 10 league matches at Anfield, they have drawn four of them.

League leaders Manchester City, who they beat 1-0 in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday, ended their five-match unbeaten run in the league.

The return of captain Steven Gerrard has already given the sixth-placed Reds a boost, and they will be hopeful the midfielder can be at his inspiring best for the visit of Stoke.

Gerrard has started twice since his return from injury, relegating Charlie Adam to the bench.

A clash with Tony Pulis’ Stoke is the first of three very winnable games for Liverpool, with meetings against Bolton and Wolves to follow.

Liverpool will host Tottenham and travel to Old Trafford for a clash with Manchester United after those three outings.

Dalglish will again be without Uruguayan Luis Suarez (five goals), with the forward serving his eight-match ban for racial abuse.

Striker Andy Carroll has only scored two league goals this campaign, but Dalglish, who rubbished reports the 23-year-old was going to leave Liverpool, has kept faith with the former Newcastle man.

Facing his former club, Peter Crouch (six goals) will lead the front line for Stoke.

Stoke will finish the weekend in eighth spot regardless of results, but could close the gap on the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle if they can record a surprise win at Anfield.

Matthew Etherington and Jonathan Walters, who have both laid on five assists this campaign, will need to produce their best if Stoke are to come away with anything.

Missing for the hosts are midfielder Lucas Leiva, who is out with a knee injury, and Jay Spearing.

Adam is almost certain to fill the void left by the injured Spearing, who came off with a hamstring injury in the win over Manchester City.

For the visitors, Andy Wilkinson and Mamady Sidibe are again likely to be sidelined.

Stoke are unbeaten in their last three league outings, and are sure to consider a draw at Anfield a good result if they can manage it.