Tuesday 26th January Kickoff: 1945hrs
Liverpool v Stoke City
Football – England – League Cup
The first major piece of silverware in the English season is only a month away now and either Liverpool or Stoke will be the first team to book their place as they clash in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final at Anfield. Liverpool hold a narrow lead but there is still plenty left in the tie for the visitors.
After a remarkable 5-4 win over Norwich at the weekend, I think we are even more confused about the direction this Liverpool team are going. That victory was obviously on the back of a very disappointing 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United the week before, and despite Lallana’s last-gasp winner at Carrow Road, there remains a lot of uncertainty as to how many of this squad are capable of taking Liverpool where the manager and supporters want them to. Most concerning was their sheer inability to defend which is an indication of why Jurgen Klopp has opted to play in a more disciplined fashion for the majority of his tenure, as he looks to protect what is a very vulnerable defence.
Mark Hughes was left frustrated with his side unable to breakdown Liverpool’s defence in the first leg, but the truth is they created very little and could be left to rue not being more adventurous. Scoring goals has been an issue for Stoke all season, scoring the fewest of any of the team’s currently in the top ten in the Premier League. Their problems in front of goal were evident in the weekend loss to Leicester, going down 3-0. Admittedly, Bojan and Marko Arnautovic were missing from that game, and having both back will be a massive plus as the duo present most of their threat going forward. Unfortunately for Stoke, however, captain Ryan Shawcross is out injured and he has been integral to their very good defensive record this season.
The first leg between these two was a rather cagey affair that never really got going. That wouldn’t have bothered Liverpool, of course, having scored the only goal of the game and managing the remained without too much hassle. The visitors will have to be more incisive and try to get the Liverpool defence isolated better than they managed to do three weeks ago. Hughes will also have to find a way to ensure his team are just as resolute at the back without their best defender, and his absence was noted when having to go off injured early on in the game against Leicester on Saturday.
Liverpool v Stoke City Betting Tips
I expect this game to be similar to the one we witnessed at the Britannia in the first leg. It was the second time this season that Liverpool have won 1-0 at that venue but in truth, there was practically nothing between the teams on either occasion. It’s also worth bearing in mind that there is only one point separating the clubs in the league, so everything points to another close-fought encounter.
There’s no doubt that Liverpool are favourites to progress to the final, not only do they hold a lead, as narrow as it is, but they have much more experience of playing in this time of game and will be roared on by a typical Anfield backing on nights such as this. History is also on their as Liverpool have lost only one of eight League Cup semi-final ties when they have won the first leg. I think they will have just about enough to make it to Wembley, but I can see Stoke running them very close and the pick here is for the game to finish in a draw after 90 minutes.
Draw 29/10 @ Betvictor
