Liverpool ensured that they keep up the pace with Chelsea after their injury time winner over Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
The Reds had dropped five points in tow matches which made them lost ground in the title race but have since bounced back with wins over Middlesbrough and Everton consecutively. Jurgen Klopp will want to avoid dropping more points as the league reaches the end of its first half of the season.
Liverpool are currently second in the league standings, six points behind leaders Chelsea and will host eleventh place Stoke on Tuesday, December 27.
The match will come too soon for influential midfielder Philippe Coutinho who has just returned to light training. The Brazilian international got injured against Sunderland in November and will be hoping to be available for the New Year’s Eve crunch tie against their title rival Man City.
Fit-again Daniel Sturridge is in contention to start after coming off the bench to provide the assist for Saido Mane’s winning goal against Everton. Defender Joel Matip remains doubtful for the match as he recovers from a minor ankle injury.
Stoke’s Joe Allen will return to hurt his former club. The Welsh left Anfield in the summer and has rediscover himself at the Britannia Stadium, scoring five league goals and providing two assists so far. Klopp also admitted his side are missing Allen’s qualities in the midfield.
Not expected to come easy but Klopp will be looking forward to another win at home having turned Anfield into a fortress.
Liverpool Probable Line-up
Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum.Mane, Origi, Firmino