Michael Tonge, who has been suffering from a bout of flu, shoudlbe available but is unlikely to feature which means the Potters only definate absentee is big striker Mama Sidibe, who is still a long way away from full fitness following his knee injury. Ricardo Fuller played 87 minutes on Saturday but is reportedly still suffering from jet lag so may sit this one out on the bench with either Dave Kitson replacing him in a like for like swap or the Potters adding an extra body to the defence or midfield.
Liverpool have major defensive problems with teenager Daniel Ayala set to make his full debut in the centre alongside Jamie Carragher after 'Carra' took out his more experienced partner Martin Skrtel in Sunday's defeat to Spurs. With Daniel Agger definately out Ayala is the onyl other option available and youngster, who looked dodgy with his aerials duties on Sunday, will be given a stern test with the Potters deliveries from set pieces.
Pre-season form for Stoke was terrible, and Liverpool's wasn't much better, but whilst Stoke managed to put it all to one side and secure a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday, Liverpool stumbled ,awkwardly without direction in the midfield, through Sundays trip to Spurs, succumbing to 2-1 defeat. Stoke will be hoping the defence can stand firm and that Liverpool's defence struggles, as expected, with the set pieces into the box, whilst the midfield continue to struggle in their mission to find a way to supply Gerrard and Torres post Alonso
Stoke's last Anfield league goal was scored by Paul Bracewell, it's been that long, but last seasons 'parked bus' approach secured a fantastic, and fully deserve for the effort, point. I'm not sure the Potters faithful could live through another 90 minutes as nerve wracking as those 12 months ago.
Stoke's side could see changes in both style and personnel. Fuller is suffering from jet lag so three games in a week may be too much for the magician, and if the defence can keep it tight and goalless he may well be the trump card off the bench in the last twenty minutes. An extra defender, maybe Cort, or midfielder, possibly a repeat of last seasons return to the side for Salif Diao at his old stomping ground, could come in if Fuller does drop out or the Potters could retain the 4-4-2 formation and bring in Dave Kitson for his first start of the season, after the hitman struck the bar in a busy display on Saturday.
Prediction: Stoke to park the bus and defend resolutely but be undone by a superb Glen Johnson strike. A late onslaught from the Potters, following the introduction of Fuller, see's Lawrence's corner headed home by Shawcross to show Benitez just what he can't afford.