Liverpool travelled to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City this afternoon looking to build upon their 4-0 thrashing of Fulham in their last outing.
Stoke went into the match on an eight-match unbeaten run and boasting an unbeaten record at home this season.
They managed to maintain this record, bouncing back from going behind in the first minute to take a 2-1 lead after 12 minutes. Walters added a third in the second half to seal a 3-1 win for the Potters.
You can read a blow-by-blow account of another disappointing defeat for Liverpool below.
Good evening! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for the final football offering of Boxing Day as we bring you Stoke vs. Liverpool!
I hope you all had a very merry Christmas yesterday, and hopefully today's earlier matches brought a late present for you all.
Right, let's get straight down to business shall we? Liverpool face the unenviable task of taking on Stoke at the Britannia this evening, a ground which manager Tony Pulis has turned into something of a fortress this season.
The Potters have always been notoriously hard to beat, but this season their home record is even more exemplary than usual. They are only one of two sides to have not lost at home in the current campaign, the other being Everton, while they have conceded just three goals at the Britannia, four less than the next best home defence.
Liverpool's away record is far less impressive, but still not terrible. The Reds have won two and drawn four of their eight away games so far this season, scoring 13 goals and conceding the same number.
A draw may well be on the cards tonight. Stoke are certainly specialists with that result, sharing the spoils with opponents in 10 of their 18 matches so far this season, while Liverpool have drawn seven of their games.
It speaks volumes for the progress that Stoke have made in recent years that a Liverpool win today would be seen as something of a shock considering the Potters' home record. Can Brendan Rodgers's men pull it off?
Right, let's bring you some team news! Liverpool have named an unchanged lineup from the side that beat Fulham 4-0 at the weekend, which means that Stewart Downing and Suso retain their starting places.
Stoke, meanwhile, make one change to their starting XI, bringing in Michael Kightly for Ryan Shotton, who drops to the bench.
STOKE: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Wilkinson; Kightly, Nzonzi, Whelan, Etherington; Walters, Jones
LIVERPOOL: Reina; Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger; Lucas, Gerrard, Shelvey; Suso, Downing, Suarez
So no place again for Raheem Sterling, but you can understand Rodgers's decision to stick with an unchanged lineup following their impressive performance against Fulham at the weekend. Downing was particularly impressive in that match so will be looking to build on that tonight.
Stoke's lineup will provide no surprises to anyone as they stick with a winning formula. As usual, you wouldn't expect huge attacking threat from the side, but their rugged style of play has won them games in the past and could do against tonight.
Liverpool have their fair share of players who can match Stoke's physical threat, namely Skrtel and Gerrard, but it will be interesting to see how the likes of Suso cope with the Potters' style of play.
Right, let's move away from the Britannia briefly to round up what has already happened in the Premier League today...
Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the table with a dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle, while City fell to a 1-0 away defeat at Sunderland.
Elsewhere, Chelsea moved to within four points of second place with a 1-0 win away to Norwich while Everton and West Brom also picked up wins.
Fulham drew with Southampton and Reading vs Swansea ended goalless.
There is also still one match currently in progress, in which Spurs are beating Aston Villa 3-0. You can follow live commentary of that game here.
Okay, that completes the round-up, back to tonight's match!
A win for either side today would not see them move up in the table, but the gap to seventh-placed Arsenal would be reduced to just two points.
A quick update from Villa Park and it's now 4-0 to Spurs as Gareth Bale completes his hattrick. That's 12 goals conceded and none scored in the last two league games for Villa!
I can't but assume our match tonight won't be decided by such a large margin, but it remains an intriguing tie. Liverpool have started to find their feet recently, ignoring their 3-1 defeat to Villa, and Rodgers looks to be building something promising at Anfield.
But, as I have already said, their task tonight is not an easy one. Stoke will fancy their chances to go one better than their customary draw this evening!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the meeting between these two sides earlier in the season ended 0-0.
Liverpool haven't lost to Stoke in their last four meetings, although their last league victory over the Potters came in February of last year, three meetings ago. Both of their victories since then have come in cup competitions.
Overall, the Reds have won 45 of the 89 meetings between these two sides, while Stoke have recorded 17 victories.
So Liverpool, unsurprisingly, edge the historical battle between these two sides, but that means nothing tonight!
There had been rumours of former Anfield favourite Michael Owen returning from injury in time for this match, but the striker's absence from the squad seems to hint that he is still some way from full fitness.
Stoke have two more former Liverpool men on their bench too. Peter Crouch had been tipped for a return to the starting lineup, but he and Charlie Adam both miss out on a start against their former club.
The full-time whistle has gone at Villa Park and it's another devastating defeat for Paul Lambert's men. It ended 4-0 to Spurs, with Bale netting his first Premier League hattrick.
Stoke will have to be particularly wary of Luis Suarez tonight. The Uruguayan striker is one of the world's best when on form and, although Stoke's defence is a formidable challenge, Suarez will still fancy his chances. His close control and dribbling skills could cause Stoke's big, lumbering defenders a problem.
Similarly, Liverpool must be wary of Stoke's aerial threat in attack. The Potters have been very dangerous from set-pieces this season and have plenty of height with Ryan Shawcross, Robert Huth and Kenwyne Jones, among others, in attack.
Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff which means it's time for the prediction! I can't see anything other than a draw today, and to be honest I don't think there will be many goals either. I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1.
Downing will be under the watchful eye of the country tonight as he looks to kick on from his good performance against Fulham. His return of assists and goals have been poor so far in his Liverpool career, but could this be the start of a good run of form for the winger? He has been linked with a move away from the club too, so could be playing for his Liverpool future.
The Reds have been strongly linked with moves for Daniel Sturridge and Thomas Ince in January so their attacking players will be particularly keen to impress tonight.
They won't have a tougher test all season, however. Can Shawcross, Huth and co keep yet another clean sheet? No defence has kept more than them so far this campaign.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a very difficult challenge to beat Stoke at home, but it's been that way for a couple of years. Tony Pulis has done a great job."
It is worth noting that Liverpool have never beaten Stoke at the Britannia in the Premier League.
The teams come out to a rapturous welcome, we're nearing kickoff here!
The teams have shaken each other's hands, who will end this year's Boxing Day fixtures with smiles on their faces? We're 90 minutes away from finding out!
A quick word on a milestone for Robert Huth too, who plays his 150th game for the club tonight.
Right, the teams are lined up and we're about to get underway...
Stoke kick us off at the Britannia!
PENALTY TO LIVERPOOL!
GOAL! Stoke 0-1 Liverpool (Steven Gerrard)
Wow! What a start for Liverpool! A long ball from Skrtel is taken down by Suarez, who immediately darts around Shawcross and into the area before going down as the defender has a handful of his shirt. The referee points straight to the spot and Gerrard sends Begovic the wrong way to give Liverpool an early lead!
BOOKING! Shawcross was booked for that tackle, while Cameron also enters Howard Webb's book for a late tackle on Lucas.
GOAL! Stoke 1-1 Liverpool (Jonathan Walters)
This game has started at a frenetic pace! Another long ball, this time from Huth, is not dealt with by Agger and Walters picks the ball up. Skrtel looks to have the situation under control but slips, and Walters calmly slots the ball past Reina to level the sides!
Goals galore inside the opening five minutes, I certainly wasn't expecting that!
Gerrard tries to find Glen Johnson over the top but the full-back is offside.
Suarez looks lively tonight and he pulls off another nutmeg in the centre of the park, but Stoke's work rate is showcased by a defender getting back to nick the ball of the tricky striker.
Liverpool's defence try and knock it round the back, but Stoke are pressing really high and steal the ball, eventually resulting in Gerrard conceding a corner, which Reina punches clear.
Stoke are on the attack now, and Cameron launches another ball to the back post which is put out for another corner to Stoke.
GOAL! Stoke 2-1 Liverpool (Kenwyne Jones)
Stoke have turned it around within 10 minutes of going behind! I mentioned the Potters' threat from set pieces, and that is how they strike this time as Jones meets a corner at the near post to nod it in. Johnson gets a toe to it on the line but can't keep it out.
Stoke have responded magnificently to going behind in the very first minute. They are peppering the Liverpool defence with high balls, as expected, and Skrtel and Agger are struggling to deal with it at the moment.
Liverpool finally get their foot on the ball, but a mis-placed pass to Downing gives it back to Stoke. The Reds need to get themselves back into this one.
Liverpool come forward as Downing gets behind the defence with Suarez and Suso waiting in the box, but the winger's pass is behind them both and Stoke clear.
CHANCE! Agger dinks a good pass to Shelvey who has peeled off his defender, but he fails to control the pass with just Begovic to beat. Really should have done better there.
CHANCE! Jones does excellently to lay a long ball off to Walters, who opts not to go for a wonder goal, instead setting up another attack. Stoke recycle and eventually work the ball into the box, where it falls to Etherington on the edge, but his powerful effort is very well saved by Reina.
Cameron steals the ball off Enrique and advances down the right flank. Enrique looks to have got back, but overruns his tackle which allows Cameron to surge into the box, but Agger eventually ends his run with a good block.
CHANCE! Suso threads a beautiful pass through to Suarez, who tries to slow it down when through on goal but just can't bring it under his spell as Begovic comes out to smother it at the striker's feet.
Liverpool are starting to feel their way back into this one as Stoke's priority returns to defending.
CLOSE! Downing beats his man down the left before pulling it back towards a huddle of players in the box. Suso protects it from the Stoke defence as it runs through to Gerrard, but he can't get hold of it and it bobbles just wide. Those are usually the chances Gerrard would eat up.
CHANCE! Liverpool are creating chances now! This time Suarez finds Downing inside the box and the winger returns the favour, but Suarez's effort goes high and wide. Not an easy chance, but he probably could have done better.
Stoke work the ball out wide right and Wilkinson's cross is headed behind by Johnson. Another corner for Stoke...
But this one is too long and goes beyond everyone for a goal kick.
Liverpool flood forward as Gerrard chests the ball down to Shelvey, but the youngster's pass to Suarez is poor.
Fabulous pressure from Stoke high up the field puts the Liverpool defence under great pressure, resulting in Enrique committing a cardinal sin and firing the ball across his own goal. It is intercepted, but luckily for the Spaniard nothing comes of it.
Liverpool have two corners in quick succession but both are comfortably cleared by Stoke.
And Begovic gets to a third to clear it away. I can't see them scoring through that means tonight!
Suarez tries to take the ball past Huth when he had an opportunity to shoot from range, but the Stoke man stands firm. The ball falls to Gerrard, who attempts a trademark piledriver, but his effort is high and wide.
Liverpool are starting to find space between the Stoke midfield and defence, a worrying sign for Pulis. This time Shelvey pops up there, but his effort rolls tamely into Begovic's arms.
CHANCE! Stoke somehow squeeze a cross in from the right which reaches an unmarked Etherington at the back post. Reina rushes out to meet him and stops his effort before gathering the rebound.
Just the one added minute at the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: Stoke 2-1 Liverpool
Well, well, well, I didn't expect that! A thoroughly entertaining first half at the Britannia which saw two goals in the opening five minutes and three in the opening 12! Stoke lead 2-1 at the break!
Rodgers would have been utterly delighted with his side's start, but Stoke's reaction was tremendous. On the balance of play, they probably don't deserve to be ahead, but you can't begrudge their spirit so far tonight. This isn't the type of game they are used to, but they are coping with it very well.
A word on the penalty: Shawcross certainly had a handful of Suarez's shirt and, while that wasn't enough to bring Suarez down, the ref made the right decision by awarding a penalty. It brings up the old debate of whether going down when you could perhaps stay on your feet is a dive or good play from the striker. It was a foul on Suarez and, without going down, I don't think he would've got the penalty.
Stoke will be very happy with their first half display, meanwhile. They have pressed high up the pitch and worried the Liverpool defence with that pressure at times. They look dangerous from set pieces, as ever, but Pulis will be worried about the space opening up between his midfield and defence.
Liverpool have just edged the possession in that first half, claiming 51% of it, but Stoke have been more accurate in front of goal, putting all of their four shots on target.
So what will the managers be saying to their sides at the break? For Pulis it will be much of the same. He will probably try and limit the number of players he sends forward the longer the half goes on, and will be particularly keen to plug the gap just in front of their defence.
Rodgers, meanwhile, will be desperate for a similar start to the second half as they provided in the first. Failing this, he will be looking to exploit the fact that Shawcross is on a yellow card by putting Suarez directly up against him. The Reds have created a number of half-chances, and he will be keen to turn one or two of these into goals.
SUB: Rodgers has made a change at half time to try and help his side get back into this one as Sterling comes on for Suso. More trickery for the Stoke defence to deal with.
We're back underway at the Britannia!
More pressure from the Stoke attack sees Agger mis-control a pass from Reina, and Stoke have an attacking throw-in...
...but Liverpool eventually get it clear and Downing wins a free kick as he threatens to break.
OFF THE POST! Sterling almost has an immediate impact as he races down the left before pulling it into the box. Suarez gets in front of Shawcross but, from just six yards out, mis-hits a shot that loops over Begovic and off the outside of the post. Really good chance for the striker there!
GOAL! Stoke 3-1 Liverpool (Jonathan Walters)
Spectacular goal from Walters! A trademark long throw is flicked on by Jones to Walters, who chests it down and volleys it past Reina's despairing dive. Quality strike.
Liverpool look to respond immediately, and almost do so from a corner of all things. Lucas steals in at the back post to knock it back to Johnson, but the full-back is off balance and sends his shot into row Z.
Stoke show more desire to get the ball than Liverpool, and Jones ends up producing a swivel and volley that goes high over the bar. The crowd are making a tremendous noise here!
Gerrard tries a pass that is ambitious even for his standards and it goes harmlessly out of play. Liverpool need a driving performance from their skipper now!
This time Gerrard's sweeping pass does find his target, and Johnson dances past his man, only for another defender to come back and clear it for a corner.
The arrival of Henderson looks imminent for Liverpool, perhaps to allow Gerrard to get forward more often?
Enrique makes his way down the left but his cross flashes across the face of goal and Begovic lets it go out for a throw.
SUB: There is the change, but Gerrard looks likely to stay where he is as Henderson comes on for Lucas.
The Stoke fans want a red card for Suarez as he goes in for a 50/50 with Begovic following Enrique's lofted through ball. Howard Webb gives him a yellow, but even that I think is harsh. There was no malice from the striker, and as soon as he saw Begovic coming he tried to pull out of the tackle.
More high pressure up the field results in Agger giving the ball away this time. The defence look far from comfortable when Stoke do that!
Enrique tries to find Sterling, who misses the ball but is upended by Cameron. Liverpool fans want a second yellow, but Webb correctly just awards the foul. Gerrard's free kick is well claimed by Begovic.
A good move from Liverpool results with Henderson getting the ball inside the box, but he loses his footing and handles the ball while falling over. He gets up and finds Suarez, who whips it into the net but Webb calls play back for the handball.
Downing takes on Shawcross down the right and beats him, but the defender brings him down just outside the box. He's lucky not to pick up a second yellow there, that was a cynical challenge.
Downing goes for goal but his effort is poor and easily cleared. Enrique lets the ball bounce and Stoke look to break, but the Spaniard shows great pace to get back in time.
Liverpool break themselves and Suarez has a shot blocked before feeding Gerrard, but the skipper's return pass found the Uruguayan offside.
SUB: On comes Whitehead for Kightly.
And Whitehead is immediately involved as he goes for a diving header from an enticing Etherington cross. Reina comes out to collect it bravely, though, and is now undergoing treatment after colliding with the sub.
Liverpool again try and play it our from the back but Henderson sells Gerrard short with a poor pass and Stoke come forward again, eventually winning a corner.
Shelvey sweeps the ball out to Johnson, who cuts inside and could hit it with his left but instead tries to feed the ball to an onrushing Gerrard, but he doesn't get enough on his pass.
Wilkinson finds himself with a shooting opportunity inside the box but his effort his shot. He has never scored a competitive goal, so that would've been some story!
SUBS: Off comes Downing, who hasn't lived up to his Fulham performance today, and on comes Joe Cole. Stoke also make a change as Crouch comes on against his old club in place of Jones.
Liverpool have 12 minutes to try and save this one. You get the sense that there is another goal in this and, if it goes Liverpool's way it will be a nervy ending for Stoke.
Half-chance for Liverpool as the ball is fed into Suarez inside the box, but the Uruguayan's first touch just takes him too wide, forcing him to play it back to Sterling's whose effort it blocked.
Suarez is still chipping away at the Stoke defence and he wins a corner off Shawcross, but once again it is cleared by the hosts.
Howard Webb has a little chat with Shelvey after the youngster shows a bit of frustration inside the box. Looks like a father talking to his son!
SUB: Ryan Shotton enters the field of play for Stoke, replacing Etherington.
Cameron nips in to dispossess Sterling, but the youngsters gets back and wins the ball back. Good, persistent play by the 18-year-old.
BOOKING! Suarez plays a good one-two with Henderson and is attacking the back four only for Whelan to hack him down just outside the box. Definite booking, and Liverpool have a free kick in a good position.
Suarez picks himself up to take the free kick but it's straight into the wall. The ball is pumped back into the box and Cole flicks it on to Suarez, who fires a cross right along the face of goal, but no-one is there to tap it in.
SAVE! Gerrard picks it up 25 yards from goal and tries to bend an effort into the far post, but Begovic dives to his left to deny the Liverpool and England captain.
Four minutes of added time for Liverpool to look for an unlikely comeback.
Suarez plays another nice one-two with Henderson and winds up to let fly from 30+ yards out, but his effort is dragged wide. He has not given anything up tonight, as usual, but hasn't been given good enough support by his teammates.
Stoke are happy to let Liverpool have the ball in the closing stages here, they surely have this one wrapped up now.
FULL-TIME: Stoke 3-1 Liverpool
There you have it! Stoke make it eight games without defeat in the league, and maintain their unbeaten run at home in the league this season. Liverpool did manage to breach the stubborn defence in the very first minute but Stoke responded brilliantly to come back and seal a 3-1 win.
The result means that the sides swap places with each other in the league as Stoke move up to eighth and Liverpool drop to tenth.
For Liverpool it's another disappointing defeat after a good win in their previous match. Rodgers will be striving for consistency from his side, but they just don't seem able to build on their victories.
Right then, that's it from me today! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match and be sure to stick around for the match analysis which should be up on site within half an hour. Good night and have a happy new year!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
