Mark Hughes hopeful of ending Stoke City's Anfield hoodoo

Mark Hughes has insisted that Stoke City will give their utmost this weekend to end their six-decade wait for a league victory away at Liverpool.

The Potters have not triumphed at Anfield since a 4-3 win in 1969, but the Welshman is confident that the gap between the two sides is slowly getting narrower.

Stoke beat the Reds 6-1 at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of last season, while also picking up a futile 1-0 win on Merseyside in the League Cup earlier this year, which Hughes is hoping can act as a springboard in this latest showdown.

"There's only been a single goal in every game we have played against them this season, and last time we played exceptionally well, we deserved to win the game," he is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"We have cracked the ceiling somewhat with that result. There is healthy respect from both teams I think. They understand we are a good side at this level and know it will be a difficult fixture for them, and we have the utmost respect for Liverpool and what they are able to produce.

"It will be a tough fixture, but it's one we are looking forward to because we don't feel any apprehension going up against any Premier League team."

Stoke head into Sunday's match sitting two points above their opponents, albeit having played two games more heading into the final stretch of the season.