Liverpool v Stoke preview

Team news for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Stoke at Anfield on Wednesday night (8pm).

Last Updated: 01/02/11 at 15:43   

Kuyt: Could move up front

Kuyt: Could move up front

Liverpool's club-record signing Andy Carroll is still recovering from a thigh injury and is not in contention.

The £35million deadline-day signing is likely to be out for the foreseeable future, with Newcastle manager Alan Pardew claiming on Tuesday he thought the player was "four to five weeks" away from fitness.

Liverpool are still awaiting international clearance and a work permit for their other big signing Luis Suarez, who completed a £22.8million deal from Ajax on Monday. If that comes through in time, the Uruguay international could possibly play a part.

With Fernando Torres having joined Chelsea, either Dirk Kuyt or David Ngog may be given the striker's role. Vice-captain Jamie Carragher is also in contention for a return to the squad having recovered from an operation on a shoulder he dislocated on November 28 in the defeat at Tottenham.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has defensive worries.

Captain Ryan Shawcross is ruled out through suspension while Danny Higginbotham has a hamstring problem.

Full-back Andy Wilkinson has a back injury so Marc Wilson could come in, but Danny Collins is expected to return at left-back. Asmir Begovic could return in goal despite Thomas Sorensen impressing in the FA Cup win against Wolves.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Meireles, Rodriguez, Ngog, Gulacsi, Carragher, Aurelio, Poulsen, Shelvey, Cole, Suarez, Pacheco.

Stoke (from): Begovic, Huth, Wilson, Delap, Etherington, Whitehead, Jones, Sorensen, Faye, Collins, Pugh, Whelan, Pennant, Walters, Carew, Fuller.

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Premier League Fixtures

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Barclays Premier League

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Man Utd 38 43 89
2 Man City 38 32 78
3 Chelsea 38 36 75
4 Arsenal 38 35 73
5 Tottenham 38 20 72
6 Everton 38 15 63
7 Liverpool 38 28 61
8 West Brom 38 -4 49
9 Swansea 38 -4 46
10 West Ham 38 -8 46
11 Norwich 38 -17 44
12 Fulham 38 -10 43
13 Stoke City 38 -11 42
14 Southampton 38 -11 41
15 A Villa 38 -22 41
16 Newcastle 38 -23 41
17 Sunderland 38 -13 39
18 Wigan 38 -26 36
19 Reading 38 -30 28
20 QPR 38 -30 25

Updated Sun, 19 May 2013

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