With Stoke City having a European campaign to contend with this season, squad rotation is an essential policy for Tony Pulis and the Potters manager is set to continue in this vein for the visit of Liverpool. So, Wilson Palacios could start after finding himself on the bench for the last two games but Jermaine Pennant is likely to miss out again with a hamstring injury. Ricardo Fuller and Danny Higginbotham are also sidelined through injury.
Andy Carroll is likely to be handed a start for Liverpool after having sat on the bench for the past two Premier League games. The £35 million man could be joined up front by Craig Bellamy while the likes of Maxi Rodriguez and Jay Spearing are likely to feature. Glen Johnson may be given a run out as he continues his comeback from injury while Lucas Leiva may play after having missed out Saturday's draw with Norwich due to suspension.
MANAGER QUOTES:
Tony Pulis: "There's a few tired legs (after the Premier League defeat to Arsenal), but we'll be all right. They are just disappointed in there because they've put a lot of effort into the game. We will have to see what he (Jermaine Pennant) is like. He's still having a bit of trouble, so we decided to leave him behind for this one. It's a problem he's had for a while and we want to clear it up."
Kenny Dalglish: "(Craig Bellamy) has been brilliant. He just loves playing football and wants to play all the time. He will make a contribution for us. He’s fantastic to have around. Craig is a really good professional and doesn’t like losing. He’s not too bad when he has got the ball, either. We don’t have any qualms playing any of our players in any games. It’s great that we have that comfort, belief and confidence in them to be able to do that. You have to be fair to everyone and Craig understands that. The teams we have been putting out in the Carling Cup have been strong and I’m sure the team at Stoke will be the same. We will be fair with everyone."