The 2013/14 English Premier League season kicks off tonight with a fixture between Liverpool and Stoke City. Join us for live scores and commentary from kick-off at 9.45pm AEST.
After a four-month offseason, both sides will be champing at the bit to get out on the pitch and start their respective seasons with a victory.
Liverpool are the clear favourites, and their recent form has been impressive, winning six out of seven of their preseason friendlies – against the likes of Olympiakos and Melbourne Victory.
Their most recent game was a close 1-0 loss to Celtic just over a week ago.
The Reds finished the 2012/13 season strongly, losing only one of their final 12 games to finish the season in seventh spot, narrowly missing European qualification.
Stoke had a quieter offseason, touring in the US and having mixed results, such as a win against FC Dallas but a 2-0 loss to Houston Dynamo.
In 2012/13 the Potters finished in 13th, and also topped the league in drawn games.
In their two games last season, the teams played out a 0-0 draw at Anfield where Liverpool dominated possession but couldn’t find the back of the net.
Later in the season at Britannia Stadium, Liverpool took the lead in the second minute courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty but Stoke ran away with the game from that point to win 3-1, including a brace from Jonathan Walters.
Stoke’s opening day side should be largely the same, with one major change being a new manager, Mark Hughes (formerly of Manchester City).
The players to watch for the Potters are captain Ryan Shawcross and forward Peter Crouch.
Liverpool have had some turnover – winger Stewart Downing (91 appearances) is leaving for West Ham, and centre-back Daniel Agger is perhaps close to moving on after Barcelona submitted an offer last week.
However, all the news in Liverpool is centred around one player – striker Luis Suarez, who stood out last season for good and bad.
Suarez finished the season with 23 goals (second in the league, and third of Liverpool’s total) and was named to the PFA Team of the Year, but was suspended for ten games for biting Branislav Ivanovic. The suspension will keep Suarez from playing against Stoke.
The Suarez saga continued over the offseason, as Suarez was forced to train on his own until he publicly apologised for his claims of Liverpool’s broken promises.
For his part, Suarez is determined not to come to any reconciliation, and was linked with a possible transfer to Arsenal, but team owner John W Henry mentioned recently that he is equally determined not to sell Suarez.
The game kicks off at 9.45pm AEST and join us for live commentary on The Roar.
Achuil Tong Achuil
Guest
Bravo liverpool
Stevo
Guest
Yes, BIGovic definitely MOTM. Good call Nigel.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Full credit to Sturridge for the goal which was the difference, and Mignolet for the late penalty save to keep the win for Liverpool, but Asmir Begovic is man of the match for me - stood up strong to keep his team in it. Great start to the EPL season, an action packed match despite the low scoring that was dramatic to the finish. Agger must have lost his mind to throw his hand at it in the last few minutes! Thanks for joining us on the Roar!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
94' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Long injury time played by the referee... now he's called it! Liverpool are top of the table!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
94' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Almost a chance for Stoke after Jones flicked it on, but Mignolet was there!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
93' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Short corner, and they're happy to hold onto it.. another corner awarded as Pieters tried to take down Gerrard.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
92' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Chance for Coutinho... deflected wide! Sent the keeper the wrong way. Corner for the Reds late.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
91' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Bit of stern words between Nzonzi and Lucas - the former has to be careful as he's on a card.
duke frank
Guest
YNWA
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
90' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Great save on debut by Mignolet! Came at an ideal height for the keeper, but he still had a lot to do. Now another chance for Stoke with a long ball, and Mignolet is there to take the high ball.
Stevo
Guest
LOL handball - penalty and a save to boot !!!!! It's all happening.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
89' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Walters to kick against Mignolet! SAVED!!! And the rebound! Walters went low and left, and Mignolet was there!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
88' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Handball in the box! PENALTY for STOKE! From the long ball, Agger just tried to get something in the way of it!
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
87' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Stoke are visibly tiring, especially at the back they've been happy to just clear for corners and throws. Brave header by Whelan as Sterling commits a high foot penalty.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
86' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Mistimed shot from Pieters goes out for a goal kick. Now a chance for Sterling... couldn't work a shot.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
85' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Corner for Liverpool after the Pieters tackle. Shawcross clears it for a second, and the second one is straight to Begovic.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
83' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Stoke enjoying a good deal of possession now, but they're still forced to attempt long balls into the box. Great clearance from Pieters from Henderson inside his own box.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
82' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Adam with a shot from inside his own half, and Mignolet forced to tip it over! What audacity! Corner for Stoke now... cleared for a throw in.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
81' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Shot from Enrique goes across goal, or perhaps he meant it as a hard cross. Crouch being removed for Kenwyne Jones, applause around the ground.
Nigel Wakeley
Roar Guru
80' Stoke City 0 – 1 Liverpool Corner goes deep, Johnson at the back post... no! Saved by Begovic with his foot! Great save!