It seems strange to begin a preview of a Premier League game featuring Liverpool at home without drawing on metaphors aligning Anfield with an impenetrable medieval fortress feared by all teams who visit it.

These days that is simply not the case, with captain Steven Gerrard this week admitting that winning the title would be a miracle and the team still yet to win at home this season. Stoke could be forgiven for approaching the task with confidence after a solid start to their season and with Peter Crouch back in the form that earned him international recognition.

Many will have been surprised by the tall strikers omission from Roy Hodgson’s plans for the next two England qualifiers, and even more Liverpool fans will look upon his performances so far this term and wish he still played for their club. One of the most troubling aspects of Liverpool’s plight this season is their lack of fire-power up front, with the burden of scoring goals resting solely and squarely on Luis Suarez. In addition to Crouch, and his burgeoning understanding with Jonathan Walters, Michael Owen also returns to Merseyside. Once a Liverpool icon, Owen serves both as a reminder of good times past for home supporters, but a indicator to those travelling from Stoke of just how far Tony Pulis has brought their club to be able to boast two strikers with 62 England goals between them.

Stoke possess all the qualities to make it difficult for the home side to build any rhythm and, in addition to the ability Crouch gives to retain possession, they have centre-back and captain Ryan Shawcross, called up by Hodgson this week, in superb form at centre-back. However, Liverpool’s first win of the season at Norwich will have given confidence to what is a youthful side. The rout at Carrow Road yielded two key positives for manager Brendan Rogers; the first was an obvious return to goal-scoring form of Suarez, who bagged his second hatrick in as many games against the Canaries, but perhaps more crucially an impressive display from Gerrard. The England captain has started the season poorly by his own standards after only a short break after Euro2012, but has begun to look his former self in recent weeks. As a return to England duty looms large once again, Gerrard will be keen to prove his form and produce his usual talismanic display for his beloved club to lift them from fourteenth in the table. If he plays well he will inspire the young livewires such as Sterling, Allen, and Sahin around him, which could spell trouble for Stoke.

This game could prove to be an incredibly tight one, but Liverpool should come through. A draw at half-time with the home side to be winning at the final whistle looks a great chance, with Gerrard and Stoke’s Crouch the main interest for goals.

Liverpool vs Stoke Betting Tips

Draw HT/Liverpool FT – 19/5 with Bet Victor 

Gerrard to score in the match – 15/8 with Paddy Power

Best Free Bet Offers (click the offer for the free bet):

Paddy Power – bet £10 get £20           Bet Victor – free £25           Sportingbet – free £50            William Hill – free £25          Betfred – free £50