Betting guide: Liverpool v Stoke

Last updated : 18 August 2009 By Dan Buxton

Will Stoke be able to pull off another shock draw at Anfield? Will there be a goal? Which Liverpool will turn up in their opening home game? All questions being asked by people in bookmakers up and down the country.

If you fancy Liverpool to come out and claim their opening victory of the season then Ladbrokes offer 3/10 on the Anfield faithful going home happy, with SkyBet offering 16's on the Potters pulling off a sensational victory and the same bookie offers 5's on the match ending all square.

If you fancy a more accurate prediction then a repeat of last seasons goalless draw is 14's with a whole host of bookies including Bet365, Boylesport and BetFred whilst if you think Stoke will sneak a 1-0 victory against what looked a disjointed Liverpool side at the weekend then BlueSQ and SkyBet offer 33's on that scoreline. If you maybe feel the Potters pace of Fuller and Etherington may leave them dangerous late on if Liverpool have to push forward then 2-0 is a massive 125/1 with PaddyPower. The home side are 13/2 and 11/2 with BetFred for 1-0 and 2-0 victories whilst if they truly do unleash a backlash from Sundays defeat then 5-0 can be taken at 33's with Ladbrokes.

The Potters are sure to try and frustrate the home side from the start and a goalless first 45 minutes is 3/1 with Bet365 whilst if you think the first goal may be one to break the oppositions hearts and arrive in the final five minutes then PaddyPower offer 33's on that scenario.

James Beattie has a decent record against Liverpool and is at 12's with PaddyPower and Coral to score the first goal whilst Ricardo Fuller, who could possibly be coming off the bench with fresh legs is 14's with the same two bookies to score the opening goal. Ryan Shawcross, heavily linked with a move to Anfield, is 40/1 with Bet365 and Ladbrokes to repeat his exploits against Burnley and open the scoring, a very big price given Liverpool's defensive problems and the deliveries of Lawrence and Delap from set pieces.

Liverpool's options see the usual suspects of Torres and Gerrard lead the way. The Spaniard is favourite at a best price 10/3 with Bet365 whilst Gerrard, the man who so often pulls out crucial goals for the Reds is 9/2 with PaddyPower and StanJames. An outside bet could be Glen Johnson. If the Potters park the bus it may take something special to break the deadlock and Johnson can score from anywhere. The shackles may be allowed to come off with not a lot of defending to do so 25's at Coral seems big.