Liverpool v Stoke: visitors to avoid double cup heartbreak

Liverpool have already dumped Stoke out of one domestic cup competition this season, but lightning will not be striking twice in the FA Cup as Tony Pulis’ team can earn a replay at 11/4.

Given Liverpool’s difficulties at home this season, some may see Stoke’s as way overpriced at 8/1 to triumph at Anfield, although the ground is one where they have failed to win in 53 years.

Kenny Dalglish has watched his team fail to triumph in nine of their 14 Premier League home games this season and only take one point off the Potters in their two top-flight encounters.

Also in Stoke’s favour is that all of their three FA Cup victories so far this season have been on their travels.

Liverpool’s odds are 9/20 to beat Stoke, which does look a bit short given their struggles to win on their own patch.

However, they have never lost in four FA Cup ties with Stoke and have a historically good record in the competition when it comes to progressing from the quarter finals.

Meanwhile, they have already beaten Stoke 2-1 in the Carling Cup this season.

Interestingly, Stoke kept clean sheets in both of the Premier League meetings and were only beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in their latest game despite seeing Ricardo Fuller sent off in the first half at Stamford Bridge.

It is 5/1 that Stoke shut out Liverpool again, but to do so they will have to keep Luis Suarez quiet.

Suarez scored both goals in the Carling Cup success and is the 4/1 favourite to open the scoring at Anfield, while he can be backed at 10/11 to strike at any time in the 90 minutes.

For Stoke, Peter Crouch will return for the suspended Fuller and he is 9/1 to break the deadlock against one of his former clubs.