IF Liverpool's match tonight provides one tenth of the excitement as Saturday's we're in for a treat.
Jurgen Klopp's Anfield reign reached new levels of anxiety and entertainment as they won a rollercoaster affair 5-4 at Norwich.
A 95th-minute winner by Adam Lallana sparked scenes of celebration that will be difficult to match even if they reach the Capital One Cup Final.
Liverpool are in pole position after a first-leg 1-0 in at Stoke but cautious Klopp knows his dodgy defence will give the visitors chances.
Any win or draw will put Liverpool through and they are a best 1-8 with Ladbrokes to qualify while Stoke are 13-2 at Paddy Power.
To win the Reds are 4-5 with William Hill and Betfred but don't need to. Stoke are 17-4 at McBookie but have lost five of their last six meetings – four of them 1-0 – and have a rubbish record at Anfield.
Stoke will be buoyed by the fact Klopp's only clean sheet in eight was against Exeter in the FA Cup and they are 4-6 with Coral to score against a defence still missing Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren.
Mark Hughes welcomes back Marko Arnautovic who missed the 3-0 defeat at Leicester and his presence will be crucial. Stoke must net and although I'm backing Liverpool to qualify I like the chance of both to score at 11-10 with Paddy Power.
Roberto Firmino has bagged four in three games and the Brazilian is 7-4 at bet365 to add to his tally.
Recommended Bet
Both to score
(11-10, Paddy Power)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Klopp had a good record of getting to Cup Finals in Germany with Dortmund and winning 1-0 from the first leg at Stoke have a great chance of reaching his first final in England,
Liverpool where in a end to end game on Saturday against Norwich in a game they won 4-5 away at Carrow Road where they showed great fighting spirit and still did not buckle when Norwich drew to 4-4 in 92minute as they went up the park and got winner in 95 minute
Stoke on the other hand got leathered 3-0 at King Power Stadium by Leicester who are surprising everyone by leading the Premiership with everyone expecting their bubble to burst, Stoke will be looking to bounce back but I expect Liverpool fans will be bouncing and expecting to get a trip to Wembley,
So for me I expect a Liverpool win
i agree liverpool win,lovren is back tonight and liverpool kept a clean sheet in the first leg.clyne injured but with flanagan back defense should be stronger.
maccathered, you should know better but all team news I’ve read says Lovren is still out while Clyne has a chance.
lovren has been training for the past week so he is fit (fit enough) might play or start on the bench,clyne is out for tonights game,flanagan likely to play.been following the liverpool echo all week so keeping up to date best place for your team news mr f.
macacthered, cheers – local papers are usually the best source.
I don’t think Stoke will make it easy for Liverpool tonight and wouldn’t be surprised to see them pinch this from Liverpool. Hughes will have them fired up and Liverpool looking at most of the comments seem to think they have already made it.
At 5/1 Stoke are certainly worth a nibble and that’s where I will be placing my money.
In a season of underdogs doing well against the big boys I find it hard that a team in the top half of the Premiership (and one point behind 4/6 Liverpool) are priced up that high.
I like Klopp but I don’t think his team are fit enough to play the way he wants just yet and involved in such a game the weekend will certainly bring out a few lethargic performances tonight.