Liverpool v Stoke - Ings can strike at Anfield

Football expert Ben Levene (@BenLevene96) shares his best bets as Liverpool welcome Stoke to Anfield in Saturday's early kick-off.

Liverpool v Stoke| Saturday 28th April 2018, 12:30 | Sky Sports

At this time of year, unpicking Premier League fixtures can be a tough task. This Saturday’s early kick-off between a Champions League focused Liverpool, and a sinking Stoke is no different. By the end of this weekend, Stoke’s 2018/19 second-tier status could be confirmed.

With the second-leg of their European semi-final with Roma this Wednesday, it’s fair to say Jurgen Klopp will ring the changes this Saturday, as has been the case in the league over the last few weeks. Since their 3-0 win over Manchester City at the start of April, Klopp’s side have drawn away at both Everton and West Brom, although they did win an Anfield meeting with Bournemouth 3-0 in between.

Stoke have looked slightly more resilient in the last three weeks or so, but it may be a case of too little too late. The Potters are now four-points from safety having played a game more than the sides around them.

Paul Lambert’s side have kept just once clean sheet in their last ten, and that came against a Southampton side who failed to score in both of the following matches. Stoke are yet to win any of the six away games since Lambert took charge, albeit they’ve drawn three of their last four. In those six matches, they’ve lost the shot-on-target count by at least three efforts in each, conceding a cumulative 56 compared to the 18 they’ve registered.

They’ve scored more than the single goal in just one of the 13 matches under Lambert and have the divisions worst away and defensive records. Even at excess of 10/1 against a much-changed Liverpool, it’s difficult to justify siding with the Potters.

Liverpool have scored at least three goals in six of their last seven home league games against sides in the bottom-half. Given the possible changes and the negative effect on fluidity that has, the 11/10 about that feat here is of little appeal.

The 1/3 about Liverpool is no price to get involved with. Instead, Danny Ings gets the nod in the anytime scorer market at 13/10. He opened the scoring at West Brom last weekend, taking three shots in his 66 minutes. He could benefit from the possible rotation as he looks to continue his return from long-term injury troubles.