Liverpool travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City in their final game of the 2014-15 Barclays' Premier League this Sunday. With a top-four finish already ruled out, Brendan Rodgers' men will still need to win to ensure a fifth-place - whilst a draw or a loss against the Potters, culminating with resulting elsewhere, could see the Reds drop as low as seventh. The game will also be Steven Gerrard's final Liverpool appearance, having said his goodbyes at Anfield last weekend - whilst the hosts can further break their record points-total. A goalless draw at Burnley set their current tally to 51, their highest ever, and Mark Hughes' men can still extend that against Liverpool in Staffordshire this weekend. Ahead of the game, we spoke to Joe Haynes, a Stoke City season ticket holder and Sports Journalist student at nearby Staffordshire University. Joe also writes for local newspaper The Staffordshire Sentinel, penning his thoughts on the Potters weekly. He gives the view from the opposition here:
Q: Here we are, the final game of the 2014-15 Premier League season – how has it been for Stoke?
JH: It goes without saying this season has been a fantastic one for the club. Not only has Mark Hughes continued to transform the style of play but he has managed to secure the club another top ten finish in a season full of injuries. We have been without Bojan for half a season, Peter Odemwingie for virtually a full one plus captain Ryan Shawcross for around ten weeks. It’s been a season full of strange results. We lost at home to Burnley, Leicester and Aston Villa but managed to win away at Man City, Spurs and Everton amongst others, but the good thing about a Mark Hughes side is you go into every game knowing he will go out to win, whoever the opponent. Hughes, his backroom staff and the players deserve a huge amount of credit.
Q: Regardless of the results across this Sunday, you’ve already secured a ninth-placed finish – Stoke fans have got to be pleased with that?
JH: Of course, without a doubt. The top half of the table is so competitive and a lot of money is spent in the top six or seven, and Stoke on very little budget have managed to finish just below that. Signings such as Bojan for £1m and Marc Muniesa on a free show that you don’t necessarily have to spend huge amounts of money to get good quality players, and Mark Hughes can certainly pick out a bargain. If Stoke had finished a few positions lower considering all of the injuries both long and short term throughout the season most people would have been pleased, but to get ninth with a game remaining is really pleasing.
Q: Whilst the Potters have overachieved in terms of what many expected of them, Liverpool have underachieved massively. What have you made of Brendan Rodgers’ side this season?
JH: Liverpool to me seem to be really hit and miss. Sometimes you watch them and they look like a really good side, then other times they seem way off the pace. I think a failure to properly replace Luis Suarez on top of the injury to Daniel Sturridge have been the biggest problem for Brendan Rodgers. Rickie Lambert isn’t really good enough to lead a Liverpool front line for the majority of a season and score 20 goals, and for one reason or another it hasn’t really worked out for Mario Balotelli. The departure of Steven Gerrard will possibly make it even more difficult for the club to attract big name players, and the Sterling situation really doesn’t help matters. It’s certainly a difficult time for all involved with the club.
Q: A lot of the pre-match build up will undoubtedly revolve around Raheem Sterling and his desire to leave Liverpool. In your opinion, is that the right decision?
JH: It’s a difficult one for me. I understand Sterling wanting to leave, because clubs are so quick to pounce on in-form players nowadays and gamble on potential. If he was to have a poor season next campaign then he might not get the opportunity to get this sort of move again. I partly blame football in general for giving young players too much too soon, and all of a sudden they think they are ready to take on the world. Sterling has huge potential but I don’t think a player who has seven goals and seven assists in 35 games has a right to demand a move anywhere. I get the impression Liverpool fans would be happy to take the money and reinvest it if he doesn’t want to play for the club. It’s an honour to play for a club like Liverpool, and I would think the fans only want players who know what it means to wear the shirt and give their all in every game they play.
Q: Getting back on to Stoke though - Mark Hughes has set a pretty high benchmark for the 2015-16 after you set a record points total in the Premier League with a draw at Burnley, so where do Stoke go from here?
JH: Stoke are in a tough position despite the good progress. The problem is there is only so far the club can go before they hit a glass ceiling. Realistically Stoke are never going to get anywhere near the top seven with the money that is spent up there and the wages that are paid to players. Hughes has said he would love to lead the club into Europe and if he did then he’d go out to win it which is really good to hear. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of ambition, the only problem is fans start to expect the world. You aren’t going to progress every season. If Stoke can hover around mid-table, play some good football and have a decent cup run over the next few seasons then I think most fans would be more than happy.
Q: Tony Pulis achieved a lot under his tenure at the Britannia – but is Hughes well and truly won over Stoke supporters now?
JH: There’s no doubt about it, Hughes is a massive favourite at Stoke. Everybody was and still is extremely grateful for the job Tony Pulis did at Stoke and he will never be forgotten here, but everybody believed it was time for something different to drive the club on, and that’s exactly what Mark Hughes has done. His love for the club is there for all to see, and you can tell he is driven to take the club as far as he can. He aims high, and it’s really exciting to be striving to achieve something whereas Pulis was happy with reaching 40 points and securing Premier League status. He did a fantastic job and laid the foundation, and Hughes has taken that over and taken it to a new level. Hopefully he’s here long term.
Q: You’ve certainly adapted your playing style under Hughes. Is the current Stoke side the most exciting you’ve seen in your lifetime? Or is that a stretch too far?
JH: Definitely. A Pulis side grinded out results but it was backs to the wall stuff most of the time, particularly away from home. He always parked the bus at Anfield and walked away with a few 0-0 draws, and he was more than happy with that. But from a fans' perspective you know a draw is usually the most you are going to get at many places and you will be defending for the majority of it. Hughes tries to win the game whoever the opponent home or away, proven by the win at City earlier this season. Another record Stoke have broken this season is the number of away wins since promotion, which is seven in all competitions. Three was the highest Pulis managed to achieve in the league, as a pose to Hughes’ five this campaign.
Q: Ahead of the summer, there’s some doubt as to whether Asmir Begovic will be a Stoke player at the start of next season. What do you make of the situation?
JH: Well, it’s certainly an interesting one. Only those involved will know exactly what has gone on but it’s a bit of a mess. After being told he was dropped for the game at Swansea, he decided he ‘wasn’t in the right frame of mind’ to sit on the bench. Since then Butland has been awarded the number one spot and has taken the opportunity with both hands. I personally believe it’s the right time for Asmir to move on, and nobody would begrudge him a move to a big club, possibly Anfield. Hughes has confirmed he’ll regain his place for Sundays game, but the impression is it’s a farewell appearance before he moves on.
Q: If Begovic was to go, who would you like to see step into his shoes? Is Jack Butland ready for a permanent place in the first-team?
JH: Definitely. Since he’s come into the side he’s been fantastic. Not only is he confident in his own ability, but you can tell the back four feel confident having him behind them. He has an admirable attitude, and you can only be pleased for him that he has been given the opportunity he deserves after having to put up with a place on the bench all season, despite working hard every day in training. He’s the England U21s captain, and with further coaching at club and international level he can only develop into an even better keeper. You saw his passion after Saturday’s draw at Burnley when he came into the crowd at full time and gave his shirt and gloves to a fan.
Q: The Stoke side is one of the oldest in the Premier League, with an average age of 28.6, so will there be any other youngsters making the step-up next season to replace your ageing stars?
JH: This is the one of few areas fans feel the club could be doing a little better in at the moment. Since promotion only Andy Wilkinson and Ryan Shotton have played for the club from the academy, Shotton is now at Derby and Wilkinson will leave the club after Sunday’s game. Oliver Shenton made his debut this season at 16 years of age in a Capital One Cup tie - Portsmouth, and his league debut against Manchester City. He’s a central midfielder with bags of potential, but it’s important he is developed at the right pace and isn’t rushed into the first side. He signed a long term first team contract at the start of the calendar year, showing the club really see something in him. That’s really exciting for us, but apart from that there isn’t really anybody on the brink of the first team.
Q: In addition to Begovic, are there any other players you expect to depart over the summer?
JH: Andy Wilkinson’s contract won’t be renewed so he’ll be leaving, as will Wilson Palacios and Thomas Sorensen. Steven Nzonzi’s future has been in question for a while now, but most Stoke fans are hoping and praying he signs a new deal. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Geoff Cameron depart due to limited opportunities in his favourite position, but apart from that hopefully Hughes can keep the squad together and make some new additions alongside that.
Q: By contrast, are there any areas you need to strengthen in the coming transfer market? And are there any players in particular Hughes and co. will have their eyes on?
JH: One thing I believe will be the difference between Stoke securing top ten finishes regularly or trying to challenge for a Europa League spot, is a quality striker. If Hughes can bring in a striker that can get somewhere between 10-15 goals a season, it can really help take Stoke on to challenging for higher positions. Obviously these are difficult to get nowadays, either they are too expensive, on too much money or have their eyes set on bigger clubs. James Wilson on loan from Man Utd has been mentioned a few times, perhaps he wouldn’t be a bad gamble with no fee to pay, but preferably I’d like somebody with Premier League experience rather than a forward from abroad.
Q: Stoke have had to deal with plenty of injuries throughout the season, including a lengthy lay-off for ex-Barcelona starlet Bojan – who had began to really hit it off – what do you expect upon the Spaniard’s return?
AJH: s with Peter Odemwingie who has just returned from a serious knee injury, it’s important not to expect too much too soon from Bojan. It will without doubt take him time to not only get his fitness back but his confidence also, certainly in match situations. For a few months he was Stoke’s best player by a country mile, and that night he got injured at Rochdale he scored a fantastic volley from the edge of the area. It was a shame to see him get injured when he was just starting to get to his best, but i’m sure once he has found his feet again we will get to see the best of what is a very special talent.
Q: Sunday’s encounter serves as Steven Gerrard’s last ever game in a Liverpool shirt, what kind of reception will he get from the home crowd if he plays?
JH: From a personal perspective, I’ll give him a good reception. Gerrard has been one of the best players the Premier League has seen, and he has been a pleasure to watch over the last seven years. Moments like Istanbul and the 2006 FA Cup Cup Final stick in any football fans memories, and there aren't many players that can single handedly turn a game on it’s head like Gerrard can, and has done several times. In terms of other Stoke fans, I’m not sure they will all agree. Part of Stoke’s idea of creating an electric atmosphere is to boo the opposition when they have the ball, and I don’t think Gerrard will be an exception. The fans’ intentions are harmless to simply put top players off their games, but despite Gerrard leaving the Premier League, I can’t see him being treated any different.
Q: The game also serves as the last for a few long-serving Stoke players, including Thomas Sorensen and Andy Wilkinson. Will they get a good send-off?
JH: Without doubt. Tommy was an unsung hero in our first few seasons in the top flight. As you could imagine he saw a lot of the ball as Stoke were dominated most games, but he was absolutely solid. He saved a stoppage time penalty that sent us to the FA Cup quarter finals, and of course we ended up in the final. His penalty saving record in particular was impressive, but he has been a top keeper all round for us. Wilko typified what a Stoke side under Pulis was all about. Not necessarily the best of players but he wore his heart on his sleeve and left everything on the pitch every time he played. Being a local lad didn’t harm his cause, and both will rightly go down as legends at Stoke.
Q: There are a number of ex-Liverpool players amongst your current crop, including Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch and even Victor Moses – but if you could pick one player from the Reds’ team now to join Stoke, who would it be and why?
JH: Out of the current squad, I think I’d take Adam Lallana. If there is one thing Stoke have lacked from midfield this season, It’s goals. Not only do I think Lallana would give us that, but also I think he would link up with a potential new striker well. I’m always keen for the club to bring in English players too, and of course he would fit that category. I have noticed he can play anywhere in the midfield too, so if needed he could potentially go out wide.
Q: Liverpool can still drop to seventh with a defeat at the Brit and results elsewhere, so how should the Reds play against Stoke to come away with the three points?
JH: It’s tough, because if Liverpool throw everything at it then there’s a good chance Stoke can hit them on the counter attack and grab a goal. Counter attacking is something Stoke have been particularly good at this season, It’s important Liverpool are patient, because Stoke won’t be a walk over by any means. Mark Hughes in particular will want to go out on a fantastic season with a bang, and he’ll drill that into his players. I think Liverpool need to keep the ball to not only frustrate the Stoke players but the fans also, and take their chances when they get them.
Q: Are there any particular attacking threats that Liverpool should be looking to keep quiet throughout the 90 minutes?
JH: A fit Bojan would of course been the key one, but Marko Arnautovic has a habit of hitting form towards the end of the season and this campaign is no different. He’s very much a confidence player, and when he’s at it he can be very dangerous. On the other hand, if Liverpool can mark him out of the game and frustrate him his head will drop. Player of the Season Steven N'zonzi has dominated the midfield in so many games this season, He’s very good not only defensively but also going forward when he is given the freedom to do so.
Q: Finally, what is your prediction for the game?
JH: I think not only will Stoke be up for extending their record points tally, but Liverpool will be keen to give Gerrard a fitting send off as he heads to the MLS, so I don't think there will be any end of season feel to the game. I think we will see a 2-2 draw, with Diouf and Arnautovic scoring for Stoke and Lallana and Gerrard scoring for the Reds.
If you enjoyed Joe's opinions, you can follow him on Twitter here: @Haynes_17, or you can read some of his work for the Sentinel by clicking here.