Liverpool will be looking to seal a berth in the Europa League group stages when they take on Stoke City in the final game of their Barclays' Premier League campaign this Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers' side travel to the Britannia Stadium a point above Tottenham Hotspur in sixth, and two ahead of Southampton who sit seventh. Liverpool need to beat the result of Spurs, who travel to Everton, whilst Southampton play away at Manchester City, to ensure they finish in the automatic spot.
If Liverpool fail to beat the Potters, and results elsewhere go against them, they will have to rely on Arsenal to beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on May 30. Should the Gunners then retain their crown, the Reds could begin their Europa League campaign as early as July - qualifying for the competition through England's Fair Play table, which they currently sit atop.
But Liverpool fans will be more focused on the fact that Sunday's clash will be Steven Gerrard's final appearance for Liverpool, his 710th game for the club overall. The 34-year-old skipper waved goodbye to Anfield last week, in a disappointing 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace, and will depart for LA Galaxy later this month - but supporters will be keen to get a final glimpse of their long-time servant, and talisman.
Stoke, meanwhile, have already broken their highest points total in the Premier League, and will be looking to further extend that tally with a result against an out-of-sorts Liverpool side.
Mark Hughes' ninth-place position in the Premier League is already guaranteed, with no room for movement above or below them. Having dealt with injuries to several key players throughout the campain, the Potters will be viewing 2014-15 as a success after securing back-to-back top-half finishes in the top-flight.
Nevertheless, Stoke have seen out the final stages of the season poorly, winning just two of their last nine - though those victories - both of which were on home soil - came over Liverpool's rivals for the remaining Europa League spots, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
The visitors meanwhile, come into their final game of the campaign limping over the line to say the least. Rodgers' side have only won one of their last five matches, with a top-four finish categorically ruled out after last weekend's loss at home.
Two exits in the final four of the domestic cups, two disappointing European exits and a largely underwhelming league campaign have seen Liverpool drop dramatically since their scintillating title charge this time last year.
Just as Sterling's future is up in the air, Rodgers' reputation on Anfield - unwavering in May 2014, has dropped significantly, and he will be hoping to end on a high after a campaign littered with lows.
But he will face a stern test in the shape of Hughes' Stoke, who have continued to come on leaps and bounds under the ex-Manchester City manager.
Instilling a more attractive brand of football, the Potters have become a tough opponent for any side - and given their poor form of late, Rodgers' Liverpool will hardly be relishing their trip to Staffordshire, who would have been hoping this fixture would mean more to them than securing the Europa League.
Team News:
Mark Hughes has several fitness doubts amongst his squad, with Peter Odemwingie and Peter Crouch both expected to undergo late tests before Stoke's final game of the season.
On-loan forward Victor Moses has returned to parent club Chelsea after suffering a troublesome hamstring injury, whilst Jon Walters' knee problem is expected to keep him sidelined.
Stephen Ireland is the Potters' only real worry with a stiff back, but centre-back Philipp Wollscheid - who recently signed a three-year deal at the club - may play for the first time since being uneveiled as a permanent fixture in the squad.
Asmir Begovic, whose future at the Britannia looks cloudy, will start in goal in what could be his farewell appearance to the Stoke City fans - whilst Andy Wilkinson may feature in what will be his final game for the club after 14 years.
Third-choice goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen is also set to bring his Stoke career to an end in the summer, but Jack Butland is likely to take up the goalkeeper's spot on the bench after impressive back-to-back performances in the first-team.
For the visitors, Steven Gerrard is expected to make his 710th, and what is likely to be his final, appearance in a red shirt - whilst Rodgers has confirmed Raheem Sterling will still be involved if he is fit.
The 20-year-old has dominated the headlines in the build-up to Sunday's clash, as he prepares to tell the Reds that he sees his future elsewhere - but may play what could end up being his final game for the Reds.
Mario Balotelli, another with his future on Merseyside in doubt, is unlikely to feature having not featured since April 28 through a mix of injuries and illness - but Jordon Ibe, who signed a new five-year deal with the club in mid-week, should play.
Liverpool also remain without long-term absentee Jon Flanagan (knee) and Daniel Sturridge (hip) whilst Stoke's Bojan is not expected to return until next season, with a anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Head-to-head:
At Britannia Stadium: Stoke - 26 wins, Draws - 21, Liverpool - 16 wins.
At Anfield: Liverpool - 48 wins, Draws - 13, Stoke - 3 wins.
Overall: Stoke - 29 wins, Draws - 34, Liverpool - 64 wins.
Last meeting: Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City - Barclays' Premier League, 29th November 2014.
Last Five (all competitions):
Stoke City: DWLDW
Liverpool: LDWLD
Match Facts:
All 22 of Stoke's top-flight wins against Liverpool have come at home.
Liverpool are on a three-game winning run against the Potters and have lost only once to them in eight matches in all competitions (W5, D2).
Twelve goals have been scored in the last two meetings between Stoke and Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke's 51 points is a Premier League club record and their best top-flight total since they earned 57 in 1982-83.
The Potters are guaranteed a second successive ninth-placed Premier League finish.
Stoke have lost only one of their last six matches (W2, D3).
Mark Hughes has won only two of 17 league matches as a manager against Liverpool (D6, L9).
The Reds have won just one of their last five games and averaged a point per match in that period.
Only Arsenal and Chelsea have earned more points than Liverpool's 34 this calendar year.
Liverpool can equal a Premier League club record of nine away clean sheets in a single season.
Brendan Rodgers' side have scored 51 goals - 48 fewer than at the same stage of last season.
Steven Gerrard will make his 710th and final appearance for Liverpool in all competitions. Only Ian Callaghan (857) and Jamie Carragher (737) have played more matches for the Reds.
Gerrard is currently Liverpool's top league scorer with eight goals. The last time their top scorer failed to hit double figures was in 2004-05 when Milan Baros scored nine times.
The Liverpool captain has assisted only one Premier League goal this season, his lowest total since recording zero in his debut campaign in 1998-99.
Gerrard has scored 50 away goals in the Premier League and this match will be his 250th away appearance in the competition.
Jonathan Walters has scored in each of his last three Premier League appearances versus Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium (four goals).
Liverpool have won their last three games against Stoke City, this after winning just two of their previous 10 in the Premier League (D5 L3).
Pre-match comments:
Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers: "I've said at the beginning of the season that [the aim] is to finish as high as we possibly can. That is the aim for the game. Our season doesn't finish until the whistle blows on Sunday so it'll be a tough game for us away at Stoke but we go there and we want to finish the season strong. I always believe it's a good sign of the team if they can keep going to the very end and that'll be our ambition against Stoke."
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "It's always important to end on a high. We've had a great season but it's important to win the last home game and put in a performance. Liverpool need to get points on the board because there is a danger they could slip places, so it's really important we put in a shift too as a thank you for our fans."