Liverpool FC take on Stoke City in the last Premier League match of the season, which is also Steven Gerrard’s last game for the club as the talismanic captain will be joining MLS club LA Galaxy next season.
Mario Balotelli is once again not available for selection as Brendan Rodgers confirmed the Italian striker will be missing (how often has the former City man been absent?).
Liverpool will secure a place in next seasona s Europa League group stage if they beat Stoke in what will be Steven Gerrarda s 710th and final appearance for the club. Stoke are guaranteed a top-half finish for the second season in a row and have already surpassed their highest Premier League points tally, but Mark Hughes will not want to end the season with a defeat.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists forward Raheem Sterling is available for selection at Stoke despite his contract row hitting the headlines again this week.His agent confirmed in the week that a new contract will “definitely not” be signed, opening the door for the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea to make a move when the transfer window opens for business in the coming weeks.
A lack of goals in the league has been a big downfall for Liverpool this season and, with Rickie Lambert rumoured to be one of those on his way out of Anfield, he may be given one final appearance after dropping out of the starting lineup last weekend. Gerrard is currently Liverpoola s top scorer in the league with eight goals this season.The last season where Liverpool had no players reaching 10+ league goals was 2004-05 (Milan Baros, 9).If Gerrard ends as Liverpoola s top scorer on eight goals it will be the lowest top scorer total Liverpool have recorded in the Premier League era.
Jordon Ibe will be on a real high after agreeing a new long-term contract this week, although the big question centres around Sterling and whether or not Rodgers includes him in his side.