Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool will look to gain full points against new-entrants Stoke City in the Premiership clash at Anfield on Saturday and go top of the table.

The Reds had defeated defending champions Manchester United last weekend in front of the Kop, and will see the Potters game as the chance to build on their joint-top of the table lead over the pack thus giving themselves a chance to be in the sole lead as current leaders Chelsea host the Red Devils on Sunday.

A victory for Benitez’s side, who currently have 10 points from four games, will mean Liverpool’s best ever start to their Premiership campaign, and augurs well as the Merseysiders aim to end their 18-year-old wait for the top flight title.

On the verge of a personal milestone, Reds captain Steven Gerrard, who scored a brace to help Reds sink Marseille in Champions League group game in midweek, is one short of a century of goals for the club in all competitions.

Stoke are currently placed 19th in the table, just above bottom-positioned Tottenham. Tony Pulis’ side have battled hard though in their four games so far, but only managed to win one of them. They lost a close contest to Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton last weekend.

However, the Potters are looking to give a good account of themselves and surprise the Reds.

Midfielder Michael Tonge told BBC Radio Stoke: "They look like they're pretty strong so it will be tough going to Anfield, but it is only 11 against 11.

"We'll go there and make it difficult for Liverpool. Hopefully we can catch them on an off day and get something out of the game."

Senegal defender Ibrahima Sonko, who left Reading in the summer, told The Sentinel: “It will be easy to get motivated. But you need to control your emotions when you get there and make sure you are effective and not just excited.

“We have to go there with self belief. They are bigger players, so we won’t be over-confident, but we have to be confident enough to say ‘I am going to trouble them today’. I am sure we can do something.”