Image source, Rex Features

Good news for Watford mascot Harry The Hornet. He is off the hook after his alleged mocking dive in front of Crystal Palace's Wilfired Zaha during yesterday's match at Vicarage Road.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce had suggested the mascot's behaviour be "looked at" by the FA and the Premier League.

Mr Hornet is therefore free to carry on his official club duties.

Image source, Rex Features

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "Not many people are thinking we have a chance of gaining positive results but that certainly isn't the case within our camp.

"Of course they have players who can hurt us, but we have players who can hurt them too. We went to Liverpool last year and beat them (in the League Cup) and we also got our first point at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League so we know we can go to these places and be positive."

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "Stoke is a bit between Everton and Man City. The second child if you want.

"It's not important when [Stoke] beat us last time. It's not important about the history...

"Everybody is on fire, we are all on track, that's a really good thing. Stoke have the same idea. Very, very important game, I'm really looking forward to it. Atmosphere changes everything, hopefully all our supporters are re-charged after the 25th and 26th, full of good food and in the best mood for this game."

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live have been pumping sport into your ears since 14:00 GMT today. They're not planning on stopping anytime soon. In fact, if you tune in shortly, you'll get full commentary of this game from Anfield. You can do that via the top of this page if you so wish.

We asked which manager you'd most like to enjoy a festive pint with down the pub - but not everyone reckons Jurgen Klopp would be up for it.... 

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

There's a Christmas reunion taking place at Anfield as Joe Allen comes up against his former Liverpool team-mates for the first time since leaving in the summer.

Mark Hughes has admitted his "surprise" when the Reds decided to part with Allen after his Euro 2016 exploits with Wales.

"We had admired Joe Allen from afar for a long time, and obviously his time at Anfield was frustrating for him," added Hughes. "It was only by a virtue of not playing week in week out that we managed to get him here.

"We were quite surprised that Liverpool were allowing him to leave after the European Championships, but I think they had other irons in the fire which allowed us to take Joe."

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Simon Mignolet remains in Liverpool's goal as manager Jurgen Klopp sticks with the same team which started against Everton last week. Daniel Sturridge, Emre Can and Ben Woodburn are on the substitutes' bench. 

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Origi   

Image source, .

Ibrahim Afellay is named as one of Stoke's substitutes, which mean he could feature for the first time since suffering knee ligament damage in April. The Potters have three former Reds in their starting line-up in Glenn Johnson, Joe Allen and Peter Crouch. 

Stoke XI: Grant; Johnson, Shawcross, M.Indi, Pieters; Diouf, Allen, Whelan, Imbula, Walters; Crouch

Image source, .

Image source, Rex Features

You may have heard on John Southall on 5 live yesterday relate the tale of Chelsea boss Antonio Conte inviting a handful of journalists out for a pre-Christmas drink.

Apologies if this is a bit Alan Partridge, but which football manager would you like to go out for a pint or two with and why? Jurgen Klopp might feature heavily in this one. Lovely lamb lunch and ale with the Liverpool gaffer, and then off to Legoland. 

You can contact us on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcfootball or on text using 81111 (UK only).

The teams are out. Still no Joel Matip for Liverpool, so Ragnar Klavan (who was excellent against Everton last time out) continues at centre-back.

Ibrahim Afellay could feature for the first time since suffering knee ligament damage in April. He is named on Stoke's bench. 

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke's Bojan Krkic and Charlie Adam are already pitchside for tonight's clash at Anfield. Looking pretty relaxed as well.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Rex Features

The Potters may be without a win in three Premier League games but they have won five of their last 10 league games - only Chelsea and Liverpool have won more over that period in the top flight.

Stoke also won 1-0 at Anfield in the League Cup semi-final second leg last January, although they went on to lose the tie on penalties.

On the flip side, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 15 Premier League matches and are unbeaten at home in 15 Premier League home games - the longest current unbeaten home run in the top flight.

Take whatever you want from all that.

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The Premier League's top guns are making their move. Chelsea are a steamroller at the moment, crushing everything in their path (12 opponents and counting), Manchester City and Arsenal and eeking out wins to keep in touch, while Tottenham have been joined on the fringes by a resurgent Manchester United.

Today, Liverpool have a chance to cut Chelsea's lead to a still considerable six points with a victory over Stoke. Mark Hughes and his men are far from sacrificial lambs, though...

Man City... three points.

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Arsenal... three points.

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Chelsea... three points.

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Over to you Liverpool.

Image source, Rex Features