Cup exit behind us, says Sorensen

Thomas Sorensen signed for Stoke City from Aston Villa last summer

Stoke City keeper Thomas Sorensen says they have to put the FA Cup defeat to Hartlepool behind them and concentrate on Premier League survival.

After last weekend's 2-1 cup exit at Victoria Park, the Potters now face Liverpool at home on Saturday.

And Sorensen told BBC Radio Stoke: "It was sad to go out of the cup but it may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

"We play Liverpool then Chelsea, but we nearly got something against Man United so why not against those two?"

The Potters battled to a goalless draw against the Premier League leaders at Anfield in September. And Sorensen reckons that there is no reason why they cannot go one better than that at the Britannia Stadium.

"The whole team played well that day, and we had some luck which is what you need in those games," said the Danish international.

"At home we've been hard to beat and I think Liverpool will find it hard too.

"We'll give them a good test and hopefully this time we can get that goal and go on to win."

Saturday's game will be the first time the Potters have played in front of their own fans since Ricardo Fuller was sent off for slapping captain Andy Griffin in the 2-1 defeat at West Ham. But Sorensen insists that the Britannia Stadium crowd can expect to see a unified Stoke side.

"To stay up we know we have to play as a team," he added. "That will be the way we'll play from now until the end of the season."