Andy Wilkinson challenges Yossi Benayoun during August's game

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates insists Liverpool are no longer a team to be scared of ahead of their game at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Liverpool are seventh in the Premier League, nine points ahead of Stoke.

"Every team in football now feels that, whilst Liverpool have got some fantastic players, you're not without a chance," Coates told BBC Radio Stoke.

"What matters to me is that we put on a good performance and give a good account of ourselves."

Stoke lost 4-0 at Anfield in August, with Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog scoring the goals.

The Premier League game against Liverpool is followed by a televised FA Cup fourth round tie against Arsenal on Sunday, January 24.

"They're all good fixtures. Some you regard as more winnable than others, but we're looking forward to it," said Coates.

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