Stoke City boss Mark Hughes wants to sign off a record-breaking campaign by taking maximum points against Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on the final day of the season.
The Potters (14-9-14) set a new club record Premier League tally of 51 points with a goalless draw at Burnley last weekend, and Hughes' side also are guaranteed a second successive ninth-place finish having lost only one of their last six league matches.
"We can all look back upon the season with a lot of pride, especially if we are able to end it with another victory this weekend," Hughes told his club's official website. "We want to end the season with a win in front of our own supporters.
"The lads have had a couple of days off this week but they are back in now and their attentions are firmly focused on Liverpool."
The Reds (18-8-11) are fifth in the standings and will be disappointed to have missed out on a place in next season's Champions League. The Merseysiders, who have won just two of their last eight top-flight matches, will be looking for a positive result against Stoke to seal a berth in the Europa League.
Liverpool lost 3-1 at home against Crystal Palace last Saturday in Steven Gerrard's last match at Anfield before his move to Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 34-year talismanic Liverpool captain is due to make his 710th and final appearance for the Merseysiders in all competitions at the Britannia.
Reds manager Brendan Rodgers' preparations for the trip to Stoke have been overshadowed by increasing media speculation over the future of England international Raheem Sterling, who has yet to sign a new Liverpool contract. Rodgers, however, did receive a welcome boost this week with news that winger Jordon Ibe and defender Jon Flanagan have both signed new deals to stay at Anfield.
Rodgers is expecting a hard match at Stoke, but also wants his side to end their 2014-15 campaign in style.
"I've said at the beginning of the season that (the aim) is to finish as high as we possibly can." Rodgers said at his pre-match press conference. "That is the aim for the game. Our season doesn't finish until the whistle blows on Sunday so it'll be a tough game for us away at Stoke but we go there and we want to finish the season strong.
"I always believe it's a good sign of the team if they can keep going to the very end and that'll be our ambition against Stoke."
Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland is doubtful with a back problem while forward Victor Moses could feature after a hamstring injury.
Liverpool insist Sterling will be available for selection despite his contract wrangle, while Italy striker Mario Balotelli, who has been sidelined because of injury and illness, remains doubtful.
The Reds beat Stoke 1-0 at Anfield in November thanks to a Glen Johnson goal five minutes from time. Stoke held 55 percent of the ball on the day, but managed just four shots on target. The Reds had only three shots on target, but one of those was Johnson's winner.
The Merseysiders have won three straight top-flight matches against the Potters, with Stoke's last points against the Merseysiders coming in a 3-1 win at the Britannia on Boxing Day 2012.
Liverpool hold the edge over Stoke in overall Premier League matches, winning five times with the Potters claiming three victories. The sides have drawn five of the 13 all-time Premier League meetings, with Liverpool outscoring Stoke 15-10.
