IT promises to be the ultimate clash of styles. The slick pass and move attacking philosophy Brendan Rodgers has installed at Liverpool is far removed from the direct approach favoured by visitors Stoke City.

A Reds backline which has been leaking goals at an alarming rate in recent weeks must prepare themselves to deal with an aerial bombardment at Anfield tomorrow afternoon.

The managers’ respective game plans could hardly be more contrasting but the Anfield boss insists he’s full of admiration for the way Tony Pulis’ side go about their business.

“Stoke are a difficult side to play against and I have great respect for Tony and the work he has done,” said Rodgers. “He has taken Stoke a long way from the time he went in there. He got them promoted and they are now an established team at this level.

“There is no right or wrong way to play football – it’s all about getting results. Tony has his way of working and I don’t think they get the praise they deserve for the football they do play. They have a stigma about playing a slightly longer game. We have to defend and work as a team and then bring our own style to the game.”

Having slept on it, Rodgers was considerably less scathing in his assessment of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Post-match the Northern Irishman had branded his side “sloppy” and “lazy” for the manner in which they had allowed a 1-0 lead to quickly become a 3-1 deficit.

Individual errors have hampered the Reds’ progress in recent weeks but Rodgers insists performance wise there’s plenty to be optimistic about.

“Speaking on Thursday, it was more frustration because we were so dominant in the game,” he said.

“The players were outstanding. They gave everything and I was more frustrated for them that we let Udinese back into the game and came out of it with nothing.

“We are working very hard to just cut out the mistakes we’re being punished for and when we do that we can be a real force.

“There were many positives. We are creating chances and scoring goals. The creativity in our team is improving. If we can close things up at the back then we can push on.

“There’s a great spirit among the group. These are real honest guys who prepare themselves well. That hard work gives them the confidence to play the way they have been doing.

“We just need to tighten up in one or two areas, not just the keeper and the back four, but as a group.

“It’s much easier to play in a team who just sit back and defend. As a defender you don’t have to do so much when 11 people get behind the ball. But this way of working finds out if you can attack as well as defend well.

“This is a brave way of working and I’ve seen great development in them as individuals and as a team.

“Players don’t make mistakes on purpose. I’ll give them all the support I possibly can to help them improve as players and hopefully we will get the rewards for our performance levels.”

Thursday’s defeat means Liverpool have won just one of their six home games in all competitions since Rodgers took over.

Anfield was also a happy hunting ground for visiting teams last season with just six league victories in 19 attempts. But as his side chase a first home league win of 2012/13 tomorrow, Rodgers is convinced better days lie ahead.

“It’s certainly not a distraction for us to be playing at home,” he said. “We have performed well there so far this season. We’ve won in the Europa League and come close to winning Premier League games.

“To play at Anfield is a real honour and privilege and the support that we get from the crowd is incredible. For every team coming to Anfield is such a special occasion. It’s an historic ground. Players will always pick themselves up to play here and the key for us as a club is to rise to that challenge every week.

“The home record is one of those statistics there is no explanation for. But it will change. Hopefully we can get some wins and keep performing well there.”

There will be no shortage of familiar faces trying to ensure Liverpool slip up tomorrow. Former Reds strikers Peter Crouch and Michael Owen are likely to feature, along with Charlie Adam who was sold by Rodgers to the Potters back in August.

“Charlie was fantastic over the course of the summer,” added Rodgers. “He’s a good guy but he probably wasn’t going to feature as much as he wanted to hence the reason he moved on.

“Peter Crouch had an excellent time here. He is still a very good player and under rated in terms of his footballing qualities. Michael Owen’s record speaks for itself. It will be a difficult game but we’ll be positive in our approach.”