Stoke's intimidating Britannia stadium would be low on the list of preferred venues for most Premier League managers, and especially so if the manager is facing calls for his head, the team are at a low ebb after a surprise cup defeat and there are injuries to key players.
Yet that is the scenario facing Rafa Benitez as he takes stumbling Liverpool to Stoke for tonight's early kick-off. It has the look of a make-or-break match for Liverpool's season, as victory would pick them up after Wednesday's FA Cup loss to Reading and move them, temporarily at least, to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester City.
Another defeat, however, could mean they are eight points behind when the weekend is over, if City continue their winning run under Roberto Mancini with victory at Everton.
The task confronting Liverpool is far from easy, as only seven teams have won at the Britannia in Stoke's 29 home games since they joined the Premier League. Liverpool aren't one of them, having drawn 0-0 at the Britannia last season, but they are strong favourites to win this time despite the dark clouds swirling around them, and arguably their win odds underestimate their chance of victory.
Swimming against the tide of public opinion could pay dividends with Liverpool, whose 'crisis' is relative to their excellent second place in the Premier League last season and the perhaps unrealistic expectations that brought for Benitez's squad this season.
Liverpool have regressed this season, but not by so much that they shouldn't be able to win at Stoke. Liverpool's away defeats have been against Tottenham, Chelsea, Fulham, Sunderland and Portsmouth. And the defeat at Sunderland was unlucky in the extreme, after the winning goal deflected in off a stray balloon.