Tempting as it is to start a look at this fixture by listing out why milk is the drink of football heroes of yesteryear*, there’s a somewhat more serious undertone to the game now for Arne Slot’s Premier League leaders, who have just shown the slightest wobble of form of late.
By Karl Matchett
*Before we go any further, and if you’re weren’t alive in the UK during the 1980s, here’s a link to the TV advert that will forever link these two clubs – watch here.
Top of everything, winless in two
Liverpool’s midweek League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, contentious as it was, means Slot’s side are two without a win in all competitions, following a surprise home draw to Manchester United. For most teams that would be nothing of note; for the Merseyside club it’s their worst run of the campaign.
Yet, as we’re told every year, the magic of the FA Cup means it’s not always about form, favourites or even footballers. Fourth tier Accrington Stanley visit the top side in the country and the storylines write themselves, not the least of which is Josh Woods being likely to lineup for the away side, when he can frequently be found in the stands instead, supporting the Anfield club. This is only the second-ever time the teams have met, after the Reds won 2-0 in the FA Cup third round in 1956.
Recent form
Prior to losing at Spurs it was 24 in a row unbeaten for Slot’s team, so there won’t be panic buttons being pummelled just yet. Accrington have actually won their last two, so come into this game as the in-form team…though if we want to add context, which we should, victories over Grimsby and Colchester don’t move the needle much – particularly coming after a winless run of eight beforehand. Bottom line: they’re 19th in League Two, away to the Premier League leaders.
Team news
Liverpool should be able to call upon the previously ill Dominik Szoboszlai, while Jarell Quansah went off in the first half midweek. Joe Gomez is the only other definite absentee after some recent returns to fitness for Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konaté, but Slot will probably also start the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo.
Accrington have a full squad available and will likely go with a full-strength side in a bid to cause the biggest shock of the third round.
Key player
Tough to know exactly where Slot will go with his lineup, but given the Forest game is three days away, rotations in some areas are a necessity, including full-back. That gives Conor Bradley another chance to shine, particularly on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s poor showing against Manchester United and the ongoing contract talks there. While Bradley’s 250-odd league minutes are nowhere near enough to be truly telling, his per-90 stats are alarmingly high across the board in shooting, passing, dribbling, recoveries and touches. The more we see of him, the more idea we’ll have of just how sustainable that is…and whether he could really be a long-term answer for the Reds.
Prediction
No cup shock this time around; Liverpool’s second string will ease aside Accrington and continue their domestic cup adventures. Liverpool 4-0 Accrington…exactly.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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