Liverpool start their FA Cup marketing campaign with the go to of League One facet Barnsley within the third spherical, because the Reds chase a ninth triumph within the competitors.
Liverpool vs. Barnsley
FA Cup third spherical | AnfieldJanuary 12, 7.45pm (GMT)
Arne Slot‘s facet commerce the Premier League for home cup commitments, as they appear to construct on an encouraging 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
Liverpool can be resounding favourites to progress to the FA Cup fourth spherical, however Barnsley have shocked them up to now.
Right here’s all you should know forward of the match.
1. Liverpool’s greatest likelihood of silverware?
With the Premier League title all however gone and Champions League glory unlikely, Liverpool may even see the FA Cup as their greatest likelihood of a trophy this season.
Granted, the competitors doesn’t have the identical stage of status because it as soon as did, however it’s nonetheless a cherished piece of silverware each Could.
Liverpool final gained the FA Cup in 2022, following a penalty shootout win over Chelsea at Wembley, and a ninth win could be a robust method to finish the season.
2. How are Barnsley faring this season?
Barnsley have been as soon as a Premier League staff, again in 1997/98, however these days are lengthy gone.
Conor Hourihane’s facet at the moment are plying their commerce in League One, sitting seventeenth within the desk and solely two factors above the relegation zone.
The Tykes have misplaced three of their final 4 video games, however they haven’t had a sport since New Yr’s Day, with their conflict with Port Vale on January 4 postponed as a consequence of a frozen pitch.
3. Barnsley have shocked Liverpool up to now
By way of FA Cup shocks this century, Barnsley’s 2-1 win at Anfield again in 2008 is arguably up there with the largest.
Rafa Benitez’s facet have been shocked within the fourth spherical 18 years in the past, in a season that noticed them attain the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Dirk Kuyt could have given Liverpool the lead, however Stephen Foster equalised earlier than Brian Howard scored in stoppage time to seal an unbelievable win for Barnsley.
4. Hourihane can’t await Liverpool take a look at
Chatting with the media forward of the sport, Barnsley boss Hourihane couldn’t cover his pleasure:
“We’re actually excited to have the ability to take a look at ourselves in opposition to top-of-the-line groups on this planet.
“We count on a very powerful event, in fact, however one which the lads should be prepared for and totally ready for.
“We’ve used this window to get ourselves in a very good place – not only for Liverpool, however for the busy run of league video games arising.
“We need to hit these head-on.”
5. Liverpool staff information
Conor Bradley‘s knee harm at Arsenal was one other damaging blow, with the right-back dominated out for the remainder of the season. He’ll endure surgical procedure within the coming week.
He joins Alexander Isak as a long-term absentee, with the Swede’s return from a damaged leg not anticipated till the spring.
Whereas Liverpool hope to have Hugo Ekitike again within the fold after he missed the final two video games, with Slot insisting they are going to do “every thing” to have him again.
Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Jayden Danns are additionally nonetheless lacking for Liverpool, whereas Mo Salah stays absent as a consequence of AFCON.
6. Liverpool Predicted XI
Slot vowed he’ll title a robust squad although adjustments can be anticipated, permitting key gamers a breather forward of Saturday’s go to of Burnley, however they gained’t be as drastic as within the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
This isn’t a Liverpool squad brimming with depth, so there are solely so many alterations that may be made.
Giorgi Mamardashvili ought to are available in for Alisson in purpose, whereas Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson will certainly begin in defence.
You’d count on Curtis Jones to be a part of the midfield, having not began at Arsenal, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha additionally hoping to characteristic.
A fourth Reds begin for teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni appears on the playing cards, too.
Potential Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Gomez, Robertson; Nyoni, Jones, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Ngumoha, Gakpo.
7. Do you know?
Liverpool have solely been knocked out of the FA Cup on the third spherical stage as soon as up to now 15 years.
That got here away to Wolves again in January 2019, following a 2-1 defeat, when Jurgen Klopp fielded a much-changed beginning lineup.
Amongst those that began was Ki-Jana Hoever, who at 16 years and 354 days was Liverpool’s third-youngest debutant on the time.
Final season, the Reds overcame Accrington Stanley in spherical three, with Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Danns and Chiesa getting the targets.
8. Farai Hallam in cost at Anfield
Farai Hallam has been confirmed because the referee on Monday night, in his first-ever Liverpool sport.
The 32-year-old is a former participant and is now a highly-rated EFL official, and this can be a proud evening for him.
Alistair Nelson and Hristo Karaivanov are Hallam’s assistants, whereas Ruebyn Ricardo is the fourth official.
The match will go to additional time if the scores are stage after 90 minutes, with a penalty shootout to comply with if wanted.
9. When is the FA Cup fourth spherical draw?
Anfield will host the fourth spherical draw forward of kick-off between Liverpool and Barnsley.
Will probably be broadcast stay on TNT Sports activities about 10 minutes earlier than the sport begin, with Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole choosing out the balls.
Liverpool and Barnsley can be ball 14 and the ties can be performed over the weekend of February 14.
10. Comply with the match on TV and with TIA
Liverpool vs. Barnsley is stay on TNT Sports activities 1 from 6.30pm (GMT), with kick-off at 7.45pm.
In the meantime, This Is Anfield‘s stay weblog can be up and operating from 7pm, with Henry Jackson within the chair.
Come on you Reds!
