📰 Table Of Contents
Match Preview
“Accrington Stanley? Who are they?”
“Exactly.”
For those of a certain vintage, the memory of that famous advert for milk in the 1980s will come rushing back this weekend when Liverpool host Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup.
League Two strugglers Accrington drew arguably the plum tie of the round, albeit also the most daunting, when they were paired with the runaway Premier League leaders.
Their captain Seamus Conneely admits it will be a day out to remember, telling the club’s website: “It’s fantastic isn’t it. We have finally got that big one. We’ve made it to the third round and fourth round before, played at some great stadiums but I think Liverpool will top it all. The link with the clubs, the milk advert, the players, the management staff, the proximity between the two areas, it adds everything to it. It’s a great tie for all of us.”
Accrington are 19th in the fourth tier, five points above the relegation places, but have won their last two games, against Grimsby Town and Colchester United.
Conneely accepts it will require a huge performance from the Stanley players to simply keep the scoreline respectable at Anfield.
He added: “We don’t want to just turn up and embarrass ourselves. We want to put on a performance. The last two games have been big for our confidence. It was difficult over Christmas, the atmosphere in the dressing room was nervous but we have managed to put that right and, hopefully, we can take that into the game at the weekend.”
🎥 “I hope they and all the fans make the most of the occasion; they don’t come along too often.”
Seamus previews @LFC.
— Accrington Stanley (@ASFCofficial) January 9, 2025
Team News
Liverpool will likely make wholesale changes although the depth of their squad means it will still be a strong starting XI.
The likes of Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo will likely start with Slot also contemplating those left out against Spurs.
Accrington will go full strength with no injuries reported from the camp.
Expected line-ups
Accrington: Crellin, Rawson, Love, Awe, Walton, B Woods, Khumbeni, Conneely, Whalley, Hunter, J Woods
The Stats
- Liverpool have won 9 of the last 10 home matches while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In 9 of the last 11 Liverpool home matches in the FA Cup, the total number of goals was over 2.5
- Liverpool have won 6 of the last 8 home matches while scoring less than 2.5 goals
- Liverpool have won 5 of the last 6 home matches in the FA Cup and the total number of goals was over 2.5
- Liverpool have won 5 of the last 6 home matches in the FA Cup while scoring more than 1.5 goals
- In 7 of the last 9 Accrington away matches the total number of goals was over 2.5
- In 8 of the last 10 Accrington away matches the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 6 of the last 8 Accrington matches the total number of goals was over 2.5
- In 4 of the last 5 Accrington matches in the FA Cup, the total number of goals was over 2.5
- In the last 3 Accrington matches the total number of goals was under 3.5
Prediction
To the surprise of no-one, we are going for a home win, although it may take a while for Liverpool’s second string to gel.
In true cup fashion, Accrington will fight hard and give a good account of themselves but the home side’s quality will eventually shine through.
Liverpool 3-0 Accrington
