Liverpool vs Accrington – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

Sat, Jan 11, 2025, 2:30 a.m.·4 min read

Liverpool vs Accrington – Match preview and team news

Liverpool welcome League Two outfit Accrington Stanley to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime for the third round of the FA Cup.

Premier League leaders Liverpool lost away from home for the first time this season during the week. They go into the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham with a 1-0 deficit to try and overcome.

Dominik Szoboszlai has returned to training after missing the last few games with illness. Jarell Quansah is expected to be available despite being forced off in the midweek game against Spurs.

“I do know about the milk advert” 🥛
Arne Slot remembers the famous Accrington Stanley milk advert from the 1980’s ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie between the two clubs. pic.twitter.com/dZm3dy2dCp
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 10, 2025

Joe Gomez is likely to be sidelined until late February with a hamstring injury while midfielder Tyler Morton will be assessed after he rolled his ankle in training.

Accrington Stanley will relish today’s contest in what is their first trip to Anfield in 69 years. Manager John Doolan has no notable absentees to contend with ahead of their trip to Merseyside.

Liverpool vs Accrington – Match preview and team news

Form

Liverpool: WWWDL

Liverpool’s 24-match unbeaten run came to an end on Wednesday night after they were narrowly defeated by Tottenham.

The Reds lost the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final 1-0 after Lucas Bergvall netted a late goal for the hosts.

That was Arne Slot’s first defeat away from home as Liverpool manager and only the second time they have beaten all season.

The eight-time FA Cup winners will be hoping to resume normal business against Accrington after they also failed to overcome Manchester United last weekend. It was an enthralling clash between the two rivals with the score ending 2-2 on Merseyside.

Accrington: DLLWW

Stanley are struggling in their league ambitions as they sit in 19th position in League Two, five points clear of the relegation zone.

However, they enter the weekend’s trip off the back of two crucial victories against Grimsby and Colchester.

John Doolan’s team progressed into the third round after beating Swindon Town in a penalty shootout after the game had ended 2-2.

They knocked out National League North outfit Rushall Olympic in the previous round with a 2-0 away triumph.

Liverpool will be wary of forward Tyler Walton who has recorded three goals in his two appearances in this competition.

Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-0 Accrington Stanley, FA Cup, 7th January 1956

You have to cast your mind back nearly seventy years ago to find the last encounter between the two sides.

It came in this exact competition and in the same round, as Liverpool dispatched Accrington 2-0 at Anfield.

Back in 1956, Liverpool competed in the Second Division while their Lancashire counterparts played in the league below, the Third Division North.

The contest was won within a minute courtesy of the proficiency of forward Billy Liddell. The Scotsman netted a quick-fire brace just shy of the hour mark to see the Reds advance into the fourth round.

But, Liverpool weren’t wearing red. At the time, the rules meant both teams had to change colours if there was a kit clash. Despite Accrington agreeing to let Liverpool wear their usual strip, the authorities stated there were no exceptions.

So, Don Welsh’s team knocked out Stanley while sporting yellow shirts.

Predicted Lineups

Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Quansah, Robertson; Nyoni, Endo, Szoboszlai; Chiesa, Elliott, Nunez.

Accrington: Crellin; Love, Rawson, Awe, B. Woods; Whalley, Knowles; Hunter, Khumbeni, J.Woods, Walton.

Who is the referee?

Lewis Smith will be the match official. He will be assisted by Richard West and Andrew Fox while Zac Kennard-Kettle will be the fourth official. VAR will not be in operation.