Liverpool will look to return to form and book their spot in the FA Cup fourth round when they host Accrington Stanley this weekend.
The Reds were near-perfect for the first half of the season but find themselves winless after two matches to start 2025.
Arne Slot‘s side looks to be feeling the effects of a hectic festive fixture list after successive unconvincing performances.
Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield last Sunday, before falling to a defeat to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in midweek.
The eight-time FA Cup winners now have the perfect opportunity to reset against Accrington, who sit down in 19th spot in League Two.
Liverpool vs Accrington: Predicted XI and team news
The hosts are expected to introduce wholesale changes, with Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Mohamed Salah also enjoying rests.
Liverpool’s No.2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was left on the bench in the Carabao Cup but will return between the sticks here.
Conor Bradley will likely retain his spot at right-back, with vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold taken out of the firing line.
The latter endured a torrid time at Anfield last time, as did fellow full-back Andy Robertson meaning Kostas Tsimikas should play again.
Joe Gomez suffered a hamstring injury in the 5-0 win over West Ham at the end of last year and is on the sidelines.
Jarell Quansah threatened to add to Liverpool’s centre-back crisis after being withdrawn against Spurs due to illness.
The 21-year-old is hopeful of a fast recovery to return to the backline to lessen the load on Ibrahima Konate following his injury return.
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Captain Van Dijk will sit out meaning there’ll be another start at centre-back for orthodox Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo.
In midfield, youngster Tyler Morton will come in at holding midfield so that Ryan Gravenberch can enjoy a breather.
Highly-rated 17-year-old Trey Nyoni started the Carabao Cup 2-1 win over Southampton alongside his fellow academy graduate and will be pushing for more senior minutes.
Harvey Elliott scored on that trip to the south coast and will be desperate to impress after being an unused substitute against Spurs.
Dominik Szoboszlai could provide a more senior alternative having missed the last two matches due to an illness.
Slot may decide against throwing the Hungarian straight back into the fold, with a cameo appearance more likely ahead to build fitness.
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Speaking of building fitness, Federico Chiesa could be handed just his second Liverpool start six months after arriving from Juventus.
Chiesa didn’t play between September 25 and December 18 through injury and his return to the pitch has been carefully managed.
The Italy international finally made his comeback appearance during the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton before Christmas.
The winger has since had to endure several frustrating outings in the dugout waiting for an opportunity to deputise for Salah.
Darwin Nunez is suspended for Liverpool’s next Premier League match so will likely lead the line to keep Diogo Jota fresh.
The final call to be made will be over the consistently rotated left-wing role, with Luis Diaz likely to start over Cody Gakpo.
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- This is the first meeting between Liverpool and Accrington Stanley in all competitions, though the Reds did beat the original Accrington Stanley side 2-0 in the 1955-56 FA Cup third round.
- Accrington Stanley have lost all three of their FA Cup games against Premier League opponents, with each of these coming in the fourth round of the competition – 1-3 v Fulham (2010), 0-1 v Middlesbrough (2017) and 1-3 v Leeds (2023).
Liverpool vs Accrington: What has been said?
Slot was asked about staying calm at full-time following the Tottenham defeat despite being disappointed by Lucas Bergvall scoring the winner minutes after avoiding a second yellow card.
He said: “I don’t think I am known in Holland for [being] the person who always stays calm with referee decisions!
“Although I do think they have the wrong opinion about me over there when it comes to refereeing decisions! The decision is made, you can’t change it. When he didn’t give the second yellow, nobody thought that it would have had such a big impact 30 seconds later.
“I think – I haven’t asked him – but I am 99.9 per cent sure I wasn’t the only one who felt not the best [when the goal was scored].
“I am 99.9 per cent sure when Bergvall scored the referee was like, ‘Is this really happening?’ because he couldn’t change it anymore.
“It was, for him, also far from ideal, I think – but that’s why I say 99.9 because I couldn’t look into his head and he didn’t have to tell what he felt.”
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- Liverpool have only been knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage once in the last 13 campaigns, losing 2-1 at Wolves in 2018-19.
- Accrington Stanley have progressed from each of their last four FA Cup third round ties, with these coming in 2009-10, 2016-17, 2018-19 and 2022-23.
- Tyler Walton has scored in both of Accrington Stanley’s FA Cup ties so far this season, netting three goals in total. No player has ever scored in each of the first three rounds of the competition in a single campaign for the club.
Liverpool vs Accrington: talkSPORT coverage
This FA Cup third-round tie will take place on Saturday, January 11.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 12:15pm.
talkSPORT will also have live coverage of the game with Adrian Durham serving as your presenter.
The commentary then comes from Sam Matterface and former England striker Dean Ashton.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
talkSPORT.com will also have updates in our dedicated live blog.