Arne Slot will get his first taste of FA Cup magic on Saturday lunchtime when Liverpool host Accrington Stanley in the third round.
After disappointing results against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at the start of the new year, the Reds will be keen to produce a confidence-boosting performance against their Lancashire opponents at Anfield.
Liverpool last won the FA Cup in 2021/22 and their last major defeat in the competition came in 2012/13 when they suffered a surprise defeat in the fourth round against Oldham Athletic, then still in the third division.
A similar fate is unlikely to befall Slot’s side this weekend, with Accrington currently sitting 19th in League Two. The two teams have only met once before, an FA Cup tie that dates back to 1956.
Here is 90 minutes Guide to the FA Cup third round clash between Liverpool and Accrington.
Liverpool vs Accrington H2H results (total time)
Current form (all competitions)
Liverpool | Accrington Stanley |
|---|---|
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool – 08/01/25 | Colchester 0-2 Accrington – 01/04/25 |
Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd – 01/05/25 | Accrington 3-2 Grimsby – 01/01/25 |
West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – 12/29/24 | Carlisle 2-1 Accrington – 29/12/24 |
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – 12/26/24 | Accrington 0-2 Salford – 21/12/24 |
Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool – 12/22/24 | Fleetwood 1-1 Accrington – 12/16/24 |
country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | ITV 1, ITVX, STV, STV Player, UTV |
United States | ESPN+, ESPN app |
Canada | Sportsnet World Now, Sportsnet Now, Sportsnet East, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet Pacific, Sportsnet West, Sportsnet World, Sportsnet Now Plus |
Liverpool don’t have many absences at the moment, but Jarell Quansah had to pull out after just half an hour’s loss to Tottenham in midweek. However, Slot confirmed he was substituted in north London due to illness rather than injury, meaning he could be available in some capacity at the weekend.
The Reds are already missing a central defender in Joe Gomez. The versatile defender is currently out with a hamstring injury sustained in the 5-0 win over West Ham.
It is doubtful whether Dominik Szoboszlai will play further forward in the much-changed Liverpool side, with the Hungarian having missed the last three games due to a mix of suspension and illness.
Predicted Liverpool line-up against Accrington (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Endo, Robertson; Morton, Nyoni; Chiesa, Elliott, Diaz; Nunez.
Accrington beat Rushall Olympic and Swindon Town on their way to the third round and the anticipation will be palpable heading into the trip to Anfield. John Doolan’s side have struggled in League Two but will be aiming for one of the best results in their history on Saturday.
Liverpool won’t be too worried about Accrington’s visit but may need to keep an eye on Shaun Whalley. The experienced 37-year-old has scored three goals in his last two games and leads Accrington in goals and assists in League Two.
Predicted Accrington line-up against Liverpool (3-4-1-2): Crellin; Aljofree, Rawson, Awe; Kind regards, Coyle, Khumbeni, B. Woods; Whalley; J. Woods, Hunter.
Regardless of the changes Slot makes to his starting XI on Saturday, Liverpool should easily progress into the fourth round. The Reds are the Premier League’s top scorers, while in the second division only Swindon have conceded more goals than Accrington.
Liverpool will get the chance to rest their first team players, but it is an excellent opportunity for fringe players. Players like Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa and young players Tyler Morton and Trey Nyoni will have the chance to impress Slot with what is expected to be a handsome win.