Liverpool, led by manager Arne Slot, are enjoying an exceptional season and are on track to secure the Premier League title.
Sitting at the top of the table with a game in hand, they hold a six-point advantage over their closest competitors. Their only league loss this season came in mid-September against Nottingham Forest, an unexpected setback in an otherwise dominant campaign.
The Reds have been in excellent form, with emphatic victories over Tottenham (6-3), Leicester (3-1), and West Ham (5-0), before being held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester United last weekend.
In the Champions League, Liverpool continues to lead their group, reinforcing their status as one of the top teams in Europe. On Wednesday, they played Tottenham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Accrington, relegated from League One in 2023, has faced another tough season and currently sits 19th in League Two, just five points above the relegation zone.
After enduring a seven-match winless run that included three draws and four losses, they bounced back with consecutive wins over Grimsby (3-2) and Colchester (2-0) last weekend. In the FA Cup, they advanced through earlier rounds with a 2-0 win against Rushall and a penalty shootout victory following a 2-2 draw with Swindon.
For this FA Cup clash, Liverpool will be without backup defender Joe Gomez due to injury, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is doubtful because of illness.
Manager Arne Slot is likely to rotate his lineup, potentially giving a rest to star players like Mohamed Salah, who has been in phenomenal form this season with 18 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League. Italian international Federico Chiesa, limited to just four appearances due to injury, may get a starting opportunity after being an unused substitute in the recent match against Manchester United.
Accrington will also face challenges with their lineup. Defender Rich-Baghuelou and midfielder Quirk are sidelined with injuries, while Irish forward Costelloe, who has netted five goals in League Two, is a doubt for this high-stakes match. Veteran striker Shaun Whalley, a crucial player for Accrington with six goals and four assists this season, will be key to their chances of pulling off an upset.
Prediction
Liverpool has consistently delivered high-scoring performances in the FA Cup, with their last 19 home matches in the competition featuring over 2.5 goals. Similarly, Accrington’s recent games have been goal-filled, making a goalless draw unlikely. Liverpool’s superior quality and depth are expected to secure a convincing win.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Accrington.
