Liverpool FCai??i??s match against Exeter City in the 3rd round of the FA Cup sounds like a straight-forward enough affair on paper. Seeing how Exeter City are a team sitting 11 points above the relegation zone of Football League 2, which is the fourth division of England, one would imagine the question asked wonai??i??t be a will Liverpool win?a , but rather a by how much of a margin would Liverpool win?a .
But the reality is far more complex. Jurgen Kloppai??i??s Liverpool FC side have been hit by an unprecedented number of injuries, leaving his options threadbare. Klopp has no choice but to field a side of supporting cast and young up & comers in this game.
Exeter City Team News & Tactics
These two were at Liverpool when they last faced Exeter City
The Grecians are not without their own injury woes, with influential forward David Wheeler, and playmaker Ryan Harley set to miss this game.
Manager Paul Tisdale will try his best to ensure that his players have a real go at this weakened Liverpool FC side.
a ai??i??we donai??i??t want to come off the pitch feeling we have left ourselves short and havenai??i??t had a go. They are not infallible, they have injuries and who knows what team the manager will select? I just hope we come off having given it a good shot. Thatai??i??s really what I am looking for.a ai??i?? Paul Tisdale
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He doesnai??i??t want his team to sit back and defend for 90 minutes, but rather have a real go at the Reds. He has the advantage of having a team of players who have been playing together for a good run of games, while Liverpool FC will feature a very make-shift side. There are going to be plenty of miscommunications within their opponents for Exeter to exploit.
Liverpool have faced off Exeter City back in 2011 in the League Cup, when Kenny Daglish was in charge, and guided them to a 3-1 win. But that Liverpool FC side, despite having quite a few young players, also had Luis Suarez on the pitch. What wouldnai??i??t Klopp give to have another player like him in his side.
Liverpool FC: Team News & Tactics
The good news is that none of Liverpool FCai??i??s goalkeepers are injured. The bad news, is that nearly everyone else is. The injury list is truly incredible, and you could make a playing XI out of them that look pretty good on paper:
The injured 11 would have no problem beating Exeter City. The actual Liverpool FC team that will be on the pitch is another story.
Teixeira should get another chance to shine for the senior team
Klopp has little option but to field a side full of youngsters against Exeter City. Heai??i??s been working hard on reinforcing the squad by recalling players on loan at other clubs, with the likes of center-half Tiago Ilori , and wingers Ryan Kent and Sheyi Ojo all being called back. All three players are likely to get a start against Exeter.
Even with Ilori in the side, Liverpool FC are still short of a center-half, and would most likely end up using Lucas Leiva in that position. This is a gaping hole in the Liverpool defence, with the Brazilian bound to run forward out of instinct once in a while, leaving the highly inexperienced Ilori alone at the back. Lucas is also not as aerially or physically dominating as a typical center half.
Predicted Liverpool FC Line Up (4-2-3-1): Bogdan; Randall, Ilori, Lucas, Smith; Brannagan, Allen; Ojo, Teixeira, Kent; Benteke
Man to watch: Joe Allen
Joe “Welsh Xavi” Allen has been with Liverpool FC since 2012, when he followed manager Brendan Rodgers from Swansea City. He’s had his ups and downs, but he’s spent most of this season on the periphery. In fact, he’s recently admitted that his contract situation is uncertain, with his contract running out by the end of next season.
But Allen is a player Liverpool FC should not lose. He consistently gives a 6 or 7 out of 10 performance, and that’s a talent that is oft underestimated. Players like that are essential cogs in every squad.
And on occasion, Allen can really turn it up a notch. Against Stoke City, he played an incredible no-look pass to assist Jordon Ibe’s goal. Such a good pass, that the Internet erupted into a debate on whether he meant it.
Well, of course he meant it. And if given the chance, he’ll do it again.
Predictions: Exeter City 1-2 Liverpool FC
Despite having quite a few players who are good on the ball, the most likely route to goal might turn out to be a cross to Benteke in the box. The expected line-up has a wealth of wide-playing talent like Ojo and Kent, who may not be classical wingers, but are adept at taking up wide positions. Add to the mix left-back Brad Smith, who seems to have a knack for launching in some excellent crosses from his flank. It’s exactly the kind of service Christian Benteke thrives on, and should yield Liverpool FC enough goals to progress from this round of the Cup.
Blast from the past
Have a look at Luis Suarez doing what Luis Suarez does best, and slam the ball into goal through a number of Exeter bodies in the way.
