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Liverpool, under the leadership of manager Arne Slot, is having an exceptional season and looks poised to secure the Premier League title. The Reds currently lead the league standings, holding a six-point advantage over their closest competitors with a game in hand. Their sole league defeat came in mid-September against Nottingham Forest, a surprising setback in an otherwise stellar campaign.
Recent performances have reinforced Liverpool’s dominance. They secured emphatic wins 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 excel, leading their group in the league phase. On Wednesday, they faced Tottenham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.
Accrington, relegated from League One in 2023, is experiencing another difficult season and currently sits 19th in League Two, just five points above the relegation zone. After a seven-match winless streak, comprising three draws and four losses, Accrington bounced back with consecutive victories over Grimsby (3-2) and Colchester (2-0). In the FA Cup, they advanced past earlier rounds with a 2-0 victory over Rushall and a penalty shootout win following a 2-2 draw against Swindon.
For this FA Cup clash, Liverpool will be without backup defender Joe Gomez due to injury, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is doubtful due to illness. Manager Arne Slot is likely to rotate his squad, potentially resting key players like Mohamed Salah, who has been in sensational form with 18 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League. Italian international Federico Chiesa, limited to four appearances this season due to injuries, might get a starting opportunity after sitting on the bench during the Manchester United match.
Accrington also faces lineup challenges. Defender Rich-Baghuelou and midfielder Quirk are sidelined with injuries, while Irish forward Costelloe, who has five League Two goals, remains doubtful for the game. Veteran striker Shaun Whalley, a key player with six goals and four assists this season, will be crucial to Accrington’s efforts to pull off an upset.
Prediction
Liverpool has a strong record of high-scoring FA Cup matches, with their last 19 home games in the competition featuring over 2.5 goals. Accrington’s recent fixtures have also been goal-heavy, making a goalless draw highly unlikely in this encounter.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Accrington.
