Liverpool have the upper hand in cup tie
Liverpool welcome Cardiff City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday with the Bluebirds full of confidence off the back of two Championship victories.
Steve Morison’s men have struggled this season and looked like potential relegation fodder under Mick McCarthy, however with some of the teams below them propping them up and earning a handful of decent results, Cardiff have built a nine point cushion on the drop zone.
Jurgen Klopp has taken an interesting approach to the domestic cup competitions in the past but whichever team he chooses, they will step onto the pitch with a point to prove in front of an expectant home crowd.
Background
The Bluebirds signed Uche Ikpeazu on loan from Middlesbrough on transfer Deadline Day and the physical striker scored the winner on his debut in midweek.
Cardiff are where they are in the second tier for a reason and will not be able to live with Liverpool either in attack or defence if the Reds show their best form on Sunday.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are in the Africa Cup of Nations final with Senegal and Egypt, so this matchup presents itself as an opportunity for some of the fringe players to stake a claim to Klopp for further first team involvement.
The Reds beat Shrewsbury Town, of League One, 4-1 in the last round and will be confident of earning a similar result, with the FA Cup a chance to pick up some silverware with Manchester City running away with the league once again this season.
Goals?
Not my angle for this fixture as I feel the Asian Handicap represents some value, but a goal-laden could well be on the cards again.
Liverpool have scored in eight of ten.
Liverpool have conceded in seven of ten.
Liverpool have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Cardiff have scored eight of ten.
Cardiff have conceded in nine of ten.
Cardiff have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Cardiff have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Cardiff have been far from exciting going forward this season and therefore, if Liverpool take the lead early on they should be able to ram home that advantage.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Rubin Colwill's late consolation goal hands us a half loss rather than a full stakes win. 3-1.