Liverpool go into their FA Cup third round tie against Accrington Stanley looking for goals, but to avoid overconfidence they would be wise to look back at the last time they faced a fourth-tier opponent in this competition.
After drawing with Man Utd and losing to Tottenham, Liverpool will see the FA Cup draw as a good opportunity to regain form ahead of a tricky away game at Nottingham Forest.
It’s unlikely that all of Liverpool’s key players will feature, but Arne Slott’s side should have enough quality to win easily.
However, to ensure we are not getting too excited heading into the game, we only need to look back at the last time Liverpool faced a League Two team in the FA Cup.
The last fourth division team to face the Reds in this competition was Plymouth Argyle in 2017.
They were forced to draw 0-0 at Anfield, but in the rematch at Home Park, Liverpool won 1-0 thanks to a rare goal from Lucas Leiva.
No problem with the number of goals
Liverpool have scored the same number of goals in their opening 29 games this season as they did at the same stage last season (70), but have conceded three fewer goals this season.
They have kept one clean sheet in their past seven games, but Wednesday’s loss to Tottenham was only the second time this season they have failed to score in a game.
Liverpool have averaged a win rate of 56 per cent since January 1, compared to 90 per cent before the slot game, but their points tally has actually increased over the festive season.
Before December 1st, the Reds were averaging 2.3 goals per game; since that date, the Reds have been averaging 2.7 goals per game.
However, the number of goals conceded per game increased from 0.6 to 1.4.
Liverpool vs lower league
This is the second time Liverpool have played a non-Premier League opponent at this stage since 2017. The other was in 2022 when they beat Shrewsbury 4-1.
The last team from outside the top two divisions to beat the Reds in the FA Cup was Oldham, who won 3-2 at Boundary Park in 2013.
As mentioned above, the last fourth division team to face the Reds in this competition was Plymouth in 2017. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight FA Cup games at Anfield since West Brom won there in 2018.
The Reds have only lost at this first hurdle once in the past 13 seasons, losing to Wolves at Molineux in 2019.
It was their first home loss since 2007, when they lost 3-1 to Arsenal.
About Accrington Stanley
The town’s original club was a founding member of the Football League in 1888.
They were also original members of the North Division from 1921 to 1958, leaving the Football League in 1962.
The current club was founded in 1968 after the collapse of the former Accrington Stanley, and at one time was part of the Cheshire County League Division 2, Lancashire Combination, Northern Premier League Division 1 and Northern Premier League. They returned to the Football League in 2006 after going through the conference and becoming champions.
They were fourth division champions and spent five seasons in League One before being relegated in 2023.
If Accrington win at Anfield, they will advance to the fourth round for the eighth time in their history.
They last lost 3-1 at home to Leeds in 2023, but Leeds are one of nine top teams they have faced so far and are yet to win.
Scorers this season
Liverpool: Salah 21, Dias 12, Gakpo 12, Jota 6, Nunez 4, Jones 3, Mac Allister 3, Szoboszlai 3, Konate 2, Van Dijk 2, Alexander-Arnold 1, Elliott 1
Accrington Stanley: Walton 6, Horley 6, Costello 5, J. Woods 5, B. Woods 4, Al Joffrey 2, Knowles 2, Mooney 2, Owe 1, Henderson 1, Hunter 1, Kumbeni 1, Love 1, Popoola. 1, Lawson 1, own goal 1
*Statistics courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).
