Jurgen Klopp
Klopp will field an experienced squad against Exeter City Getty

Exeter City host Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday (8 January) as the Reds look to build on their brilliant run in cup competitions, following an impressive win over Stoke City at the Britannia in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup in midweek. Jurgen Klopp is likely to field a heavily-changed squad for the game, with up to 13 players unavailable through injury.

Where to Watch Live

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Kick-off is set for 7:55pm GMT. Live coverage of the game will be on BBC One and BBC One HD.

Overview

Exerter City will be thrilled to host one of the biggest clubs in English football, with 18-time league champions Liverpool making their way to the home of the League Two club. The Grecians are going through a bad run of form, winless in their last five games, losing four and conceding 10 goals in the process. However, this is the first time in their history that a game is being televised, which should help inspire the players to put in a better performance.

Meanwhile, Klopp will get his taste of the much-acclaimed FA Cup, but will have his hand forced in selection, with games against Arsenal and Manchester United lined up next week. The Reds have lost Jordon Ibe to yet another hamstring injury and are likely to field a bevy of youngsters for the game, to give them some much-needed experience in the top flight.

Tiago Ilori has been recalled from loan at Aston Villa, with the youngster likely to slot into central defence, with four first-team defenders currently missing from action in the line-up. Kolo Toure hobbled off against Stoke City with cramp, while Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel remain out with injuries. The Reds progressed into the semi-finals of the tournament last season but had their wings clipped by Aston Villa, who put in a commendable performance at Wembley to progress into the finals.

What Managers Say

Paul Tisdale: "I'd rather have been winning games going into the match, but I happen to think that we have been playing pretty well. Although we have lost games, I don't think we have looked like a side that has suddenly lost our energy and our purpose. On the contrary, I think we have gained some, but unfortunately it hasn't manifested itself in any results. I'd rather have won the last four games than have lost the last four, but this is a break from the league. We have nothing to lose and we shouldn't be hindered by any stress or any worries."

Jurgen Klopp: "There are the injuries but you can also be influenced by an intensive period of football [when selecting a side] and so none of the players who played the last five or six games in a row will play at Exeter. That is not possible. Then we can try and make a team. It is not easy, but we will try and find one. We have the situation that we have. We cannot play with Phil Coutinho – he cannot play for three and a half weeks at least. That is the situation. If someone wants to write headlines it is not the truth because we respect the FA Cup. There is one reason for the team we will play tomorrow."

Betting Odds

  • Exeter City Win: 6.4
  • Draw: 4.2
  • Liverpool Win: 1.5

Team News

Exeter City

Possible XI: Olejnik; Davies, Brown, Moore-Taylor, Woodman; Grant, Nicholls, Tillson, Holmes; Nichols, Reid

Liverpool

Possible XI: Bogdan; Randall, Can, Lucas, Smith; Brannagan, Allen, Milner; Ibe, Benteke, Firmino

Liverpool FC FA Cup