The Reds welcome West Bromwich Albion to Anfield on Saturday in the fourth round of the 2017/18 FA Cup…
Liverpool’s impressive 18-match unbeaten run may have ended against Swansea City last time out but the Merseysiders still have plenty to be content about at present, and lots to play for.
They remain in the Premier League’s top four, host West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup this weekend and are just a couple of weeks away from the start of an eminently winnable Champions League Round of 16 tie against FC Porto.
Here we take a look at the cup visit of the Baggies, which is the first of four domestic fixtures Jürgen Klopp and his players must fulfill before their first leg trip to the Estádio do Dragão on Valentine’s Day.
Match Details
Liverpool vs. West Bromwich Albion
FA Cup Round 4 | Anfield
Saturday, January 27 at 7.45pm GMT
Live in the UK on BT Sport 2
Match Stats
? Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion have contested 149 competitive matches during their respective histories with Liverpool leading overall courtesy of 68 wins to 38 defeats and 43 draws (source: 11v11.com).
? The last meeting was in December when the two sides played out a 0-0 Premier League draw at Anfield.
? There hasn’t been an FA Cup tie between the two since the 1967/68 season – which the Baggies won on their way to lifting the trophy.
? Overall, Liverpool and West Brom have faced each other 10 times in the FA Cup with West Brom winning four times, Liverpool winning on three occasions and the other three clashes all ending in draws.
? Albion have never lost away at Liverpool in an FA Cup tie (P3, W1, D2).
? The Reds went out of the FA Cup at this stage of the competition last season when they lost 2-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
? West Brom fell even earlier, losing 2-1 at another Championship side, Derby County, in the third round.
Form
Last six matches (all competitions)
Liverpool: WWWWWL
West Bromwich Albion: DDLWWD
Progress
Both teams entered the competition in the previous round with Liverpool overcoming Merseyside neighbours Everton 2-1 at home and West Bromwich Albion triumphing 2-0 at League Two side Exeter City.
Team News
Liverpool remain without full-backs Nathaniel Clyne (back) and Alberto Moreno (ankle) but Jordan Henderson (thigh), Daniel Sturridge (various) and Dejan Lovren (illness) are available again. Their returns are offset however by new injuries to Adam Lallana, Ragnar Klavan (both muscular) and James Milner (dead leg). West Bromwich Albion must continue to do without experienced midfield duo James Morrison (Achilles) and Nacer Chadli (thigh) but have no other known concerns.
Ref Watch
The players will be joined on the pitch by referee Craig Pawson and assistants Lee Betts and Adam Nunn. Jonathan Moss will be patrolling the technical areas in the role of fourth official. Pawson’s 22 previous games this season have yielded a total of 79 yellow cards and four red.
Prediction
The outcome, as if often the case in domestic cup competitions these days, could well depend on the strength of the two team selections. Both managers are expected to make some alterations but it is unlikely to be wholesale on either side. Liverpool will clearly start as favourites and in front of their own supporters, where they are yet to lose this season, it is difficult to see them slipping up, especially after the reality check of last weekend’s defeat at the Liberty. West Brom, as they did in the recent league meeting, are likely to provide a stern test though and it could easily turn into another edgy afternoon for Klopp and his side as they attempt to break the Baggies down.
Vital Liverpool predicts a 2-1 LFC win
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