FA Cup: Liverpool to win in a goal flurry against Cardiff

Liverpool’s priorities may lie with the Premier League and in Europe, but having gone 16 years without winning the FA Cup, it is a trophy that all at Anfield would love to lift.

Championship side Cardiff stand between the Reds and a spot in the last 16, and unsurprisingly the hosts are strong favourites to secure the victory.

Liverpool can be backed at 1.13 to pick up the win in this game, with Cardiff priced at 29.0 to cause a seismic upset by winning on Merseyside. The draw, meanwhile, is on offer at 9.4.

Klopp’s poor FA Cup record

It is clear that the FA Cup is not Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s favourite competition. Indeed, the German’s record in the competition is downright average. Only once has he led the Reds into the last 16 – and he has never gone beyond that point.

Recent draws, though, have not favoured the Merseysiders. In the past couple of years, they have lost out to Manchester United and Chelsea, while only one of Liverpool’s five exits since Klopp took over came against opposition outside of the Premier League – and even that was an away fixture at Wolves. A home match against Championship strugglers Cardiff looks an altogether more appetising affair.

Liverpool’s strength in depth was highlighted as they swept aside Shrewsbury in the third round, but it is likely to be a stronger team deployed in this match. After all, two weeks without action may have left the Reds rusty and they have an important league date with Leicester looming on Thursday. This is a chance to sharpen up their stars.

Liverpool could blow off the cobwebs and field a strong side

Cardiff bouncing back

Cardiff, meanwhile, travel having eased their relegation fears from the Championship somewhat thanks to successive wins over Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, offering them a nine-point cushion to the trapdoor.

After a catastrophic autumn under Mick McCarthy, they have looked altogether better since Steve Morrison took command.

They have lost only one match by more than a single goal under their new boss, away to promotion hopefuls Bournemouth, yet an even tougher test awaits at Anfield.

Goals on the cards

Liverpool’s home record this season is formidable. Of their 10 home league fixtures, they have won six by at least two goals and have yet to lose at Anfield in any competition this season. Even if they do elect to rotate, it would be a huge surprise if that record was broken.

Goals should be guaranteed. The Reds average around three goals in their home matches this season while Cardiff’s defence is not their strength – even against Championship teams.

Even if Liverpool start with a strong team, there will be room for fringe players to get game time. Although he was on the bench in the previous round, Takumi Minamino is one who could benefit now it is clear his immediate future lies at Anfield. Have scored four times in five EFL Cup matches, as well as twice in 86 Premier League minutes, he is worth consideration as an anytime scorer at 2.52.

Recommended bets:

Goals Over/Under: Over 2.5 @ 1.53
Anytime Goalscorer: Takumi Minamino @ 2.52