Liverpool vs West Brom: Anfield Cup clash low on Alan Pardew’s priorities
The groans when Albion’s ball was drawn out of the FA Cup bowl were probably audible in West Bromwich.
An away game against a big-six side is not the fourth round tie most fans would have picked and, as iconic as Anfield is, it’s just over a month since the Baggies went there in the league.
Thanks to the perilous league position, the FA Cup is not a priority this year.
That is undoubtedly a shame in a year that marks the 50th anniversary of the last time Albion lifted this famous trophy.
Albion can take heart from that run to Wembley though, because it was also the last time they drew Liverpool in the FA Cup.
It took them two replays to overcome their opponents in the quarter-finals that year, but thanks to Jeff Astle, they eventually did.
Now, just like then, Liverpool are up near the top of the table, but the Baggies will have one eye on their Premier League clash at Manchester City on Wednesday.
“We play Liverpool away and Man City away in four days,” said boss Alan Pardew. “It doesn’t get much harder in Europe.
“Barcelona and Real Madrid you could probably argue. We have to be as competitive as we can in those games. If you’re asking me which one is more important to us, it’s the Man City game.
“But I have vast experience in the FA Cup and know it can give you great momentum so we’ll be going to Liverpool looking to do ourselves justice that’s for sure.”
Pardew has got a conundrum on his hands. Does he keep the same team that has started to gel in recent weeks and try and build on the little bit of momentum a three-match unbeaten run has created?
Or does he rest his best in preparation for the clash at City four days later considering the league-leaders have looked vulnerable in recent weeks?
The answer will probably be determined by how his most important players feel.
Gareth Barry and Chris Brunt are certainly in shape, but they are no spring chickens and could benefit from a night off.
Jonny Evans will be assessed following his concussion away at Goodison Park last weekend, and with Pardew’s deadline for his sale looming, he may be needed elsewhere for other medical exams.
That means a couple of fringe players will likely be given a chance to stake a claim for the first team.
Jake Livermore, James McClean and Gareth McAuley could all return to the side – although McClean needs to shake off a mid-week virus.
Victory over Exeter City in the last round was a crucial morale-booster for a team on a club-record winless streak.
Pardew went on a similar run with Crystal Palace after beating Dover Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup third round.
The Eagles won four of their next five matches, including a fourth-round FA Cup match, and eventually finished in 10th after Pardew had dragged them out of the relegation zone.
A repeat scenario this season would be most welcome.
Likely line-ups
Liverpool (4-3-3): Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Sturridge, Ings.
Subs: Mignolet, Milner, Gomez, Klavan, Can, Firmino, Salah.
Albion (4-4-2): Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, McAuley, Gibbs, Phillips, Krychowiak, Livermore, McClean, Rodriguez, Rondon.
Subs: Myhill, Nyom, Barry, Yacob, Burke, Field, Robson-Kanu.
