Liverpool welcome Cardiff City to Anfield in the Fourth Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Liverpool are looking to reach the Fifth Round for only the second time in seven seasons under Jurgen Klopp, whereas Cardiff are seeking to advance beyond this stage for the first time since 2013-14 season.
Team News
Harvey Elliott is set to return for Liverpool after recovering from a serious ankle injury which had sidelined him since September.
Naby Keita (international duty) is back and is also in contention as is Divock Origi (knee) and Thiago Alcantara (illness).
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane remain away on international duty after their respective nations of Egypt and Senegal reached the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
Cardiff could be without Sean Morrison after he suffered an unspecified injury in their midweek win at Barnsley.
Alfie Doughty, Cody Drameh and Uche Ikpeazu are all cup-tied whilst Joe Ralls (knock) and Curtis Nelson (calf) are doubtful.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool lost their only previous Fourth Round tie against Cardiff City in the FA Cup, losing 2-1 in January 1928.
- Cardiff won their only previous FA Cup visit to Anfield after defeating Liverpool 2-1 in Third Round of 1929-30 FA Cup.
- Both Liverpool and Cardiff have scored in four meetings across all domestic Cup competitions.
- Liverpool have conceded seven goals in their last four FA Cup matches (W2, L2).
- Cardiff have lost two of their last five away FA Cup matches (W2, D1, L2).
Prediction
Despite having spent the last month playing without the services of Mane and Salah, Liverpool have done well to avoid losing at all which bodes well for this game, especially with Harvey Elliott and Divock Origi amongst those set to feature here.
Jurgen Klopp will also be buoyed by how his Reds performed last time out in their league win at Crystal Palace because they dominated the first-half clinically with aggressive attacks, whilst defending well throughout despite poor marking at time of Palace’s strikers.
Cardiff meanwhile seem to have turned a corner in their last two matches because they were dominant against Nottingham Forest last Sunday, yet were made to scrap for their win at Barnsley in midweek so I expect them to come here fighting as underdogs.
This game though feels like it should go one way and I wouldn’t be surprised if new signing, Luis Diaz is involved in the goals here because he needs a dream start to try and dislodge the likes of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota once Salah and Mane return.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Cardiff
Result: Liverpool 3-1 Cardiff
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