Liverpool vs Shrewsbury

Liverpool and Shrewsbury go head-to-head at Anfield in what appears to be a seemingly straightforward FA Cup third-round task for the Premier League powerhouse.

Liverpool squandered a two-goal lead at Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day, managing a disappointing 2-2 draw with Chelsea in their first competitive game of 2022. Taking just 90 minutes of play into account, the ‘Reds’ are now winless in their last four matches in a row (D3, L1), conceding the opening goal on three of those occasions. By contrast, Jurgen Klopp’s men have been a force to be reckoned with at Anfield this season as they head into proceedings unbeaten in all 13 competitive home fixtures to date (W9, D4 – 90 mins only). After ousting Shrewsbury from both previous FA Cup ties, the Merseyside heavyweights will feel confident of fulfiling their role as overwhelming pre-match favourites and maintaining an imperious home form.

In the meantime, Shrewsbury have gone unbeaten in four consecutive League One outings (W3, D1) since falling to a 1-0 loss to Doncaster in early December, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last three in a row. Though those successes came against fellow League One rivals, the visitors will fancy their chances against top-flight opposition. Before overcoming Southampton in last season’s FA Cup third round, the ‘Shrews’ lost their previous five ties with Premier League sides in the competition. Adding to their confidence, Steve Cotterill’s men have won both FA Cup away games this season, beating Stratford Town and Carlisle United by an aggregate score of 7-2. However, apart from that brace of cup triumphs, Shrewsbury have only won one of their remaining 13 competitive fixtures on hostile turf this term (D2, L10).