Liverpool’s Rotated Side Ready for Plymouth Challenge | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool – The FA Cup 4th Round Preview

Date – 9th February 2025

Venue – Home Park Stadium

Kick-off – 16.00

After the Reds overcame their 0-1 first-leg defeat in the EFL Cup semifinal to prevail as 4-1 aggregate winners over Spurs, a trip to the Championships bottom-placed club awaits the Merseyside giants. This competition now represents the least important of all footballing trophies, however, the attain progression into the next round will still be important to Arne Slot and his adoring fanbase.

Plymouth Argyle Availability

The ‘home side manager, Miron Muslić, will be without Brendan Galloway, Kornél Szűcs, and Joe Edwards for this monumental counter with footballing royalty. Concerning the recent form, a home 2-1 win over West Brom came after a 2-2 draw away to Sunderland and a 0-5 home defeat to visiting Burnley. After 30 games played in the Championship, the Greens have just 25 points and sit bottom of the league.

The predicted lineup for the pilgrims, using a 3-4-3 formation, is as follows. I would expect an unchanged side from that which defeated WBA as they look to stay resolute in defence and bullish off the ball.

– GK: Conor Hazard

– RWB: Matthew Sorinola

– RCB: Maksym Talovierov

– CB: Nikola Katić

– LCB: Julio Pleguezuelo

– LWB: Tymoteusz Puchacz

– CM: Adam Randell

– CM: Jordan Houghton

– RW: Michael Baidoo

– CF: Mustapha Bundu

– LW: Callum Wright

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander Arnold for this game, whereas much of the team will be rotated to enable the fringe assets to start ahead of the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday. Key individuals will need to play this game to increase their match fitness at this critical stage of the season.

The Reds’ recent league form has been very good before the 4-0 EFL Cup win in their semifinal second leg. A 0-2 win at Bournemouth came after a home 4-1 win against visiting Ipswich, whilst progression to the next stage of the Champions League was attained with a first placed finish at the revamped group stage. Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an impressive total of 56 points from 23 games played.

Here is the lineup I expect Arne Slot to field for this away FA Cup encounter. The team will be heavily rotated, to ensure the freshness of the first team elite. Precision will be demanded in the final third, as a tough game will want to be avoided at all costs.

– GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

– RB: Conor Bradley

– RCB: Jarell Quansah

– LCB: Joe Gomez

– LB: Kostas Tsimikas

– CM: Wataru Endō

– ACM: Trey Nyoni

– CM: James McConnell

– RF: Harvey Elliott

– CF: Diogo Jota

– LF: Federico Chiesa

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to use this game to blood a raft of youngsters and underused fringe assets, which should offer a good game to view. The firepower of the away side should see the Anfield club ease through given Argyle’s tendency to concede goals. The hosts will have to take any chance that comes their way as they will look to counterattack their more illustrious opponents.

Player to Watch: Federico Chiesa

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Plymouth Argyle 1 – 3 Liverpool