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Shrewsbury is one more obstacle for Liverpool


Bangladeshpost
Published : 25 Jan 2020 07:53 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 01:20 PM

Liverpool will be aiming to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in five years when they take on Shrewsbury Town at New Meadow on Sunday, agencies report.

The Reds have won 14 of their last 15 matches in all competitions and are overwhelming favourites to advance past Shrewsbury, who are 16th in League One.

Liverpool moved another step closer to a maiden Premier League triumph with a 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday evening, coming away from Molineux with all three points despite being put under real pressure in the second half.

A point would not have been the worst result for the Reds, but they showed the spirit of champions by snatching the victory late on through Roberto Firmino's strike, ensuring they have dropped points in just one of their opening 23 matches.

That is a truly staggering return, and going further back it is now 40 league games without defeat for Jurgen Klopp's men - nine short of the Football League record held by Arsenal.

Liverpool's only defeat over the past four months came against Aston Villa in the EFL Cup quarter-finals when fielding what was effectively their youth team.

Klopp also opted to heavily rotate for the home clash with Merseyside rivals Everton in round three of the FA Cup, a decision that ultimately paid off as Curtis Jones' wonderstrike earned bragging rights for the Reds.

Given that their fixture congestion has eased somewhat, and the gap at the top of the Premier League is only getting bigger, Klopp is likely to name a slightly stronger XI for this trip to Shrewsbury.

The Shrews have been eliminated from the FA Cup by Premier League opponents in three of the last four seasons, losing to Manchester United in 2015-16, West Ham United in 2017-18 and Wolves in 2018-19.

Sam Ricketts' side held Bristol City to a 1-1 draw before knocking out the Championship side with a 1-0 win in last week's replay through a late Aaron Pierre goal.

A run of five league games without a win has seen Shrewsbury slide into mid-table in League One, most recently drawing 2-2 with Fleetwood Town last weekend.

The visit of Liverpool will no doubt get their juices flowing, though, in what will be just the second-ever meeting between the sides.

Klopp named an unchanged starting lineup for the trip to Wolves and he was handed an injury blow before half time as Sadio Mane hobbled off.

Takumi Minamino came on for his Premier League debut and could now enjoy a run in the side, starting with this trip to New Meadow.

A largely inexperienced side is expected to be fielded by the Reds, but the likes of Divock Origi, Fabinho and Joel Matip are all in contention.

Third-round hero Jones is likely to get the nod in midfield, meanwhile, with Pedro Chirivella the favourite to join him after also impressing against Everton.

With a week between matches, Shrewsbury boss Ricketts is to field his strongest-available XI on Sunday.

Shaun Whalley scored one and set up another against Fleetwood and is one to watch in the frontline, while Oliver Norburn has been linked with a move away after starring in midfield.