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AFC Wimbledon
FA Cup | Third Round
Jan 5, 2015 at 7.55pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

1-2

Akinfenwa (36')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Gerrard (12', 62')

Preview: AFC Wimbledon vs. Liverpool

Sports Mole previews the third-round FA Cup tie between 1988 winners AFC Wimbledon and Premier League side Liverpool.

Liverpool will begin to prepare for life after Steven Gerrard with a visit to AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Cup for a rematch of the 1988 final on Monday.

The club's captain announced earlier that this will be his final season with the club, but he will be keen to lift at least one more trophy for the Reds before his exit in the summer, having already won this competition twice in his 17-year spell at Anfield.

The midfielder scored twice on New Year's Day, but Brendan Rodgers will be looking for a tighter defensive performance after the side let a two-goal lead slip against Leicester City.

Martin Skrtel is available again after serving a suspension in the draw with the Foxes, while Mario Balotelli could be given a run-out as he struggles for form in front of goal.

Liverpool have failed to progress beyond the third round twice in the last four season, but reached the final in 2012, where they lost to Chelsea.

Meanwhile, the League Two side will be looking to make the most of the opportunity after reaching the third round since the club reformed in 2002.

Neal Ardley's men head into the match on the back of a strong run of form, with three wins in their last four outings in the fourth tier.

The Dons will be hoping that on-loan striker Matt Tubbs continues his fine form in front of goal, having scored 15 times so far this season, while Adebayo Akinfenwa, who has eight goals, is also likely to be a threat for the hosts.

Defender Jake Smith will miss the match though as he continues to recover from a thigh muscle tear, which is likely to keep him out until February.

This will be the first time that these two sides have played since the formation of AFC Wimbledon, but Liverpool won their last three outings against the old Wimbledon.

AFC Wimbledon:

Form in FA Cup: WLLDWW
Form in all competitions: LWWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Shea, Fuller, Goodman, Barrett, Kennedy, Francomb, Bulman, Pell, Fitzpatrick, Akinfenwa, Tubbs

Liverpool:

Form in FA Cup: LWLWWL
Form in all competitions: LWDWWL

Possible starting lineup: Mignolet, Can, Lovren, Skrtel, Henderson, Gerrard, Markovic, Coutinho, Lucas, Balotelli, Lambert

Sports Mole says: 0-2


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Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield on December 29, 2014
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