Liverpool will attempt to book their spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Anfield on Saturday night.
The Reds have not won the FA Cup since 2006, but will fancy their chances of making a strong play for the crown this season.
Liverpool
© SilverHub
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will be expecting a response from his team following the disappointment of losing 1-0 at Swansea City in the Premier League on Monday night.
The Reds entered that match knowing that a win would see them move level on points with third-placed Chelsea, and to within three points of second-placed Manchester United on the same number of matches.
Alfie Mawson scored the only goal of the match, however, as Liverpool suffered their first defeat in any competition since October 22. It has been a very strong period of the season for Klopp's side, but there is no downplaying the disappointment that the team felt following Monday's loss in Wales.
Liverpool beat their Merseyside rivals Everton 2-1 in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month, and they will now face more Premier League opposition for the right to be present in the fifth round of the competition.
The English giants have won the FA Cup on seven occasions, but have not lifted the trophy since 2006, and the fans will be expecting a solid performance in this season's tournament. A top-four finish, FA Cup and strong Champions League campaign will be on the agenda for Klopp and his management team.
Liverpool have only actually won two of their last seven home games in the FA Cup, however, and West Brom managed to hold the Reds to a goalless draw when they made the trip to Anfield in the latter stages of 2017.
Night matches at Anfield do tend to produce special atmospheres, however, and the Reds will be confident of overcoming the Baggies to reach round five.
Recent form: DLDWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWL
West Brom
© Offside
Five-time winners of the FA Cup, West Brom last triumphed in this competition in 1968 when they recorded a 1-0 win over Everton. It is Premier League survival that matters most to the Baggies this season, but Alan Pardew will again have his team well organised for the clash on Merseyside.
Indeed, it will be a case of 'same again' for Pardew having set up a team to pick up a point at Anfield when they visited the famous stadium in the Premier League last month. The Baggies had opportunities to win that match, and will be looking to test Liverpool following Monday's result at the Liberty Stadium.
West Brom appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks having lost just one of their last six matches in all competitions. Their only defeat post-Christmas was at West Ham United on January 2, and that was courtesy of a late, late winner from Andy Carroll.
Since then, the Baggies have beaten Exeter City in the third round of the FA Cup, in addition to collecting four points from two Premier League matches against Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton.
West Brom are on Merseyside for the second successive weekend having picked up a 1-1 draw at Everton last Saturday. They are still in 19th position in the Premier League table, but sit just three points off 17th-placed Stoke City.
It is a tough assignment for Pardew's side at Anfield, but their tails will be up following some impressive recent results, and that should create a very interesting cup tie on Saturday night.
Recent form: WDWLLW
Recent form (all competitions): DDLWWD
Team News
© Offside
Klopp will make changes following the defeat at Swansea, but an experienced side is still expected to take to the field.
Simon Mignolet could return between the sticks, while James Milner, Adam Lallana, Dominic Solanke and Trent Alexander-Arnold could all start.
Danny Ings appeared off the bench against Swansea and is also in contention, but Jordan Henderson and Alberto Moreno remain on the sidelines for the hosts.
As for the visitors, Pardew went with a strong XI in the previous round against Exeter, and that is again expected to be the case in this match.
Salomon Rondon, who has recently been linked with Liverpool, was extremely impressive against Everton and should lead the line, but Jay Rodriguez could drop to the bench, which would allow an extra midfielder to come into a central position.
Gareth McAuley could replace Jonny Evans at centre-back, while Matt Phillips will also be hoping to feature in a wide position.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Milner, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Solanke, Lallana
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Foster; Nyom, McAuley, Hegazi, Gibbs; Brunt, Krychowiak, Barry, Livermore, McClean; Rondon
Head To Head
West Brom held Liverpool to a goalless draw when they travelled to Anfield in the Premier League on December 13.
The Baggies have not beaten Liverpool in any competition since February 2013, however, which is a run that stretches nine matches.
It will be the first time that these two teams have met in a competition other than the Premier League since a League Cup fixture in September 2012 – which Liverpool won 2-1 at The Hawthorns.
We say: Liverpool 2-1 West Brom
West Brom were impressive at Anfield earlier this season, and Pardew will send a strong XI onto the field. Liverpool's team, meanwhile, will be much changed from their clash with Swansea, although we still fancy the home side to advance.
Matt Law
