Exeter City vs Liverpool FC: Match Preview

Liverpool FC make the 500 mile trip to Exeter today to take on Exeter City in their League Cup 2nd round encounter today.

There is (somewhat) added pressure on the Liverpool FC side when they take on Exeter today, as the League Cup and the FA Cup remain the realistic chances for silverware come the end of the season. Liverpool will be hopeful of breaking their duck of having not even played at the new Wembley prior to this new season, given that we have been knocked out of the competition early on.

Not Shifting Focus

It would be nice to be lifting a cup come the end of this season, but we must remain focused with the task at hand, getting back into that elusive Champions League spot, where the wealth, honour and the famous Anfield European nights will follow. Not getting into the competition of Europe’s elite would be a disappointment given the investment in the club.

I would think that it will be the second stringers that would take to the field against Exeter City, with Luis Suarez almost certain of sitting out of this one, given that he wasn’t even physically ready to start at the Emirates against the Gunners.

Team Selection

I’m sure you guys would want to know who’s available and whether you favourite youngsters are playing come the Carling Cup encounter, so I’ve dug up on the players and here’s whom I think will feature against Exeter.

Kyrgiakos has been snapped up by German side Wolfsburg, so he won’t be playing a part. I would think that Raul Meireles might be starting to prove to Dalglish that he deserves the midfield place ahead of Henderson. Fabio Aurelio is all but certain of playing in this match. Rodriguez, Joe Cole and Jay Spearing are likely to be given runouts in this match.

Youngsters, well, Pacheco is away on loan in the Spanish league. Flanagan will probably eventually take part, Robinson might come on as a substitute. Raheem Sterling, if I’m not mistaken is available for this game. Jonjo Shelvey and David N’gog are likely to make up the starting XI.

Prediction

It is going to be a second/third string squad out there, that is for (almost) certain. I won’t go for a big win, given the disaster that unfolded against Northampton last season. I’m going to play it safe and guess it’s going to turn out 2-1.

My Prediction: 2-1 win for Liverpool