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Bradford’s reward for knocking Chelsea out of the FA Cup is a fifth-round showdown with either Sunderland or Fulham.
The League One side battled back from two goals down to secure a famous 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge and Monday’s draw handed them home advantage against the winner of the fourth-round replay.
If Manchester United can get past Cambridge in their replay they will travel to the winners of Preston and Sheffield United, while holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough - the Sky Bet Championship high-fliers who won at Manchester City on Saturday.
Liverpool and Bolton will replay for the right to go to Crystal Palace, while Leicester and Aston Villa meet in a Midlands derby. West Brom face West Ham at home, while the winners of Monday's tie between Rochdale and Stoke will travel to Blackburn.
Derby play host to Reading in an all-Championship affair to round off the draw, but it is the enduring appeal of Bradford that is likely to hold the headlines.
League Cup finalists two years ago, they are making further waves this year and their stunning win at Chelsea will be spoken of for years to come.
The last time they faced Sunderland saw them lose 3-0 in December 2003, while they have to go all the way back to 1994 to find their last meeting with Fulham, a goalless draw.
Draw for FA Cup fifth round
Crystal Palace v Liverpool/Bolton
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Aston Villa v Leicester
West Brom v West Ham
Bradford v Sunderland/Fulham
Blackburn v Rochdale/Stoke
Derby v Reading
Preston/Sheffield Utd v Cambridge Utd/Man Utd
Ties to be played across the weekend of February 14 and 15.
Bradford’s reward for knocking Chelsea out of the FA Cup is a fifth-round showdown with either Sunderland or Fulham.
The League One side battled back from two goals down to secure a famous 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge and Monday’s draw handed them home advantage against the winner of the fourth-round replay.
If Manchester United can get past Cambridge in their replay they will travel to the winners of Preston and Sheffield United, while holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough - the Sky Bet Championship high-fliers who won at Manchester City on Saturday.
Liverpool and Bolton will replay for the right to go to Crystal Palace, while Leicester and Aston Villa meet in a Midlands derby. West Brom face West Ham at home, while the winners of Monday's tie between Rochdale and Stoke will travel to Blackburn.
Derby play host to Reading in an all-Championship affair to round off the draw, but it is the enduring appeal of Bradford that is likely to hold the headlines.
League Cup finalists two years ago, they are making further waves this year and their stunning win at Chelsea will be spoken of for years to come.
The last time they faced Sunderland saw them lose 3-0 in December 2003, while they have to go all the way back to 1994 to find their last meeting with Fulham, a goalless draw.
Draw for FA Cup fifth round
Crystal Palace v Liverpool/Bolton
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Aston Villa v Leicester
West Brom v West Ham
Bradford v Sunderland/Fulham
Blackburn v Rochdale/Stoke
Derby v Reading
Preston/Sheffield Utd v Cambridge Utd/Man Utd
Ties to be played across the weekend of February 14 and 15.
Liverpool will play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup fifth round should they beat Bolton in their fourth round replay.
After playing out a goalless draw on Saturday evening, Bolton v Liverpool will take place at the Macron Stadium on Wednesday, 4th February with a 7:45pm kick-off.
The fifth round draw took place shortly after 7.20pm on BBC One’s The One Show.
Ties will be played on the weekend of the 14/15 February, with exact dates, kick-off times and television coverage to be confirmed after the conclusion of fourth round replays.
Full FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
Preston North End or Sheffield United v Cambridge United or Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham
Aston Villa v Leicester City
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton
.
Liverpool will play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup fifth round should they beat Bolton in their fourth round replay.
After playing out a goalless draw on Saturday evening, Bolton v Liverpool will take place at the Macron Stadium on Wednesday, 4th February with a 7:45pm kick-off.
The fifth round draw took place shortly after 7.20pm on BBC One’s The One Show.
Ties will be played on the weekend of the 14/15 February, with exact dates, kick-off times and television coverage to be confirmed after the conclusion of fourth round replays.
Full FA Cup Fifth Round Draw
Preston North End or Sheffield United v Cambridge United or Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham
Aston Villa v Leicester City
Arsenal v Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton
.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers intends to pile on the cup pain for Chelsea as he takes his side to Stamford Bridge with “no fear” on Tuesday.
Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders, crashed out of the FA Cup to League One Bradford after a shock 4-2 home loss on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s side had previously been unbeaten at their own ground this season and Rodgers hopes to keep them on the back foot as their Capital One Cup semi-final resumes.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with the Londoners in the first leg of the tie at Anfield and Rodgers believes a repeat of the Reds’ attack-minded performance and attitude from that night could reap rewards.
He said: “We played them last week when they were coming off the back of, arguably, their best result and performance of the season against Swansea (a 5-0 win) – but we were outstanding in the game. We limited them to very limited possession and opportunities.
“We know it is going to be a tough game but we are certainly going into the game with no fear and our strength is very much in our attack. We showed that in the last game.
“The team is on the up, we have seen that over the last number of weeks. We’ve got great confidence knowing that, in particular away from home, our form and resilience is getting better and better and we can get a result.”
Rodgers accepts, however, that the Bradford upset – branded a ‘disgrace’ by Mourinho – could impact one of two ways on Chelsea. While on the one hand the Blues could still be reeling and vulnerable, on the other there could be a strong reaction.
Rodgers said: “The result at the weekend doesn’t help – they will have great motivation. It is a different game, a different competition, a Wembley place is at stake. When you come off a game like that you want to put it right.
“But there is also that, in the back of your mind, even if you’re up in the game – like they were, 2-0 – you can still lose the game. So I’m sure there’ll be that wee bit of trepidation.”
Whatever the result of the cup games, Chelsea have arguably an even more important date next weekend as they take on title rivals Manchester City in the league. But for Liverpool, whose title hopes seem long gone, the game is hugely significant.
Rodgers said: “It is very important. We will certainly be doing everything we can to get there (to the final). The opportunity to win trophies this year was always going to be up there in priority for us.
“We’re at the semi-final stage, it’s a one-off game now to take us there. We feel confident that we can get a result that gets us into the final.”
Liverpool could be boosted by the return of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who is now back in full training after months of injury frustration. The 25-year-old has not played for the Reds since August, mainly due to thigh problems, but is now close to making a comeback.
Rodgers said: “He had his training session with the team yesterday, he trained very well. That was as comfortable as he has looked, even when he was coming back before, when he was maybe a little bit tentative.
“I thought he looked back to normal. We will see how he feels today, but if he is not ready for tomorrow we won’t risk it. He has been out a long time and we need to make sure that he is ready and feels ready.”
Captain Steven Gerrard and defender Martin Skrtel, rested for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bolton, are likely to return but it remains to be seen if striker Mario Balotelli features. Balotelli was omitted at the weekend for reasons of form and attitude, although Rodgers continues to insist – contrary to speculation – the controversial Italian does have a future at Anfield.
He said: “We will give Mario every chance. We brought him in here for this season to give him every chance to show consistently that he can play at a team consistently at the top level.
“It has been a difficult period for him – no doubt – but he is a good boy who does want to fight for his opportunity and chance here.
“I have seen some clippings this morning (suggesting) that that is him over with (here) – but that’s not the case at all.”
PA
.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers intends to pile on the cup pain for Chelsea as he takes his side to Stamford Bridge with “no fear” on Tuesday.
Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders, crashed out of the FA Cup to League One Bradford after a shock 4-2 home loss on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s side had previously been unbeaten at their own ground this season and Rodgers hopes to keep them on the back foot as their Capital One Cup semi-final resumes.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with the Londoners in the first leg of the tie at Anfield and Rodgers believes a repeat of the Reds’ attack-minded performance and attitude from that night could reap rewards.
He said: “We played them last week when they were coming off the back of, arguably, their best result and performance of the season against Swansea (a 5-0 win) – but we were outstanding in the game. We limited them to very limited possession and opportunities.
“We know it is going to be a tough game but we are certainly going into the game with no fear and our strength is very much in our attack. We showed that in the last game.
“The team is on the up, we have seen that over the last number of weeks. We’ve got great confidence knowing that, in particular away from home, our form and resilience is getting better and better and we can get a result.”
Rodgers accepts, however, that the Bradford upset – branded a ‘disgrace’ by Mourinho – could impact one of two ways on Chelsea. While on the one hand the Blues could still be reeling and vulnerable, on the other there could be a strong reaction.
Rodgers said: “The result at the weekend doesn’t help – they will have great motivation. It is a different game, a different competition, a Wembley place is at stake. When you come off a game like that you want to put it right.
“But there is also that, in the back of your mind, even if you’re up in the game – like they were, 2-0 – you can still lose the game. So I’m sure there’ll be that wee bit of trepidation.”
Whatever the result of the cup games, Chelsea have arguably an even more important date next weekend as they take on title rivals Manchester City in the league. But for Liverpool, whose title hopes seem long gone, the game is hugely significant.
Rodgers said: “It is very important. We will certainly be doing everything we can to get there (to the final). The opportunity to win trophies this year was always going to be up there in priority for us.
“We’re at the semi-final stage, it’s a one-off game now to take us there. We feel confident that we can get a result that gets us into the final.”
Liverpool could be boosted by the return of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who is now back in full training after months of injury frustration. The 25-year-old has not played for the Reds since August, mainly due to thigh problems, but is now close to making a comeback.
Rodgers said: “He had his training session with the team yesterday, he trained very well. That was as comfortable as he has looked, even when he was coming back before, when he was maybe a little bit tentative.
“I thought he looked back to normal. We will see how he feels today, but if he is not ready for tomorrow we won’t risk it. He has been out a long time and we need to make sure that he is ready and feels ready.”
Captain Steven Gerrard and defender Martin Skrtel, rested for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bolton, are likely to return but it remains to be seen if striker Mario Balotelli features. Balotelli was omitted at the weekend for reasons of form and attitude, although Rodgers continues to insist – contrary to speculation – the controversial Italian does have a future at Anfield.
He said: “We will give Mario every chance. We brought him in here for this season to give him every chance to show consistently that he can play at a team consistently at the top level.
“It has been a difficult period for him – no doubt – but he is a good boy who does want to fight for his opportunity and chance here.
“I have seen some clippings this morning (suggesting) that that is him over with (here) – but that’s not the case at all.”
PA
.
Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth Round replay against Bolton has been confirmed as Wednesday 4th February.
The two sides will meet at the Macron Stadium with a 7:45pm kick-off after playing out a goalless draw at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The replay will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7:30pm.
With the Merseyside derby the following Saturday, Liverpool would probably have preferred the match to have taken place on the Tuesday instead.
It could see Daniel Sturridge‘s first start since returning from injury, against the side he enjoyed a good loan spell with earlier in his career.
The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup takes place at 7pm on Monday night, with Bolton/Liverpool ball number 10. It will televised live on BBC One, with the full draw numbers below.
Let us know what you think to Liverpool’s chances of progressing against in-form Bolton and who you’d like to see the Reds face in the fifth round if they do.
1. Crystal Palace
2. Cambridge United or Manchester United
3. Blackburn Rovers
4. Bradford City
5. Derby County
6. Preston North End or Sheffield United
7. West Bromwich Albion
8. Aston Villa
9. Reading
10. Liverpool or Bolton
11. Leicester City
12. Arsenal
13. Rochdale or Stoke City
14. Sunderland or Fulham
15. West Ham
16. Middlesbrough
.
Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth Round replay against Bolton has been confirmed as Wednesday 4th February.
The two sides will meet at the Macron Stadium with a 7:45pm kick-off after playing out a goalless draw at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The replay will be shown live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 7:30pm.
With the Merseyside derby the following Saturday, Liverpool would probably have preferred the match to have taken place on the Tuesday instead.
It could see Daniel Sturridge‘s first start since returning from injury, against the side he enjoyed a good loan spell with earlier in his career.
The draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup takes place at 7pm on Monday night, with Bolton/Liverpool ball number 10. It will televised live on BBC One, with the full draw numbers below.
Let us know what you think to Liverpool’s chances of progressing against in-form Bolton and who you’d like to see the Reds face in the fifth round if they do.
1. Crystal Palace
2. Cambridge United or Manchester United
3. Blackburn Rovers
4. Bradford City
5. Derby County
6. Preston North End or Sheffield United
7. West Bromwich Albion
8. Aston Villa
9. Reading
10. Liverpool or Bolton
11. Leicester City
12. Arsenal
13. Rochdale or Stoke City
14. Sunderland or Fulham
15. West Ham
16. Middlesbrough
.
Liverpool need to gain victory over Chelsea in Tuesday night’s League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, and Jack Lusby details how they can do so.
Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to take on Chelsea in the League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, and the tie represents manager Brendan Rodgers’ best chance at grasping silverware this season.
The first leg played out in mesmeric fashion — the Reds were bold, Chelsea shrinking, and the match-up could have been put to bed were it not for some profligate finishing.
Much of this (relative) success was due to Rodgers’ tactical mastery on the night.
Poised a 1-1, and now facing a tough away leg, Liverpool need to recapture this tactical thrust to stride to a Wembley final against either Tottenham Hostpur or Sheffield United.
But what are the key tactical elements that Liverpool need to focus on?
Get Lucas Leiva Prowling
The Reds’ weekend draw at home to Bolton was hallmarked by a lack of vigour in central midfield.
A partnership of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen made Darren Pratley look like Yaya Toure on occasion, bursting past the midfield duo.
Allen, making his return from a long-term injury, struggled to keep the pace in that game, but this was a mere step towards regaining composure and fitness for the divisive Welshman who, when focussed, can play a crucial role in the Reds midfield.
Pratley’s skillset allowed these misgivings to go unpunished, but a Chelsea midfield likely consisting of Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Oscar won’t offer the same leniency.
This requires a return for Lucas Leiva, in place of Allen.
Against Chelsea in the first leg, Lucas was attentive and aggressive, making seven tackles and two interceptions—the same as the coveted Matic.
Lucas spoke before Tuesday’s game, stressing how he’s “realised that you have to work hard, no matter what,” and this has boosted his game during his time at Liverpool.
In order to protect the Liverpool defence against Chelsea, and keep Oscar quiet, Lucas must return.
Focus on Chelsea’s Full-Backs
It seems a superficial point to make, given the immense quality Chelsea have in their full-back positions, but this area currently represents one of the Blues’ weakest points, and should be made a target for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
At Anfield, Mourinho fielded Branislav Ivanovic and Felipe Luis on the right and left flanks respectively, and neither will have been pleased with their output.
Ivanovic in particular endured a torrid night, short of confidence and bereft of support.
The 30-year-old was extremely wasteful on the ball, finding his intended target with just 58.6 percent of his 29 passes, the worst of any outfield starter on the night.
Expect Mourinho to counter this deficiency by fielding Cesar Azpilicueta in place of either Ivanovic or Luis, and crossing his fingers — Azpilicueta showcased poor form himself in Chelsea’s 4-2 FA Cup loss to Bradford City on Saturday.
Former Chelsea trainee Filipe Morais gave Chelsea’s left-back the run around in that game, and Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic should look to do the same on Tuesday.
Crucially, in this tie, Liverpool must improve on the service to Markovic’s left-sided counterpart, Alberto Moreno, who made consistently threatening runs behind Ivanovic last week.
Moreno was often ignored in favour of a central approach, and Liverpool arguably didn’t capitalise on what was likely a rare off-day for Ivanovic.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s full-backs represent a weak link at present, and Liverpool should look to exploit this with probing runs from both Moreno and Markovic.
Reds No. 10 Philippe Coutinho should look to them not as a second-best alternative to Raheem Sterling’s movement behind the Chelsea defence, but a primary target.
Revert to Martin Skrtel at Central Defence
Against Bolton, Rodgers chose to rest Martin Skrtel and included a returning Glen Johnson at right centre-back, moving Emre Can to a central role.
This marginalised Can’s creative talents, and also offered him as a target for the bullish Emile Heskey—although the Trotters striker failed to take advantage of this.
Against Chelsea, Skrtel must return in Johnson’s place, with Can shifted back to the right hand side.
Skrtel suits this limited central role, with his raw physical talents tailored to a pure defensive battle of clearances and covering tackles.
This will be crucial again on Tuesday, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa a formidable physical centre-forward.
Pitting Can or Johnson up against Costa would be a swiftly punished mistake — the Spanish-Brazilian thrives on an intimidating approach, and neither would match up to his dominance. Skrtel, however, is perfectly suited to this battle.
In fact, the 30-year-old has towered over Costa with regularity, on the international stage and in the Anfield leg of this tie.
Arguably it is the mental battle that Skrtel seems to most benefit from in this match-up, and the centre-back thanked former Liverpool man Luis Suarez last year for the “rude words he’d taught me which I could use against [Costa].”
Get under his skin and, surprisingly, Costa fades.
At Stamford Bridge, Skrtel needs to gain every advantage he can against Costa once more, suffocating his talents and frustrating him as Chelsea’s lone striker—cut the head off the snake, if you will.
Statistics via WhoScored.
How can Liverpool defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments below.
.
Liverpool need to gain victory over Chelsea in Tuesday night’s League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, and Jack Lusby details how they can do so.
Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to take on Chelsea in the League Cup Semi-Final Second Leg, and the tie represents manager Brendan Rodgers’ best chance at grasping silverware this season.
The first leg played out in mesmeric fashion — the Reds were bold, Chelsea shrinking, and the match-up could have been put to bed were it not for some profligate finishing.
Much of this (relative) success was due to Rodgers’ tactical mastery on the night.
Poised a 1-1, and now facing a tough away leg, Liverpool need to recapture this tactical thrust to stride to a Wembley final against either Tottenham Hostpur or Sheffield United.
But what are the key tactical elements that Liverpool need to focus on?
Get Lucas Leiva Prowling
The Reds’ weekend draw at home to Bolton was hallmarked by a lack of vigour in central midfield.
A partnership of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen made Darren Pratley look like Yaya Toure on occasion, bursting past the midfield duo.
Allen, making his return from a long-term injury, struggled to keep the pace in that game, but this was a mere step towards regaining composure and fitness for the divisive Welshman who, when focussed, can play a crucial role in the Reds midfield.
Pratley’s skillset allowed these misgivings to go unpunished, but a Chelsea midfield likely consisting of Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Oscar won’t offer the same leniency.
This requires a return for Lucas Leiva, in place of Allen.
Against Chelsea in the first leg, Lucas was attentive and aggressive, making seven tackles and two interceptions—the same as the coveted Matic.
Lucas spoke before Tuesday’s game, stressing how he’s “realised that you have to work hard, no matter what,” and this has boosted his game during his time at Liverpool.
In order to protect the Liverpool defence against Chelsea, and keep Oscar quiet, Lucas must return.
Focus on Chelsea’s Full-Backs
It seems a superficial point to make, given the immense quality Chelsea have in their full-back positions, but this area currently represents one of the Blues’ weakest points, and should be made a target for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
At Anfield, Mourinho fielded Branislav Ivanovic and Felipe Luis on the right and left flanks respectively, and neither will have been pleased with their output.
Ivanovic in particular endured a torrid night, short of confidence and bereft of support.
The 30-year-old was extremely wasteful on the ball, finding his intended target with just 58.6 percent of his 29 passes, the worst of any outfield starter on the night.
Expect Mourinho to counter this deficiency by fielding Cesar Azpilicueta in place of either Ivanovic or Luis, and crossing his fingers — Azpilicueta showcased poor form himself in Chelsea’s 4-2 FA Cup loss to Bradford City on Saturday.
Former Chelsea trainee Filipe Morais gave Chelsea’s left-back the run around in that game, and Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic should look to do the same on Tuesday.
Crucially, in this tie, Liverpool must improve on the service to Markovic’s left-sided counterpart, Alberto Moreno, who made consistently threatening runs behind Ivanovic last week.
Moreno was often ignored in favour of a central approach, and Liverpool arguably didn’t capitalise on what was likely a rare off-day for Ivanovic.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s full-backs represent a weak link at present, and Liverpool should look to exploit this with probing runs from both Moreno and Markovic.
Reds No. 10 Philippe Coutinho should look to them not as a second-best alternative to Raheem Sterling’s movement behind the Chelsea defence, but a primary target.
Revert to Martin Skrtel at Central Defence
Against Bolton, Rodgers chose to rest Martin Skrtel and included a returning Glen Johnson at right centre-back, moving Emre Can to a central role.
This marginalised Can’s creative talents, and also offered him as a target for the bullish Emile Heskey—although the Trotters striker failed to take advantage of this.
Against Chelsea, Skrtel must return in Johnson’s place, with Can shifted back to the right hand side.
Skrtel suits this limited central role, with his raw physical talents tailored to a pure defensive battle of clearances and covering tackles.
This will be crucial again on Tuesday, with Chelsea’s Diego Costa a formidable physical centre-forward.
Pitting Can or Johnson up against Costa would be a swiftly punished mistake — the Spanish-Brazilian thrives on an intimidating approach, and neither would match up to his dominance. Skrtel, however, is perfectly suited to this battle.
In fact, the 30-year-old has towered over Costa with regularity, on the international stage and in the Anfield leg of this tie.
Arguably it is the mental battle that Skrtel seems to most benefit from in this match-up, and the centre-back thanked former Liverpool man Luis Suarez last year for the “rude words he’d taught me which I could use against [Costa].”
Get under his skin and, surprisingly, Costa fades.
At Stamford Bridge, Skrtel needs to gain every advantage he can against Costa once more, suffocating his talents and frustrating him as Chelsea’s lone striker—cut the head off the snake, if you will.
Statistics via WhoScored.
How can Liverpool defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments below.
.
