Exeter City vs Liverpool preview: Jurgen Klopp's injury-ravaged side face tough test at St James Park

A look ahead to the FA Cup Third Round tie at St James Park

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Christian Benteke: The Belgian international striker needs a big performance here in order to cement a place in the starting XI as Daniel Sturridge is closing in on a return to full fitness.

Weird /best stat…

1950 – The year of the only previous FA Cup meeting between the teams. Liverpool won the Fourth Round match 3-1 at Anfield.

Remember when…

Luis Suarez capped off a fine team goal to set Liverpool on their way to a 3-1 League Cup Second Round victory the last time these teams met?

Player to watch…

Tom Nichols: The Grecian’s Academy graduate made his debut aged 17 and he possesses bags of energy and an eye for goal. Nichols has nine goals in all competitions this season, including one in the FA Cup First Round against Didcot Town.

Past three-meetings…

Exeter 1 (Nardiello pen) Liverpool 3 (Suarez, Rodriguez, Carroll)
League Cup Second Round, August 2011.

Exeter 0 Liverpool 6 (Rush 2, Dalglish, Neal, Sheedy, O.G.)
League Cup Second Round Second Leg, October 1981

Liverpool 5 (Dalglish, McDermott, Rush 2, Whelan) Exeter 0
League Cup Second Round, First Leg, October 1981.

Form guide

Exeter: WLLLL

Liverpool: LWWLW

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 7.55pm, Friday 8^th January

TV: Live BBC 1, 7.30pm. Highlights Match of the Day, BBC 1, 10.25pm, Saturday 9^th January