FA Cup Preview: Liverpool v Havant & Waterlooville

January 26, 2008 · By Scorchio · Jump to comments

This afternoon the ultimate FA Cup dream comes true non league side Havant & Waterlooville travel to Anfield, home of Britain’s most successful club Liverpool FC.

he non league minnows have caused a few upsets in their fantastic cup run, knocking out superior opposition along the way. But now they step into the lions den against a premier league team who have recently faulted amidst rumours and speculation regarding the clubs owners and manager, will these current problems stand Havant & Waterlooville in good stead or is this the end of the FA Cup yellow brick road.

Liverpool:
I suppose the big question is will Rafa start the big guns, the premier league side cannot afford any slip ups, like the 1-1 draw at Luton a game the Reds should have won first time round. In my opinion Benitez will start some of the big boys, he is aware a slip up against a non league side would be catastrophic to the season, a season which has seen the Merseyside’s drop out of the race for the Premiership, so expect to see Gerrard, Torres, Mascherano, Carragher and Babel, although I would hope to see the likes of Insua, Linfield, El Zahr and Anderson come into the fray just to get a taste of playing with the first team. We could see a full debut for new signing Martin Skrtel this would be an easy match for him to gel with his new team mates, but any mistakes would be scrutinised ten times more than usual, so he would be under pressure to perform.

Possible team: Itandje, Finnan, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Anderson, Babel, Torres, Lindfield.

Subs: Reina, Hyypia, El Zahr, Lucas, Crouch.

Havant & Waterlooville:
The non league minnows have surprised pundits and critics alike by reaching this stage of an FA Cup that has seen the likes of Everton and Blackburn eliminated by inferior opposition, but that is the beauty of the campaign and the reason the FA Cup is watched world wide. The Havant & Waterlooville team is made up of teachers, plumbers, students, a plasterer, a binman and one pro who is on loan. Havant & Waterlooville have been rocked by the news that captain Jamie Collins will be not be playing in the tie due to a ban, the odds are against them, but every neutral around the country would like to see an upset, would like to see a non-league David tumble a Premier league power house Goliath, could this happen put it this way, in football there is nothing that can’t be done.

Possible team: Scriven, Gregory, Warner, Smith, Wilkinson, Potter, Taggart, Oatway, Harkin, Baptiste, Slabber.

Subs: Taylor, Sharp, Poate, McEnery, Pacquette.

Prediction Liverpool 6-0 Havant & Waterlooville

FACT: Any debt that Havant & Waterloovile have will be cleared by this trip to Anfield, while the opponents for the day have just amounted a £350 million debt, thanks to our American owners. Harsh deals.