Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley tips and predictions: Chiesa, Elliott and co to make the most of FA Cup chance

Liverpool state of play

Liverpool suffered their first defeat since mid-September when being beaten by Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie on Wednesday. 

It followed last Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester United in which Arne Slot's team delivered a sub-par display, although they remain clear at the top of the table and dreaming of a trophy-laden campaign. 

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Slot will be wary of his side's jam-packed fixture list, which sees them take in seven fixtures over the next three weeks, and the Dutch boss will need to manage minutes of key players including Ryan Gravenberch and Mohamed Salah if they are to sustain their charge on all fronts. 

Accrington Stanley state of play

It has been a season of struggle in League Two for Accrington, but there have been green shoots in 2025. 

Accrington secured their first league victory in eight when getting the better of Grimsby in a five-goal thriller on New Year's Day before following up three days later at Colchester. 

They beat non-League Rushall Olympic in the FA Cup first round before sneaking past Swindon on penalties to punch their ticket for a money-spinning tie at Anfield. 

Key talking point: Can Liverpool's fringe players make the most of their chance?

Slot should ring the changes as the game is sandwiched between Liverpool's loss to Spurs and Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. 

The likes of Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are in contention for a place in the starting XI and there will be pressure on the fringe men to deliver the goods with minimum fuss. 

A mixture of injuries and players in their positions being in top form has limited that clutch of five to a combined 28 starts in all competitions this season. 

Elliott returned from a broken foot to net on his only start of the campaign when Liverpool beat Southampton in the Carabao Cup and another goalscoring display could earn him more minutes going forward. 

FIRST’s top tip for Liverpool vs Accrington

Anytime goalscorer - Harvey Elliott - 7/5 (Betway)

The midfielder is hardly the most prolific player in Liverpool's squad. But he represents value at odds against considering Accrington are likely to park the bus and the Reds will have plenty of possession on the edge of the box. Opportunities for Elliott to score from outside the area should arise. 

Extra tips

Match winner & both teams to score Yes/No market: Liverpool To Win & Yes - 2/1 (Betway)

Liverpool's second string should comfortably see off Accrington, but the visitors have found the back of the net in their last 11 away fixtures and could take advantage of a much-changed home defence to bag a consolation goal at Anfield. 

Team news

Jarell Quansah and Dominik Szoboszlai are battling illness, Tyler Morton is hoping to recover from rolling his ankle, but Joe Gomez is a long-term absentee with a hamstring injury. 

Accrington loanee Dara Costelloe is unavailable due to a knee injury. 

Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Kelleher; Bradley, Endo, Konate, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Nyoni; Chiesa, Elliott, Jota; Nunez (4-2-3-1)

Accrington Stanley: Crellin; Love, Rawson, Awe, B. Woods; Coyle, Martin; J. Woods, Hunter, Whalley; Walton (4-2-3-1)

Form guide

Liverpool: WDWDWWWWDL

Accrington: DDDLLDLLWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.