Liverpool look to enjoy Exeter trip in FA Cup third round meet

Tisdale targets exploiting Reds defensive issues

Exeter boss Tisdale has outlined Liverpool’s recent defensive frailties as a potential source of success for his third tier side, who are currently sitting 16th in their domestic standings.

“We work on a way to enhance our strengths and hide our weaknesses. I can’t put a tag on it as being long-ball football or wing play. But we’ve gone through where we’ve got a chance,” stated Tisdale.

“It will be one manager up against another, albeit one with more resources.

“Clearly, Liverpool have some strengths going forward and if we spend all our time focusing on those we won’t get out of our half. It is a compromise, it’s risk against reward.

“But we have watched them and have our eye on what we think we must do.”

Klopp has injury headache for cup clash

It’s believed German coach Klopp will be without up to 10 first-team players for his side’s visit to Exeter, with Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho, Jordon Ibe and Martin Skrtel only some of those high-profile absentees.

With such a long list of casualties, many Reds youngster will have to rise to the occasion and could cement their mark on the first-team picture, including Harry Wilson, Ryan Kent and Brad Smith.

Ibe is one Liverpool starlet that has flourished under new management but earlier joined the club’s packed-out treatment room after a hamstring injury, following his Capital One Cup first leg heroics. Belgian frontman Christian Benteke is therefore the main attacking threat and 3/1 to open proceedings on their travels.

For the hosts, who have lost their last four successive games, in-form forward Tom Nichols has enjoyed recent goal scoring success and is 7/2 to net anytime, while dangerman Ollie Watkins is 10/3 to get on the scoresheet.

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