Arne Slot and Liverpool will return to action in the FA Cup on Sunday but the Premier League leaders have had plenty to pay attention to in the lead-up to the game
Arne Slot reflects on reaching Carabao Cup final
Liverpool are preparing for FA Cup action on Sunday as they continue to fight for trophies on four fronts.
Arne Slot’s team moved into the Carabao Cup final on Thursday night with a dominant 4-0 victory over Tottenham. They won by the same scoreline against Accrington in the FA Cup third round, but Championship side Plymouth could provide a sterner test on Sunday.
Their trip to Devon will be followed closely by a Merseyside Derby – the first of the season after their trip to Goodison Park was postponed from its original December date. Slot’s men have a bit of a break before returning to Champions League action, though, with their top spot in the league phase ensuring direct passage to the round of 16.
There have been plenty of things to keep an eye on away from Anfield., though, as Slot and his team prepare for their return to action. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines.
Gerrard tipped for Rangers return
Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has tipped Steven Gerrard to return to the Glasgow club. Gerrard was in charge at Ibrox for the Gers’ most recent title win in 2020-21, but is a free agent after leaving Al-Ettifaq.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Steven Gerrard came back to Ibrox,” McCoist told talkSPORT BET. “He’s obviously held in really high regard by the supporters because of the league title he won, and his next job is going to be vitally important for him.
“Things haven’t gone according to plan for him after he left Rangers. A little bit like Frank Lampard going to Coventry – his next appointment was really important to him as well, so we’ll see what Steven ends up choosing to do with his career.”
Koumas sends Slot message
Lewis Koumas scored on his Liverpool debut under Jurgen Klopp last term, but he’s been forced to impress Arne Slot from afar. The Welsh youngster is spending the season on loan at Stoke City, and he made a telling impact against Cardiff City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Do you want to see Lewis Koumas back in the Liverpool picture next term? Have your say in the comments section
Cardiff raced into a two-goal lead in the Potteries, only for Koumas to strike either side of the half-time break to level things up. Lewis Baker’s penalty then put Stoke in front, but Rubin Colwill equalised with his second of the day and Cardiff went on to win on penalties.
The goals were Koumas’ fifth and sixth of the season, and his first FA Cup goals for Stoke. He also scored in the competition last season, helping a youthful Liverpool side see off Southampton in round five.
Everton dented ahead of derby
Everton will go into Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby off the back of elimination from the FA Cup. Their fourth round opponents were Bournemouth, who won at Goodison Park in the league in August and repeated the trick in a second competition.
Antoine Semenyo and Daniel Jebbison got the Cherries’ goals, both before half-time. Everton boss David Moyes rung the changes in search of an equaliser, handing a debut to new signing Charly Alcaraz, but there was no way back.
Liverpool will hope the defeat helps deflate their neighbours after a fine recent run. Moyes’ men have won their last three in the league, including a 4-0 victory over Leicester last time out.
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