Advertisement
Joe Allen celebrates his goal. Peter Byrne/PA Wire/Press Association Images
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Exeter City, FA Cup 3rd round replay

We had the minute-by-minute coverage from Anfield

There’s just under an hour until kick-off at Anfield as Liverpool get set to take on Exeter City in their FA Cup 3rd round replay after the sides drew 2-2 in their first meeting earlier this month.

We’ll have all the team news shortly but it appears as if Jurgen Klopp will name a similar side to to the one he did in the first game.

Jose Enrique will captain Liverpool tonight but defender Jon Flanagan will have to settle for a place on the bench after over 18 months out.

After his mistake in the first game, Adam Bogdam is also relegated to a watching brief .

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Randall, Ilori, Enrique, Smith, Brannagan, Allen, Stewart, Ibe, Teixeira, Benteke.

Subs: Bogdan, Flanagan, Kent, Sinclair, Ojo, Maguire, Chirivella

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale has also named his XI but only one of the goalscorers from the first game — Lee Holmes — start while Jordan Moore-Taylor captains the side.

Tom Nichols, the side’s top scorer, has to settle for a spot on the bench.

Exeter City XI: Olejnik, Ribeiro, Brown, Moore-Taylor, Woodman,  Oakley, Butterfield, Davies, Nicholls, Holmes, Morrison.

Subs: McAllister, Hoskins, Hamon, Tillson, Nichols, Grant, Wheeler.

Klopp has just told Ray Stubbs on BT Sport that he has not practised penalties… but that his player’s have.

The big messer.

Ireland cult hero Clinton Morrison starts for Exeter for the first time in nine games. He has form scoring against Liverpool in important cup games:

Dave Waller / YouTube

And the game is under way.

Liverpool have started the brighter of the two sides and Jordan Ibe helps the home side win the game’s first corner after just three minutes. Exeter do well to clear their lines.

Chance: Benteke with the game’s first shot on target as he turns quickly and tries to catch Olejnik off guard. It is, however, a tame effort in the end and the League Two side’s goalkeeper deals with it comfortably.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Exeter City

It felt like Exeter City had failed to get out of their own half in the opening ten minutes and nice work from Brad Smith finds Joe Allen to give the home side the lead.

Close! Benteke with a really good chance to make it 2-0 but the £30 million man heads over from close range when it looked easier to score. It really is all Liverpool at the moment.

Another decent chance for Liverpool but this time Benteke’s header goes into the side-netting rather than over the bar. In fairness to the Belgian striker, he’s getting on the end of things, he just has not been able to apply a clinical finish just yet.

An effort from Brannagan blazes over for Liverpool as the clock hits 30 minutes.

Chance: Liverpool have now managed 10 shots, five on target while their visitors have failed to muster a single attempt on goal. Ibe’s effort from the edge of the box forces a corner.

Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Exeter City

Liverpool good value for their 1-0 lead but have wasted a significant number of chances in the first half. Luckily for Jurgen Klopp, the visitors have created nothing themselves.

The second half is under way and there are two changes for the visitors with Clinton Morrison and Danny Butterfield being replaced by Tom Nichols and Will Hoskins as they look to get back into this game.

The second half is starting with a familiar pattern, Liverpool well on top.

And here’s a substitution that will please the home fans, Jon Flanagan comes on for his first appearance in 20 months.

CLOSE! Ibe nearly makes it 2-0 as his rocket of a strike hits the underside of the bar but it doesn’t look like the whole of the ball crossed the line.

Even Cafu is happy to see Flanagan back:

Chance: Exeter have an effort on target through Holmes but it’s tame and Mignolet — the only survivor from Sunday’s loss to Manchester United — deals with it very comfortably.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Exeter City

And that’s probably the game, a wonderful finish from Sheyi Ojo into the Kop end. He’s looked bright since coming on for Joe Allen 10 minutes ago.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Exeter City

It definitely is over now. A great pass from Benteke is rewarded with a tidy finish from João Carlos Teixeira and it’s cruise control for the home side from here on in.

The fourth official indicates there will be a minimum of two minutes added on.

Full-time: Liverpool 3-0 Exeter City

And the full time whistle has gone.

After the drama of the first game, the replay was much more business like form Liverpool who got the job done without, seemingly, having to get out of third gear.

And that’s it from us. Thanks as always for joining us.

Lionel Messi insists he’ll never play in the Premier League or anywhere else in Europe

The ins and outs of a transfer-window medical

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.