Shrewsbury vs Liverpool: Origi to inspire Reds to FA Cup victory

The matches come thick and fast ahead of the winter break and it’s the FA Cup’s turn to take full attention as the fourth round fixtures continue with Liverpool’s trip to Shrewsbury.

It’s the standout fixture of Sunday’s three games, with Manchester City and Manchester United also in action, and you can read our thoughts on how the Merseyside club will get on below.

Liverpool won’t have it all their own way

It’s difficult to predict just how many changes Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will make as his side travel to Shrewsbury looking to continue their pursuit of a domestic double – as well as the Champions League – while juggling a fixture build-up.

Regardless, it’s safe to say the Premier League club should have enough experience and quality running through their squad to evade any banana skins against lower league opposition here.

But the Reds might not have it all their own way, with their recent FA Cup performances showing they have only won by more than one goal in the tournament once in a whopping 19 attempts.

They include famous failures including defeat by West Brom and draws with Plymouth and Exeter. Of course, the Reds are a much better side now, but Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 17/10 looks good.

Back Origi to take his chance

Liverpool fringe player Divock Origi doesn’t get all that many first-team chances and with a roster boasting the like of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, it’s hardly surprising. But, to his credit, when he does get his chances he tends to take them, having scored a number of crucial goals, including in the Champions League final when Liverpool beat Tottenham last summer.

Now Shrewsbury away in the fourth round of the FA Cup isn’t exactly the pinnacle of any Premier League player’s career, but with a pile-up of fixtures, Origi will be keen to show his worth.

Klopp looks set to make some changes to his full-strength XI as he bids to keep his side fresh and the Belgian international looks sure to get the nod. So back Origi to score the opening goal at 7/2.

Liverpool up for the cup

Despite the Premier League table highlighting that Liverpool are the best team in the country by some distance, the Reds look a very tempting bet to lift the FA Cup come the end of the competition.

Klopp’s men are 16 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have a game in hand, yet Liverpool can be backed at 4/1 to win the FA Cup, which seems a very generous price indeed. Especially when you compare it to the 2/1 available on favourites Manchester City. Of course, Liverpool will have a league title on their mind, but in truth that’s all but won and the Reds have what it takes to juggle both.

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