Liverpool travel to Chelsea for one of only two all Premier League meetings in the FA Cup Fifth Round, and for what is undoubtedly the standout tie.
It pits first in the league against fourth, but does so at a time when both sides will have other things on their minds.
Chelsea are trying to hang onto fourth spot and a place in next season’s Champions League, while Liverpool will be thinking about whether they can remain in this season’s after a 1-0 defeat by Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 tie.
Regardless, both managers will try to focus their team ahead of this game which could eventually lead to more silverware for two clubs which crave it, but neither go into this FA Cup tie in good form, and the game may take on extra significance as a result as both sides look to get their respective seasons back on track.
One of those victories came against Championship side Hull City in the previous round of the FA Cup, but this run of games also includes a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Despite those other distractions, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard says he is going all out for the win against Liverpool.
“Our fans are coming to see us in the FA Cup trying to overturn the best team in the land. I think there might be something for freshness of legs or a couple of little different options, but I won’t pick a team casually where I’m giving minutes [for the sake of it]. I’m treating it with the care I would a Premier League game.”
Liverpool have yet to return to their best since the Premier League mid-season break, and last weekend lost their first league game of the campaign, against Watford.
