FA Cup Third Round: Accrington Stanley Faces Liverpool in Historic Clash

Accrington Stanley, the League Two club famously referenced in a 1980s milk advert, will face their toughest challenge yet as they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. The match, set to be played at Anfield, marks a historic moment for the small-town club, which has sold out its 4,700-ticket allocation. Accrington captain Seamus Conneely described the tie as “the big one,” highlighting the significance of facing one of England’s most storied clubs.

The connection between Accrington and Liverpool runs deep, with several players and staff having ties to the city. Striker Josh Woods, a lifelong Liverpool fan, recently received a reply from Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté after tagging him in a social media post. Meanwhile, midfielder Liam Coyle and management duo John Doolan and Ged Brannan also hail from Liverpool, adding a personal touch to the encounter.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup, non-league side Tamworth will host Tottenham on Sunday, hoping to capitalize on their long-throw specialist Tom Tonks to unsettle Spurs’ injury-hit defense. Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition, earned their place in the third round with a penalty shootout victory over League One side Burton Albion.

Manchester City will face Salford City in a tie with added intrigue, as Salford is owned by the ‘Class of ’92’—former Manchester United players Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt. The match, set for Saturday at Etihad Stadium, will be broadcast live on BBC One.

Holders Manchester United will travel to Arsenal in an all-Premier League clash on Sunday, while Aston Villa and West Ham will meet in the only other top-flight matchup on Friday. The BBC and ITV will provide extensive coverage of the third-round fixtures, with live broadcasts and highlights available across multiple platforms.

The FA Cup third round is renowned for its potential for giant-killings, and this year’s edition promises to deliver drama, with lower-league clubs aiming to upset their more illustrious opponents. The draw for the fourth round will take place on Sunday, with matches scheduled for the weekend of February 8.