Friday 6 January 2017

ADAMS SET TO FACE KLOPP

Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams knows a thing or two about causing cup upsets.

In his previous role as Ross County manager, Adams memorably led the Staggies to a Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Celtic in 2010 and is now set to face one of the giants of the English game, Liverpool, in the third round of the FA Cup.

County won 2-0 at Hampden Park on that occasion and Adams isn't the only link between the Staggies' team of then and the Plymouth Argyle side of now as right-back Gary Miller featured for County that day.

Miller's fellow Argyle teammate and compatriot David Goodwillie has experience of facing Liverpool in his career, having been part of the Blackburn Rovers squad that drew 1-1 with the Reds on Boxing Day 2011.

Another source of inspiration for the Pilgrims ahead of their first meeting with the Reds since the final day of the 1961-62 campaign is the heroics performed by local rivals Exeter City last season.

The Grecians drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the first tie at St James Park which, incidentally, was Reds manager Jurgen Klopp's first taste of the world's oldest knock out competition. In the replay, Liverpool eventually came out on top winning 3-0.

Due to their busy fixture schedule, it is highly plausible that the Reds may opt to field a second string side, as they did against Exeter, with goalkeeper Loris Kauris, left-back Alberto Moreno and midfielder Joe Gomez likely to start.

Therefore if the Pilgrims were to force a replay, which would take place at Home Park approximately ten days later, then - as the history of the competition has proved - anything can happen.