Liverpool will return to FA Cup play this weekend as Jurgen Klopp's squad travels to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal. This marquee matchup of the FA Cup 3rd Round is sure to bring the excitement when two clubs with impressive FA Cup histories face off.
Liverpool and Arsenal first played in the FA Cup in 1923, and it took two matches to decide a winner with the Reds winning the replay 4-1.
Over the next 100 years, Liverpool’s record against Arsenal has been less-than-stellar by the Reds’ high standards. The Reds have amassed a record of just 4-4-8 against the Gunners in the FA Cup.
One of the most exciting pieces of FA Cup history between these two teams occurred in the 1980 Semi-Finals. Until 1990, matches that ended in a tie resulted in replays until one team emerged victorious. The 1980 semi-final between Liverpool and Arsenal required 3 replays to decide a winner with Arsenal finally getting the better of Liverpool 0-1 in the third replay.
Liverpool’s last victory against Arsenal in the FA Cup came in the 2001 Final where the Reds defeated the Gunners 2-1. Liverpool's latest FA Cup title came in 2022, but the Gunners have also had very recent success in the FA Cup with their last title coming in 2020. Arsenal also hold the record for the most FA Cup titles with 14, but the Reds have an impressive 8 of their own as well.
Arsenal will come into Sunday’s match off two consecutive losses in the Premier League, while the Reds will enter the match off two consecutive wins. Liverpool currently sit 3 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Arsenal have dropped to the fourth spot and sit 5 points behind Jurgen Klopp's league leaders.
However, regardless of form, both teams know that they have to bring their best on Sunday to secure a spot in the FA Cup Fourth Round. This is sure to be a match with end-to-end action amidst a raucous crowd at the Emirates Stadium.