Fulham have the unenviable task of playing Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The two Premier League outfits will contest the first-leg in Merseyside, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm GMT.
The reverse fixture will then be contested at Craven Cottage on the 24th of January, with that match set to kick-off at 8pm GMT as well.
The Cottagers have already proved tricky customers for the Reds this season in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s men managed to beat Fulham in a scrappy 4-3 win full of world-class goals.
The German will likely want a more controlled game this evening with the second-leg still to come.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at three key battles that could decide the tie.
Joao Palhinha vs Curtis Jones/Alexis Mac Allister
There is no doubt that Fulham’s Joao Palhinha is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
A true destroyer, the Portugal international thrives out of possession.
If Palhinha manages to get a stranglehold on Liverpool’s midfield, it could spell trouble for the hosts.
His physicality might also present an issue, especially considering both Jones and Mac Allister are not the biggest/strongest players.
The Reds do not have an exact match to Palhinha’s defensive out-put, so they will need to ensure they are not wasteful in possession.
If Jurgen Klopp’s men are able to win the midfield battle and by-pass Palhinha, then the Reds will have a good chance of a positive result.
Antonee Robinson vs Conor Bradley
Antonee Robinson has enjoyed a fine campaign under manager Marco Silva.
He has arguably been Fulham’s best player this season.
The USA international has been in stellar form this season, he has played 19 times and garnered 3 assists.
So good has his form been that reports have even linked the 26-year-old with a switch to Anfield amid piling injuries at left-back.
Robinson has shown his attacking prowess this season, and will likely bomb forward against Conor Bradley,
The Northern Ireland international will have to ensure he balances his offensive and defensive responsibilities.
This evening’s game could be a crucial one for Bradley as he continues to stake his claim for a spot in Jurgen Klopp’s squad long-term.
Andreas Periera vs Virgil van Dijk/Ibrahima Konate
Andreas Periera has seen plenty of minutes in the Premier League this season, making 20 appearances while registering 6 goal contributions.
Playing just behind the striker, the Brazilian could pose some problems with his late runs and ability to strike the ball from outside the box.
Liverpool’s defensive pair will have to ensure they don’t lose track of the attacking midfielder during this evening’s clash.
Furthermore, Joao Palhinha’s presence will allow Periera to move into more offensive positions to hurt the Reds.
Marco Silva obviously trusts the former Manchester United man a great deal judging by the game-time he has received.
If he manages to combine with Raul Jimenez just in front of him, the Reds could run into trouble very quickly.