The Liverpool Senior Cup quarter-finals are taking place over the next two weeks.
After missing out on the trophy twice since 2013, AFC Liverpool will visit current holders, Southport, on Tuesday night. It will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs and it's a real David vs Goliath clash. The Little Reds compete in the ninth tier of English football (the North West Counties League Premier Division) while their opponents Southport play in the sixth (National League North).
The Sandgrounders were the last winners of the Liverpool Senior Cup, back in the 2018-19 season. The tournament was suspended because of coronavirus for the following two seasons and was not played in 2021-22. But after calls from fans and clubs for its return, the cup is back this season and Southport will be looking to win it for the 13th time. For AFC Liverpool, it is a chance to lift the trophy for the first time in the club's history.
The fan-owned club aren’t the only team looking to win the competition for the first time, though. Also on Tuesday, Runcorn Linnets face Litherland REMYCA. Both sides advanced through the second round after earning away wins.
The Linnets beat City of Liverpool 2-1 thanks to a winner from Zach Clarke, and despite going down to 10 men in the second half. Meanwhile, Litherland knocked South Liverpool out in a 3-2 win, with Tom Lawless scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute.
The third quarter-final encounter takes place a week on Tuesday (February 21) when Bootle host Tranmere Rovers. The following week (February 28) Marine entertain Everton.
Bootle got the better of Warrington Rylands on spot-kicks to reach the quarter-finals, fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw before penalties. Tranmere, meanwhile, progressed through a bye. The League Two outfit, who have won the cup 10 times, beat Bootle 2-0 in the 2013-14 final. Bootle had beaten AFC Liverpool in the final the season before.
Everton have won the competition more than any other club, lifting the trophy 46 times, with the most recent being in 2016. Marine won the competition for the seventh time eight years prior, and the Rossett Park faithful will be hoping for an underdog story, and revenge for their 2005 final defeat against the favourites.
