An out-of-sorts Liverpool will travel to the South Coast tonight to face an in-form AFC Bournemouth for a place in the Capital One Cup Semi-Finals.
The Reds have been struggling in the Premier League this term and also suffered a Champions League Group Stage exit, while Bournemouth have been excelling in the Sky Bet Championship.Eddie Howe's men are currently riding a 12-match unbeaten run, which was extended at the weekend with a pulsating 5-3 victory against Cardiff City, and that result moved them to the summit of The Football League.
Brendan Rodgers' Reds are 11th in the top flight and haven't won for three matches but, after being eliminated from the European Cup, they will see added value in advancing into the Semi-Finals of the Capital One Cup, and one step closer to silverware under the arch at Wembley.
ROUTE TO ROUND 5
Bournemouth are appearing in the League Cup Quarter-Finals for the first time in their history and overcame Premier League opposition in Round 4, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 to end a run of 16 matches without triumphing against a top-flight team in the Capital One Cup.
Prior to their beating of the Baggies, the Cherries saw off Cardiff City, Northampton Town and Exeter City, netting eight goals in that period without conceding.
Liverpool were trailing 1-0 late on against Swansea City in the previous round before managing to turn the game on its head and win 2-1.
That comeback victory came after a thrilling 14-13 penalty shoot-out win against Middlesbrough in the Third Round, following a 2-2 draw over 90 minutes at Anfield.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Bournemouth and Liverpool have locked horns five times in cup competitions since their inaugural meeting in the 1926/27 FA Cup.
Their first encounter ended 1-1 before Liverpool won the replay 4-1 at Anfield, and it was the same story in 1967/68, although the opening clash finished goalless during that campaign.
The most recent game involving these two came in last season's FA Cup when Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge were on target as the Reds ran out 2-0 winners on the South Coast.
Upset; what upset? Liverpool have never lost a Capital One Cup match against a lower-division team over 90 minutes, winning seven and drawing three.
TEAM NEWS
Eddie Howe has a strong squad to choose from and top scorer Callum Wilson is expected to make his first Capital One Cup start to lead the line, after he netted the all-important winner in the previous round.
Man on form: Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling has scored four goals and provided one assist in his four Capital One Cup outings this term.
Brad Jones will be in goal for Liverpool again after he replaced Simon Mignolet for the weekend loss to Manchester United.
Mario Balotelli came on as a substitute against United and could be recalled to the starting line-up. The Italian was crucial in Liverpool's Round 4 progression, grabbing the equaliser against the Swans before Dejan Lovren secured the win.
IN THE MEDIA
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk: “For me we are big underdogs. Whenever you are Bournemouth and you are playing Liverpool, that’s how it will be.
“I think a lot of over-reaction has occurred to Liverpool’s recent form. I think they’re a top quality side, very well managed and coached, with some outstanding players.
“So for us to have any chance we are going to have to be at our very best and have a lot of luck as well.”
In his pre-match press conference, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com: "We wanted to have a right go at all of the cup competitions this year and the game on Wednesday will be an opportunity for us to get into the Semi-Final.
"We're in competitions to win trophies, so if we can get the victory against Bournemouth and get through, the aim for us would be to hopefully go on and win the competition. That's why we're in it.
"As a team that traditionally gets stronger as the season goes on, we've got great belief that we can still finish the season very strongly, both in the league and the cups. We just need a little bit of luck and a break, and I think we'll get that. When we do and we get some consistent results, we can push on."
SPLIT LOYALTIES
Jamie Redknapp started out as a schoolboy at Tottenham Hotspur but began his professional career with Bournemouth in 1989 at the age of 16, under the tutelage of his father Harry.
He made 13 appearances for the club before signing for Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool for a six-figure fee, aged only 17.
At the time he was one of the most expensive teenagers in English football and he went on to make over 300 appearances in the red of Liverpool, lifting the League Cup during his time on Merseyside.
COVERAGE
Sky Sports’ coverage from the Goldsands Stadium starts at 7.30pm and we’ll have official updates through the match on Twitter via @CapitalOne_Cup. Join in the conversation using the hash tag #CapitalOneCup.