FA Cup Draw: Liverpool To Host Bolton At Anfield In Fourth Round

Liverpool FC almost can see its next FA Cup opponent from its own backyard.

Liverpool was pitted against Bolton Wanderers on Monday when England’s Football Association held the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Reds will host the Wanderers either Jan. 24 or Jan. 25 at Anfield, LiverpoolFC.com reports.

Liverpool progressed to the fourth round Monday after defeating Wimbledon 2-1 at Kingsmeadow. The Reds are vying to win the FA Cup for the eighth time and send off captain Steven Gerrard to America with a winners’ medal.

Liverpool will face a club based just 25 miles away in its next test in the soccer world’s oldest competition. The teams faced off regularly between 2001 and 2012 when Bolton was a mainstay in the Premier League. Bolton was relegated in 2012 and currently is making its second attempt at returning to the top flight.

Bolton booked a place in the fourth round by defeating Wigan on Saturday. Bolton currently sits 15th in the Championship (England’s second division) standings, and a deep FA Cup run could lift spirits at Macron Stadium.

Bolton’s new-look lineup features two attackers with whom Liverpool fans are familiar. Eidur Gudjohnsen, 36, played for Chelsea from 2000 to 2006. Emile Heskey, 36, played for Liverpool from 2000 to 2004. Both now are leading the charge for manager Neil Lennon’s team, as it hopes to improve its fortunes and return to the Premier League in the not-too-distant future. American defender Tim Ream also plays regularly for Bolton.

Liverpool and Bolton haven’t met in the FA Cup since the third round of the competition in 1993. The teams initially played to 2-2 draw. Liverpool then won the replay 2-0.

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Thumbnail photo via LiverpoolFC.com