The differing luck that Liverpool and Manchester City experience in the FA Cup has been highlighted emphatically, after the Reds drew Manchester United in Monday’s fourth round draw.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have been pitted against their bitter rivals in the next round, making the trip to Old Trafford next weekend, after hosting them in the Premier League on Sunday.
Meanwhile, City will face League Two outfit Cheltenham Town, as their extremely kind run of opponents continue.
As I revealed on Twitter on Monday, Arsenal are the only ‘big six’ side they have in the FA Cup since the start of the 2017/18 season, with endless winnable fixtures handed to them.
Man City's FA Cup opponents since 2017/18:
Burnley
Cardiff
Wigan
Rotherham
Burnley
Newport
Swansea
Brighton
Watford
Port Vale
Fulham
Sheff Wed
Newcastle
Arsenal (final)
Birmingham
CheltenhamStaggering stuff, no wonder they always go far!
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) January 11, 2021
On the flip side, Liverpool have faced Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa twice apiece in the domestic cup in the last four years, as well as Wolves, Leicester City and United once.
Chelsea twice, Everton twice, Arsenal twice, Aston Villa twice, Wolves, Leicester, and now Man United in the last four seasons of domestic cup football lmao christ.
— Ryan (@ryan3levis) January 11, 2021
Read Liverpool Verdict
Frankly, it’s no wonder City go so far in the domestic cup competitions every year, considering how easy they have had it.
Not only does it allow Pep Guardiola’s side an easy passage towards the final, but it also means he can rest players for the league, as well as cruising through matches without as much risk of injury and fatigue.
It is simply the luck of the draw at the end of the day, so City have done nothing wrong, but it would be nice to see them challenged a little more, and see Liverpool have more fortune with their opponents.
