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Sincil Bank has hosted its fair share of David versus Goliath clashes in recent years, perhaps none bigger than the upcoming visit of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
The Reds, fresh off winning their first Premier League title in thirty years, will play Lincoln City for the first time since their Second Division days in 1960/61. Bill Shankly’s Liverpool won both league games that season, 2-1 at Sincil Bank and 2-0 at Anfield. The Imps were subsequently relegated, while Liverpool went on to win the Second Division title the following year.
Since their last meeting, the clubs have gone in polar opposite directions. Liverpool went on to win 14 top-flight titles, seven FA Cups and six European Cups, amongst a whole host of other major honours. Lincoln, however, continued to fall down the Football League pyramid, eventually dropping into the Conference in 1987 and again in 2011.
Ironically, one of Lincoln’s most iconic moments came when they were in the fifth tier. Having beaten Guiseley, Altrincham and Oldham Athletic to reach the 2015/16 FA Cup Third Round, the Imps went on to knock out Championship sides Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion.
But Lincoln’s cup run wasn’t over there, as they beat Premier League outfit Burnley to become the first non-league team to reach the FA Cup Quarter-Finals since 1914. Despite dreams of a trip to Wembley, it wasn’t to be, as the Imps were beaten 5-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates.
This wasn’t the last of Lincoln’s brushes with a Premier League sides. The Imps travelled to Everton in the FA Cup Third Round just two years after their heroic cup run, losing 2-1. They faced the Toffees again the following season, this time in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup, losing 4-2 at Sincil Bank.
The Premier League champions pose a very different threat to their Merseyside rivals, however, as Jürgen Klopp’s side have consistently proven themselves to be one of the strongest teams in world football. If the Reds do have an Achilles’ heel, it would undoubtedly be their recent performances in domestic cup competitions.
Klopp’s interest in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup have been questioned before, with the former Borussia Dortmund manager often sending out heavily rotated sides or even youth teams, as seen last season in their 5-0 loss at Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup and their 1-0 win at home against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.
Perhaps this will be a season of change for the Reds, who’ve won almost everything there is to win in football under Klopp. The Carabao Cup and FA Cup are the only major trophies that have eluded the German during his time at Anfield and with stronger squad depth than in previous seasons, this may be Liverpool’s best opportunity to win a domestic trophy for the first time since 2012.
While the Reds won’t be starting the superstars that feature in their league and European campaigns, expect to see a strong lineup at Sincil Bank. New signing Diogo Jota looks set to make his first appearance after his move from Wolves, while the likes of Kostas Tsimikas, Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino could feature for the Reds. Klopp may also use this game to give opportunities to youngsters such as Neco Williams, Curtis Jones and Sepp van den Berg.
Lincoln City aren’t a team to be underestimated, however. Michael Appleton’s side secured a comfortable 16th place finish upon their first season back in League One last year but could be heading for bigger and better things after a strong start to the new campaign. The Imps won their opening league fixtures against Oxford United and MK Dons, as well as brushing aside Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City in the Carabao Cup to earn a shot against the Premier League champions.
The Imps have become renowned for their recent cup performances and will undoubtedly provide a stern test for Jürgen Klopp’s men.
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