Liverpool Preview

So, here we are. The cup competitions have gifted us with a fantastic tie against one of the big Premiership teams for the second time in three years. After the double header against eventual FA Cup winners Manchester City, Notts County prepare to travel to none other than Liverpool, one of the most successful and best supported clubs in England, for a League Cup Second Round tie. Liverpool need no introduction. Their history is illustrious and trophy-laden. They have won the league a massive 18 times - though it is best not to mention they've never won it under its current format.

The Premier League - the FA Cup seven times, the UEFA Cup three times, and the pinnacle of European football, the European Cup / Champions' League five times.

Most crucially for Notts, they are the most successful side in the League Cup, having won it eight times. It's a competition they thrive in. All of the above makes it sound like a tall order for Notts County. To knock out a side of such pedigree in the second round would send shockwaves throughout the footballing world.

Notts, though, have played several big teams in the last couple of years, and the majority of the time, have given a very good account of themselves. We were ten minutes away from a famous win against Man City in 2011, held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in the Juventus Arena later on that year, and against Galatasaray, lost out only to a final-minute howitzer from World Cup finalist and Treble-winning Wesley Sneijder. So they should be able to step up their game and give it a good go. They'll have to, after the display against Stevenage.

Liverpool are in good form at the moment. They've won both their Premiership games 1-0 and have plenty of players that are in top form, such as Daniel Sturridge, who scored against Villa.

The Reds are expected to field a second-tier side, however, but this doesn't lessen the threat for the Magpies. Raheem Sterling's recent display against the Scotland Under 21s was nothing short of scintillating, while Fabio Borini netted twice against Manchester United U21s a week ago. Iago Aspas had a marvellous pre-season, netting four and assisting three, and the veteran Martin Skrtel is expected to line up in defence.

All in all this will prove a difficult game for Notts, but as I mentioned before, if the players can give it all they've got on the day, then who's to say we can't at least give them a scare? COYP!