Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's FA Cup replay between Liverpool and Exeter City at Anfield as the hosts look to avoid a major upset and book their place in the fourth round of the competition. They have already been held by their League Two opponents once, though, so the visitors will dare to dream that they can be the ones to put their name in the hat for the next round today. Let's start with a look at the two teams...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Randall, Ilori, Enrique, Smith; Brannagan, Allen, Stewart; Ibe, Teixeira, Benteke

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Flanagan, Kent, Sinclair, Ojo, Maguire, Chirivella

As we wait for Exeter's team news to filter through, let's take a more detailed look at Liverpool's starting XI. As expected, Jurgen Klopp has made a number of changes and brought many of the players who drew 2-2 in the original tie back into the side. It is another youthful XI named by the German, although there is more of a sprinkling of first-team players present in this side than there were at St James' Park.

It was a full house of 11 changes for that one earlier in the month, but Klopp has made just the 10 this evening. The one player to keep his place in the side from the defeat to Manchester United at the weekend is Simon Mignolet, who recently signed a new five-year deal at the club despite criticisms levelled at him on numerous occasions. Adam Bogdan is left on the bench as a result of Mignolet's inclusion.

Elsewhere, it is all change from that United game, although eight of the outfield players who start tonight did also start at St James's Park. That includes the entire back four, with Smith, who scored Liverpool's second goal in the 2-2 draw n Devon, once again starting on the left. Central defence is once again interesting as Jose Enrique makes a very rare start - and is handed the armband - while Tiago Ilori is also included having recently returned from an unsuccessful loan spell at Aston Villa.

Brannagan and Stewart remain from the midfield that played in the original tie, but Kent drops to the bench, which could also see a slight change in formation. Joe Allen, who got the assist for the winning goal against Stoke in the League Cup semi-final and the late equaliser against Arsenal in the Premier League recently, adds some valuable experience to the young side in the middle of the park.

The other new face from the match 12 days ago is Jordon Ibe, who does add to the youthful nature of the squad but also boasts more experience than the vast majority of those around him. He got that winning goal against Stoke in the League Cup and has shown flashes of a great deal of potential during his short Liverpool career so far. Teixeira is another highly-rated youngster at the club, and tonight he gets another chance to show Klopp what he can do.

Christian Benteke have been left out of the starting XI in the last two games, with Klopp preferring Firmino in a false nine role against Arsenal and Manchester United. Benteke has not been able to establish himself as the club's first-choice striker so far, despite the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge, and he may find opportunities even more limited when (...if?) Sturridge is back. It is also notable that Sinclair, who has reportedly refused to sign a new contract at the club, is left on the bench having scored his first ever senior goal in the original tie.

EXETER STARTING XI: Olejnik; Butterfield, Woodman, Ribeiro, Oakley, Holmes, Davies, Morrison, Nicholls, Moore-Taylor, Brown

EXETER SUBS: McAllister, Hoskins, Hamon, Tillson, Nichols, Grant, Wheeler

As for Exeter, they make three changes to the side that beat Leyton Orient at the weekend, including the rather surprising move to leave Tom Nichols on the bench. The striker has been in good form this season and netted at the weekend, but his absence is perhaps the clearest sign of how Exeter will approach this game.

In addition to no Nichols, Stockley has also been left out by manager Paul Tisdale despite netting twice at the weekend to help his side turn things around against Leyton Orient. The visitors are expected to play with only one striker and pack 10 men behind the ball at most times. Morrison, who is one of the new faces in the side along with Oakley and Davies, is the man who will lead what is likely to be a lonely line for the most part.

There is no doubt who the favourites are for this match tonight, and anything other than a Liverpool victory would certainly be a big surprise. However, they will be wary of Exeter, not only because of the result in the original tie, but also because their own form lately gives no guarantees that they will be anywhere near their best this evening.

Consistency has been the main issue for Liverpool this season, and that is something that hasn't changed since Klopp's arrival. It is hard to know what Liverpool will turn up, although rough guidelines do seem to be able to be made around the calibre of opposition. They have generally played their best football against the best teams - such as Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal - and even in defeat to United at the weekend they were the better side.

It will also be interesting to see how Liverpool react to that defeat. It was a match they really shouldn't have lost, and the manner of it would have been made even more hard to take considering it came against their fiercest rivals. Liverpool were on top for long spells as Anfield, forcing De Gea into a number of important saves without ever being able to find a breakthrough. United, on the other hand, scoring with their only shot on target throughout the 90 minutes as Rooney slammed home a rebound with less than 15 minutes remaining.

The goal stemmed from a corner, which has been a major source of weakness for Liverpool this season, particularly under Klopp. They have conceded more goals from corners than any other side in the Premier League this season, and you can be sure that Exeter will look to test that route out at every available opportunity tonight, particularly considering the second-string defence named by Klopp.

That defeat to United means that they have only won one of their last five games in all competitions and just three of their last 11, drawing four and losing four in that time too. All three of those victories have been by a solitary goal to nil as well - they haven't won by more than that since their 6-1 drubbing of Southampton in the League Cup at the start of December. At home their record stands at one loss in six, but they have drawn more matches than they have won at Anfield this season.

Things are a little better in the FA Cup, however, with Liverpool losing just one of their last eight matches in the competition following their run to the semi-finals last season. They haven't been eliminated in the third round since a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in 2011. They have also never lost to a team from the fourth tier in the FA Cup, winning 11 of their 14 matches and drawing the other three.

Liverpool's last FA Cup defeat at Anfield came all the way back in January 2010, when they lost to Reading after extra time, while their last loss in normal time was in February 2008. They are unbeaten in seven home FA Cup outings since that loss to Reading, keeping clean sheets in each of the last three. However, they have also failed to score in their last two, and another blank this evening would see them go three consecutive home FA Cup games without scoring for the first time ever.

That is the challenge that awaits Exeter, then, and the odds certainly seem stacked against them tonight. The same was true at St James' Park, of course, but with Liverpool boasting home advantage and a bit more first-team experience in their side tonight, it is likely to be even more difficult for the League Two visitors. However, they come into the match with nothing to lose and you can be sure that, at the very least, they will give it a good go.

It would certainly be an historic result for Exeter to beat Liverpool, yet alone at Anfield. The Grecians have not beaten top-flight opposition in the FA Cup since 1981, when they edged past Leicester in a fourth round replay, while throughout the years they have won only three of their 32 meetings with sides from the top tier in this competition. It is not a record that will fill the visitors with much hope on their long journey up.

That victory over Leicester was actually the last time that they have reached the fourth round of the competition, and their third-round win was a memorable one on that occasion too. They overcame Manchester United 4-2 to continue their progress in the competition, and will be looking for a similarly-sized upside this evening in order to end that 35-year wait for a spot in the fourth round.

The FA Cup pedigree between these two sides could not be much more different. Liverpool have won the FA Cup seven times in all, but Exeter's best performance has seen them reach the quarter-finals twice, in 1930-31 and 1980-81. It may well be a 50-year wait before the next one too, although Exeter do deserve credit for even making it this far. They eased to an expected victory over Didcot Town in the first round before seeing off high-level opposition in the form of Port Vale in the second.

In terms of league performance, it hasn't all gone to plan for Exeter so far this season but they are still in with a realistic shout of making the playoffs. Six points separate them from the top seven as things stand and, with the gap to relegation a comfortable 17 points, they can afford to be focusing all of their attention looking up the table.

Things haven't been going too well of late, though. Their 3-1 victory over Leyton Orient, in which Orient missed two penalties in the final 10 minutes, was Exeter's first win in seven matches in all competitions, and their first win in League Two since November. All of the goals came in the first half of that remarkable match, with Exeter finding themselves behind after less than a minute, but hitting back quickly with three goals before the break.

That was another win on the road for the Grecians, and they have actually been just as good on their travels as they have at home this season. They have lost just one of their away games since October, winning four of the six they have played since then. They may even be more comfortable at Anfield than they were at St James' Park!

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! Exeter may not make things easy for Liverpool, but they will do very well to get anything out of this game tonight. Even with Liverpool's youthful side, they should have enough to get the win, and I'm going for 2-0.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale admitted this week that he was actually a little disappointed at only earning a draw in the first fixture, having twice taken the lead against their more illustrious opponents. They were 2-1 ahead with less than 20 minutes remaining when Smith levelled things up too, so it was a case of so near, yet so far for the hosts on that occasion.

The disappointment will be mixed with pride, though. Never before in their five meetings prior to this season had Exeter avoided defeat against Liverpool, and in their only previous FA Cup meeting Liverpool had run out 3-1 winners in 1950.

The last time these two sides met at Anfield was back in October 1981 in the League Cup second round, and Liverpool as expected ran out convincing winners on that occasion. Their list of goalscorers reads like a who's who of Liverpool legends, with Dalglish, Rush (two), McDermott and Whelan all on the scoresheet in a 5-0 rout.

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now. What a big game this is for these Exeter players, although Paul Tisdale will be confident that his injections of experience, with the likes of Oakley and Morrison, will help the other players to deal with the Anfield atmosphere.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Exeter get us underway as they look to spring a major FA Cup shock an Anfield.

As expected, Liverpool are controlling the early possession here, knocking the ball among themselves without making too much headway into the Exeter half so far. The visiting fans, incidentally, are in five voice here.

SAVE! Sharp play from Benteke as he collects the ball inside the area with his back to goal, taking a touch and turning with a defender in very close proximity. He does get a shot away, but doesn't get enough on it to really trouble Olejnik.

Exeter are really struggling to get their foot on the ball in these early stages. They played so well in the first leg, but the addition of a couple more experienced first-teamers for Liverpool is helping them enjoy a greater deal of control.

Important touch for Olejnik as he gets a hand to a good cross from Teixeira, which he threw into the box with the outside of his boot. Benteke is waiting behind the keeper, but Olejnik manages to claw it away.

He's turning into a goal machine! Joe Allen gives Liverpool an early lead, but it was a simple finish for the midfielder after a slick team move to create the chance. Benteke slid the ball through to the overlapping Smith on the left side of the area, and his cut-back from the byline allowed Allen to just stroke it home from close range.

That is exactly what Liverpool would have wanted, taking an early lead here, and they look capable of adding a few more the way things are going too. The difference in quality between these two sides was hard to spot in the first match, but it is all too evident now.

Liverpool are getting into the final third too easily at the moment. The majority of attacks are breaking down in and around the Exeter area, but they are being allowed to advance that far without much of a challenge.

The same thing happens again here as Ibe and Teixeira link up to find Benteke in the box, but his attempt to beat a defender sees the ball roll through to the keeper.

Liverpool have enjoyed 70% possession so far in this match, and it is hard to see that figure dropping too much the way things are going. Exeter just cannot get into this game at all.

CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool to get a second! Teixeira stands a perfect ball up into the middle for Benteke, who connects with his header flush on the forehead. He really should score, but the ball goes narrowly over the crossbar. Olejnik may have got the slightest touch there, but a goal kick is given.

Ibe has looked bright so far tonight and he goes for goal from range here, only for a tame effort to be easily gathered by the keeper. It comes straight back at Exeter, but Benteke's own long-range effort is weak and well wide.

The main thing for Exeter now is just to hang on for as long as possible. That may not be possible, and the way things are going it would be a surprise if Liverpool don't add another before half time, but Exeter just need to keep the deficit at one if they can. Their only hope at the moment seems to be to nick one on the break or from a set piece.

Another half-chance for Benteke as a cross arrives to him at the back post, but the angle is against him and he can only plant his header into the side-netting.

SAVE! Good chance for Liverpool to test the keeper with a free kick in a very presentable position. Benteke's effort is straight into the wall, but he picks up the rebound and gives it to Brannagan, whose low strike is pushed behind for a corner by Olejnik.

Exeter make a rare foray into the Liverpool half as they win possession back high up the field, but Nicholls's cross flies straight into the arms of Mignolet. That is the sum of Exeter's threat so far.

CLOSE! Exeter finally manage to get out of their own half for a spell, but Liverpool immediately hit back on the break and come close to a second. The ball is worked across to Brannagan, who lashes and effort just over from 20 yards.

Almost a big mistake from Butterfield as he is caught in possession on the edge of his own box, but Olejnik is alert and comes out to collect the ball before further damage can be done.

Exeter have grown into the game a little more over the last 10 minutes or so, which Paul Tisdale will be pleased with. They have still shown no signs of testing Mignolet, but they at least don't particularly look like conceding at the other end either.

Most of Liverpool's best moments in this match have come down the flanks, including Smith's overlapping run for the goal. They are playing to Benteke's strengths, putting a number of crosses into the box for the Belgian to attack.

Smith is fortunate to get away without a yellow card here for a cynical tug back to prevent a break.

Paul Tisdale will be relatively content if they can reach half time only trailing by one here. His side have been second best throughout, but have managed to stem the side a little over the last 15 minutes or so.

SAVE! Olejnik is called into action again here as Ibe cuts inside before letting fly with a powerful effort from just inside the box. It is too close to the Exeter keeper, however, and he pushes it behind for a corner.

CLOSE! Ibe comes close again for a corner moments later, with Liverpool playing it short to the youngster who then cuts inside into the box. He creates a yard to shoot and hits another powerful effort towards goal that just misses the target.

It is all very comfortable for Liverpool at the moment, but they will want that second goal just to give them insurance against any unlikely breakaway goal from the visitors. There aren't too many signs that one will come before half time, though.

Another sight of goal for Benteke as he comes forward down the left channel before cutting onto his right foot and looking to steer the ball into the bottom corner. However, it hits a defender before it can cause Olejnik any problems.

There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this match.

The referee brings an end to the first half at Anfield, then, and it is Liverpool who have a deserved lead over League Two Exeter. It has been pretty much one-way traffic throughout so far, although Liverpool have failed to turn that level of dominance into goals. The gap is just one at the break, but it has been very comfortable for the hosts.

The only goal of the game so far came after just 10 minutes, and it was a well-worked one from the home side. Benteke slipped the ball into the path of Smith down the left side of the area, and his pull-back from the byline found Allen. Olejnik had left his goal to meet Smith, which left Allen with a simple finish to give his side the lead.

Aside from that, Liverpool have created one other gilt-edged chance that they really should have scored when Teixeira stood the ball up into the middle for Benteke. The Belgian rose to meet it and got plenty behind his header, but he put it narrowly too high when he had to at least hit the target.

Benteke has had a few sights of goal so far which he hasn't been able to make the most of, but he isn't the only one to have threatened. Brannagan came close with a couple of efforts in the space of five minutes when his first low strike was tipped behind for a corner by Olejnik. He then popped up on the edge of the box once more following a quick Liverpool break, but his 20-yard effort was just too high.

Ibe also came close with two efforts in quick succession towards the end of the half as his powerful strike was tipped behind for a corner, from which he collected the ball, cut inside and sent another shot narrowly over the bar. That second goal has so far eluded Liverpool, however, and they will be keen to get it sooner rather than later.

KICKOFF: We're back underway for the second half, and the first thing to tell you is that Exeter have made two changes at the break. One of them was expected as surprise omission Tom Nichols replaces Morrison, while Will Hoskins also comes on for Butterfield.

Immediately Exeter get forward and have their first shot of the night. It isn't a good one, as Nicholls hammers a half-volley a long way off target, but it at least shows a bit more intent than they did in the opening 45 minutes.

Bright run forward from Randall on the right as he bursts into the box and almost draws a foul for a penalty. He stays on his feet, though, before knocking the ball back for Ibe, whose cross is dealt with.

Good period of sustained pressure from Liverpool as they keep the ball in and around the Exeter area without ever really getting a good shot away before the linesman's flag is raised.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Big moment for Jon Flanagan as he finally makes his long-awaited return from injury. Randall is the man replaced, and Anfield rises as one to welcome Flanagan back to the fold. It has been 18 months out for the full-back, whose last game came for England in a 2014 World Cup warm-up.

It is one-way traffic again for Liverpool right now. Exeter are simply surviving here really, with Liverpool being patient in their search for that second goal.

OFF THE BAR! Liverpool are centimetres from getting that second goal here! It is a thunderous effort from Ibe as he cuts in from the right and hammers a striker towards the top corner. It slams off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down and out. Part of the ball did cross the line, but not all of it was over so Ibe's wait for a first Anfield goal goes on. He won't get any closer without scoring!

Another opportunity for Liverpool to test Olejnik in the Exeter goal here as Benteke wins a free kick from Brown. It is a little wider than they might like, but it is within shooting range.

Instead he crosses the ball, and it is easily nodded away. Waste of a good position there.

Liverpool have enjoyed 80% possession in the last five minutes here. These Exeter players must be tiring quickly, and there is still half an hour to go. They have a few players above the age of 30 in their side and have been chasing the ball for the vast majority of this match.

CHANCE! Chance for Benteke again as he breaks through in between the two centre-backs and into the box. He is under pressure from the defender but still manages to get a toe to the ball, poking it goalwards. However, Olejnik is out well and smothers the danger.

CHANCE! Exeter have their first hint of a chance this evening as the ball arrives into the box for Holmes to get his head to, but his downward header lacks the power needed to really trouble Mignolet.

CLOSE! Ibe has been Liverpool's danger man tonight, and he comes close again here, cutting inside from the right before playing a one-two on his way into the box. The ball is returned slightly behind Ibe, but he fashions an unorthodox effort to steer the ball narrowly wide.

EXETER SUB: A third and final change of the evening for the visitors as Oakley is replaced by David Wheeler.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The hosts make a change of their own as Allen, whose goal is the difference as things stand, is replaced by Sheyi Ojo.

That Liverpool change has seen a slight tweak in tactics, with Ibe moving over to the left and Ojo replacing him on the right.

Chance for Exeter to break here as a low ball into the box is just about dealt with. The visitors counter with four on four, but they can't make the most of it and in the end have to settle for a free kick that comes to nothing.

More chances for Liverpool here as first Ibe comes forward down the left before dropping the ball back for Teixeira, who sees his effort very well blocked by Brown. Brannagan then miscues an effort to Ojo, whose own shot is weak and easy for Olejnik to collect.

Finally Liverpool get that second goal, and after all of their hard work Ojo makes it look so simple. The sub collects the ball on the right side of the area and is given a yard of space by Woodman standing off him. He takes full advantage of that too, stroking a delightful finish into the top corner. Cool as you like for a young man scoring his first Liverpool goal in front of the Kop!

Exeter's threat had been beginning to grow ever so slightly as the match was wearing on, so that goal will get rid of any tension for Liverpool. Barring a minor miracle for Exeter, Liverpool will be playing in the fourth round against West Ham.

Stewart's poor touch allows Holmes to collect the ball and attack the Liverpool defence as Exeter go in search of a goal that might just give them a route back into the match. However, Holmes can't make anything of the good attacking platform.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The hosts make their third and final change of the match as Ibe departs to be replaced by Pedro Chirivella.

That is game well and truly over as Liverpool add their third of the evening. Benteke is the creator, driving forward and beating a number of defenders before cutting back and waiting for support. He picks out a pass to Teixeira, who gives the keeper the eyes before sweeping the ball home at the near post.

Liverpool don't seem like they are completely settling for just three. Exeter must be running pretty much on empty now, but Liverpool continue to knock the ball about and ask questions of the visitors. I wouldn't be surprised to see another one fly in before this one is over.

Important piece of defending from Ilori and Exeter get behind the Liverpool defence for the first time. Nicholls plays the ball through to Wheeler, who in turn plays it across the face of goal. It would be a tap-in if there was an Exeter player on the end of it, but Ilori is there to clear the danger.

SAVE! Olejnik keeps the score at three with a flying one-handed stop to deny Benteke, although that was perhaps one for the cameras.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this match.

Liverpool book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup, then, courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 victory over Exeter at Anfield. The hosts controlled the vast majority of the match and enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but it took them a while to get the second goal which really killed Exeter off. Joe Allen gave Liverpool the lead after just 10 minutes, and it was Sheyi Ojo and Joao Teixeira, both with their first goals for the club, who sealed it.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Liverpool set up a meeting with West Ham in the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Exeter. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!