London: Liverpool will host city rivals Everton for the second time inside a month when they face-off in the third round of the FA Cup in early January after the draw was made on Monday.
Liverpool — who beat Everton in the 2012 semi-final, their last FA Cup meeting — also host their struggling neighbours in the Premier League next Sunday.
Everton have had a torrid time in the Premier League so far this season and failed to progress to the knockout stages in the Europa League, although they have the survival specialist Sam Allardyce now installed as manager.
Elsewhere, holders Arsenal’s first challenge is an away trip to second tier Nottingham Forest while Premier League leaders Manchester City face a potentially tricky home tie with Burnley.
Arsenal are not the only Premier League giant to face second tier opposition with Manchester United at home to Derby County and last season’s beaten finalists Chelsea away at Norwich.
Several Premier League sides could fall prey to giant killing exploits. Inconsistent Southampton travel to Fulham, and struggling West Ham and Swansea are away at third tier high-flyers Shrewsbury and Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.
French Cup
Holders Paris Saint-Germain face a trip to fellow Ligue 1 outfit Rennes in the French Cup last 64 following Monday’s draw, adds AFP.
The two sides faced each other in the last 32 a year ago, with PSG romping to a 4-0 success in Brittany. Champions Monaco face a trip to fourth tier Yzeure while Ligue 1’s other powerhouses Lyon and Marseille are up against Ligue 2 pair Nancy and Valenciennes respectively.
The lowest ranked teams in the draw come from the regional eighth tier with Still hosting top flight Troyes and Houilles entertaining Concarneau of the third division.
All matches are to be played on January 6-7.
— AFP
