Paul Tisdale urges Exeter City to show no fear at Anfield

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale takes his side to Anfield on Wednesday and has urged his players to show no fear when they face Liverpool.

The Grecians held Jurgen Klopp’s side to a 2-2 draw at St James Park in the first game of this year’s Emirates FA Cup third round to earn themselves a second shot at the Premier League giants.

And as they prepare for the replay, Tisdale wants to see his players approach this tie the same way they did for the first meeting.

"There's no point us going into the game expecting to lose, we have to spin every positive we can," said Tisdale.

"We'd love to be through to the next round. The reality is that's going to be some ask, but why not?

"We don't very often play at Anfield in this type of fixture. It's a big tie and it does give some reward to the Exeter supporters and supporters at this level to watch their team play in this type of match."

Klopp selected a young line-up for the first game and has stated he is likely to do similar again on Wednesday.

But Tisdale believes Exeter can use that to their advantage in a bid to reach the fourth round for the first time since 1981.

"It'll be a very different environment to the game at St James Park a few weeks ago, albeit the two teams might be similar," added Tisdale, who had never managed a team in the third round of The FA Cup until this season despite being one of the longest serving managers in the Football League.

"I don't know what team Mr Klopp will select but he might pick the same. It'll be a different set of circumstances, a different environment and a different playing surface.

"I think we've just got to go into the game believing that it's possible and no fear, just play, and see what happens."

The tie is being screened live on BT Sport and must be decided on Wednesday, with the winners facing West Ham United at home in the fourth round.

And even if the game is to be decided by a penalty shootout, that is a proposition which Tisdale would relish.

"If you offered me penalties now, I'd take it," he said.

"It'd be no mean feat going toe to toe for 120 minutes and getting to that point, so if we have that opportunity then fantastic.

"We'll prepare the best we can."