Livermore enticed by 'carrot' of the Cup as Hull see Wembley on the horizon



Jake Livermore believes the prospect of a home quarter-final can see Hull over the line in their FA Cup fifth-round replay against Brighton.

The Tigers looked to be heading out of the competition when they visited the Amex Stadium last week, but Ivorian striker Yannick Sagbo forced the return fixture when he made it 1-1 in the closing minutes.

The timing of the match has brought plenty of puzzled looks, with both sides asked to play again little more than 48 hours after their last league encounters.

Wembley calling: Jake Livermore, seen here scoring against Cardiff on Saturday, is determined to lead Hull City into the last eight of the FA Cup when they face Brighton in a fifth round replay on Monday night

Decisive blows: Hull were outstanding as they beat Cardiff City 4-0 away from home on Saturday, easing their Premier League relegation fears. Here, Livermore sweeps home the final goal past goalkeeper David Marshall

FA CUP FIXTURES

Monday

Sheffield Wednesday vs Charlton Athletic (Fifth Round, 7.45pm)

Hull City vs Brighton (Fifth Round Replay, 7.45pm)



Saturday March 8

Arsenal vs Everton (Sixth Round, 12.45pm)

Brighton or Hull vs Sunderland (Sixth Round, 3pm)

Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday or Charlton (sixth Round, 3pm)



Sunday March 9

Manchester City vs Wigan Athletic (Sixth Round, 4pm)



Any weariness in the Hull ranks will have been mitigated by the importance of their 4-0 win at Cardiff, and now all eyes are on the cup and a potential Wembley visit.

The winners will meet Sunderland on home turf in the last eight and Livermore sees that as a prize well worth fighting for.

'Every game is massive but we've been dangled a great carrot with another home tie after this one,' Livermore told Tigers Player.

'It's a massive thing for the club to keep striving for. We want to be a big club and we want to win things.

'We had an amazing amount of fans at Cardiff and we owe them something to look forward to as well as ourselves.'

Livermore, on a season-long loan from Tottenham, has been a key figure for Hull in their first term back in the top flight.

He was among a number of first-choice players rested in the early rounds of both knockout competitions but his impressive fitness levels mean he could be one of those asked to play for the second time in three days.



Try again: Livermore in the fifth round clash at Brighton that ended 1-1

Saved: Yannick Sagbo spared Hull's blushes at the Amex Stadium by scoring a late goal

If that is the case, he would relish the challenge.

'Of course I want to play. I'm 24 years of age and this is the first run of games I've had for a long time,' he added.

'It's a massive thing to look forward to.'

Changes can be expected elsewhere, though, with manager Steve Bruce wary of incurring further injuries to a thin squad that may already be missing Paul McShane and Robbie Brady for the rest of the campaign.

All smiles: Steve Bruce was delighted by Hull's emphatic performance at Cardiff

Central defender Alex Bruce and Livermore's one-time Tottenham team-mate Tom Huddlestone both suffered knocks at Cardiff and are at the head of the queue for a break.

Abdoulaye Faye is next in line at the back, while Stephen Quinn, Robert Koren and George Boyd are all hoping for recalls in the middle.

Bruce's arm has been twisted in attack, with on-form strike pairing Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long cup-tied with Everton and West Brom respectively.

'It'll be a case of those who are fit are in,' said Bruce.