Why Roy Hodgson Is Under Most Pressure for Liverpool Following Palace Game

Liverpool came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round, and Brendan Rodgers' side are now 90 minutes away from a semi-final at Wembley.

The result continued Liverpool's excellent run of form, meaning that bar the extra-time defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final, they are now unbeaten in 16 games, stretching back to the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford back in mid-December.

Attention now turns to two more important games this week, with the visit of Besiktas in the Europa League last 32 on Thursday followed by a tough trip to Southampton on Sunday.

Before then, though, Liverpool fans will be eagerly awaiting the draw to see who stands between them and a visit to Wembley for the first time since the 2012 FA Cup final.

The quarter-finals will take place on the weekend of March 7, sandwiched between Premier League games against Swansea City and Burnley for Rodgers' side.

Liverpool's fate though lies in the hands of former manager and England boss Roy Hodgson, who will make the draw on Monday evening at Preston North End's Deepdale Stadium. 

"

.@England boss Roy Hodgson will make the draw for The #FACup 6th Rnd tomorrow. Draw numbers: http://t.co/9xdfqAs81q pic.twitter.com/l0tdouDNC8

— The FA (@FA) February 15, 2015"

Liverpool will be hoping for a favourable tie, unlike the one that saw them paired with Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final earlier this season—rather than Sheffield United or Tottenham Hotspur—and drew this brilliant reaction from Graeme Souness when Jamie Redknapp pulled out the ball: 

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The look on Souness' face when Liverpool draw Chelsea! Haha! https://t.co/hJacaZMHRN

— TrianglePassing (@TrianglePassing) December 18, 2014"

Of course, given Liverpool's buoyant form and character at the moment, they'll feel they can beat any of the sides left in the competition, especially if they get a home draw.

But given their very busy fixture schedule—the Palace match being their 18th game in 66 days—a home draw against one of the less fancied sides would be nice.

There is a concern among some supporters that Rodgers is jeopardising the Reds' Champions League qualification aspirations by placing so much attention on the FA Cup and playing full-strength sides in each round.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

We've already seen Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard pick up injuries in the week following the FA Cup fourth-round replay at Bolton. Coutinho has since looked off the pace in the proceeding games against Everton, Tottenham and Palace.

Rodgers is clearly eager to get a trophy in his third season in charge at Anfield and will continue playing full-strength sides now his side are three wins away from picking up their first silverware since the League Cup success under Kenny Dalglish in 2012.

Therefore, a home tie against anyone other than Arsenal or Manchester United—provided they both progress—would be preferred, please, Roy.