PreviewDiogo Jota: It doesn't get much tougher, but we can go there and win

The Reds begin their participation in this season's tournament with a visit to the Gunners on Sunday afternoon.

Jürgen Klopp's men faced Mikel Arteta's side just two weeks ago in the Premier League at Anfield, when an absorbing encounter ended 1-1.

Liverpool have since beaten Burnley and Newcastle United in the top flight, while Arsenal are seeking to bounce back from consecutive defeats versus West Ham United and Fulham.

Jota told Liverpoolfc.com: "Arsenal [are] a great team, no doubt about it. They are maybe not in the best run of form at the moment, but they are a big team and the game they played at Anfield was proof of that.

"It was a lot of intensity, teams really going for each other, and we dug out a draw that was not what we wanted, but they were able to do that.

"Now, like I said, they are not in the best run of form, so maybe they look at this cup as a very important competition for them. We go there, it's going to be tough, 100 per cent, but we can go there and win."

The Portugal international, who is fit again after a month out due to injury, continued: "I think no-one really expected [Arsenal to drop points] but games in December come really quick, fast, and they are Premier League games, so it is always hard.

"I think they have that extra advantage of trying to make things right and they lost their last game at home, so they don't want to do it again for sure.

"We know that's going to be psychologically an advantage for them, but it will still be a football game and like I said, we are able to go there and win.

"I think especially in the first round that we are in [the competition] we get this trip to Arsenal, it doesn't get much tougher, but it's part of the draw and we know that we can go there and beat them and that's what we want to do."

Jota was part of the Liverpool team that lifted the FA Cup trophy in May 2022, scoring the penultimate penalty in the Wembley shootout win over Chelsea before Kostas Tsimikas' decisive strike.

The forward firmly understands the tradition of the competition and is aiming for success once more this term.

"Yes, I followed a lot of football [growing up], especially English football and for sure this cup," Jota finished.

"The FA Cup is the one with most history, I would say, in the world. Obviously we follow that in Portugal, it's massive. I was lucky enough to be here when we won it, and we want to do it again."