Liverpool head into Friday's FA Cup third-round tie with Everton closing in on a new milestone against their city rivals.

Should the Reds avoid defeat at Anfield, they will set a new club record of 16 consecutive matches unbeaten against the Blues across all competitions.

For more fascinating pre-match facts, courtesy of club statistician Ged Rea, read on...

Liverpool have met Everton in the FA Cup more times than any other team. This will be the 18th FA Cup tie in which the Merseysiders have faced each other, with the Reds coming out on top in 10 of them.

However, the clubs have only met four times at Anfield in the competition, with all of those matches ending in draws.

The clubs last met in the FA Cup in the 2012 semi-final at Wembley, when Andy Carroll's 87th-minute header secured a 2-1 win for the Reds.  

Only Jordan Henderson, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman from the squads that day are still plying their trade for the Merseyside clubs.

Sadio Mane could play his 50th game for Liverpool this evening. His goal at Burnley on New Year's Day was his 21st for the Reds. 

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 17 games at Anfield in league and cup, winning 10 and drawing seven.

Indeed, the Reds are unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions - their longest run without defeat under Jürgen Klopp.