DEAN Court favourite Darren Anderton reckons Cherries are capable of causing a colossal FA Cup upset against Liverpool – providing they get off to a flyer.

Anderton, who turned out for Cherries at the tail end of his career, made his name with some sparkling displays for Portsmouth in the world’s oldest cup competition as a youngster during the early 1990s.

His goal in the semi-final against Liverpool in 1992 captured the imagination of English football’s big guns as the wing wizard shot to prominence with a big move to the top flight with Tottenham Hotspur.

England call-ups quickly followed with the wandering wideman clocking up 30 caps during his eight-year international career.

And on the back of a steady start to life in the Championship, Anderton is confident Cherries have the right ingredients to concoct a similar shock when the Reds come calling this afternoon (12.45pm).

Previewing Cherries’ chances against the seven-time FA Cup winners, Anderton told the Daily Echo: “When you look at the two squads on paper and the money spent, of course Liverpool should win comfortably and if Bournemouth don’t settle quickly that could happen.

“But with the confidence running through the club at the moment, it is a win-win situation. No one is expecting them (Cherries) to go through and it’s a bit of a free game to go and express themselves.

“As players, they have to lift themselves against the better team but nine times out of 10, when it is a full house against a big club, players do that anyway.

“That is the magic of football and especially the FA Cup. You never know what is going to happen and the best team doesn’t always win.

“If the Bournemouth boys all produce an eight or nine out of 10 display and a few Liverpool players have an off day then the match could go either way. That’s why shocks happen so often.”

Asked for his final piece of advice to Cherries before the big game, Anderton added: “Start well and start on the front foot.

“Liverpool have so many good players. You have to make it as difficult as possible and if you sit back and give them time on the ball, you’ll hand the initiative to them and it will become a tough afternoon.

“You have to show them respect but you have to give your all, play with confidence and above all, enjoy it.”

  • Cherries prospect Harry Cornick has joined Conference club Welling United on a month-long loan. 

The 18-year-old winger, signed last January from Wessex League outfit Christchurch, joins Josh Wakefield at Park View Road.