CHERRIES’ FA Youth Cup tie with Liverpool will be staged at the Vitality Stadium Thursday, December 22 (kick-off 2pm) it has been confirmed.

Alan Connell’s under-18s face one of the most prolific academies in the country in the third round of the competition, with the Reds four-time winners.

Excited by being drawn with the giants, Connell told afcb.co.uk: “It’s a massive draw for us. Liverpool are not just a football club, they’re an institution.

“Myself, the staff and all of the boys are all excited for that game and to have the opportunity to play at home against them.

“It’s still a long way away and we have a lot of work in between now and then, but from our players’ point of view, everyone’s going to want to play in that game.

“It’s a great draw for the club and, hopefully, we can get a big crowd there, especially with the first team not playing at the moment.

“I’m delighted with the draw and, obviously, we’ll go into the game as massive underdogs but with the spirit and togetherness of this group, who knows.”

The week leading up to Christmas is a big one for cup competitions for every age group at Cherries.

Gary O’Neil’s first-team face Newcastle United in the League Cup on Wednesday, December 23, whilst Bruce Suraci’s development squad face three Premier League Cup games in the span of seven day.