Allen: There'll be no resting on our laurels at Exeter

The Reds will take on the League Two side at St James Park, with Jürgen Klopp admitting the Reds’ current injury situation means he’ll make changes to his starting line-up.

And with the television cameras broadcasting events from south coast live around the world, Allen is aware the hosts will be out to cause a shock.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: “It is the beauty of the FA Cup. I remember coming through at Swansea when we were in League One and maybe being on the other end of this kind of tie.

“The excitement as a player and for supporters is huge, especially for the lower league clubs. It’s always great to be involved in it.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter who you come up against in the FA Cup because in a cup tie, when emotions are running high, you’ve got to make sure you do the job.

“On Friday, we know there will be no resting on our laurels – we’ve got to go into that game making sure we do everything asked of us and we deal with the threat of Exeter.”

Liverpool’s encounter with the Grecians will be their third match of 2016 so far – with potentially another five to follow depending on tonight's outcome before the conclusion of January.

Nevertheless, in readying themselves for the tie, the Reds will follow the same processes they will for next week’s Anfield showdowns with Arsenal and Manchester United.

Allen added: “It’s a little bit of a cliché, but it’s important our preparations remain the same – the same as any Premier League game or any other competition we’re in. It’s business as usual for us.

“Playing for the club that’s expected to win the tie, no player wants the disappointment and hurt of getting knocked out. We’ve moved on from Stoke and our focus is firmly on Exeter.”

Last season, Liverpool’s FA Cup journey took them as far as the semi-final stage and set up a trip to Wembley to face Aston Villa.

That April afternoon began well for the Reds as they took the lead through Philippe Coutinho, but was to ultimately end in disappointment as they were defeated 2-1 at the national stadium.

Nevertheless, Allen insists that frustration can be used as additional incentive to go at least one step further in the competition this time around.

He said: “It was bitterly disappointing. We really missed a chance and I think everybody knows that. It was a great opportunity to get through to the final and we didn’t take it.

“We’ve got a pretty young squad here that probably haven’t been in too many semi-finals or games like that, so we’re hoping it could be a good lesson learned and maybe last season could be a good platform or stepping stone to be even more determined, and have even more incentive, to progress further this time.”

Allen is well aware of how it feels to be on the receiving end of an FA Cup shock with Liverpool – he was part of the side that were defeated 3-2 by League One outfit Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park in the fourth round in 2013.

“They’re games you don’t forget, really,” he admits. “I can remember the game now and it still hurts thinking back.

“To go out so early in the competition, at a club like Liverpool to miss out on the chance of going further and trying to get silverware is not nice. I think it was a learning curve for some of us that are still here now and hopefully it’ll help us going into this game.”

Despite the hectic nature of Liverpool’s schedule, Allen claims no-one within the dressing room is complaining – although he does accept the exertions pose both physical and mental challenges.

“As long as you’re not one of the lads who has picked up an injury as they’re probably not too grateful for all the games,” said the Wales international. “But as a player, you want to be playing as much as you can – you relish the challenge of digging in.

“It certainly does test you, physically especially but mentally as well, but as professionals that’s the challenge you look forward to – playing games is what it is all about.

“It’s the road to Wembley and we’re hoping we can get that run going and we want to be competing in this tournament, that’s for sure.”