SKIPPER Tommy Elphick has described Cherries’ eagerly-anticipated League Cup showdown with Liverpool as “a great tie for the club, our supporters and the town”.

Cherries were handed a home draw against the Premier League big guns in the quarter-finals and will host the Reds during week commencing Monday, December 15.

Elphick is one of three lifelong Liverpool fans in the Cherries squad – with Steve Cook and Eunan O’Kane also fanatics of the Merseyside outfit since their childhoods.

O’Kane and Elphick lined up against Liverpool when they knocked Cherries out of last season’s FA Cup following a 2-0 win at Dean Court in January.

Cherries reached the last eight for the first time in their history following last night’s 2-1 win over West Brom, while Liverpool have won the competition on eight occasions.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Elphick said: “As a Liverpool supporter, I certainly could not have wished for a better draw. It is great for the club, our supporters and the town.

“We are really looking forward to the game and it promises to be a great occasion. The ground was rocking against West Brom last night and it will be another full-house.

“The Liverpool squad is packed with world-class players and it will be a great test for us. A home draw was what we wanted and we have got our wish.

“There are only two rounds to the final. We are not talking about a cup which is taken lightly, this is a serious competition. We have gone a long way but want to keep progressing and moving forward.

“But we have a number of important games in the Championship, starting against Brighton on Saturday, and won’t let ourselves get distracted.”

Full draw: Derby v Chelsea, Tottenham v Newcastle, Cherries v Liverpool, Sheffield United v Southampton.