FA Cup: Exeter City's Christian Ribeiro says Liverpool tie is 'bonus'

Christian Ribeiro could come up against former Wales team-mate Joe Allen at St James Park

Exeter right-back Christian Ribeiro says their home FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool is a 'bonus'.

The League Two side are on a run of four consecutive defeats and are making their first appearance at this stage of the competition for 11 years.

"This Liverpool game is an amazing distraction and everyone's delighted for it," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"But our main aim this year was to get promoted and at the minute we're not achieving that."

Friday's game will be televised live by the BBC and Exeter are again hoping to make headlines after taking Premier League giants Manchester United to a third-round replay in 2005 after a goalless draw at Old Trafford.

"Our main goal this year wasn't to play Liverpool in the FA Cup - they're bonuses," said Ribeiro.

"I'm sure there'll be lots of nervousness, that anxious feeling knowing there's lots of people watching, so it's going to be massive but we've got to rise to that occasion."

Exeter close down Manchester United's Wayne Rooney during their 2005 FA Cup tie

Ribeiro, a former Wales international, has only seen 10 minutes of action since a knee operation in November, but is hopeful of playing a part in the tie.

"It's a massive incentive. It's something I look at and think 'I would love to be back fit for that," the 26-year-old added.

"It would be one of the biggest games of my career so far."