Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates has expressed his desire to start his side's FA Cup third-round tie against Mansfield Town later today.

Coates has made just six starts for the Reds so far this season, the last of which came in the Europa League back at the start of November.

Despite an away trip to Mansfield not being the most mouth-watering of ties, Coates is keen to take advantage of any changes that manager Brendan Rodgers might make in order to show the boss what he can do.

"I think the manager might possibly decide to make a few changes for this game but as a player you are always keen to feature in the starting 11, whatever the game," Coates told the club's official website.

"I am very hopeful of playing though and being able to help the team.

"I played in the third-round tie last season against Oldham and enjoyed it. That was one of my first appearances for the club and so I tried to really savour it and we managed to get through to the next round. That's what the club wants - to get through each round and try to reach the final."

Coates, 22, joined Liverpool at the start of last season and has since made 20 appearances in all competitions for the club.