Liverpool FC vs Preston North End (FA Cup 3rd Round) : Pre Match

Liverpool get their FA Cup bid underway with a tricky trip to Deepdale.

The Reds have endured some nervy moments against lower league opposition over the years - most recently in last season's competition - when we survived scares against Luton Town and Havant & Waterlooville before coming unstuck against Barnsley.

This time it's the Lilywhites who will have their sights set on our scalp and with ex-red Neil Mellor in their ranks, Rafa and co will need to be on their game if they are to come through unscathed and book their place in round four.

Well on to the FA Cup!

Should be interesting to see how Rafa plays this because with us at top of the table surly Rafa will be looking to keep more of the key members focus on the league and let some of the fringe/youth players get a run out in these games. Any time you play away in the FA Cup it always tough because the players and supporters really get pumped up for it. I remember the mess that was Luton last season when we drew then at home. I hope that we won't see a repeat of the same and give our-self one less fixture to play.

I would like to see something like this

- - - - - - - - - - - Diego - - - - - - - - - - -

Darby - - - - Sami - - - Skrtel - - - Insua

El Zhar - - - Lucas - - Spearing - - Babel

- - - - - - - - Nemeth - - Keane - - - - - -

Skrtel needs to get his feet wet so I would give him this game, Spearing would get the nod over Plessis who has been crap every game he has played this season with the senior side and hope Nemeth will get the run out (though I wouldn't be surprised to see N'Gog get the nod).

Torres in with a 5 man midfield. Get him playing and a way he knows how plus it gives us one more game to please those who have asked for it.

                              Cavalieri

 Darby           Hyypia            Skrtel            Insua
 
                            Spearing
Pennant         Lucas             Benny           El Zhar

                             Torres

Gulacsi   Kelly   N'Gog   Nemeth   Gerrard   Arbeloa   Alonso

But then again it'll be 2 full weeks since the first teams last game heading into our next Prem. match which could mean Rafa will want them to play and be match fit for that.

                              Cavalieri

 Darby           Hyypia            Skrtel            Insua
 
                            Spearing
Pennant         Lucas             Benny           El Zhar

                             Torres

Gulacsi   Kelly   N'Gog   Nemeth   Gerrard   Arbeloa   Alonso

I'd put Babel in for Pennant. I never wanna see him pull on a red shirt again.

 Now if the great Bill Shankly was still playing for Preston I would be worried but he isn't so it should be a stroll in the park. I still think RAFA should put out a strong team as we do not need to clutter the fixture list with unnecessary draws.With our form at the moment its got to be a win for the MIGHTY REDS 3=0

I reckon we should go for:


-----------Cavalieri----------
-Darby--Skrtel--Hyypia--Kelly-
--------Lucas---Plessis-------
-El Zhar----Spearing----Babel-
-------------N'gog------------


Subs: Gulacsi, Arbeloa, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Keane, Torres.


We would be rock-solid at the back with Skrtel coming back with Big Sami, along with promising full-backs Darby and Kelly.  With Lucas and Plessis just in front of the back four, I would be very very surprised if Preston score.  Then, to form the classic 4-2-3-1 formation which Benitez prefers, El Zhar bombing down the right flank, Babel down the left, and Spearing showing us what he's made of through the middle. 

It gives us plenty of width and also gives N'gog the chance to shine, like he did against PSV.  Our subs are then there should anything go wrong - and I think we've got enough matchwinners there - it only has £50m combo Keane and Torres included 

If we play this or a similar sort of line-up I can see a comfortable 2-0 outing for the Reds. YNWA.

I just hope we win.

It will be a good early birthday present for me!

               Cavalieri

Darby   Hyypia  Skrtel  Dossena

           Lucas   Plessis     
El Zhar     Benayoun       Babel
             
                 N'Gog

I can picture a Torres return here

You guys think Stevie should play to show the world that he's still one ofl the world's best?

I'd put Babel in for Pennant. I never wanna see him pull on a red shirt again.

I just want him to carve a lower side to look better and attract another club, one that will hopefully pay him what he wants.

Just realised with the situation Gerrard is in, he will definately play. Rafa said he has his full support and needs to concentrate on football so getting him on the park will help that.

I just want him to carve a lower side to look better and attract another club, one that will hopefully pay him what he wants.

Just realised with the situation Gerrard is in, he will definately play. Rafa said he has his full support and needs to concentrate on football so getting him on the park will help that.

             I get the feeling that Pennant is not interested in signing for any club till his contract has run down and he can cream a bigger slice of cash for himself.If he will not sign for another club in this transfer window then Rafa should make him play for one of the junior sides (not even the reserves ) and that would really demoralise him.

             I get the feeling that Pennant is not interested in signing for any club till his contract has run down and he can cream a bigger slice of cash for himself.If he will not sign for another club in this transfer window then Rafa should make him play for one of the junior sides (not even the reserves ) and that would really demoralise him.

Send him to AFC Liverpool.

All our youngsters should get a runout for this one in my opinion, with some veterans in it. It should really be just a team to nick a victory, featuring all youngstrs.

We should be able to win this even with our young players. Would like to see Torres come back to the game for some time to get him into gear for the final push toward our 1st EPL title.

Happy New Year to All.

I think we should play a strong side I think rafa has learn't his lesson from barnsley last season not to under estimate anyone

Without wanting to sound cheeky, has anyone got a spare against PNE?
Mine haven't come through, and as I've just this minute touched down from spain, I doubt I'm getting them now.

This will be a tricky game.

Preston are 7th in the Championship and the standard of that league is dramatically improving in my view.

So I think we need a strong-ish team.

                                      Cavalieri

Darby                Carragher             Skrtel           Aurelio (if fit)/Dossena

                        Lucas                  Plessis           

El Zhar                         Gerrard                       Babel

                                   N'gog


Gerrard needs a game to take his mind of the week's events. Torres to feature for half an hour

My prediction is 2-0.

Gerrard and Torres with the goals.

I don't think rafa will use many youth players that they never played in starting XI in cup.
My team:
                           cavalieri
Degen if fit /     Skrtel     Agger      Aurelio if fir /Insua
Darby                   
                           Mascherano
El Zhar                     Lucas                           Babel
                 Keane                Ngog

And will put Torres in for the last 15-25 minutes. In the last half a hour I will put gerrard in too to put his mind on football issues. My pred. 4-0. double keane, lucas, babel.
Come on lfc.

I've read on lfc.tv that rafa has said that Stevie G is being rested and won't play and it has nothing to do with his issues I'm not sure if Torres will play. I hope Keaneo starts the match because if he can get a couple of goals his confidence will rise even higher than it is so it will be great for him. I think the score wil be 3-0 to the mighty reds

Is this game being televised I think I saw that it was being shown on ITV but I'm not too sure?

I've read on lfc.tv that rafa has said that Stevie G is being rested and won't play and it has nothing to do with his issues I'm not sure if Torres will play. I hope Keaneo starts the match because if he can get a couple of goals his confidence will rise even higher than it is so it will be great for him. I think the score wil be 3-0 to the mighty reds

Do you mean Robbie Keane?  His name's not F*****g Keaneo !!!  As in the song!!

Is this game being televised I think I saw that it was being shown on ITV but I'm not too sure?

Yes it is being shown on ITV1 at 17.25

I hope Keaneo

*ahem* Who's this you speak of?

I've read on lfc.tv that rafa has said that Stevie G is being rested and won't play and it has nothing to do with his issues I'm not sure if Torres will play. I hope Keaneo starts the match because if he can get a couple of goals his confidence will rise even higher than it is so it will be great for him. I think the score wil be 3-0 to the mighty reds

Keane. Keane. Keane.

Torres probably will play, as will more than a few fringe players - but we'll still have em.

5-0.