Preston NE v Liverpool: Match-thread

Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane will lead the line for Liverpool against Preston North End in the FA Cup third round this evening.

Diego Cavalieri and Ryan Babel both get a chance to impress, while Martin Skrtel and Fernando Torres both make the bench after missing a chunk of the season through injury.
 
The Reds XI in full is: Cavalieri, Insua, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Babel, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Keane. Subs: Reina, Torres, Aurelio, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.


Looks like Babel is starting on the right for perhaps one of the very first times ever. Insua staying at LB (I wouldn't have it any other way!), Gerrard and Keane up-front - very interesting.

This is definitely a strong line-up.

Rafa looks to be going for everything this season.

Good, he said he wants to continue the good feeling and momentum in the side and he wasnt joking about.

That is a very strong starting line up, if reina played, it would just've been like a usual starting line up

IMO, mistake not playing Reina.  I mean - come on - surely he doesn't need a break - we haven't played for a week and we're not playing for another week.  Foolish that was in my humble opinion.

That apart that's a first choice XI pretty much.

Good line up lets have it reds i,m off to the pub see you all later.

Could be Stevie on the right and Babel up front where he says he wants to be? 

Come on Lads

Made up with that side. Solid defence to guard Cavalieri, graft and creativity in midfield and venom in attack. Reckon Reira will do well too.

Big game for Babel though. He's got to put in a performance today.

Come on you reds!

Could be Stevie on the right and Babel up front where he says he wants to be? 

Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane will lead the line for Liverpool against Preston North End in the FA Cup third round this evening.

Don't think so.

IMO, mistake not playing Reina.  I mean - come on - surely he doesn't need a break - we haven't played for a week and we're not playing for another week.  Foolish that was in my humble opinion.

That apart that's a first choice XI pretty much.

Have to agree with you there JD

I would have put money on Darby starting this game

Good strong line up except for that calamity in goal. Dont see why Reina isn't playing to be honest.

Diego is only going to get Cup games really, i think giving him the odd game in the Cup is ok. Not about the break for Reina but more the game time for Diego.

Amazingly strong team that, well, except for Cavalieri, personally I wish Pepe was in goal, although I suppose the lad will never get a chance normally.

Very happy to see Fernando back in the squad, hope he gets a little run out today, and Aurelio as well, as Skrtel, getting all our injured players back now can only be good for the team.

We shouldn't really have any difficulties here, but in saying that, this is the FA Cup and anything can and often does happen : H & W and Barnsley.............nee d I say more 

Stevie will have to be prepared to take a bit of stick I feel, but he's got broad shoulders and will cope.

Come on lads show them whose boss 

My prediction 3-1 to Liverpool.

 

Come on Reds, I wanna trip to Wembley next May 

Hi guys! 
Well I assume it's gonna be 3-1 to the Reds today so let's get the job done!

I would have put money on Darby starting this game

Good strong line up except for that calamity in goal. Dont see why Reina isn't playing to be honest.

Come on you lot, be fair - Cavalieri was outstanding in pre-season, and he had a hiccup against Spurs. Everybody has a bad day, and besides, Dossena was at fault for 3 of the 4 goals.

Hi guys! 
Well I assume it's gonna be 3-1 to the Reds today so let's get the job done!

Wahay!!!!! Good to see you about mate!

4-1 I've got. 

happy with the line up.  agree with RK, this is a big game for babel.  he needs to show a bit more hunger IMO. i think it'll be a tight game, but there's enough quality in that 11, and on the bench, to see us through.

very good starting 11, in response to crouchyrobot on the pre match thread, if your still online mate, I agree we should put out our strongest side, but get the kids on the bench and give them a runout and get some gametime later in the match, I obviously didnt make myself too clear with that post! chuffed to see diego getting a nod cos I dont think we can judge him on the spurs game as the whole team underperformed and like reslivo says he was very good pre season

Good team for this game, come on you reds!!!!!!

Still bummed no Darby in the side. The kid must be gutted too.

very good starting 11, in response to crouchyrobot on the pre match thread, if your still online mate, I agree we should put out our strongest side, but get the kids on the bench and give them a runout and get some gametime later in the match, I obviously didnt make myself too clear with that post! chuffed to see diego getting a nod cos I dont think we can judge him on the spurs game as the whole team underperformed and like reslivo says he was very good pre season

Makes sense now, seemed to be contradicting yourself earlier

Strong line-up today, I'm sure we can establish that Torres will come on later in the match, hopefully

Hi guys! 
Well I assume it's gonna be 3-1 to the Reds today so let's get the job done!

 : Bout time you showed up 

Nice to see you back RED, hope it's not a fleeting visit