FA Cup Preview: Preston North End - Liverpool

Liverpool kick off their FA Cup with a short trip through Lancashire to face Preston North End. Rafael Benitez’s men have endured some notable stumbles against lower-league opposition in recent years, but their Premier League form has made a big impact at Deepdale.

The Reds finished off 2008 in style, handing Newcastle United 5-1 drubbing at St James’ Park to cement top spot heading into the New Year. Pundits England-wide declared that they were officially the team to beat in 2009, and that message was received loud and clear by the PNE squad.

“I reckon we could be in for a busy time judging by what we saw there,” said Sean St Ledger, Preston’s star defender. “We were watching it on the bus to Barnsley and when they got their third or fourth goal against Newcastle there was a stampede to get the remote control and switch it off.”

However, there is hope for the Lilywhites yet, and it is perhaps appropriate that they were on their way to Oakwell whilst watching Liverpool’s demolition of the Toon. Few could forget how the Anfield giants fell to the Tykes in last season’s FA Cup, with Brian Howard besting Xabi Alonso and Jamie Carragher to crack home a last-ditch winner in front of the Kop.

That wasn’t the first time the Merseysiders had missed a gimme in the world’s oldest football tournament. In 2005, during Benitez’s first term at the helm, they were ushered out by Burnley after losing 0-1 at Turf Moor in the third round.

So they are beatable, are the ‘Pool, even if they seem anything but after their comprehensive display on Tyneside. Indeed, they have lost just twice this term – both to Tottenham Hotspur – in all competitions. The drama concerning Steven Gerrard’s night in lock-up has threatened to burst their bubble, though, and they come up against a side in pretty decent nick themselves.

Preston have lost just twice in their last nine games and sit seventh in the Championship standings, just goal difference shy of the play-off places. They could only manage a draw against Barnsley last weekend, but the 1-1 result may have given Alan Irvine’s men a curious sense of confidence:  that of being on level terms with a team who downed Liverpool (and Chelsea, for that matter).

FORM GUIDE

Preston North End

Dec 09  Preston North End  1 - 0  Doncaster Rovers
Dec 13  Preston North End  1 - 0  Birmingham
Dec 20  Queens Park Rangers  3 - 2  Preston North End
Dec 26  Preston North End  2 - 0  Derby County
Dec 28  Barnsley  1 - 1  Preston North End

Liverpool

Dec 09  PSV Eindhoven  1 - 3  Liverpool
Dec 13  Liverpool  2 - 2  Hull City
Dec 21  Arsenal  1 - 1  Liverpool
Dec 26  Liverpool  3 - 0  Bolton Wanderers
Dec 28  Newcastle United  1 - 5  Liverpool

TEAM NEWS

Preston North End

Defensive duo Liam Chilvers and Neal Trotman remain unavailable through injury, as does goalkeeper Wayne Henderson. On-loan Ross Wallace is expected to feature, however, after receiving clearance from his owners, Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Neil Mellor is a chance to line up against his former club. The striker, best known for his contribution to the Reds’ successful 2005 Champions League campaign, will tussle with Jon Parkin, Chris Brown and Stephen Elliott for a starting spot.

Last XI (vs Barnsley): Lonergan, Jones, Mawene, St Ledger, Davidson, Nicholson, Chaplow, McKenna, Wallace, Elliott, Brown.

Liverpool

The big news is that Stevie G is expected to play, just days after being charged with assault and affray for brawling at a Southport nightclub. Equally exciting is the possibility of Fernando Torres’ return to action after a month out with a hamstring problem – the Spaniard should be named on the bench.

Some of Anfield’s young guns will get a run-out, with the likes of Damien Plessis, Lucas Leiva, David N’Gog and Nabil El Zhar all in contention to start. Robbie Keane, left out altogether against Newcastle, may also feature from the get-go.

Alvaro Arbeloa (hamstring) and Fabio Aurelio (calf) return to the squad after injury, while Martin Skrtel could make his first start in defence since suffering knee-ligament damage in October.

Last XI (vs Newcastle United): Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ross Wallace (Preston North End)

The young Scot impressed initially at Sunderland following his move from Celtic in 2006, but he drifted out of Roy Keane’s plans after suffering a serious knee injury 12 months ago. While most often used as a full-back at the Stadium of Light, the 23-year-old has played further up the pitch since arriving at Deepdale and has been very lively down the left flank.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

A no-brainer. Captain Fantastic was not only in electric form on his last outing, but the spotlight is well and truly fixed on him after his late-night fight at the Lounge Inn. The England man will be desperate to get the press and the public focusing on his football once more, so Preston’s midfield could be in for a bit of a battering.

PREDICTION

The Reds’ recent record in this competition is not all that flattering, and perhaps a hiccough could be expected after their immaculate first half of the season. But even though PNE are probably a better side than Barnsley were when they razed Anfield, it’s hard to see Liverpool losing with such a strong squad at their disposal.

Preston North End  0 - 2  Liverpool

Mike Maguire, Goal.com