Match Day Thread Preston North End v Liverpool Deepdale 27/10/2021

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MANAGER

Mainz 05

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In 2004, Klopp led his former club, Mainz 05, to Bundesliga promotion.
Upon his retirement from playing for Mainz 05 in 2. Bundesliga, Klopp was appointed as the club's manager on 27 February 2001 following the dismissal of Eckhard Krautzun.[21][22] The day after, Klopp took charge of their first match, which saw Mainz 05 secure a 1–0 home win over MSV Duisburg.[9][23][24] Klopp went on to win six out of his first seven games in charge, eventually finishing in 14th place, avoiding relegation with one game to spare.[25] In his first full season in charge in 2001–02, Klopp guided Mainz to finish 4th in the league as he implemented his favoured pressing and counter-pressing tactics, narrowly missing promotion. Mainz again finished 4th in 2002–03, denied promotion again on the final day on goal difference.[9] After two seasons of disappointment, Klopp led Mainz to a third-place finish in the 2003–04 season, securing promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in the club's history.[9][26]

Despite having the smallest budget and the smallest stadium in the league, Mainz finished 11th in their first top-flight season in 2004–05. Klopp's side finished 11th again in 2005–06 as well as securing qualification for the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, although they were knocked out in the first round by eventual champions Sevilla.[25] At the end of the 2006–07 season, Mainz 05 were relegated, but Klopp chose to remain with the club.[27] However, unable to achieve promotion the next year, Klopp resigned at the end of the 2007–08 season.[28] He finished with a record of 109 wins, 78 draws and 83 losses.[29]

Borussia Dortmund
2008–2013: Consecutive league titles; first European final
In May 2008, Klopp was approached to become the new manager of Borussia Dortmund. Despite having interest from German champions Bayern Munich,[12] Klopp eventually signed a two-year contract at the club, which had finished in a disappointing 13th place under previous manager Thomas Doll.[30][31][32] Klopp's opening game as manager was on 9 August 2008 in a 3–1 DFB-Pokal victory away to Rot-Weiss Essen.[33] In his first season, Klopp won his first trophy with the club after defeating German champions Bayern Munich to claim the 2008 German Supercup.[34] He led the club to a sixth-place finish in his first season in charge.[35] The next season Klopp secured European football as he led Dortmund to a fifth-place finish, despite having one of the youngest squads in the league.[12][36]

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Klopp at a press conference ahead of Dortmund's title-winning 2010–11 season
After losing 2–0 to Bayer Leverkusen on the opening day of the 2010–11 Bundesliga, Klopp's Dortmund side won fourteen of their next fifteen matches to secure the top spot in the league for Christmas.[12] They clinched the 2010–11 Bundesliga title, their seventh league title, with two games to spare on 30 April 2011, beating 1. FC Nürnberg 2–0 at home.[37][38][39] Klopp's side were the youngest ever side to win the Bundesliga.[12] Klopp and his team successfully defended their title, winning the 2011–12 Bundesliga.[40][41][42] Their total of 81 points that season[43] was the greatest total points in Bundesliga history and the 47 points earned in the second half of the season also set a new record.[44] Their 25 league wins equalled Bayern Munich's record, while their 28-league match unbeaten run was the best ever recorded in a single German top-flight season.[45][note 2] Dortmund lost the 2011 DFL-Supercup against rivals Schalke 04.[47] On 12 May 2012, Klopp sealed the club's first ever domestic double, by defeating Bayern Munich 5–2 to win the 2012 DFB-Pokal Final,[48] which he described as being "better than [he] could have imagined".[48][49][50]

Dortmund's league form during the 2012–13 season was not as impressive as in the previous campaign, with Klopp insisting that his team would focus on the UEFA Champions League to make up for their disappointing run in that competition in the previous season.[51] Klopp's team were drawn against Manchester City, Real Madrid and Ajax in the competition's group of death.[52] However, they did not lose a game, topping the group with some impressive performances.[53] Dortmund faced José Mourinho's Real Madrid again, this time in the semi-finals.[54] After an excellent result against them at home in the first leg, a 4–1 victory, a 2–0 loss meant Dortmund narrowly progressed to the final.[55] On 23 April 2013, it was announced that Dortmund's crucial playmaker Mario Götze was moving on 1 July 2013 to rivals Bayern Munich after they had triggered Götze's release clause of €37 million.[56][57][58] Klopp admitted his annoyance at the timing of the announcement of Götze's move, as it was barely 36 hours before Dortmund's Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid.[59] Klopp later said that Dortmund had no chance of convincing Götze to stay with Dortmund, saying, "He is a Pep Guardiola favourite".[60] Dortmund lost the final 2–1 to Bayern Munich, with an 89th-minute goal from Arjen Robben.[61] Dortmund finished in second place in the Bundesliga.[62] They also lost the 2012 DFL-Supercup,[63] and were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in the round of 16.[64]

2013–2015: Final years at Dortmund
At the beginning of the 2013–14 season, Klopp extended his contract until June 2018.[65] Klopp received a fine of €10,000 on 17 March 2014 after getting sent off from a Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.[66] The ejection was a result of "verbal attack" on the referee, Deniz Aytekin, who stated that Klopp's behaviour was "rude on more than one occasion".[67] Borussia Dortmund vorstand chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke stated that "I have to support Jürgen Klopp 100 percent in this case" because he saw no reason for a fine and denied that Klopp insulted the fourth official.[67] Dortmund finished the 2013–14 season in second place.[68] On 4 January 2014 it was announced that Klopp's star striker Robert Lewandowski signed a pre-contract agreement to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, becoming the second key player after Götze to leave the club within a year.[69] Also during the 2013–14 season, Dortmund won the 2013 DFL-Supercup,[70] but were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Real Madrid.[71]

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Klopp left Dortmund at the end of the 2014–15 season.
Dortmund started the 2014–15 season by winning the 2014 DFL-Supercup.[72] After a disappointing beginning of the season, Klopp announced in April that he would leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2014–15 season, saying "I really think the decision is the right one. This club deserves to be coached from the 100% right manager" as well as adding "I chose this time to announce it because in the last few years some player decisions were made late and there was no time to react", referring to the departures of Götze and Lewandowski in the seasons prior.[73] He denied speculation that he was tired of the role, saying, "It's not that I'm tired, I've not had contact with another club but don't plan to take a sabbatical".[73] Confronted with the thesis that Dortmund's form immediately improved after the announcement, he joked, "If I'd known, I would have announced it at the beginning of the season".[74][75][76] His final match in charge of the team was the 2015 DFB-Pokal Final, which Dortmund lost 3–1 against VfL Wolfsburg.[77] Dortmund finished in the league in seventh place[78] and were knocked out of Champions League in the round of 16 by Juventus.[79] He finished with a record of 179 wins, 69 draws, and 70 losses.[80]

Liverpool
2015–2017: Two final losses; return to Champions League
We have to change from doubters to believers. Now.

—Klopp's message to fans on his first day as Liverpool manager.[81]

On 8 October 2015, Klopp agreed a three-year deal to become Liverpool manager, replacing Brendan Rodgers. According to El País, Liverpool co-owner John W. Henry did not trust public opinion so he looked for a mathematical method very similar to Moneyball, the approach that Henry used for the Boston Red Sox in guiding them to three World Series wins, which he also owns via Fenway Sports Group.[82] The mathematical model turned out to be that of Cambridge physicist Ian Graham, which was used to select the manager, Klopp, and players essential for Liverpool to win the UEFA Champions League.[83] In his first press conference, Klopp described his new side saying "it is not a normal club, it is a special club. I had two very special clubs with Mainz and Dortmund. It is the perfect next step for me to be here and try and help" and stating his intention to deliver trophies within four years.[84][85] During his first conference, Klopp dubbed himself 'The Normal One' in a parody of José Mourinho's famous 'The Special One' statement in 2004.[86]

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Klopp after winning against Middlesbrough on the final day of the 2016–17 season to secure fourth in the league
Klopp's debut was a 0–0 away draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 17 October 2015.[87] On 28 October 2015, Klopp secured his first win as Liverpool manager against Bournemouth in the League Cup to proceed to the quarter-finals.[88] His first Premier League win came three days later, a 3–1 away victory against Chelsea.[89] After three 1–1 draws in the opening matches of the UEFA Europa League, Liverpool defeated Rubin Kazan 1–0 in Klopp's first win in Europe as a Liverpool manager.[90] On 6 February 2016, he missed a league match to have an appendectomy after suffering suspected appendicitis.[91] On 28 February 2016, Liverpool lost the 2016 League Cup Final at Wembley to Manchester City on penalties.[92] On 17 March 2016, Klopp's Liverpool progressed to the quarter-final of the UEFA Europa League by defeating Manchester United 3–1 on aggregate.[93] On 14 April 2016, Liverpool fought back from a 3–1 second half deficit in the second leg of their quarter-final match against his former club, Borussia Dortmund, to win 4–3, advancing to the semi-finals 5–4 on aggregate.[94] On 5 May 2016, Klopp guided Liverpool to their first European final since 2007 by beating Villarreal 3–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.[95] In the final, Liverpool faced Sevilla, losing 1–3 with Daniel Sturridge scoring the opening goal for Liverpool in the first half.[96] Liverpool finished the 2015–16 season in eighth place.[97]

On 8 July 2016, Klopp and his coaching staff signed six-year extensions to their deals keeping them at Liverpool until 2022.[98] Liverpool qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2014–15 on 21 May 2017, after winning 3–0 at home against Middlesbrough and placing fourth in the 2016–17 Premier League season.[99]

2017–2019: First Champions League title
Klopp's side finished fourth in the 2017–18 Premier League, securing qualification for the Champions League for a second consecutive season.[100] Along with the emergence of Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold as regular starters at fullback, Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren built a strong partnership at the heart of Liverpool's defence, with the Dutchman being credited for improving Liverpool's previous defensive issues.[101][102][103] Klopp guided Liverpool to their first UEFA Champions League final since 2007 in 2018 after a 5–1 aggregate quarter-final win against eventual Premier League champions, Manchester City[104] and a 7–6 aggregate win over Roma in the semi-final.[105] However, Liverpool went on to lose in the final 3–1 to Real Madrid.[106] This was Klopp's sixth defeat in seven major finals.[107] Despite their attacking prowess, Klopp's side had been criticised for their relatively high number of goals conceded, something which Klopp sought to improve by signing defender Virgil van Dijk in the January transfer window,[108][109] for a reported fee of £75 million, a world record transfer fee for a defender.[110] In the summer transfer window, Klopp made a number of high-profile signings including midfielders Naby Keïta and Fabinho,[111][112] forward Xherdan Shaqiri[113] and goalkeeper Alisson.[114][115]

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Klopp led Liverpool to consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter against Tottenham Hotspur.
Liverpool started the 2018–19 season with the best league start in the club's history, winning their first six matches.[116] On 2 December 2018, Klopp was charged with misconduct after running onto the pitch during the Merseyside derby to celebrate Divock Origi's 96th minute winning goal with goalkeeper Alisson.[117] Following a 2–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves), Liverpool ended Christmas Day four points clear at the top of the league.[118] A 4–0 win against Newcastle United on Boxing Day saw Klopp's side extend their lead in the league to six points at the half-way point of the season, as well as becoming only the fourth Premier League team to be unbeaten at this stage. It was Klopp's 100th win in 181 matches as Liverpool manager.[119] Klopp's defensive additions proved to be effective as his side equalled the all-time record for the fewest goals conceded at this stage of a top-flight season, conceding just 7 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets in 19 matches.[120] On 29 December 2018, Klopp's side thrashed Arsenal 5–1 at Anfield, extending their unbeaten home run in the league to 31 matches, matching their best such run in the competition. The result saw them move nine points clear at the top of the league, and meant Liverpool won all 8 of their matches in December.[121] Klopp subsequently received the Premier League Manager of the Month award for December 2018.[122][123] Klopp's side finished the season as runners-up to Manchester City, to whom they suffered their only league defeat of the season. Winning all of their last nine matches, Klopp's Liverpool scored 97 points, the third-highest total in the history of the English top-division and the most points scored by a team without winning the title, and remained unbeaten at home for the second season running. Their thirty league wins matched the club record for wins in a season.[124][125]

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Klopp during Liverpool's Champions League victory parade
Success eluded Klopp's Liverpool side in domestic cup competitions in 2018–19. On 26 September 2018, Klopp's side were knocked out in the third round of the League Cup after losing 2–1 to Chelsea, their first defeat of the season in all competitions,[126] and were knocked out of the FA Cup after losing 2–1 to Wolves in the third round.[127] Despite a lack of success in domestic cup competitions, Liverpool enjoyed a vintage run in the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League. Klopp's side finished second in their group by virtue of goals scored to qualify for the knockout phase,[128] before drawing German champions Bayern Munich in the round of 16. A scoreless draw in the first leg,[129] followed by 3–1 victory in the second leg at the Allianz Arena saw Liverpool qualify for the quarter-finals.[130] Liverpool won their quarter-final tie against Porto with an aggregate score of 6–1 to advance to the semi-finals,[131] where Klopp's Liverpool faced tournament favourites Barcelona.[132] After suffering a 3–0 defeat at the Nou Camp,[133][134] Klopp reportedly asked his players to "just try" or "fail in the most beautiful way" in the second leg of the tie at Anfield.[135] In the second leg, Klopp's side overturned the deficit with a 4–0 win, advancing to the final 4–3 on aggregate, despite Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino being absent with injuries, in what was described as one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.[136][137] In the final at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool won 2–0 with goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi, giving Klopp his first trophy with Liverpool, his first Champions League title, and the club's sixth European Cup/Champions League title overall.[138]

2019–present: Liverpool's first Premier League title
For me, football is the only thing more inspiring than the cinema. You wake up in the morning, and the magic was all real.

—Klopp reflecting on his Champions League triumph with Liverpool in 2018–19.[139]

Klopp's side started the 2019–20 season by playing Manchester City in the 2019 FA Community Shield, against whom they lost 5–4 on penalties.[140] Having qualified as winners of the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League, Klopp's side played 2018–19 UEFA Europa League champions and Premier League rivals Chelsea in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup. With the scores level after extra-time, Klopp's side won 5–4 on penalties, giving Klopp his second trophy with the club. It was Liverpool's fourth triumph in the tournament, placing them behind only Barcelona and A.C. Milan who have five titles apiece.[141] In the 2019–20 Premier League, Klopp's Liverpool won their first six matches to move five points clear at the top of the table. After the fourth match week, Klopp was named Premier League Manager of the Month for August, his fourth award of the monthly prize.[142] Their 2–1 away victory over Chelsea set a club-record seven successive away league wins and made Liverpool the first Premier League club to win their first six games in successive seasons.[143][144] On 23 September 2019, Klopp was named as The Best FIFA Men's Coach for 2019, ahead of Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino. At the awards ceremony, Klopp revealed that he had signed up to the Common Goal movement, donating 1% of his salary to a charity which funds organisations around the world using football to tackle social issues.[145][146] On 11 October, it was announced that Klopp had been named Manager of the Month for September, winning the award for the second consecutive month.[147]

On 30 November, following a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Klopp saw Liverpool equal an all-time club record of 31 consecutive league matches without defeat, since the club's last defeat to Manchester City on 3 January, dating back to 1988.[148] His side broke the record a week later following a 5–2 win over Everton.[149] Following a victory against Red Bull Salzburg on 10 December that saw Liverpool top their Champions League group,[150] Klopp signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2024.[151] In December 2019, Klopp won his third Premier League Manager of the month award for November, after winning all four league matches with Liverpool.[152] On 21 December 2019, he led Liverpool to their first FIFA Club World Cup trophy, with victory over Flamengo in the final,[153] making his team the first English side to win the international treble of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.[154][155] His side ended 2019 with a 1–0 home win against Wolves. The result extended Liverpool's unbeaten home run to 50 matches and gave Klopp's reds a 13-point lead at the top of the table with a game-in-hand.[156] Klopp was subsequently named as the Premier League Manager of the Month for December, winning the award for the fourth time that season.[157] A 1–0 away win against Tottenham Hotspur on 11 January 2020 extended Liverpool's unbeaten run to 38 league games – a club record – totalling 61 points from 21 games, the most ever at that stage of the season by a side in Europe's top five leagues.[158] On 1 February 2020, Klopp's side won 4–0 at home against Southampton to go 22 points clear at the top of the Premier League; the biggest end-of-day lead in English top-flight history, and following second-place Manchester City's defeat to Spurs the next day, the largest gap ever between first and second in top-flight history.[159][160] Klopp was subsequently named as the Premier League Manager of the Month for January – his fifth of the season so far – breaking the record for the most wins of the award in a single season.[161]

We’re champions of England, of Europe and the world. Five years ago I asked the supporters to believe us. I told the doubters to become believers, they made it happen.

—Klopp on Liverpool winning the Premier League in 2019–20, the club’s first domestic title since 1990.[162]

A 3–2 home victory against West Ham United on 24 February 2020 saw Klopp's side equal the English top-flight records for the most consecutive wins (18) and the most consecutive home wins (21; set by Bill Shankly's 1972 Liverpool side); the latter setting a record for the Premier League era. Klopp said after the game that he "never thought [Manchester City's win record] would be broken or equalled."[163] A 2–1 win against Bournemouth at Anfield on 7 March saw Liverpool set an English top-flight record of 22 consecutive home wins.[164] On 25 June 2020, Klopp's side clinched the 2019–20 Premier League title with 7 games left to spare; it was the club's nineteenth league title, its first since 1989–90 and its first during the Premier League era.[165] In the season so far, Liverpool have set a number of English-top flight records including the most consecutive home wins (23), the largest point lead at the end of a matchweek (22),[166] and upon winning the league claimed the unusual achievement of winning the Premier League earlier than any other team by games played (with seven remaining) and later than any other team by date (being the only team to clinch the title in June).[167][168] Beginning the season prior, Liverpool also enjoyed a 44 match unbeaten run in the league – the second-longest streak in top-flight history – ended by Watford on 29 February 2020.[169] At the end of the season, Klopp was named LMA Manager of the Year[170] as well as Premier League Manager of the Season.[171]

After winning the opening three league games of the 2020–21 season against Leeds United, Chelsea and Arsenal, on 4 October 2020, Klopp's side lost 7–2 away to Aston Villa. It was the first time Liverpool conceded 7 goals in a league match since 1963.[172] However, following a controversial draw in the first Merseyside derby of the season, in which star defender Virgil van Dijk was injured for the rest of the season, they then bounced back with wins against Sheffield United and West Ham.[173] They went into the international break third in the league and top of their group in the Champions League after a 5–0 win against Atalanta.[174] On 22 November, Klopp led Liverpool to a club record 64th consecutive league match unbeaten at Anfield – surpassing the previous record of 63 games under Bob Paisley between 1978 and 1981 – with a 3–0 win over Leicester City.[175] On 17 December 2020, Klopp was named the Best FIFA Men's Coach for the second successive year at the FIFA Best Football Awards, having guided the club to their first league title triumph in 30 years.[176] On 20 December, Klopp won the BBC's Sports Coach of the Year.[177] A poor run of form in the early part of 2021 – which coincided with Liverpool being without their three senior central defenders who were out injured for the remainder of the season – saw Liverpool as low as 8th in March. The club then rallied to go undefeated in their last ten league games, with eight wins and two draws, which saw Liverpool finish 3rd in the 2020–21 Premier League season.[178] This run of form saw Klopp rely on a new defensive partnership of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, both of whom had no prior experience in the Premier League, and included Klopp's first win at Old Trafford, home of arch rivals Manchester United, with Liverpool winning 4–2.[179] The five league wins in May saw Klopp named Premier League Manager of the Month, the ninth time he has received the award.[180]

MACS VIEW

After Saturday only thing required from the players is to give 100% have a go the result does not matter, just show some pride in wearing the shirt.
Games a sell out, it's on the box just give it your best not a lot too ask

 

If NE do well, i.e. not lose 0-5, it will only delay the inevitable: change of top coach. It does seem as though FM has lost the team. Maybe a good walloping will be for the best?

 

Indeed you are right Barnet hazard a guess after the Forest game

Preston North End will look to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup for the first time in club history on Wednesday evening when they welcome Liverpool to Deepdale.

PNE Team News

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After missing the last three games through injury, midfielder Ali McCann is back in contention to feature on Wednesday evening.

He picked up his ankle injury in the away defeat to QPR, a game where Sean Maguire was also forced off, and he will be pushing for a start in this game after returning from the bench at the weekend.

Still missing for North End, though, will be striker Ched Evans, and Frankie McAvoy also confirmed Josh Murphy will be out for a few weeks after hurting his ankle in training, although he is cup tied either way.

The Opposition

Liverpool arrive at Deepdale after what will no doubt go down as a famous victory, beating their rivals Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

It remains to be seen how many of those players who were involved in that game will take part in this one, though, with Jurgen Klopp having made nine changes for their third round tie against Norwich City.

However, it was by no means a weak side which was fielded, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino and Joe Gomez starting for the Reds.

Key Stats

Liverpool have enjoyed themselves in this competition in years gone by, having won eight titles, a number which is only matched by Manchester City.

The Reds have been free-scoring so far this term, bagging three or more goals in ten games in all competitions in the 2021/22 season.

They are also unbeaten in all competitions too, going 13 without defeat.

Our Last Meeting

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North End’s last game against Liverpool in competitive action came back in 2009 in the third round of the FA Cup.

A Liverpool side which featured the likes of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Jamie Carragher came out 2-0 winners, with goals coming from Albert Riera and Fernando Torres.

Man In The Middle

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David Coote will be the referee on Wednesday evening, his first game taking charge of either a PNE or Liverpool game so far this season.

Coote last refereed a match at Deepdale in 2019, as North End beat Brentford 2-0, with both Sean Maguire and Tom Barkhuizen on the scoresheet.

He has spent the majority of the last few seasons officiating in the Premier League and he’s taken charge of five top flight games so far this term.

 

Alright there lads.

Up for this one? any clues to what to expect tonight? I see you've a few interesting fellows in your team like sinclair and wickham.

We look to be bringing a fun keeper for you to have pot shots at as our decent reserve is sick. we'll have a kid at centre midfield who's had decent but otherwise should be our senior squad players 433

Adrian (if kelleher is confirmed out)
Williams Gomez Konate Tsimikas
Oxlade Morton Jones
Minamino Origi mane

Voted most likely to stink the place out: Oxlade Chamberlain.
One to watch: WIlliams.
Star on show: Mane.
Most likely to score: minamino
Most likely to make a horrid error: Adrian

 

Whickham played 15 minutes out now for nine months injured as for the keeper it would be nice if we did shoot

 

Hopefully a good game. Not too fussed who wins tbh

 

Preston North End 0 Liverpool 2 Minamino, Origi



PNE line-up: Rudd; van den Berg, Lindsay, Hughes; Rafferty, McCann (Johnson, 78), Potts, Ledson (Whiteman, 79), Cunningham (Earl, 69); Maguire (Sinclair, 79), Barkhuizen (Riis, 63). Subs not used: Iversen, Bauer, Johnson, Storey, Huntington.

Liverpool line-up: Adrian; Williams, Matip (Phillips, 45), Gomez, Tsimikas; Morton, Jones (Beck, 90+1), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Dixon-Bonner, 90+1); Blair (Bradley, 55), Origi, Minamino. Subs not used: Pitaluga, Konate, Firmino, Jota, Hughes.

Referee: Mr D Coote.

Attendance: 22,131 (5,611 away fans).

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Well it ended like the last competitive game between the two sides with a 2-0 win for the visitors, it was a case of what if we had taken anyone of the shed load of chances in the first half and the other what if we had played a stronger side than we put out having made nine changes from Saturday's non performance at Doomfield given Liverpool's weaker than normal side
To be fair to the lads that played they gave 100%, the two goals they conceded the first may just have been offside and the second Origi had barely been noticed during the game and back heels one in.
For us McCann was excellent strangely the usually static Lindsay had a decent game, Williams had a great game for Liverpoolwhen pushed forward in the second half caused us tons of problems
We wer slow into the game as per usual but Pool lacked a cutting edge, final ball was unusual for them poor, we started to get into them and chances stared to arrive we missed them all, two efforts both Barkhuizen and Potts could have possibly taken the ball further Barky's ended up in the away end, the ball was not seen again, Potts should probably have scored but Adrian managed to get his hands to it and push it for a corner, not the most convincing keeping I've ever seen, in between these efforts Ledson had fired one over the bar and that ball went walkies as well.
Then came the three in 10 seconds Barky dispossess Gomez, McCann inside right position ball across to Maguire should bury it doesn't Adrian makes a great save, ball rebounds to Ledson, ball hits Williams in the face and it drops to Potts who puts the ball into orbit around Mars ad with that we were never really close again
Second half they were in control early scare when Minamino could n't control the ball and an Oxlade Chamberlain shot whistled past the left hand post
On the hour they took the lead the impressive Williams looking slightly offside got to the by line pulled the ball back and Minamino scored, no way back from that, kept plugging way but difficult without the ball
The second about 10 minutes from time great finish by Origi after Tsimakis cross cum shot rebound back into play to Williams whose effort was deflected upwards and Origi did the rest
As I put at the start a case of What if, never mind Luton on Saturday and we need a performnce in that

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "We didn't play well, that's how it is. We started quite OK, but then we lost the structure completely and that was the problem. We were too lively, too desperate to get the ball.

"As a team we can play better, but individually I saw a few really nice performances. It's all about getting through to the next round, that's what we did. That it [would be] difficult with 11 changes, that was clear."

Preston manager Frankie McAvoy: "I thought our game plan was excellent, we caused Liverpool problems on the counter. We had the best chances in the first half and I don't think Liverpool managed to penetrate us at all in the first half.

"We made nine changes but there's not a lot between the players in our squad, it's fine margins. Sometimes you get it wrong but tonight I felt the guys who were picked did us proud."

 

if you lads knocked in that easy one for potts you could have won but we were really slow in passing and i think we could have improved. Not one actual first team player played so we had jota and firmino to come on.

shouldv'e been 2 up before we got the 18 year old off the park but then we just got a couple break and slowed it all down and controlled it.

 

Agree with that

 

First goal, a question of off-side. Second, marvellous skill by Origi.