The most notable changes to the team that drew with Barnsley were former red Neil Mellor lining-up alongside Jon Parkin in attack to replace Chris Brown who dropped to the bench. Winger Ross Wallace kept his place on the left having been given the go ahead from Sunderland to feature.

For Liverpool Steven Gerrard skippered the Premier League leaders midst off the field controversy. Robbie Keane is recalled after sitting out the 5-1 drubbing over Newcastle whilst Fernando Torres took his place amongst the substitutes.

Despite Liverpool getting the game underway, Preston were straight out of the traps at their Premier League counterparts. Jon Parkin, although offside, had Preston’s first sight of goal with a typical Jon Parkin chest down half volley attempt.

With just five minutes played, Paul McKenna surged forward only to be brought down 30 yards out. With Wallace converting against Barnsley on the final game of 2008, he was of course a prime candidate to have a go . That he did, forcing a save out of Diego Cavalieri low down to his right-hand post to earn his side a corner. The resulting corner found the head of Jon Parkin but the big man was unable to connect and in the end, the ball went out for a goal kick.

Liverpool’s first chance came after eleven minutes via an Albert Riera ball in. With just Gerrard in the middle, Riera found the Liverpool captain but was unable to connect properly with his shot. Just moments later, Gerrard had another chance when he picked the ball up 20 yards out. The Huyton native let loose with a teasing effort but was straight at Lonergan, who despite fumbling it, was able to gather comfortably.

The aforementioned effort seemed to wake Liverpool up and gave the visitors a spring in their step. Despite enjoying early possession, Preston were very much on the back foot going into the first quarter of an hour played and were defending admirably trying to catch Liverpool on the break.

On 20 minutes, Richard Chaplow had an excellent chance to put the Lilywhites in front when picked the ball up 20 yards from goal. The former Burnley man teed himself up to test Cavalieri but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper and in the end was easy for the Liverpool stopper.

In what was the best piece of play of the half, Preston expertly hit Liverpool on the counter-attack on 23 minutes. Paul McKenna laid the ball out brilliantly to Wallace who found Neil Mellor on the left flank. Mellor took the ball in towards goal, despite Parkin screaming for it back post, Mellor tried to curl one in the bottom corner but to no avail.

His decision to shoot proved costly as just a minute later, Liverpool took the lead after 24 minutes through Albert Riera. The Spaniard twisted and turned on the edge of the box before guiding the ball over a helpless Lonergan in the Preston goal. The goal seemed to wake the Kop up which was of course occupied by the Koppites of Liverpool today as opposed to Preston North End, ironically donning the face of Liverpool legend Bill Shankly.

Dutchman Ryan Babel tried to repeat the fortunes of his Spanish teammate but his effort was high, wide and not very handsome and was greeted by ironic cheers from the Town End.

Steven Gerrard nearly made it two in 26 minutes with what could have been a textbook Steven Gerrard finish. The England midfielder showed great skill to usher the ball onto his left foot but was unable to keep his shot down.

Robbie Keane could hardly believe his luck when he found himself with just Andy Lonergan to beat. The Republic of Ireland international immediately had Lonergan rushing out to thwart his efforts and managed to block the £20m man’s effort. It should have been two nil and in all honesty, Liverpool have had enough chances to have been at least 3-0 up by now.

Five minutes before half-time, Callum Davidson, an unlikely source for goals from open play, got behind the Liverpool defence thanks to a clever flick on from Parkin. Carragher averted the danger at the vital moment but the ball was only cleared as far as Wallace who tried to pick out Parkin at the far post. His cross was easy for Cavalieri.

The £20m man should have definitely made it two in first-half stoppage time when it seemed harder to miss. The Liverpool number 7 was just 5 yards out when he directed his shot wide of Lonergan’s goal. With chants of ‘what a waste of money’ from the Deepdale faithful, Keane trotted off with a bemused look on his face signifying how he managed to miss yet another clear cut chance.

After just one minute of stoppage time played, the referee brought the first-half to an end. Liverpool 1-0 up and probably have felt they should have had more. Despite early promise from Preston and in particular Ross Wallace and Richard Chaplow, the home side found themselves on the back foot for the vast majority of the first period. Only resolute defending from Preston and Sean St Ledger in particular had prevented Liverpool from going in at the break with a much healthier margain.

With no changes from Alan Irvine, Preston restarted the match defending the Kop end. Liverpool made one change with Xabi Alonso making way for Lucas in midfield. Immediately after the restart, Robbie Keane squandered yet another chance, this time from a free kick. His effort did force a corner but came to nothing.

With as little as five minutes played in the second half, Preston showed their intentions that they were not here to make up the numbers. Jon Parkin momentarily adopting a deeper role pulling the strings, Preston had some positive possession around the Liverpool penalty and very nearly got themselves an equaliser. Sean St Ledger found himself the furthest man forward but was unable to latch on to Parkin’s through ball.

Injury forced Alan Irvine to make his first change as Callum Davidson made way for Eddie Nolan to make his first appearance after signing on a permanent deal from Blackburn, slotting in at left back. He as well as the rest of the Preston defence were in for a testing second half.

A shot from Javier Mascherano who was teed up by Steven Gerrard from a free kick kick started a spell of domincance. The Argentinean’s shot was well hit but just over the bar with 52 minutes played.

Moments later, Gerrard tried his luck from a similar distance. His shot was tame and more than comfortable for Lonergan but Liverpool were asking the questions.

Gerrard’s next effort was quite so comfortable for the Preston stopper however. Lonergan turned the Liverpool skipper’s effort over the bar to concede a corner. His efforts were met with congratulatory nods of the Liverpool players who recognised his contribution.

Sean St Ledger thought he had equalised, sending the North End fans into a brief wave of raptures but to his disbelief, as well as the Town End, the goal was chalked off. Chaplow put the ball in which was met by the Saint but Parkin was adjudged to have impeded Carragher in his attempts to clear the ball.

With nearly seventy minutes played, Preston were very much on the offence and searching for an equaliser. Ross Wallace was proving a nuisance down the left as was Billy Jones on the opposite side. Paul McKenna was his ever industrious and boisterous self attempting to pull the strings for North End.

After missing a hatful of chances, the services of Robbie Keane were no longer needed and instead Fernando Torres was called on. Rafa frustrated that his side had not finished the game off, his fellow countryman was greeted with cheers from the Liverpool supporters.

Preston won a free-kick in the corner of where the Pavillion meets the Town End, the ball in met Sean St Ledger’s right foot but instead of side footing home, the Irishman trapped the ball dead and was clained by Cavalieri.

At the other end, Fernando Torres had his first attempt on goal. The Spaniard picked the ball up 40 yards out and proceeded towards goal. The Liverpool supporters anticipated a goal but his shot was lacklustre and steered wide for a goal kick on 75 minutes.

On 76 minutes, Steven Gerrard’s turn and blocked volley typified the game. Liverpool asking the questions but were unable to properly carve Preston open thanks to the steel of the Preston backline and Sean St Ledger in particular.

It was a similar outcome moments later when Ryan Babel couldn’t pick out a teammate. After receiving the ball on the left flank from Javier Mascherano pass, Babel showed great skill and trickery but was unable to produce when it mattered.

With the last kick of the game almost, Fernando Torres made it 2-0. Somehow Steven Gerrard found himself on his own with the ball in his possession. Gerrard couldn’t believe his luck and had the simple task of squaring to Torres who side footed it into an empty net.

Preston were resolute and perhaps deserved something from their second half endeavours but were lucky not to have been several goals down at half time.

With the travelling Liverpool supporters seated in the Bill Shankly Kop, it could be a lucky omen for them to go on and win the FA Cup.