Follow all the action from Preston's FA Cup game against Liverpool with our minute-by-minute commentary.
Riera and Torres score at Deepdale
Liverpool survived a few anxious moments to beat Preston 2-0 and advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Albert Riera broke the deadlock with a fantastic finish in the 25th minute as Liverpool dominated the first half, carving out several chances that went begging.
They were nearly made to rue those misses as Preston enjoyed a fine spell midway through the second period, with a Sean St Ledger goal disallowed and a confident penalty appeal turned down.
However, Rafa Benitez's side weathered the storm and held on for victory as substitute Fernando Torres, on his return from injury, scored in the dying seconds.
Spirited start
The home side made a spirited start with midfielders Paul McKenna and Richard Chaplow quick to harass Liverpool and force errors, and a 20-yard free-kick from Ross Wallace forced Diego Cavalieri into a plunging save to his right.
Liverpool responded with as twisting run from Riera and a lay-off that Robbie Keane could not direct goalwards as he arrived in the six-yard box, the first of a succession of squandered opportunities for the Irishman.
Chaplow and Neil Mellor both went close before Liverpool were ahead. Riera picked up a fortunate deflection on the right of the box, and although there was a clear opportunity to drill the ball into the danger area, the Spaniard opted to cut inside and crack the ball into the top corner with his left foot.
Steven Gerrard, who was finding acres of space to operate in just behind Keane, had two long-range efforts which flew close.
Command
Liverpool were slowly taking command, and Chaplow was booked for a late tackle on Xabi Alonso, who equally was constantly drifting into dangerous areas.
And Liverpool had a string of chances near the break to settle the issue. Keane should have made it two when he squirmed clear in the area, but Andy Lonergan saved bravely at his feet.
Then Keane produced an even worse effort, arriving in the box to meet a Gerrard cross, only to send his shot hopelessly wide.
Gerrard was in fine form by now and another glittering chance was created by the Liverpool skipper, but it was squandered by first Keane, who opted not to shoot. Instead he pushed the ball to Ryan Babel, who was equally wasteful.
Liverpool sent on Lucas for a limping Alonso at the break, and within minutes Daniel Agger had headed narrowly wide from a corner.
The sight of Torres warming up on the touchline had the Liverpool support bursting into song, a sight that would also have concentrated Keane's mind.
Anxiety
But without the cushion of a second goal, there was plenty of anxiety creeping into Liverpool's play and Preston were clearly encouraged.
Preston lost Callum Davidson with what looked to be an ankle injury after 56 minutes, Eddie Nolan coming on. Gerrard's free-kick gave Javier Mascherano the chance for a 25-yarder that flew just over.
Babel's touch gave Gerrard the opportunity for a dipping drive that Lonergan superbly turned over the crossbar at full stretch. Mellor, to a rousing ovation from both sets of fans, went off after 62 minutes to be replaced by Stephen Elliott.
Preston had an effort disallowed after 64 minutes when St Ledger netted, only for Jon Parkin to be penalised for holding down Jamie Carragher.
Pressure
Preston should have been out of the game by now, such had been Liverpool's string of missed chances but they were heartened by Liverpool's failures, so much so that Benitez appeared on the touchline.
And Torres soon appeared, after 73 minutes, to replace Keane.
Liverpool conceded a string of free-kicks, and there were a couple of loud shouts for penalties as the pressure from the home side heightened.
Gerrard saw a fierce shot on the turn blocked by St Ledger, before Preston sent on Barry Nicholson for Chaplow after 81 minutes.
Liverpool then pushed Gerrard back into central midfield, took off Mascherano and sent on Fabio Aurelio on the left, with Babel moved forward.
But in injury time Gerrard broke away to set up Torres for a simple tap-in to clinch the game.
| Team Name |
Preston North End |
Liverpool |
| Possession |
43% |
57% |
| Goals |
0 |
2 |
| Shots On Target |
5 |
9 |
| Shots Off Target |
3 |
10 |
| Blocked Shots |
0 |
4 |
| Corners |
3 |
6 |
| Fouls Conceded |
10 |
13 |
| Offsides |
1 |
1 |
| Yellow Cards |
1 |
0 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
