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Wednesday 19:45: Preston v Liverpool
Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Football
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Liverpool -1
Preston have not tasted defeat at home since an opening-day loss to Hull City, but that record is about to brought to a shattering halt against a ravenous Liverpool side. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been close to unstoppable on the road this campaign, scoring a minimum of three goals in every game that they have played away from Anfield.
They have won their previous two away games 5-0 and have scored 18 goals in their last four away games in all competitions.
Only someone who is either incredibly brave or incredibly naïve would back against them doing something similar at Preston on Wednesday night. Frankie McEvoy is enduring a difficult start to his first full season as Preston boss with his side sitting just three places about the relegation zone.
They have beaten a smattering of lower-league opposition on their run to the last-16 of the League Cup but should be undone by a formidable Liverpool outfit.
Both Teams to Score? No
While Liverpool have been ruthless going forward on the road, they have also been fairly watertight at the other end. They have kept clean sheets in all but one of their domestic away games to date this season, although did concede three in a memorable game at Brentford.
Klopp’s side also conceded twice at Atletico Madrid in a Champions League thriller and also conceded a late consolation in Porto.
It is fair to say, however, that Preston do not represent the same threat as Atletico Madrid and Porto, even if Klopp decides to ring the changes as expected on Wednesday.
McEvoy’s side have scored just 14 goals in 14 league games this season and have drawn a blank on five separate occasions. It is highly unlikely that they will cause a much-changed Liverpool defence much trouble.
Takumi Minamino to Score Anytime
Minamino will struggle to break into Liverpool’s fearsome front three any time soon, but he simply must seize every chance afforded to him. The Japanese forward did exactly that in Liverpool’s previous League Cup outing, scoring twice as the Reds eased to a comfortable 3-0 win over Norwich.
However, he has failed to build any semblance of momentum since returning from a loan spell at Southampton in the summer, featuring just twice for Liverpool in all competitions.
He will undoubtedly start on Wednesday night as Jurgen Klopp seeks to rest his key players and must take his chance once more.
Four of Minamino’s six Liverpool goals to date have come in the League Cup and there is a very good chance that that number will increase at Deepdale.
Kostas Tsimikas Anytime Assist
Like Minamino, Tsimikas has struggled to put a consistent run of starts together for Liverpool due to the intense competition for places in his position.
The left-back has deputised impressively for Andy Robertson whenever he has been called upon, but such is the ability of the Scot that it is unlikely that Tsimikas will ever get a prolonged run in the Liverpool team.
Tsimikas has registered two assists in six appearances this season for Liverpool and averages more than two key passes per game.
He recorded an impressive three key passes and one assist in Liverpool’s only other League Cup fixture this season against Norwich and will be one of the Reds’ most dangerous players on Wednesday night.
Liverpool are also yet to concede a goal this season while Tsimikas is on the pitch, which bodes well for their chances of keeping a clean sheet.
Preston v Liverpool betting tips:
Liverpool -1
Both Teams to Score? No
Takumi Minamino to Score Anytime
Kostas Tsimikas Anytime Assist
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