Liverpool make the short trip to Deepdale on Wednesday night to take on Preston North End in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup. This League Cup will rank relatively low on the list of Jurgen Klopp’s priorities as both he and his side chase more prestigious silverware such as the Champions League and Premier League. That being said, the fringe players expected to come in for Liverpool will be looking to impress and show the manager they are worthy of a first team spot. A 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions underlines the Reds’ form across the squad with Divock Origi and Co earning a 3-0 win over Norwich in the last round of the competition. As for Preston, they are Sat 19th in the Championship table, Frankie McAvoy’s side have won two, lost two and drawn six of their ten games going into the tie. They will relish the visit of the Premier League giants but will also be wary of getting hammered as Norwich did in the previous round. As always, below are my three favourite bet builder tips and predictions for this League cup tie.
Preston v Liverpool Bet Builder Tips
Curtis Jones 1+ Shot on Target v Preston
He may not feature on the cheat sheet but that is largely down to lack of minutes this season rather than anything else. He is expected to start here and alongside Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park I expect the duo to completely dominate Preston in all honesty. Jones is a fantastic player and recently returned from injury himself. Prior to his recent setback, Jones began the season brightly, with his rocket at Brentford arguably proving the high point. His precocious talent was on display for all to see in Liverpool’s 5-1 hammering of Porto in the Champions League where Jones stole the show with a Man of the Match performance.
Not really worth referencing his shooting stats this season given his lack of minutes, however last season he had very decent numbers averaging 0.61 shots on target per 90. Against a far inferior Preston side and with Jones desperate to impress I think he looks an excellent candidate for a shot on target. He is currently being offered at a very generous price of 1.73 which for me represents excellent value.
🥅
Curtis Jones 1+ Shot on target v Preston @ 1.73 at Paddy Power
Takumi Minamino 1+ Shot on Target v Preston
Another man keen to impress will be Japanese international Takumi Minamino. He has barely featured this season and will be desperate to impress in a bid to make his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans for the season. He impressed massively while on loan at Southampton last season and has shown on numerous occasions that he is more than capable of shining in England if given the chance. He scored a brace against Norwich in the previous round and I fancy him to do the business once more here as all he requires is a shot on target. A generous price of 1.50 is again being offered and following his brace in the last round and against lower-league opposition I fancy Minamino to do the business once more.
🥅
Takumi Minamino 1+ Shot on Target v Preston @ 1.5 at Paddy Power
Konstantinos Tsimkas to Assist Anytime v Preston
Maybe a slightly rogue call on the face of it but plenty of thought and research behind this one as always. The Greek international is really growing into his role as understudy to the magnificent Andy Robertson at left back and in the appearances he has made this season he has really impressed, particularly from an attacking standpoint. His set piece delivery continues to prove to be exceptional and he has shown already on multiple occasions this season he has a wand of a left foot.
Tsimikas has 3 assists in his 5 Liverpool starts this season (inc friendlies). Expect him to be on corners as well as indirect freekicks which further adds to his chances of an assist. Like Robbo, the Greek is encouraged to bomb on and overlap at every given opportunity and will spend much of the night as a left winger rather than a fullback. He is a huge price of 5.50 and with Robbo certain to be rested and Tsimkas highly likely to play the full 90 this looks fantastic value.
🅰️
Konstantinos Tsimikas Anytime Assist v Preston @ 5.5 at Paddy Power
Preston v Liverpool Predicted Line-ups
Preston v Liverpool Cheat Sheet
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing *
How to watch Preston v Liverpool in the League Cup
📅 When is Preston v Liverpool? / Wednesday, 27 October 2021, 19:45 BST
🏟 Where is Preston v Liverpool? / Deepdale (Preston)
📺 What TV Channel is Preston v Liverpool on? / Sky Sports Football & Sky Sports Main Event
📱 Online Live Streaming for Preston v Liverpool / bet365
🟨 …And who is the referee for Preston v Liverpool? / David Coote 🏴
