Liverpool won't be able to handle the 'grit of the game', says Preston fans
Preston face Liverpool tonight in the Caraboa Cup
Preston fans say Liverpool won't be able to handle the 'grit of the game' as they fight for a place in the Caraboa Cup quarter-finals at Deepdale later.
The last time the northern sides faced each other was back in 2009 for the FA Cup, which ended in a 0-2 win to Liverpool.
Preston fans have told Hits Radio Lancashire that Liverpool will suffer from the lack of VAR at Deepdale, and are optimistic about the draw, with some claiming that there will be a North End win through a penalty shootout.
Other fans are less hopeful, and are hoping that North End play a good game of football against the Premier League title contenders.
Last round, Liverpool thrashed Premier League rivals Norwich 0-3, while Preston defeated League One side Cheltenham Town in a 4-1 victory.
However, this time round Liverpool are fresh off a 0-5 battering of Manchester United last Sunday, and are looking to maintain their winning streak.
Preston North End weren't as fortunate over the weekend, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Blackpool that ended with Alan Browne receiving a red card.
North End Striker Ched Evans will still be missing off the pitch, as will Josh Murphy due to an injury.
"We want our players to be unpredictable"
Liverpool's Assistant Coach, Pep Lijnders, has said that whoever starts tonight will be eager to keep the winning feeling alive.
Lijnders said: "We don't prepare differently if we go away to Preston or if we go away to Man United, and you see that in the mentality in our players. You see that in the hunger our sessions. That's the only way to become consistent in the season.
"We want our players to be unpredictable. We want them to feel free to attack and to press. We are going to play our way.
Liverpools young centre half Sepp Van Den Berg is on a season's loan at Deepdale and has become a vital part of the North End team.
Speaking on Van Den Berg, the Merseyside Assistant Manger said: "Of course he should play. If you want to be a chef you've got to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. What would be our message if we sent our players out on loan to get good games and we wouldn't let them play? We want to give young players opportunities."