Admittedly, I wasn't really looking forward that much to Liverpool's FA Cup match at Preston. With the Steven Gerrard case at the back of my mind and the constant glances at the league table and the forthcoming fixtures, I was seeing this game rather as a distraction from the very bread and butter that is the league. 

Maybe being top somehow narrows your perspective on the wider scheme of things. Cometh the hour, this sense of indifference quickly subsided and with Gerrard at the middle of the park, doing what he instinctively does, this proved one very welcomed distraction and a reminder that the FA Cup is the oldest and one of the most beautiful competitions in the world.

While Liverpool and Preston North End have always moved in parallel directions, a common attribute in both club’s history books is the name of Bill Shankly, the father of modern Liverpool, who before taking the hotseat at Anfield back in 1959, had plied his trade at Deepdale in their white shirt. 

It was only fitting for the travelling Kop to chant the name of this extraordinary human being, whose human heart and stubbornness to succeed made so many people dare to believe and consequentially happy.

Preston treated the match as you would expect of a side currently doing well in their own league, and playing at home in front of their biggest crowd since 1972. Liverpool replied, though, with equal hard work and determination, confident with their status but leaving behind any trait of complacency. 

It all paid off in the 25th minute thanks to the inventiveness of Albert Riera, who elegantly made his way through a couple of defenders and, rather than crossing, chose to unleash an unstoppable shot that the net graciously welcomed.

Liverpool continued pressing forward, often cutting through, but unfortunately on the day, Robbie Keane once again showed his old self in a red shirt; when presented with gilt-edged chances, he either shot at the keeper or simply missed horribly. 

His confidence showed its state when just before half-time he was once again provided with a decent chance but rather than letting his striking instincts take hold, he peculiarly opted to pass to a more withdrawn Xabi Alonso.

The only taint on this match was the full withdrawal at half-time of Alonso, who midway through the second half appeared limping towards the Liverpool dugout accompanied by the club’s doctor. 

Apparently his instep had to be stitched but hopefully the six days until the encounter with Stoke at the Brittania will be ample to heal and enable the Basque once again to pull the strings in the Liverpool midfield. 

With Alonso on the sidelines, rather than in the middle, Preston enjoyed more possession and made frequent forays into Liverpool’s area that  tested Diego Cavalieri’s decision making rather than his agility.

Seventeen minutes from time,Fernando Torres finally returned on the pitch. His first touches showed the expected rustiness, but at the very end, as you would expect, he put his name on the score-sheet. The goal came thanks to the impeccable altruism of the captain, who with just the keeper to beat opted to pass and present the Spaniard with the easiest of chances to make the score 2-0.

It is apt to remember that while Liverpool are seven points to the good compared to this time last year, the Reds were rightly barracked from all quarters for an inept display in this same competition against Luton Town that finished 1-1. Liverpool are today hungrier, meaner and simply more appetising on all fronts.