Three Liverpool players who seized their chance in 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Preston

As expected, Jurgen Klopp made wholesale changes for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash at Preston.

In fact, there was not a sole survivor from the 5-0 demolition of Manchester United on Sunday. Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Co. were all given the night off.

It instead gave Klopp a chance to hand much-needed minutes to players on the fringes of his squad.

The Reds got the job done against the Championship hosts. It proved a difficult evening but second-half goals from Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi moved Liverpool into the quarter-finals of the competition.

There were three players on the periphery who impressed and will be hoping they’ve persuaded Klopp to hand them a more prominent role in the coming weeks.

Neco Williams

It must be frustrating being deputy to one of the best right-backs in the world.

There's little chance of Williams dislodging Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League or Champions League.

However, the Wales international certainly delivered an eye-catching display in what was his first start of the season, having missed the opening few weeks with a knock.

In the first half, Williams was largely pedestrian going forward and struggled for ideas.

Yet he ensured his defensive duties were up to standard. He made an outstanding goal-line block with his head to thwart Ryan Ledson's effort that looked destined to give Preston the lead.

It was when Williams was moved into an advanced role when he really thrived.

With Conor Bradley replacing debutant Harvey Blair, Williams switched to a right-wing role and helped engineer both goals.

The 20-year-old got to the byline and his cutback teed-up Takumi Minamino for the opening goal in thw 62nd minute.

Then Williams showed great alertness to latch onto Kostas Tsimikas' cross that hit the bar and his shot bounced up for Divock Origi who superbly flicked home with six minutes remaining.

The academy product deserved a goal of his own late on when he had just Lilywhites keeper Declan Rudd to beat but saw his shot saved.

Still, Williams can take plenty of heart from his display.

He'll now be aiming for more minutes when Alexander-Arnold is either unavailable or needs a breather.

Tyler Morton

The Wirral-born midfielder delivered an impressive second-half performance in the previous round against Norwich.

And Morton built on that outing with a fine effort on his full debut at Deepdale.

The 18-year-old was excellent in the engine room once he had found his feet after the opening gambits.

In the first half, Morton showed excellent vision when he spotted the run of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose control let him down.

Then it was his raking pass that picked out the run of Williams that led to the opener.

It's unfortunate that Morton plays in a position where Klopp has plenty of strength in depth.

However, with James Milner, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott all missing through injury, there could well be a chance for Morton on the bench against Brighton on Saturday if all of the aforementioned are again absent.

Takumi Minamino

The Japan international loves a goal in the Carabao Cup.

After a double at Norwich, he was again on the scoresheet at Deepdale.

His finish shouldn't go under-rated, either. Minimino's movement to get in front of Preston defender Liam Lindsay was clever and his finish was even more intelligent.

It was Minimino's first Reds appearance for the best part of a month and he's had to be patient.

But come January when Liverpool lose Mo Salah and Sadio Mane to the African Cup of Nations, Klopp will need his fringe men to step up.

Minamino needs to remain sharp and continue banging on the door.