Barclays Premier League
Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers, Anfield
Saturday, April 11, Kick-off: 12.45
Liverpool will have to put their midweek Champions League disappointment to one side as they go in search of their fifth successive Premier League victory taking on Blackburn at Anfield.
The Reds have been in fine form and have conceded only once in victories against Sunderland, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Fulham.
But manager Rafa Benitez will have to rally his troops after their 3-1 loss in the Champions League to Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The Anfield outfit are only one point behind Premier League leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand.
Nevertheless, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have show signs of wilting recently and Benitez is determined that his team will take advantage of any slip up that United may have.
Liverpool go into the game as hot favourites having gone 26 home league games without defeat, the longest current run in the top flight.
But Blackburn have been rejuvenated since Sam Allardyce replaced Paul Ince as manager in December and have lost only three of their last 14 matches.
Rovers make the short trip to Merseyside buoyed by last weekend’s somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Ewood Park.
Until midfielder Spurs Wilson Palacios was controversially sent off, Sam Allardyce’s men looked like slipping to defeat, but two late strikes from Benni McCarthy and Andre Ooijer clinched the win to put Rovers five points clear of the relegation zone.
But their hopes of extending that margin have been hampered by the news that Jason Roberts will be out for the next three weeks after the striker picked up a foot injury, he joins Brett Emerton and Steven Reid on the sidelines.
Manager Sam Allardyce is also sweating on the availability of Morten Gamst Pedersen (calf), Roque Santa Cruz (knee) and Vince Grella (groin) who are all doubts for the match.
Furthermore, Johann Vogel has left the club after having his contract terminated, leaving options in midfield rather scarce.
Liverpool have added Steven Gerrard to their squad but will assess the fitness of their captain right up until kick-off.
The England international was impeded by injury during the midweek Champions League defeat to Chelsea and has been sent for scans.
Gerrard has already suffered with hamstring and groin injuries this season.
Rafael Benitez has almost a full squad to choose from other than that, with only Sami Hyppia (knee) and Philipp Degen (groin) currently sidelined.
Rafael Benitez said: “Steven was not 100% against Chelsea - you could see that. It was the same for Fernando Torres, you could see that they were a little tired, not as sharp as before.
“But they have been playing well and we felt it was okay to use them both in this game. We need them.
“They were not as mobile as they usually are and Chelsea made it very difficult for both on Wednesday night.
“We’re not sure if Gerrard will be fit for the Blackburn game, we will have to wait and see.”
Anfield old boy Stephen Warnock has his sights set on destroying Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge after admitting Blackburn Rovers can afford no room for sentiment.
He said: “What happens in the title race does not bother me, because it is nothing to do with me. I don't expect I will get any text messages asking for me to go easy on them or anything like that.
“It is Blackburn I look out for now. We have a relegation battle on, and of course I will be delighted if we can go to Liverpool and win.
“Last weekend’s win has taken a little bit of pressure off us going to Anfield, because the last thing you would have wanted to be doing is travelling to the side who are second in the table having lost at home the week before.”
Phil, Prestatyn around 3 years, 1 month ago