3 Changes That Liverpool Need To Do Against Blackburn Following Their Poor Show Against Arsenal

When it rains, it pours, Liverpool seemed to be all set to progress into a top 4 place but a couple of losses against their top 4 rivals has seen them lose their steam and now they sit 8 points behind Manchester United in that final Champions League spot. Liverpool’s new formation has been found out by United first and then was ripped to shreds by Arsenal, although they were missing Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel due to suspension. They will also miss Emre Can in the next game as he picked up a red card for a stupid challenge in the last game.

Liverpool travel away to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup next, Rovers fought valiantly to get a draw at Anfield and the replay will see them play at home against a fragile Liverpool team. Rodgers will have to do well as this is the only chance of winning a trophy; here are 3 things that Liverpool would have to do to ensure they do not slip up against the Championship side.

Play a back 4

With Skrtel and Can suspended, it might not seem like a good idea to play their back 3. They might have played really well with a back three but that was due to a fixed line up of Skrtel, Can and Sakho. Toure had a woeful afternoon against Arsenal and playing Lovren, Sakho and Toure together against a Blackburn team who would be buoyed for the game would be suicidal. They should instead play with a back 4 and consolidate their defence rather than experiment with the bumbling threesome of Sakho, Lovren and Toure.

Play Lucas with Henderson

Playing Joe Allen in midfield with Lucas was another disaster from Liverpool, Allen does not really have a presence in midfield and Lucas was brought into a tough game right after recovering from injury. The best pair in midfield at the moment would be to play Lucas with Henderson, it might be tough on Joe Allen to drop him from the Liverpool team but that would ensure that Liverpool have bite and toughness in the midfield and not be bullied about by Blackburn. Henderson’s runs would be hugely beneficial for Liverpool and the control and tackling of Lucas is perfect for a game against a Championship side.

Give Moreno a rest or relieve him of defensive duties

Alberto Moreno was brought in as a left back but in the last two games, he has been found out by Manchester United and Arsenal, he was responsible for both goals which they conceded against United and was woeful in defence against a frightening Arsenal team. Moreno does have a lot of quality going forward and playing him in a winger role might not be the worst option. The other option would be to give him a rest, playing so many games would have taken its toll on the young Spaniard and maybe giving him a rest might rejuvenate him for the remaining fixtures.