With Brendan Rodgers’ in form Liverpool team going into Sunday’s encounter at Anfield hosting a tricky but effective Gary Bowyer lead Blackburn Rovers from the Championship, let us analyze three key battles that will play a major role in deciding the result of the game.
MARTIN SKRTEL VS JOSHUA KING:
This seems to be an ideal battle with two gifted players in form at the opposite ends of the pitch. Joshua King was in sublime form as Blackburn saw off Liverpool’s fellow Premiership Rivals Stoke City and Swansea City at Home in convincing fashion. Skrtel has been rock solid in a pretty sturdy Reds Defence coming into the New Year. He is Liverpool’s best bet to keep Joshua King at Bay if they want to avoid another nervy performance like they came up against Bolton Wanderers. Joshua King thrives on the wingers crosses for tap ins and headers while Skrtel is well drilled to go head to head with King. This should be one of many tactical battles in the game
Probability: Skrtel could have a tough time dealing with King provided the supply to him is negated.
JORDAN HENDERSON VS TOM CAIRNEY:
Sounds a bit of a mismatch given the recent form and rise of Jordan Henderson’s abilities as a Box to Box Midfielder, who has an eye for goal and the legs to press the opposition. This could be one duel to watch out for as Cairney has been effective in Cup games with some remarkable performances. He is the one Big threat Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers cannot overlook purely because of the balance he provides holding up play as a no 10. With an eye for goal and having the Most assists this season for Blackburn he is the natural Supply chain for players like King and Gestede. Cairnay has 10 assists in 33 games so far this season in all competitions for Blackburn comnparing to Henderson, who himself enjoys the Most Assists for The Reds
HERE’S COMPARING THE 2 PLAYERS ON STATISTICS IN ALL COMPETITIONS
| STATS | JORDAN HENDERSON | TOM CAIRNEY |
| GAMES PLAYED | 40 | 33 |
| PASSING ACCURACY | 82.30% | 85% |
| TACKLES WON | 121 | 46% |
| ASSISTS | 10 | 8 |
| SHOTS ON TARGET | 14 | 13 |
| SHOTS | 35 | 17 |
| GOALS SCORED | 4 | 5 |
| YELLOW CARD | 6 | 7 |
| RED CARD | 0 | 1 |
| AIREAL DUELS WON | 54% | 57% |
| DUELS WON | 50.80% | 53% |
DANIEL STURRIDGE VS GRANT HANLEY:
Sturrridge coming back from injury in February gave Liverpool a much needed boost going into the second half of the season after the striker suffered a frustrating time recovering from a leg injury, which kept him out for almost 6 months. His trickery and quality could cause problems for Blackburn Rovers. One man determined to stop them is Grant Hanley. The Rovers Centreback is physically strong and doesn’t hesitate in going in rashly on to the opposition player. Blackburn will come to Anfield to play a physical game and Hanley has all the Attributes to unsettle the forwards like Coutinho, Sterling and Sturridge. The only flip side is Hanley does have a tendency to get booked often which could leave the Rovers short of personnel at the back.
Game Thought: Brendan Rodgers will set his side out to play in only one way. Blackburn on the otherhand come into the game with Nothing to fear and have a few Surprises up their sleeve. They poses threats with players Like Gestede and King and will look to play the so called ENGLISH LONG BALL game at Anfield given Liverpools problems with set peices and Long Balls. Jay Spearing is cup tied as he already featured at Liverpool for Bolton in the FA Cup, they could have done with him in this tie.
Possible Line Ups:
LIVERPOOL
MIGNOLET,CAN,SKRTEL,LOVREN,MARKOVIC,MORENO,HENDERSON,ALLEN,COUTINHO,STERLING,STURRIDGE
SUBS: WARD,TOURE,JOHNSON,BALOTELLI,LAMBERT,WILLIAMS,BORINI
BLACKBURN:
ROBINSON,OLLSON,SPURR,KILGALLON,HANLEY,LOWE,DUNN,TAYLOR,CAIRNEY,KING,GESTEDE
SUBS: STEELE,CONWAY,MAHONEY,EVANS,SONGO’O,BAPTISTE,HENLEY