Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool Preview
Blackburn Rovers take on Premier League giants Liverpool FC for a FA Cup quarter final replay on Wednesday after the Reds had drawn their game against the Championship side at Anfield. Blackburn Rovers have already surprised a few this season in the FA Cup defeating Premier League sides Swansea City and Stoke City in the previous rounds. It will be a tough task for Brendan Rodgers’ men to turn things round in this crucial away fixture as they are currently low on confidence after back to back crushing defeats in the Premier league against Manchester United and Arsenal respectively.
Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool Team News:
Blackburn Rovers will miss the services of quite a few players like on loan midfielder, Jay Spearing who is cup tied. Spearing will not be able to face his former side Liverpool in this match. Also Gary Bowyer has injury concerns over the likes of Rudy Gestede, Craig Conway, Grant Hanley, Josh King and David Dunn.
Liverpool on the other hand will go into the match missing the services of Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and Emre Can due to suspensions. Also Mario Balotelli is likely to miss the game owing to a bad knee. Brendan Rodgers will strongly depend upon players like Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson.
Blackburn Rovers:
Last five matches: WLLWW
Predicted Line Up: Steele; Henley, Baptiste, Kilgallon, Olsson; Cairney, Evans, Williamson, Marshall; Rhodes, Gestede
Possible Formation: 4-4-2
Liverpool:
Last five matches: LLWDW
Predicted Line Up: Simon Mignolet; Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure; Lazar Markovic, Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson, Alberto Moreno; Phillip Coutinho, Raheem Sterling; Daniel Sturridge
Possible Formation: 3-4-2-1
Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool Match Facts:
Ricky Lambert is the 3rd most used substitute in the League this season
Liverpool currently stand 3rd in the Premier League Fair Play Table
Liverpool’s highest scorer this season has just 6 goals, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard.
Blackburn’s record Gate Receipts was against Liverpool in the 1994 League Cup fourth round, netting the Blue and Whites over £333,000 pounds.
Facts compiled from Independent
Blackburn Rovers vs Liverpool Prediction:
Blackburn Rovers successfully held Premier League giants Liverpool for a draw in the first game at Anfield to keep their hopes high of pulling of yet another surprise win over a Premier League side to move into the semi finals. Liverpool on the other hand are low on confidence after back to back defeats in the Premier League. They will be missing the services of a few key members in the defence and captain Steven Gerrard. Only positive thing is that they won’t be out of motivation as they have no other tournament to concentrate on. They are already out of contention of a Champions League spot next season, so winning the FA Cup will be their sole perspective. Liverpool are expected to win it 2-0.