Allen Hamilton
What: English Premier League
Who: Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers
When: Monday 26th December, 2011 at 15:00 UK Time
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Jury Still Out
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish may have spent over £100M in the last 12 months, but the fact that the Reds are being linked with further reinforcements in the January transfer window is evidence enough that some special ingredients are missing at Anfield.
The chief problem is a lack of creativity and goalscoring prowess. Without Uruguayan hitman Luis Suarez, Liverpool would look devoid of ideas and somewhat toothless up front. Just 20 goals scored in 17 Premier League games tells its own story, and clashes like this against Blackburn, should be comfortable 3-0 home wins for Dalglish and co. But draws here against Sunderland, Swansea and Norwich means that the outcome cannot be taken for granted.
One thing Liverpool do have however is superb team spirit. Dalglish has been meticulous in cultivating an "all in it together" attitude and this has been demonstrated nowhere more so than in the club’s reaction to Luis Suarez’ eight-game ban for racist abuse towards Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. The Uruguayan will surely appeal and the Reds are behind the former Ajax man, showing this in the most visible way by wearing Suarez t-shirts in their pre-game warm-up before the recent Wigan clash.
That draw at the DW Stadium has made this match all the more important too, as Dirk Kuyt has stressed. "We all want to be happy and get the three points, especially on Boxing Day", said the Dutchman. "It’s going to be a very important game for us, as will all of the games around Christmas. To win at home on Boxing Day will be massive for everyone."
Walking Alone in a Storm?
Liverpool’s motto, ‘You’ll never walk alone’, is something Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean cannot identify with. The Scot looked every inch a lonely man as he watched Rovers lose 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers in a "must-win" match last week. The result ensured Blackburn were bottom on Christmas Day and saw Kean suffer a torrent of calls to step down, from fans who vented their fury at the match, to the area’s local MP, Jack Straw.
Kean though has remained in post and with the backing of the club’s Indian owners Venky’s. Plans are being made to spend money in January, but Kean cannot afford to limp through the festive period with defeat after defeat – he must stop the rot. Doing that at Anfield however looks a stiff test, even if it is true that Rovers play better away from home as that means less fans to call for Kean’s head for 90 minutes.
Kean accepts that life is tough, but has pointed to injuries, a factor which has conspired against him and could contribute to what he well admits is a difficult game. "It’s tough right now, in the respect of results and tough in relation to the state of our injuries.
These aren’t excuses, but they are facts and we are having to face an injury list that would cause grave concern for clubs with much bigger squads than ours. However, we have to tough it out and get on with it – what else can we do? We will piece a team together and arrange a game plan to suit what is clearly going to be a very difficult fixture."
Recent form
Liverpool:
Liverpool 1-0 QPR
(10/12; Premier League)
Aston Villa 0-2 Liverpool
(18/12; Premier League)
Wigan 0-0 Liverpool
(21/12; Premier League)
Blackburn Rovers:
Sunderland 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (10/12; Premier League)
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Brom (17/12; Premier League)
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Bolton Wanderers (20/12; Premier League)
Key absences
Liverpool: Steven Gerrard (doubt); Lucas
Blackburn Rovers: Paul Robinson (doubt); Scott Dann; Ryan Nelson; Martin Olsson; Gael Givet; Vince Grella; Michel Salgado
Players to watch
Liverpool – Stewart Downing: The jury is still out on winger Stewart Downing. Some sections of the Liverpool support are beginning to believe that Manchester United got the best of Aston Villa’s wingers in Ashley Young, while Downing, who arrived in the summer, is poor value for the £20M splurged on his services. The Christmas period would be a good time for the ex-Middlesbrough man to remind Anfield of his undoubted quality.
Blackburn Rovers – Christopher Samba: The giant centre back missed a guilt-edged chance to level the game for Blackburn with a late header against Bolton last week. With a whole host of injuries to Rovers’ defensive assets, Samba is the man charged with leading a young unit to a clean sheet at Anfield. If he does so, then the former Hertha Berlin man will enhance his already impressive reputation.
Match Prediction
Liverpool have worryingly failed to finish off sides they should be beating this season and Blackburn boss Steve Kean will hope that the trend continues. Unfortunately, Rovers have injuries to key men and are in a downward spiral. Only the axe will ease Kean’s suffering and Liverpool will bring it closer to falling by winning here. Liverpool 2-0 Blackburn Rovers.
Liverpool v Blackburn looks a key game for both sides – so where is your money going? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
