iSporter Praneet Mhatre brings the preview of Sunday's game between Liverpool and Blackburn at Anfield in a game which is a must win for the Reds if they want to stay in the race for Top 4.
Every time one of the big four Premier League teams loses, it calls for celebrations from the rest of them. So when Manchester City gave Chelsea a 4-2 drubbing at Stamford Bridge, one would’ve expected the Anfield faithful to have an early weekend party; well, it ain’t so! This has been an unusual season for the Reds and City’s victory only puts more pressure on Rafa Benitez’s side to come away with all 3 points this weekend.
Liverpool will be without the services of Martin Skrtel, who joined the long list of footballers who have broken a metatarsal at some point in their career! Greek centre back Sotirios Kyrgiakos, serving a three match suspension, will also be missing from the Reds’ defense. With Glen Johnson still not fit enough to be included in the squad, Rafa will have to rely on his reserves to see Sunday’s game through. Blackburn have their own injury concerns as well, as captain Ryan Nelsen will be out following the knee injury he suffered against Bolton last week.
The Rovers have struggled away from home this season and have managed just one away victory so far. Their home form has shown drastic improvement in the recent past though and Sam Allardyce will look to carry that momentum into the game at Anfield. Big Sam’s team seems to have gotten rid of the early season horrors and is well on its way to a solid mid-table finish. Although many Rovers fans will label their current position in the league table as a clear case of underachievement, one must not forget that it has been a strange season for the Lancashire club. It would be best for them to complete the recovery process this season and go all out for a European spot in the following campaign.
As far as Sunday’s game is concerned, the odds are firmly in favor of the Reds. They have won their last five games at home, while Blackburn are winless in their last five away ties! To make matters worse for Sam Allardyce’s team, they have been beaten to pulp by most of the big guns this season (Chelsea 5-0, Arsenal 6-2, anyone??).
Blackburn supporters will argue that their team has improved leaps and bounds after those shockers and shouldn’t be judged on such results. In any case, Liverpool have their task cut out in the race for the last European spot and it means that the Rovers will have to put in a brave display to avoid another humiliation away from Ewood Park!
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