After the euphoria of Tuesday night, and a semi-final bout against Chelsea cemented into the calendar month of April, no doubt the case for resting certain individuals will spring into the mind of Rafael Benitez. With Everton still, despite a case of subdued form, breathing down our necks we are in little position to make mass changes - not against an adept Blackburn side, anyway.

Personally the crux of our side should remain, taking the momentum of that fine victory into this game and hopefully attaining three valuable points in the process - with lowly Fulham preceding the vital opening Anfield clash against our London rivals that perhaps spells of a better opportunity to rest certain individuals. Particularly as Everton will entertain our Champions League opponents the Thursday prior, making for a possible dropping of points. The resultant outcome of that game will indeed either deter or encourage Rafa to make his changes.

For now, however, we must strive to certify 4th place as soon as is possible - if Everton were to be defeated or held on their trip to the midlands, versus Birmingham City, then that for me would serve only as further encouragement to take full advantage.

My team:

[color=white]---------------- Reina

------ Arbeloa ------- Skrtel ------- Carragher ---- Aurelio

----------------------- Alonso --------- Plessis

-------- Kuyt ---------------- Gerrard ---------------- Babel

-------------------------------- Torres

Subs: Itandje, Riise, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch.


I'm inclined to give Hyypia another rest. He'll be important and undoubtedly reserved for the more defining games of our season, meaning the Champions League ones, so i wouldn't be shocked to see the impressive Skrtel partner Carragher again (which both have admittedly done well). Arbeloa could be key to our European fate also... I've said it before that he walks all over Aurelio defensively, so he could be very useful for the Chelsea matches, knowing all too well the brand of football that will entail. After injury he still needs games to return to the form that shone so fervently at the beginning of our season, making him our best defender for myself at that point.

People are welcome to brandish my inclusion of Plessis as "getting carried away", but i'd rather you refrain as the decision was based not on the aspect of him being a reserve player gaining another invaluable opportunity, but the reality that he is conceivably the only player who can replace Mascherano like-for-like in his defensive-midfield duties.

Aside from that the four remaining players are the same as those generally expected. The one possibility perhaps would be to further renew Crouch's aspirations of continuing his career on Merseyside by offering him a second consecutive starting place, which i wouldn't be overly objected to, but personally i'd prefer to present him with the games interspersed in and around the Chelsea showdowns, such as Fulham and Birmingham. Assuming he is not to play a part in those Champions League fixtures (not that he'd need the rest, mind).

With the substitutes of Lucas, Benayoun and Crouch we have enough to change things around should we be struggling, but the confidence will be such that i'd be surprised for us not to win this one at home.

That said, the games enjoyed between ourselves and Blackburn are often close encounters, no side managing to net more than once in the last six Premier League meetings. Of those, and too the respective game prior (totalling Benitez's seven battles against our fellow north-westers during his Liverpool tenure) we've only been able to conjure two victories. Perhaps it is time for a change, but i won't go crazy - 2-0 to the men in red; Torres' 30th of the season and Kuyt projecting his improved form into goals would definitely be pleasing to see.

They have lost only twice in their last fifteen Premier League games played, dating back to late December, but - as said - i'd expect our fine form and confidence to prevail.

I agree, we can't afford to rotate the team with fourth place still in Everton's grasp. We need are best players as Blackburn can be a tough team to beat, they are very inconsistent this season so we don't know what kind of performance the will put in tomorrow.

No Mascherano as he will be serving the last game of his suspension, I see Beni91 has Plessis in midfield to replace him. I wouldnt mind seeing that either because he's a player I like but i feel Rafa will favour Lucus Leiva as he has done so many times this season. Leiva may play well against Blackburn after putting in such a good performance against Arsenal last week, he'll gain confidence from that. The thing I worry about for him is the crowd at Anfield gets on his back at times and you can tell this affects him.

2-0 to Liverpool

easy win for Liverpool
3-0

2-1 Liverpool

Thanks for some discussion Tez.



With Everton drawing our need to win tomorrow is decreased, yet as i said i think this should only encourage us to take full advantage. A 5 point lead would, with four games to be played, be unassailable.

The reason i went for Damien Plessis is because he's the similar type of player as Mascherano, and i don't think it'd be wise to underestimate Rovers as they can be unpredictable as you mentioned. The young Frenchmen would offer us much more protection i feel than Lucas in that position - not that i wouldn't like to see Lucas play more, just that for me he's an attacking midfielder in the Gerrard mould. He thrives on playing the final ball and does it well, which is why i wouldn't shackle him by playing him deeper. It'll only frustrate him, and as you say, the fans. (That does annoy me that people are already being judgmental of Lucas; he's had some questionable performances but when given the licence to go forward i've always been impressed. Gerrard's replacement in my opinion, should he continue to progress on his current ability.)

Yeah we can't be too judgmental of Lucas with it being his first season, he hasnt put in that many good performances but he must have it in him. He's constantly in the Brazil squad and from what I gather he was Gremio's star player last season, we all just need to be patient with him.



Unfortunately I'll be missing the game though so not much post-match discussion from me

2-1 Liverpool, torres brace.

I hope Plesis plays though, i liked the look of him when he played against Arsenal last week.

2-0 Liverpool

I hope Bentley plays really well against us. Maybe that will convince Benitez to sign him.

Without any major tinkering, cant see any other result besides a pool win. But nobody can guess what benitez will do. So there may still be some uncertainty. Just hope Blackburn can be motivated enough to do us a favor!

1 - 1 please!!!!

Like everyone is saying, I can't see any other result than a Liverpool victory particularly being at Anfield...but I wouldn't underestimate Mark Hughes's desire to upset the applecart.

I think that should perhaps, maybe, possibly be second to hoping we win, Sticky.

This game was pretty good back in November with Blackburn giving a great account of themselves, so i'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we go full-strength and just ensure the 3 points, then we can rest versus Fulham.

Comfirmed Liverpool Starting XI:

--------------------------------- Reina

------ Arbeloa ------- Skrtel ------- Carragher ----- Aurelio

----------------------- Alonso --------- Lucas

-------- Kuyt ---------------- Gerrard ----------------- Babel

-------------------------------- Torres

Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Voronin.

As i suggested, bar Plessis with Lucas perhaps expectedly coming in for Mascherano - the rested Hyypia and the injured Crouch make way also, with Arbeloa and Babel coming in respectively.


Confirmed Blackburn Starting XI:

--------------------------------- Friedel

------ Emerton ------ Samba -------- Nelsen ------- Warnock

------ Bentley -------- Reid ---------- Vogel -------- Pedersen

-------------------- Santa Cruz ----- Roberts

Subs: Brown, Ooijer, Mokoena, Dunn, McCarthy.

im glad Babel is back in the team. i think hes been great at times and was unlucky to miss out. is it just me or is kuyt lucky to start for a team like Liverpool. im guessing thats down to the fact that they dont have the best wingers in the prem but i dont even think he would get in Newcastles team.

Considering his difficulty finding goals, yes. But he fits in well in this formation because he drops back a lot and serves almost as a 5th defender. The guy can run all day and gives 110%. Benitez tends to have his wing backs involved on the attack so it's important to have the wingers to be able to cover them and for now, Kuyt's doing that. If it's all about attack I'd probably rather have Benayoun on that spot, but all things considered, Kuyt's probably the smarter choice.

Great post there Ben. It is refreshing to see some of you putting alot of time, thought and effort into your posts.

Why don't you write something for the main site Ben. I would be happy to publish it as you write very well. A good topic would be to write something on the up and coming Champions League Semi Final clash between Liverpool and Chelsea. The sooner you write that the better. I will also be looking for someone to write an article on the Manchester United - Barcelona game. These need to be high quality though.

wel i hope he scores today. he does work hard and if he fits in well why change it.

Gerrard Diving Shocker!!!!




Lets hope someone adds that to his youtube collection.

That dive was sickening. What an arsehole!