Liverpool host Championship Blackburn on Sunday, and here’s the five match-ups that could make the difference…
It’s important that Liverpool don’t underestimate Championship play-off chasers Blackburn Rovers when they come to Anfield on Sunday afternoon. AFC Wimbledon and Bolton Wanderers have already given us problems in this year’s FA Cup competition, and this is a step up in terms of lower league competition.
SEE MORE:
Liverpool Defender Dreaming Of Record Breaking FA Cup Win
Real Madrid Sign £21m Liverpool & Manchester United Target Danilo
Liverpool transfer news
Gary Bowyer’s side have already beaten Premier League duo Swansea City and Stoke City in the last two rounds, and while we’ll be heavy favourites to progress to a Wembley semi-final, it’s well worth taking note of the players that could cause us some trouble.
Here are the five key battles:
5) Simon Mignolet vs Jordan Rhodes
Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper has been in fine form since the turn of the year, keeping eight clean sheets in all competitions. However, he should have his hands full with a player more than capable of playing in the Premier League. Rhodes has scored 64 league goals in the last two-and-a-half seasons having joined from Huddersfield.
4) Martin Skrtel vs Rudy Gestede
Skrtel has been just as an integral to Liverpool’s recent defensive improvements as Mignolet. The Slovakian’s near ever-presence at the heart of our back three has been a reassuring factor for the Reds, as the defensive unit rebuilds its confidence. Gestede is a strong and powerful striker, who’s more than capable of causing problems.
3) Philippe Coutinho vs Grant Hanley
The skilful Brazilian has undoubtedly been our stand-out player so far this season. He’s been unlocking Premier League defence’s for fun so far this term, but will likely be tightly marked by the formidable presence of Hanley. The Rovers captain is still only 23, but has racked up over 100 league games and 17 international caps for Scotland. He’s a 6ft3, no-nonsense player, who will try and bully Coutinho out of the game if he needs to.
2) Raheem Sterling vs Jason Steele
Whoever leads the Liverpool front line – be it Raheem Sterling or Daniel Sturridge – will likely have the impressive Jason Steele to get past in the Blackburn goal. The former member of the Great Britain Olympic team has displaced ex-England international Paul Robinson in the Rovers team, and is always hard to beat.
1) Jordan Henderson vs David Dunn
Our vice-captain has been simply sensational in the last couple of games, scoring brilliant goals against both Manchester City and Burnley. Against Blackburn, he faces a different prospect, a player ten years his senior. Dunn, 35, has remained with Rovers since 2007 – the start of his second spell at the club, playing almost 200 games.
