Liverpool will be hoping to take another step on the road to recovery this weekend when they tackle Blackburn Rovers, who showed in midweek that they are more than capable of running with the Premier League's big boys.
Rovers booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday with a shock win over table-toppers Chelsea. The score was locked at 3-3 after extra time, but Paul Robinson emerged the hero in the penalty shoot-out to set up a date with Aston Villa in January.
Blackburn's league form hardly reflects such a fine result. They presently lie 13th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone and eight adrift of the Champions League slots – it is, at least, a marked improvement on their early-season achievements under Paul Ince last term.
On Saturday they will have the chance to claim another big scalp, although the Reds look to be on the mend after a horrendous run that has seen them bow out of the Champions League and slip well behind in the title race.
Liverpool eased their European woes somewhat last weekend when they downed bitter rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby. Rafael Benitez's men may have been on the back foot for much of the contest, but Pepe Reina's efforts in goal ensured a 2-0 win to the visitors.
Those three points boosted the Red into fifth place, two points behind Arsenal – although the Gunners have a game in hand. And with the fight for places in the top four looking as tight as ever, a slip up at Ewood Park this weekend is not an option.
FORM GUIDE
Blackburn Rovers
Dec 2: Blackburn Rovers 3-3 Chelsea (League Cup)*
Nov 28: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Stoke City
Nov 25: Fulham 3-0 Blackburn Rovers
Nov 22: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
Nov 7: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth
* Blackburn won 4-3 on penalties
Liverpool
Nov 29: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24: Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Nov 21: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Nov 9: Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Nov 4: Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
Blackburn Rovers
Sam Allardyce will reclaim the reins from stand-in gaffer Neil McDonald, having sat out the last few games following an angioplasty. You won't see Big Sam jumping up and down on the touchline, however, as he will direct things from the relative comfort of the stands.
Franco di Santo was ineligible to play in midweek against his parent club, Chelsea, but the young Argentine forward is available once more and could reclaim a starting spot.
The in-form David Dunn was another who missed out on Wednesday, due to a calf complaint, and remains a doubt for Saturday's clash.
Last starting XI (vs Chelsea): Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Chimbonda, Emerton, Nzonzi, Pedersen, McCarthy, Kalinic, Roberts.
Liverpool
The big news is that Fernando Torres could make his long-awaited return from injury. The Spanish striker hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw at Lyon on November 4.
Alberto Aquilani is still eagerly awaiting his first Premier League start, but boss Benitez has made it clear that he won't rush the fragile Italian midfielder back into action.
Both Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun made cameo appearances in the derby win at Goodison Park, so they could be in contention to start this weekend.
Last starting XI (vs Everton): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Aurelio, Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Blackburn Rovers – David Dunn
He's far from certain to play, and that's been the story of this man's career. An uncharacteristic run of fitness has allowed him to remind everyone just why he was once branded the new Paul Gascoigne. If he plays, he'll be the go-to guy; if not, Rovers may struggle to create anything – although the win over Chelsea would lead one to believe otherwise.
Liverpool – Fernando Torres
Again, not a sure-fire starter, but all the press whispers indicate that 'El Nino' is ready to return. David Ngog has deputised admirably in the past few weeks, but the Reds have nonetheless missed their superstar No.9. Assuming he does feature, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact he has after his lay-off.
Rovers booked their place in the League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday with a shock win over table-toppers Chelsea. The score was locked at 3-3 after extra time, but Paul Robinson emerged the hero in the penalty shoot-out to set up a date with Aston Villa in January.
Blackburn's league form hardly reflects such a fine result. They presently lie 13th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone and eight adrift of the Champions League slots – it is, at least, a marked improvement on their early-season achievements under Paul Ince last term.
On Saturday they will have the chance to claim another big scalp, although the Reds look to be on the mend after a horrendous run that has seen them bow out of the Champions League and slip well behind in the title race.
Liverpool eased their European woes somewhat last weekend when they downed bitter rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby. Rafael Benitez's men may have been on the back foot for much of the contest, but Pepe Reina's efforts in goal ensured a 2-0 win to the visitors.
Those three points boosted the Red into fifth place, two points behind Arsenal – although the Gunners have a game in hand. And with the fight for places in the top four looking as tight as ever, a slip up at Ewood Park this weekend is not an option.
FORM GUIDE
Blackburn Rovers
Dec 2: Blackburn Rovers 3-3 Chelsea (League Cup)*
Nov 28: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Stoke City
Nov 25: Fulham 3-0 Blackburn Rovers
Nov 22: Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Blackburn Rovers
Nov 7: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Portsmouth
* Blackburn won 4-3 on penalties
Liverpool
Nov 29: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24: Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Nov 21: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Nov 9: Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Nov 4: Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
Blackburn Rovers
Sam Allardyce will reclaim the reins from stand-in gaffer Neil McDonald, having sat out the last few games following an angioplasty. You won't see Big Sam jumping up and down on the touchline, however, as he will direct things from the relative comfort of the stands.
Franco di Santo was ineligible to play in midweek against his parent club, Chelsea, but the young Argentine forward is available once more and could reclaim a starting spot.
The in-form David Dunn was another who missed out on Wednesday, due to a calf complaint, and remains a doubt for Saturday's clash.
Last starting XI (vs Chelsea): Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Chimbonda, Emerton, Nzonzi, Pedersen, McCarthy, Kalinic, Roberts.
Liverpool
The big news is that Fernando Torres could make his long-awaited return from injury. The Spanish striker hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw at Lyon on November 4.
Alberto Aquilani is still eagerly awaiting his first Premier League start, but boss Benitez has made it clear that he won't rush the fragile Italian midfielder back into action.
Both Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun made cameo appearances in the derby win at Goodison Park, so they could be in contention to start this weekend.
Last starting XI (vs Everton): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Aurelio, Ngog.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Blackburn Rovers – David Dunn
He's far from certain to play, and that's been the story of this man's career. An uncharacteristic run of fitness has allowed him to remind everyone just why he was once branded the new Paul Gascoigne. If he plays, he'll be the go-to guy; if not, Rovers may struggle to create anything – although the win over Chelsea would lead one to believe otherwise.
Liverpool – Fernando Torres
Again, not a sure-fire starter, but all the press whispers indicate that 'El Nino' is ready to return. David Ngog has deputised admirably in the past few weeks, but the Reds have nonetheless missed their superstar No.9. Assuming he does feature, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact he has after his lay-off.
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