Monday, December 26, 2011

Dalglish: Yakubu Poses Threat To Liverpool

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admits Blackburn striker Ayegbeni Yakubu poses a threat at Anfield tomorrow, but is confident his in-form defence will keep the Nigerian quiet.

Rovers' summer signing from Everton has 10 Barclays Premier League goals - including four in one match against Swansea three weeks ago - this season.

However, the Reds have the most miserly defence in the top flight having conceded just 13 times in 17 league matches and have kept seven clean sheets, five of which have been in the last eight games.

"His goal tally is pretty impressive for a team at the bottom of the table," said the Reds boss.

"He's a clinical finisher. He got four against Swansea and got another goal the other night (against Bolton).

"He is a threat, but then there are a lot of good strikers that Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have come up against recently and they've been playing particularly well.

"We won't be presumptuous that they are going to play well but then again we won't be presuming Yakubu is going to score against us either.

"It will be a decent game, and it will be a good competition between Yakubu and ourselves.

"If we take our eye off everyone else and just concentrate on Yakubu then we could find ourselves in trouble, so we've got to be responsible and look after everybody.

"But he has certainly had a good goalscoring season this year."

Liverpool will be looking to improve on their disappointing home record this season when bottom team Blackburn visit.

Dalglish's side has won just three times in eight Anfield appearances and the win over QPR on December 10 ended a run of four successive draws at the famous old stadium.

The Scot admits it is not for want of trying as they have created numerous chances but have one of the lowest conversion rates in the top flight.

"We would love the boys to get the reward some of their outstanding build-up play deserves and we'll continue to make chances, and the opposition know we'll make chances," said Dalglish.

"There have been a few inspired goalkeeping performances against us which we can't do anything about, and the first thing we have to do is concentrate on hitting the target.

"We would be lots more frustrated if we didn't create those chances so as long as we get them we will be fine - the goals will come and the goalkeepers won't be as good as they have been.

"We now have two home games in a row starting with Blackburn and we need to take maximum points if possible.

"We know Blackburn aren't in a nice situation at the moment and because of that it will be difficult with them fighting for their lives and we will have to do our best."

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