by maypaxvobiscum » Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:01 pm
Paul Ince’s Blackburn Rovers, who are one place off the bottom, face Premiership leaders Liverpool at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Rovers have failed to win in the league since beating Newcastle United at St James’ Park on September 27 and only picked up three points from last nine games. The Lancashire outfit are now only two points off the foot of the table after 15 games.
Rafa Benitez’s Reds, meanwhile, have moved to the top of the table after Monday night’s goalless draw against West Ham United, following Chelsea’s loss to Arsenal last weekend.
Ince has been livid with his side’s defending and slammed their performance in the midweek’s 5-3 Carling Cup loss to Manchester United.
On the other hand, Benitez has seen his side being held to two goalless draws on the trot – by Fulham and West Ham, and will be frustrated as the Merseysiders missed out on opening up a bigger lead at the top of the table.
Rovers’ Vince Grella, D Dunn and S Reid are sidelined, while Liverpool are without injured Fernando Torres, Fabio Aurelio, Degen and Skrtel.
The teams
Blackburn (from): Robinson, Brown, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Mokoena, Andrews, Tugay, Treacy, Pedersen, Roberts, Derbyshire, Villanueva, Santa Cruz, Fowler, McCarthy.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Riera, Cavalieri, Lucas, Insua, El Zhar.