FA Cup Preview : Liverpool Vs Blackburn
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Liverpool come into this clash looking to reach the FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 2012, when they beat Everton.
The Premier League giants are the in-form team in England’s top tier, unbeaten in their last 11 games, while Blackburn are languishing down in 13th place in the Championship. However, with Blackburn almost certain of staying mid table, they might through caution to the wind and go for the win, as squad rotation won’t even come into their minds.
Saying that, an in-form Liverpool, despite possibly looking to rotate their squad after Wednesday night’s comfortable win against Burnley, should have enough to register a win.
KICK-OFF: Sunday, 9 . 30pm(IST) at Anfield,Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
LIVERPOOL :Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be assessed hours before the game to face Rovers.The Reds midfielder has missed the last six matches with a hamstring injury but returned to training this week.
Defender Mamadou Sakho is edging closer to a return after four matches out with a hip problem.
ROVERS : Doneil Henry’s whistle-stop start to life as a Blackburn player could well continue with a place in the starting line-up for Gary Bowyer’s side.
The Canadian was signed on loan from West Ham on Wednesday, travelled to Sheffield to meet up with his new team-mates and produced a terrific display a few hours later in a 2-1 win over Wednesday.
Rovers are short in defence with Shane Duffy, Jason Lowe and Alex Baptiste all certain to miss the game while Grant Hanley (leg) is a major doubt. Striker Josh King, who scored a hat-trick in the fifth-round win over Stoke, is also very
unlikely to have recovered from a hamstring injury.
MATCH STATS
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Daniel Sturridge has scored 10 goals in his last 12 FA Cup starts.
Liverpool have kept only three clean sheets in their last 20 FA Cup games.
Rovers have seen five opposition players sent off in their last five FA Cup matches.
Blackburn and Liverpool have been drawn together in the FA Cup nine times, with Rovers progressing four times and Liverpool on five occasions (twice after a replay).
Blackburn have won none of their last 11 trips to Anfield (D4 L7) since their last victory in January 2000, which was also the last time they met in the FA Cup.
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Blackburn’s last two goals at Anfield were own goals by Liverpool players.
Liverpool have progressed on 15 of the last 16 occasions they have reached the FA Cup quarter final.
Rovers and Liverpool have met at the quarter final stage once, with Blackburn winning 2-1 in 1958.
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Steven Gerrard made his Premier League debut against Blackburn and has scored four goals in his last six starts against them.
PREDICTION : Liverpool 3-1 Blackburn
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