Blackburn vs. Liverpool: Tactical Preview of FA Cup Game
Due to their Premier League collapse against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool are gearing up for their seemingly only meaningful game of the season left. An FA Cup quarter-final replay at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers will determine who plays Aston Villa at Wembley later this month.
Blackburn News
Blackburn appear to be suffering something of an availability crisis ahead of this game, with multiple players unable to play for a variety of reasons.
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Rudy Gestede, who dominated aerially in the first leg, is a doubt along with Chris Brown and Chris Taylor, while Craig Conway, Grant Hanley, David Dunn and possibly Josh King are seemingly out.
Jay Spearing, a former Liverpool man, is cup-tied after playing in an earlier round with Bolton Wanderers (against Liverpool!). He's been a key part of Gary Bowyer's midfield since joining on loan in January.
Liverpool News
Liverpool have a minor defensive selection crisis that could see them change formation. uMAXit Football's Jack Lusby has questioned whether a back four now becomes a necessity given the absences and whether it could re-spark the Reds' season.
Martin Skrtel will serve the second game of his three-match ban, while Emre Can and Steven Gerrard will also miss out due to suspension. Mario Balotelli wasn't in the 18 against Arsenal due to a knee issue, and Daniel Sturridge may return after a hip problem diagnosed during the international break.
There are a number of Liverpool players who could be benched for poor performance, including Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva and Kolo Toure.
Key Point 1: Liverpool Reshuffle?
The Reds could return to a back four due to suspensions and concerns over the performance of Kolo Toure. The Mirror's Jim Boardman reported that there was an air of discontent in the dressing room following the Arsenal loss.
Dejan Lovren is fit, so he could partner Martin Skrtel, and a reversion to a traditional defensive line could see Moreno's load eased as an orthodox left-back and, perhaps, Javier Manquillo brought in on the right-hand side. That would cause a genuine ripple effect further up, with the assignments of everybody else changing as a result.
A diamond would likely be the best choice, but it's only workable if Balotelli or Sturridge can start alongside Raheem Sterling up front. Philippe Coutinho can continue in the No. 10 role, and Joe Allen, Lucas and Jordan Henderson can fill out the middle.
If not, it's incredibly important to avoid moving to the 4-2-3-1—even if he means moving Coutinho out of the No. 10 role in a 4-3-3. The Reds were a dire watch in the former formation before Christmas, and it was a major factor in their early exit from the UEFA Champions League.
Will Rodgers stick or twist?
Key Point 2: Plan B in Attack
Bowyer will be cursing his luck if Gestede misses this clash due to injury, as it was all setting up so nicely in favour of the Blackburn attack.
Skrtel is really the only player on Liverpool's roster capable of matching Gestede in the air, and with the Slovakian suspended due to a stamp on David De Gea several weeks back, he was likely planning to launch it up 50 times and see how often it sticks.
If Gestede is fit, that will still be Plan A, and a good one at that. But if he's not, a certain amount of re-calibration must occur. Jordan Rhodes would lead the attack in a formation that likely only incorporates one striker, and the onus would fall on the midfield to thread passes, not lump them.
Bowyer will be desperately hoping his French target man is fit, but if not, it's a real test of Tom Cairney and Co.'s ability to fashion changes in a tidier, more precise manner.
