Liverpool vs. Blackburn: Tactical Preview of FA Cup Game
Liverpool have FA Cup glory in their sights, but Blackburn Rovers stand firmly in their way. After dispensing with Swansea City and Stoke City in previous rounds, Gary Bowyer's men are looking for a third Premier League scalp.
Liverpool News
The Liverpool Echo report Daniel Sturridge is now ready to play "every game," so we expect to see him start here. Brendan Rodgers will no longer have to be overly careful with him and has done superbly to protect him over the last month.
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Mamadou Sakho is an injury doubt and may not be rushed back with Dejan Lovren performing adequately by and large, while Steven Gerrard hasn't been seen for a while and doesn't need to come in if he's not ready.
It's the perfect opportunity to rest Philippe Coutinho and keep him fresh for the top-four run-in, but chances are the Brazilian will start and come off later. With Jordon Ibe both injured and cup-tied, Lazar Markovic and Javi Manquillo will fight it out for the right wing-back spot.
Blackburn News
Per WhoScored.com, striker Joshua King, scorer of a hat-trick in the last round, is a question mark after picking up a knock in the midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday. Jason Lowe is definitely out, but apart from those two, manager Gary Bowyer has very few concerns.
Luckily for Rovers, they have immense depth up top to call upon and can easily slot Rude Gestede, Ben Marshall or Jordan Rhodes into the 4-4-2 up front. The latter has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and Anfield is the perfect venue to strut his stuff once again.
There could also be a return for Jay Spearing, who spent his formative years at Liverpool before moving on to find first-team football.
Key Point 1: Basic, Effective Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers do the basics well; they don't over-complicate and source their strengths from traditional, direct play.
They move the ball reasonably quickly and move it wide, looking for attacking full-back overlaps or willing crossers in Craig Conway and Tom Cairney. Both wingers have good technique and pace, and both tend to hold the ball at the right time and release at the right time. They're good decision-makers.
Bowyer has a true fox-in-the-box striker in Rhodes and a proper target man on Gestede. Whether the latter starts or comes off the bench, he always causes havoc and his partner feeds off the scraps, turning them home.
Liverpool shouldn't expect anything too marvellous, but prepare for the basics and ensure they make no mistakes. If any are made, they will be punished.
Key Point 2: Domination in Midfield
Blackburn's victory over Sheffield Wednesday midweek was their first away win in just over four months—an astounding run.
There is no one explanation as to why Bowyer's men went on such a barren streak away from Ewood Park, but the adopted formation stands an issue. Blackburn attack and play in a direct 4-4-2, and while they may tone it down a little for Anfield, it's typically been unsuitable for away days.
The Reds could dominate three vs. three in midfield such is their superior man-for-man quality, but it's likely they'll find themselves three vs. two or even four vs. two—that is, if Raheem Sterling and Coutinho both drop in.
Under close examination over long periods, and with the movement Liverpool's forwards are capable of, it would not surprise to see Blackburn falter and concede; they are not a defensive colossus.
Rodgers' men must stay patient but start on the front foot; no slow, flat passing—quicken the tempo, stretch the opponent on a big pitch and spot a weak area quickly.
