Liverpool take on Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarter-final today and their captain Steven Gerrard could return for the game after missing nearly a month due to a hamstring injury.
Defender Mamadou Sakho is also in line for a return after recovering from his hip injury that he suffered against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup and could be drafted straight back into the team alongside Martin Skrtel and Emre Can in defense.
Manager Brendan Rodgers had revealed in the press conference on how Gerrard’s return will be important for the side, a Wea ve still got a couple of days to go yet with Steven, hea s obviously with the rehabilitation team.
a The team is playing very well, but it will be important just to get Steven back and available for selection a thata s the most important element.
a Hea s very much a team player; if he was on the bench because the team is in good form and playing well, everyone respects that.
a Ia ve shown in my time here that if players are performing well a irrespective of status or price a they play. Simple as that.
a But, for me, the most important thing in the first case is having Steven available. Hea s an outstanding player still and to have him back will make our squad a better squad.a
Lucas and Jordon Ibe will miss the tie as the duo are still out injured. Ibe would have missed the game anyway as he is cup-tied after appearing for Derby County in the competition.
Rodgers is once again expected to go with the 3-4-2-1 formation that has worked well for his side since December. We could also see the return of Lazar Markovic into the starting XI after he was rested against Burnley. The Serb will be expected to play as the right wing back with Alberto Moreno occupying the same role on the opposite side. In attack, the trio of Lallana, Coutinho and Sturridge will be expected to start. They have worked well together in the last few months and if they fire, Liverpool could destroy Blackburn.
Gerrard will be itching to win one last trophy with his boyhood club before he makes the switch to the MLS in the coming summer. Considering Liverpool’s current form, it’s unlikely that Blackburn will pose a threat to them at Anfield, however, strange things have happened in the FA Cup this year and the reds will have to avoid complacency when they face Blackburn.