Mar
11
All the best images from Lille Metropole stadium where Lille host Liverpool in the Europa League
Feb
26
Rafael Benítez could take encouragement from three goals and a strong bench in Bucharest on Thursday night, although Liverpool’s exertions on a heavy pitch at the Steaua Stadium will influence thinking for a Blackburn side on a decent run of one defeat in six league games. Both teams have problems in central defence, where captain Ryan Nelsen will be absent for Rovers and Martin Skrtel plus Sotirios Kyrgiakos are sidelined for the hosts. Liverpool have taken maximum points from their last five league matches at Anfield whereas Rovers, who last won a league game here in 1993, have triumphed only once on their travels this season. Andy Hunter
Venue Anfield
Tickets £37-39 (0844 844 0844)
Last season Liverpool 4 Blackburn 0
Referee A Wiley
This season’s matches 21 Y67, R4, 3.38 cards per game
Odds Liverpool 2-5 Blackburn 9-1 Draw 15-4
Liverpool
Subs from Cavalieri, Torres, Aquilani, Rodríguez, Aurélio, Degen, Ngog, Riera, Darby, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, El Zhar
Doubtful Torres (match fitness)
Injured Johnson (knee, 8 Mar), Skrtel (foot, unknown)
Suspended Kyrgiakos (last of three)
Form guide DLWWDW
Disciplinary record Y43 R5
Leading scorer Torres 12
Blackburn
Subs from Brown, Dunn, Grella, Reid, Jacobsen, Cimbonda, Hoilett, Roberts, Jones, Di Santo, Basturk
Doubtful Bastruk (match fitness)
Injured Nelsen (knee, Apr)
Suspended None
Form guide WWLDWW
Disciplinary record Y41 R2
Leading scorer Dunn 5
Match pointers
• Blackburn have won one of their last 22 league meetings with Liverpool (3-0 at Ewood Park in November 1996)
• If Liverpool do not score it will be the first time since February-March 2005 that they have failed to find the net in three consecutive league games
• Blackburn have failed to score in six of their last 10 league meetings with Liverpool
• Liverpool have conceded one goal in their last 540 minutes of football at Anfield
• Blackburn have been caught offside more times (90) than any other side in the top flight
LiverpoolBlackburn RoversPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk
Feb
19
Liverpool typically reserve their greatest intensity for matches with Manchester United but they ought to be every bit as animated in the trip to the other Premier League club in that city. Roberto Mancini’s chances of keeping his job surely depend on taking fourth place at the expense of contenders such as the visitors. Despite the reported turbulence in the relationship between the manager and some players City have been consistent at home, although Carlos Tevez’s absence because of personal matters does impair the team. Kevin McCarra
Venue City of Manchester Stadium
Tickets £39-47 (www.mcfc.co.uk)
Last season Manchester City 2 Liverpool 3
Referee P Walton
This season’s matches 16 Y33, R3, 2.25 cards per game
Odds Manchester City 6-4 Liverpool 2-1 Draw 23-10
Manchester City
Subs from Taylor, Zabaleta, Kompany, Onuoha, Boyata, Bellamy, Sylvinho, Ibrahim, Garrido, Santa Cruz
Doubtful Bellamy (knee), Kompany (groin)
Injured Petrov (knee, 20 Mar), M Johnson (knee, May)
Suspended Vieira (first of three)
Unavailable Tevez (compassionate leave)
Form guide DWLWLW
Disciplinary record Y35 R2
Leading scorer Tevez 13
Liverpool
Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Degen, Ngog, Riera, Babel, Darby, Benayoun, Spearing, Ayala, Pacheco, Kelly, El Zhar
Doubtful Benayoun (back), Carragher (abdomen)
Injured Johnson (knee, 28 Feb), Torres (knee, 28 Feb)
Suspended Kyrgiakos (second of three)
Form guide LWWDWD
Disciplinary record Y37 R5
Leading scorer Torres 12
Match pointers
• If Liverpool win they will have twice as many victories (80) as City from their 159 meetings in all competitions
• City have failed to win in their last nine Premier League meetings with Liverpool
• In their last 14 top flight matches, Liverpool have conceded before half-time on one occasion
• Carlos Tevez has scored 15 goals in his last 15 games for City in all competitions after scoring four in his first 15
• Dirk Kuyt has scored four of Liverpool’s last five league goals, with the other being an own goal by Kevin Davies
Manchester CityLiverpoolPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk
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