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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

Rafael Benítez spoke tentatively of a “turning point” following Liverpool’s win over Everton last weekend, but Blackburn served notice against Chelsea in midweek of just how difficult it may be for the Reds to turn derby success into sustained momentum. Rovers’ victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Carling Cup, albeit on penalties, showed just how dangerous Sam Allardyce’s side can be. “They are going to have to play well, because we are at home and our home record is fantastic,” said Allardyce’s assistant, Neil McDonald. John Ashdown

Venue Ewood Park

Tickets £28-38 (0871 222 1444)

Last season Blackburn 1 Liverpool 3

Referee M Atkinson

This season’s matches 11 Y48, R0, 4.36 cards per game

sportingbet odds Blackburn 7-2 Liverpool 7-10 Draw 12-5

Blackburn

Subs from Brown, Salgado, Grella, Dunn, Emerton, McCarthy, Jacobsen, Hoilett, Van Heerden, Olsson, Kalinic

Doubtful Andrews (calf), Dunn (calf), Olsson (virus)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide DLWWLL

Disciplinary record Y21 R1

Leading scorer Dunn 5

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Aurélio, Riera, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Skrtel, Voronin, Degen, Spearing, Dossena, Ayala, El Zhar, Kelly, Eccleston

Doubtful Babel (ankle), Kelly (ankle)

Injured Torres (hernia, 9 Dec)

Suspended None

Form guide WDDLWL

Disciplinary record Y18 R3

Leading scorer Torres 10

Match pointers

• These sides have met 15 times in the Premier League at Ewood Park, with five wins each and five draws

• However, Liverpool have lost only one of their last 21 league meetings with Blackburn at home or away

• Blackburn have conceded fewer goals at home in 2009 (13) than Liverpool have at Anfield (15)

• Liverpool are averaging the most passes per game in the Premier League (513)

• Blackburn have been caught offside more times (52) than any other team in the division

Blackburn RoversLiverpoolPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

There will be a show of unity and determination at Anfield tomorrow. The fans, despite a run of four defeats, can scarely barrack the manager or the owners when every effort must be directed against Manchester United. Liverpool did beat these opponents twice in the league last season, but the club looks to be in a decline steepened by injuries. United, in contrast, should be able to field a stronger line-up than the one that beat CSKA Moscow in Russia on Wednesday. Kevin McCarra

Venue Anfield Tickets Sold out Last season Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1 Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 6 Y20, R1, 3.50 cards per game

sportingbet odds Liverpool 7-4 Man Utd 7-5 Draw 21-10

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Gerrard, Babel, Skrtel, Voronin, Ngog, Spearing, Degen, Plessis, Dossena, Ayala

Doubtful Johnson (groin), Torres (groin), Gerrard (groin)

Injured Aquilani (ankle, 31 Oct), Riera (hamstring, 31 Oct), Kyrgiakos (knee, 31 Oct), El Zhar (hamstring, 31 Oct), Kelly (ankle, 9 Nov)

Form guide LLWWWW Disciplinary record Y13 R0

Leading scorer Torres 8

Manchester United

Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Welbeck, Brown, Fletcher, Evans, Neville, Gibson, Scholes, Carrick, Macheda, Tosic, Rafael, Fabio, Obertan

Doubtful Fletcher (groin), Rooney (calf),

Evra (ankle), Giggs (thigh)

Injured Park (knee, Oct 31), Hargreaves (knee, Nov 3)

Suspended None

Form guide WDWWWW Disciplinary record Y14 R1

Leading scorer Rooney 6

Match pointers

• This will be Rafa Benítez’s 200th league game in charge of Liverpool – if his side lose it will be the first time they have lost three league games in a row during his reign

• United have lost one of their last seven league trips to Anfield

• The last five league meetings between these sides in Liverpool have resulted in a a total of six goals, three of them in last season’s match

• United have delivered the most crosses this season (232) but Liverpool have played the most successful crosses (55)

LiverpoolManchester UnitedPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk