Liverpool fail to break down a resilient Blackburn backline at Anfield in yesterday’s FA Cup quarter-final, with both clubs now awaiting confirmation of a replay date.
Liverpool Stumble in FA Cup stalemate
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and chances, Liverpool were unable to breach Blackburn Rovers’ defence in their FA Cup quarter-final clash and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Brendan Rodgers named two changes from the side that triumphed over Burnley in midweek, as Joe Allen and Alberto Moreno dropped out for Glen Johnson and Lazar Markovic. Raheem Sterling lined up in the left-wing back role, while Markovic was deployed on the opposite flank.
Sterling’s employment in the midfield four since last weekend’s clash with Burnley could be a concern for the 20-year-old’s 31% ownership. In the Merseysiders’ last two outings in all competitions, the bulk of their goal attempts fell to either Daniel Sturridge (12 shots) or Philippe Coutinho (eight shots), whereas Sterling only mustered a single shot in both encounters – no doubt due to his increased defensive workload when operating as a wing-back. Couple this with the fact that the 7.9-priced Coutinho has been in fine form of late, bagging two goals in three starts, and the England international has dropped slightly in terms of that internal contest.
Liverpool may have lacked the cutting edge to break the deadlock at Anfield, but their rearguard stood firm once again, recording their fourth clean sheet in six across all competitions. This was despite losing Martin Skrtel in the opening stages to a head injury – the Slovakian centre-back landed awkwardly after contesting an aerial duel with Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede and was attended to on the pitch for over eight minutes. Rodgers was quick to reassure reporters after the match that Skrtel sustained no serious damage.
“He is fine but he will go to the local hospital to make sure. If he had his choice, he wouldn’t but we have to follow procedure. He was fine, up walking and talking after the game but as a precaution we need to make sure he is okay.”
Elsewhere on the injury front, Allen picked up a knock in training so is a doubt for Liverpool’s away tie with Swansea next Gameweek. Meanwhile, Rodgers declared Steven Gerrard fit for the Swans clash after the 34-year-old was given the all clear to return to training.
“Steven has been working well with the rehab team. He will be back training this week and will be available for the Swansea game.”
Reds Made to Wait for Replay
In an unusual turn of events, Liverpool look set to wait nearly a month to determine their FA Cup fate. League matches taking precedence over cup ties, means a rescheduling of the Reds’ televised match against Swansea next Monday is out of the question, while UEFA regulations stipulate that domestic matches shouldn’t run concurrently with Champions League or Europa League fixtures.
With European football scheduled for the next fortnight and an international break following straight after, the earliest available date for their replays is poised to be April 7 or 8, which would fall in between a visit to Arsenal and a home clash against Newcastle in Gameweeks 31 and 32.
Should Liverpool prevail over Blackburn in the replay, Uefa’s rules will also have a knock-on effect in the Fantasy Premier League stakes. With the FA Cup semi-finals scheduled during Gameweek 33, Liverpool’s trip to Hull City would likely get moved to Gameweek 34 due to the midweek European football and hand Fantasy managers more teams to consider for the double. At present, only Chelsea and Leicester have definite double Gameweek 34s, though Villa’s Gameweek 33 clash with QPR needs rescheduled after their weekend cup victory over West Brom saw them progress to the last four of the cup.
