Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez miss out as Kenny Dalglish rests and rotates at Blackburn. Maxi Rodriguez and Andy Carroll are the main protagonists as the visitors return to winning ways, while Yakubu grabs a double for Rovers to take his season tally to 16…
Liverpool Rotation
With a weekend FA Cup Semi-Final to consider, Kenny Dalglish followed on from Harry Redknapp and David Moyes’ Monday selection policy by resting many of his main men for the trip to Ewood Park. It proved to be a hugely frustrating night for many Fantasy managers as the Reds returned to winning ways ahead of the Everton showdown. Steven Gerrard missed out altogether, Jose Enrique was handed a brief second half sub role for a single point return, while Luis Suarez warmed the away bench for the entire 90 minutes – ironically, their absence saw the Reds win on the road for the first time since Gameweek 23 at Wolves. Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger were given 52 and 38 minutes respectively as they continue their injury comebacks, with Dalglish revealing post-match that the pair came through the game without any problems.
Liverpool Goalkeepers
Doni’s time between the posts as Dalglish’s number one didn’t last long. With Pepe Reina suspended, the Brazilian started against Villa and Blackburn but his dismissal means he is now out of the FA Cup Semi-Final with Everton after receiving a one-match suspension. Although Brad Jones will fill in at Wembley, the Merseyside clash is the last of Reina’s three-game ban, meaning the Spaniard will return for Liverpool’s next league match, a home clash with West Brom in Gameweek 35.
Maxi Rodriguez
The Argentine has rarely featured under Dalglish this season – last night was just his eighth appearance of the campaign. Afforded a midfield starting role, Maxi bagged a double to take his tally to four in six starts – Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have a combined return of three goals from 78 starts, in comparison. With the Reds struggling to find the net, it’s all the more perplexing that Maxi hasn’t featured since Gameweek 22; if his side prevail at Wembley this weekend, perhaps the 7.0 priced midfielder may see more game time over the rest of the season if Dalglish maintains his rotation policy.
Daniel Agger
Eased back into action after a rib injury, the Dane climbed off the bench to make a significant contribution for the second consecutive Gameweek. Having provided an assist for Luis Suarez against Villa last weekend, Agger set up Andy Carroll for the visitors’ late winner, nodding on for the forward to head past Paul Robinson in the home goal. With the double Gameweek 36 to factor in, Agger – with a mere 2.2% ownership – could prove to be a decent differential over the rest of the campaign.
Andy Carroll
It took Fernando Torres until Gameweek 31 to pick up his first double figure return this season – his Anfield replacement will break his own personal duck if he picks up a single bonus point on Thursday morning. The former Newcastle man is currently sitting on nine points, with a goal and assist in last night’s five-goal thriller surely set to bring Carroll bonus. With nine points accumulated over the previous eight Gameweeks, his 1.9% ownership even seems generous after a dire Fantasy campaign.
Yakubu
Prior to last night, Blackburn had lost only one game the Nigerian had notched in – back in Gameweek 17 at home to Bolton. Despite bagging a brace against Liverpool, a missed spot-kick proved costly for both Rovers and his Fantasy owners; a 3-2 defeat kept Steve Kean’s side in the bottom three, while Yakubu was deducted a couple of points for a woeful spot-kick. His goal tally has now climbed to 16 for the campaign; only Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero have scored more than the 6.0 priced forward. With Swansea, Norwich and Wigan in the final five fixtures, Yakubu looks likely to get amongst the goals again before the season is out.
