Liverpool just have to keep their heads to knock Blackburn out
Published:
Liverpool entertain Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarter finals and on all known form the hosts should justify their tag as cup favourites by ending the Championship side’s interest in the competition.
Odds of 3/10 on the Premier League side to get the job done inside 90 minutes reflect the fact that barring European annihilation, the good times really are rolling at Liverpool once again, especially at Anfield.
Brendan Rodgers’ charges are chasing a sixth straight win in front of their own fans, where Tottenham, Besiktas and Manchester City are among the recent victims.
The sleek football and swagger of last season has returned to the Liverpool ranks and without doing 9/1 outsiders Blackburn a disservice, even a performance a few notches below that which accounted for the Premier League champions ought to suffice.
Rovers shouldn’t be taken lightly in any shape or form though, having accounted for top-flight sides Swansea and Stoke at Ewood Park to set up this clash.
Interestingly, Gary Bowyer’s visitors have seen at least one player sent off against them in each of their three previous outings.
Although Rovers already held a 2-1 lead over Charlton in round three before Addicks midfielder Yoni Buyens received his marching orders, dismissals for Swansea and Stoke both proved pivotal.
Hot-headed Kyle Bartley landed Garry Monk’s men in it after just seven minutes, before Gylfi Sigurdsson joined him on 90 minutes, while Geoff Cameron’s red and concession of a penalty handed Blackburn a huge advantage going into half-time 2-1 and a man up.
Liverpool have only seen two of their number sent back to the dressing room early in 45 fixtures this season.
Having averaged exactly two goals in their previous five Anfield wins, a wager on 2/3 more for Liverpool at evens makes perfect sense as does taking a chance on Adam Lallana to notch the opener at 13/2.
The former Southampton captain is relishing his role in a fluid three-man attack at present and twice had goals scrubbed out against Burnley last time out.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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