Football Update: EPL News- Liverpool vs. Blackpool – Preview (Part 1)
It has been confirmed that the Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will be playing in the English Premier League Match as the Scouse are set to welcome Blackpool on Super Sunday.
The confirmation of this news has though arrived now but the new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson had already earlier stated after absence in the Europa League fixture that he had not picked Gerrard in the European squad wanting him well rested for the English
League fixture.
On Thursday, the world class midfielder was given a break in the Reds European campaign against Utrecht which ultimately resulted in a goal less draw. Englishman Roy Hodgson admitted that without him there was a lack of creative spark in the Red part of
Merseyiside, therefore his inclusion would be vital in their clash against the Seasiders.
Just like the last season, Liverpool FC is facing the desertion of Lady Luck again. Their newly acquired left back former Fulham player Paul Konchesky is out of the match because of a hamstring injury and so is their old defender Fabio Aurelio who has managed
to aggravate his Achilles tendon. New comer to that list is the make shift defender Daniel Agger after he pulled up a groin problem which also caused him to miss his trip to Holland with the club.
Martin Kelly is now being used as the centre half and a right half. His movement around the defensive positions has let the Liverpool defence to be extremely unstable and that has enforced other players to cover up the position ultimately making it harder
for everyone to play at their places.
The Seasiders with a doubt will be looking forward to target this new weakness of Liverpool and who knows they might just end up with a happy surprise. They have indeed stunned viewers this season with amazing coordination and chemistry between players and
their creativeness in attack threaten the Liverpool defence more than it’s anticipated.
This is the reason why the head of Liverpool defence Jamie Carragher has acknowledged the Reds to be wary of Blackpool offence. Liverpool will be hosting the Premier League newcomers and therefore will not have a broad bank of experiences to anticipate their
tactics in the match.
Carragher expressed on the issue, “Blackpool have been the story of the season. They will be desperate to make a statement at Anfield and it's up to us to match their enthusiasm.”
He added, “We've got to make sure we get the three points and start moving up the league. We've got to match them for spirit.”
Blackpool will also be without some of their featured players. They will have to cope with replacement of defender Alex Baptiste when they arrive at the Merseyside.
Baptiste was also absent from last week’s defeat against Blackburn. Reports have concluded that the injury is resurfacing of an old ligament torn in the player’s knee. The injury has now forced to go under the knife for an operation.
His medical team has informed that the 24 year old will now be out if action a couple of weeks. He will join Louis Almond, Malaury Martin and Billy Clarke; who are already resting on the sidelines.
The Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has collaborated that the man from Anfield the Seasiders will have to keep an eye on will be ‘El Nino’. The Spanish super star Fernando Torres is still a ‘total threat’ according to him which is quite true. Though the player
has been out of form for nearly six months ever since his injury vows started, he now has been picking up pace to make his comeback.
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