Preview: Blackburn v Reds

Liverpool kick off their busy December schedule with a trip to Blackburn Rovers today.

Following last weekend's Merseyside derby success over Everton, the Reds are currently on a five match unbeaten run and will be aiming to continue their fine record at Ewood Park, where they have lost just once since 1996.

In fact, Liverpool have been defeated in only one of their last 21 league meetings with the Lancashire club.

Rafa Benitez's charges recorded a league double over Blackburn last term, and on the corresponding weekend of 2008-09, won 3-1 at Rovers thanks to second half goals from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard.

The opposition

Blackburn currently occupy 13^th position in the Barclays Premier League after amassing 17 points from their opening 13 matches after a goalless home draw with Stoke City last time out.

However, Rovers head into today's clash on a high having secured a place in the Carling Cup semi-finals at the expense of Chelsea on Wednesday.

Blackburn assistant manager Neil McDonald, who has taken charge of the Lancashire outfit while Sam Allardyce recovers from heart surgery, claims confidence levels are up at Ewood following their penalty shoot-out triumph over the London club.

"We've beaten a very good top-four team and that gives everybody confidence," he said. "So we are looking forward to the game on Saturday. It can't come along quick enough.

"We will be a little bit tired, but the adrenalin will be flying because we are playing Liverpool. It is a big game for everybody.

"It is probably better that we are playing Liverpool after the great experience in the middle of the week against Chelsea, because we have to be on our guard.

"If we are not on our guard they'll punish us and the players know that.

"It is a huge game. Whenever Liverpool are in town there's a big crowd, a fantastic atmosphere and that makes the players work that little bit harder."

Playmaker David Dunn is Blackburn's top scorer so far this term with six goals in all competitions.

The boss

Sam Allardyce agreed a three-year deal with Blackburn last December, replacing the sacked Paul Ince.

After a run of six successive defeats had left Rovers languishing five points adrift of safety, costing Ince his job, the Ewood Park club acted swiftly to bring in the 55-year-old to preserve their top-flight status.

He succeeded in his task, steering the Lancashire outfit to a 15^th place finish.

Allardyce had been out of management for almost a year after being dismissed from his post with Newcastle United, having spent just over six months at St James' Park.

He began his career in management at Irish club Limerick Town as player/coach. An assistant manager spell with Preston North End followed before Allardyce took over the mantle at Blackpool.

He spent two seasons at Bloomfield Road, but he was sacked in 1996, despite achieving reasonable success with the Tangerines.

Allardyce was to then join Notts County, but it was with Bolton Wanderers where he really showcased his credentials as a manager.

The Dudley-born coach took Bolton into the Premier League in 2001, where he established the Trotters as one of the league's toughest outfits.

Bolton reached the League Cup Final in 2005, losing 2-1 to Middlesbrough in the final, and the following season they qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.

Allardyce shocked the football world when he unexpectedly left the Reebok Stadium in 2007 prior to beginning his spell with Newcastle.

He is expected to watch today's game from the Ewood Park directors' box after recovering from heart surgery.

The danger man

Powerful striker Jason Roberts has proven himself to be a major handful for Premier League centre-backs up and down the country in recent times.

The 31-year-old enjoyed profitable spells with West Brom and Wigan before making the switch to Ewood Park in July 2006.

Roberts has bagged three goals so far this term, including a brace in a 3-1 home win over Portsmouth last month.

The legend

Simon Garner is Blackburn's all-time leading goalscorer and finished top in the BBC Football Focus search for Rovers fans' all-time cult hero.

The iconic striker scored 194 goals during his 16 year tenure at Ewood Park, and was a genuine crowd favourite.

In his final season with Rovers, the 'Lincolnshire Poacher' helped the club achieve promotion to the Premier League, with Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish at the helm in 1992.

Blackburn fact file

Blackburn were formed on 5 November 1875 at the St Leger Hotel.

They were a founder member of the football league in 1888.

Their club motto is 'Arte et labore', which translates as 'by art and by labour'.

Rovers play at Ewood Park, which has a capacity of 31,367 and has been their home since 1890.

Blackburn have won three league titles.

Their last title came in 1994-95 with Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish in charge.

Ex-Reds Graeme Souness and Paul Ince have also managed the club.

Derek Fazakerley holds the appearance record for Blackburn. He turned out 596 times (+ 3 sub appearances) between 1970 and 1987.

Simon Garner is the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 194 goals.

Players to have been on the books of both Liverpool and Blackburn during the Premier League era include Markus Babbel, Stephen Warnock, Brad Friedel, Robbie Fowler, Craig Bellamy, El-Hadji Diouf, Stig Inge Bjornebye, Dominic Matteo, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, David Thompson, Jason McAteer and Stephane Henchoz.

Match stats
By Ged Rea

Steven Gerrard made his Liverpool debut against Rovers 11 years ago last week. Today he could play his 500th game for the club in all competitions.

Three Liverpool players have started every league game this season - Pepe Reina, Lucas and Dirk Kuyt.

Liverpool have not lost a league game in which they have scored the first goal since going down 2-1 at Tottenham in November 2008.

Liverpool have lost just once in the last 21 League meetings home and away winning ten and drawing ten.

Liverpool's biggest win at Blackburn came in February 1966 when they won 4-1. That is the only time the Reds have scored more than three in a League game at Rovers.

A win today will give Liverpool back-to-back league wins at Ewood Park for the first time in their history.

Ewood Park has witnessed only one goalless draw between the sides in the league in the last 63 years.

Blackburn are unbeaten in six league games at home since defeat to Manchester City on the opening day. Those games since have yielded four wins and two draws.

David Dunn (with five) and Jason Roberts (three) have scored half of Rovers' league goals this season. 

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