EPL ~ Carragher: This is the biggest game of my career...
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Carragher on Blackburn: This is the biggest Premier League game of my Liverpool career
Focused: Jamie Carragher.
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Channel 27: "Live"Liverpool v Blackburn - 7:45 pm(Kick-Off - 7:00 pm)Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists that tomorrow's Premier League encounter with Blackburn Rovers is the biggest of his career so far.
The Reds go into the lunchtime clash knowing that victory will put them two points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table - and mark the first time in seven years that they have still been involved in the title race at this stage.
In 2002, Carragher was part of the Liverpool squad that pushed Arsenal all the way until defeat against Tottenham on April 27 ended their hopes, and the 31-year-old isn't playing down the need for three points at Anfield tomorrow.
'I'm not just saying this because of what happened against Chelsea the other night but the league has always been the priority for everyone at the club,' he says.
'In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I've played in – it really is that important.
'If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.
'This is a massive chance for everyone at the club and I'm sure the fans will create a great atmosphere because they know what is at stake.'
Prize fighters: Carragher (bottom right) in action against Tottenham in April 2002 - the last time Liverpool were this close to the Premier League title.
Chelsea's victory in the Champions League on Wednesday was the first time the Reds have been beaten by a fellow member of the big four this season.
Carragher added: 'Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say that the other team played well on the night, and this is one of those occasions. 'But it's important to remember that we've now played them and Man United five times this season and we've won four of those games.
'That's a record we can be proud of even though we are obviously disappointed about what happened the other night.
'We've played more than 40 games in the Premier League and the Champions League – the two biggest competitions – and we've only lost three times. One of the most important things is that when we have lost we've tended to respond in the right way by going on good runs.
'The incentive is there for us to go back on top of the league. It may only be for a few hours until United play but you never know, it could even be for longer than that.
'That's how big this game is and that's why I honestly believe it's the biggest we've had in the league since I've been at the club - and maybe for even longer than that.'
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he is talking more and more.
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Shut up and just main bola.
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Liverpool v Blackburn (7.45)
Liverpool skipper Steve Gerrard has been included in the squad to face Blackburn but is unlikely to start.
A scan revealed Gerrard's thigh strain is not serious but he is expected to be named on the bench, while Javier Mascherano is back after suspension.
Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz (knee) is a serious doubt and Jason Roberts (foot) is definitely out.
Morten Gamst Pedersen is also struggling with a calf strain but Vince Grella is available again.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Insua, Benayoun, Riera, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, Cavalieri.
Blackburn (from): Robinson, Bunn, Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Samba, Simpson, Warnock, Givet, Olsson, Villanueva, Tugay, Andrews, Diouf, Treacy, Mokoena, McCarthy, Pedersen, Grella.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"Blackburn are in a difficult position but they have won some games recently and they have improved. They, too, will have to win against us, it is as massive for them as us."But we know they are a physical team. We will try to play football but, if we have to fight for the ball, then we will do that. "I have seen Sam Allardyce's teams at Bolton and now at Blackburn. I do not expect the style to change very much but I believe it is more difficult to manage at the bottom of the table because every defeat is very negative."
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
"We've picked up 11 points out of 18 from the last six games. "It is a good run, we are in good form, and we've had more wins than draws in those games, I'm glad to say, which is what we were looking for. "We are on the up at the moment, not just in terms of our form, but also our points total is getting better as time goes on."HEAD TO HEADLiverpool have won their last two Premier League matches against Blackburn; both by 3-1 scorelines.
Liverpool's victory in the reverse fixture was their 50th in a League game against Blackburn. The Reds are now hoping to do the double over Rovers for the fifth time in the Premier League, and first since 2005-06.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Liverpool 50 wins, Blackburn 34, Draws 37
Prem: Liverpool 13 wins, Blackburn 6, Draws 10at Liverpool only
League (inc PL): Liverpool 35 wins, Blackburn 9, Draws 16
Prem: Liverpool 8 wins, Blackburn 1, Draws 5LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAMELiverpool 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
13 April 2008 - Ref: Alan Wiley
Liverpool scorers: Gerrard 60, Torres 82, Voronin 90
Blackburn scorer: Santa Cruz 90THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTUREBlackburn Rovers 1-3 Liverpool
6 December 2008 - Ref: Andre Marriner
Blackburn scorer: Roque Santa Cruz 86
Liverpool scorers: Alonso 69, Benayoun 79, Gerrard 90REFEREEMike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)
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Let your football do the talking carragher. Its good to see we're 2-0 up with 20 mins to go.
