Liverpool need to bounce back from Wednesday’s midweek Champions League defeat against Chelsea with all three points against Blackburn.
To get three points Liverpool need to overcome a Blackburn side managed by former Bolton boss Sam Allardyce. After being sacked very early into his managerial career at Newcastle, and having had more than one run-in with Rafael Benitez in the past, Allardyce will be sure to make that bit more effort to see Liverpool frustrated.
If the Reds are to get three points they’ll almost certainly need to do it without Steven Gerrard. The captain has been suffering from injury this week but it at least on the bench if Rafa feels he needs to call on him.
Agger starts in place of Skrtel who drops to the bench, and Emiliano Insua comes in at left-back. Mascherano returns in midfield after suspension and Yossi Benayoun gets a start.
Ex-Red Stephen Warnock starts for Blackburn.
This is of course Liverpool’s last home game before Wednesday’s 20th anniversary of Hillsborough.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 17 Arbeloa, 23 Carragher, 5 Agger, 22 Insua, 20 Mascherano, 14 Alonso, 11 Riera, 15 Benayoun, 18 Kuyt, 9 Torres.
Subs: 1 Cavalieri, 2 Dossena, 8 Gerrard, 21 Lucas, 24 Ngog, 31 El Zhar, 37 Skrtel
Blackburn: 1 Robinson, 17 Andrews, 2 Ooijer, 6 Nelsen, 21 Givet, 15 Mokoena, 8 Dunn, 5 Kerimoglu, 3 Warnock, 24 Treacy, 4 Samba.
Subs: 38 Bunn, 10 McCarthy, 11 Grella, 13 Khizanishvili, 19 Villanueva, 29 Olsson, 39 Doran
Referee: Mike Riley