Liverpool at Blackburn: Our Secret Weapon?

I honestly think this game couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Rovers. If we weren't without Torres, Xabi, and Agger, I would be much more confident of getting a positive result. Unfortunately we're devastated by those three major injuries, but might get some help from an unexpected source.

For all intents and purposes, it looks like Harry Kewell will probably start tomorrow and if so, there's good reason why. King Harry absolutely owns Blackburn. In the 13 matches that the Aussie International has lined-up against the Rovers, his side is a ridiculous 10-2-1. Now granted he was almost always playing for the favored side, but isn't that sort of the case going into tomorrow's match? Blackburn may have won seven straight and may have a solid squad, but they have no one who's on the same level as Steven Gerrard or Javier Mascherano. Not even if both are at 80%.

What's even more enticing is that Kewell appears to like playing at Ewood park even more so than he does at home. Of the five career goals he has notched against Blackburn, four of them have come at the Rovers' grounds. That includes a match in 2001 when he scored a brace for Leeds in an eight minute span, leading United to a 2-1 comeback win. He also scored the deciding goal in Liverpool's 4-3 League Cup win at Ewood in late 2003.

Yes, I know stats and trends (if this could even be considered one) mean little in the thick of things, but I figured I'd share some food for thought. Maybe Rafa decided not to start Kewell on Wednesday because he knew that the Socceroo has experienced playing Up North. Of course, that would only make sense to those of us who have a clue about Rafa's rotating ways.

FoxSoccer loves Liverpool

Well, at least so far they do. FSC has released it's November Premiership schedule and it looks as if our boys will be on live the first two weekends (making it three in a row, I might add). Not sure about the fourth weekend since it's clearly a typo. We don't play Fulham the last weekend though, we play Newcastle at St. James. Anyhow here's how it breaks down.

Sunday, October 28th
Liverpool vs Arsenal 12pm

Saturday, November 3rd
Liverpool at Blackburn 1pm

Saturday, November 10th
Liverpool vs Fulham 12pm

There's an international break on the 17th and we'll just have to see about that last weekend. Cheers.

Today's Banter: Nasri?, Benayoun content being super sub, Eccleston comes through, & more

- According to this article, we're going to make a £10m bid for French superstar Samir Nasri. Bullocks. I'm not saying it wouldn't be nice to have him, but first off, he primarily plays central midfield and we're kind of loaded in that department. He is versatile enough to play the wings as well, but unless he's going to be content sharing time there, he won't approve the transfer. Finally, if he's as good as advertised, I kind of doubt £10m will be enough to snag him. French players are usually bargains (unless Houllier is the buyer), but that sounds a bit low. Unfortunately, we won't get a look at the 20-year-old when Marseilles come to Anfield on Wednesday as he is convalescing from flu-like symptoms.

- Yossi Benayoun, the only player who felt like scoring for us on Saturday, has proclaimed that he's content being a super sub. It's good to see Yossi have a change of heart from his early season tantrum about not getting enough playing time. He really shows class in that article and its a real testament to our side to have such quality in depth. He should be our starter on the right come Wednesday, that is if Harry Kewell isn't miraculously back from injury and Babel is available.

- Nathan Eccleston lead the way with a brace as the Academy beat Stoke City 3-2. Joe Kennedy scored the other goal. The kids now sit at 3-2 for the season though still have -1 goal difference. Their next match is Saturday when they travel to Blackburn.

- After bagging the next Lionel Messi in 16-year-old Gerardo Bruna, we're apparently tracking Irish Starlet James McCarthy and may make an offer for him at the end of the season. The 16-year-old Hamilton Accies midfielder is the youngest ever scorer for his club and has attracted attention from seemingly every club on the planet.

- Finally, Djibril Cisse can't wait for Wednesday when he makes his return to Anfield in a Marseilles shirt. The 26-year-old French striker said he was on the phone with Stevie-G the moment he found out about the draw. He also said some nice (and true) things about our captain like calling him the best midfielder in the world. Bolo Zenden also plays for Marseilles. Hopefully he'll give the average Anfield performance and be more of a burden to his own side. Cheers.

Should Sebastian Leto be sent out on loan?

After watching this highlight video of our Reserves side manhandling a Wigan Reserve side, I wonder if some of our kids are wasting their time against obviously subpar opponents.

Sebastian Leto, Nabil El Zhar, and Ray Putterill are all obviously more adept then their opponents in the 3-0 thrashing of a Wigan side that featured many Lactics first-teamers. I can understand keeping Leto around until Harry Kewell gets back to fighting form, but El Zhar and Putterill don't look to break into even a first team Cup side until at least next year. By the way, I didn't get to see the whole match, but Insua just looks bored the few seconds he makes the highlight reel.

I guess we need a Reserves side, but so far we look miles better than any of our competition. On Tuesday we thrashed Blackburn 3-1 and that was without Putterill or Leto as well as Lucas and Hobbs, two other players that frequently take the pitch for us as Reserves. Gary Ablett even called the win 'unconvincing'. A two goal win at Blackburn without four major players is unconvincing? We either played really horrid or Ablett has some unbelievable expectations.

Speaking of players on loan, I still can't find that Guthrie stunner for Blackburn yesterday. I'm beginning to wonder if there were even cameras there. Cheers.