Football: Weekeng guide to the premiership - Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool Last season: 1-1

BLACKBURN'S MANAGER, Brian Kidd ,will await last-minute fitness tests on Stephane Henchoz, Christian Dailly and Gary Croft before deciding how to plug the gaps in his injury and suspension-hit side. First-choice left-back Callum Davidson serves a one-match ban, and with Jeff Kenna out for the season, Kidd has no other fully fit recognised deputy. Keith Gillespie is also suspended, but Kevin Gallacher is expected to continue his rehabilitation up front alongside top scorer Ashley Ward.

Liverpool are close to achieving two unwanted records as they face 18th- placed Blackburn. Currently 10th, Gerard Houllier's side are in danger of their lowest top-flight finish since they were relegated in 1953-54. The current tally of just 12 victories this season threatens to be their worst in any division since 1954 - they need four wins from their last five games to avoid that record. The Anfield side are without Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Patrik Berger and Steven Gerrard today. David Thompson, injured in the 1-0 home defeat by Leicester on Wednesday, should have recovered from a calf problem.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (from): Filan, McAteer, Henchoz, Broomes, Taylor, Dailly, Croft, Johnson, Dunn, Marcolin, Carsley, Wilcox, Duff, Ward, Gallacher, Davies, Blake, Flowers.

LIVERPOOL (from): James, Song, Carragher, Babb, Matteo, Staunton, Bjornebye, Thompson, Ince, Redknapp, Leonhardsen, McManaman, Riedle, Dundee, Friedel, Kvarme, Ferri.

Suspensions: Blackburn: Davidson, Gillespie.

Referee: R Harris.