Kenny Dalglish returns to Ewood Park on Tuesday night as his side set out to end a four-match winless run. But Rovers’ need for points is even greater: Steve Kean’s men are back in the drop zone but a draw would be enough to see them edge above the dotted line.

Match betting

• Blackburn moved out of the relegation places during March with back-to-back successes but they have since lost three in a row to slip down to 18th. Prior to last week’s home defeat at the hands of Manchester United, Rovers were unbeaten in three at Ewood Park.
• Liverpool sit down in eighth after one victory in their last nine. Their home draw with Aston Villa on Saturday ended a three-game losing run, while they have also lost each of their last four on the road.
• Liverpool have won ten of the clubs’ last 21 meetings, with nine others ending in draws. But Blackburn won this clash 3-1 last term, with Martin Olsson among the scorers. This season’s reverse fixture ended 1-1, with Charlie Adam’s own goal putting Rovers in front before Maxi Rodriguez equalised.

Blackburn to win at 11/4

Over/under

• All of Blackburn’s last seven outings have ended under 3.5 goals, with four of those going under 2.5. However, ten of their 16 matches at Ewood Park have produced over 2.5.
• Nine of Liverpool’s last ten matches have ended under 3.5 goals, with four of those going under 2.5. Nine of their 16 away fixtures have ended under 2.5.

Over 2.5 goals at 5/6

Correct score

• Rovers failed to score in their 2-0 defeat against Manchester United last Monday, the fifth time they haven’t managed to notch in a home game. All those matches have been against top-half sides. They have netted exactly once in six fixtures, losing five of those 2-1. Three of their five home victories have been secured by a two-goal margin.
• Liverpool have failed to score in seven away games including at Newcastle ten days ago. They have netted exactly twice in six on the road, winning 2-0 in four of those, but with all four coming in 2011. The last time they hit two was at Loftus Road last month when QPR battled back to win 3-2.

Blackburn to win 3-2 at 33/1

Double result

• Ten Rovers matches have been all square at the break, with seven of those ending in defeat, two in draws and only one in victory, with that success coming against Sunderland in March. They have been behind at half-time in 14 games, losing ten but battling back to earn three draws and one win, with that triumph coming against Arsenal.
• Liverpool haven’t been ahead at half-time in an away game since December’s victory at Aston Villa. In the eight matches in which they have gone into the break in front they have won six and drawn the other two. Sixteen of their fixtures have been level at half-time with five finishing in their favour, six in draws and five in defeats.

Draw/Blackburn double result at 8/1

Goalscorers

• Yakubu leads the way with 14 league goals this term, with nine of those coming at Ewood Park. Junior Hoilett has six in the Premier League, while Morten Gamst Pedersen has managed three.
• Luis Suarez has struck his side’s last two league goals to take his tally to eight in the top flight. Craig Bellamy has six while Steven Gerrard has five, with three of those coming in Liverpool’s only league victory since January – against Everton last month.

Junior Hoilett to score at any time at 7/2

Key men

• Scott Dann has endured a tough baptism at Rovers but the Scottish defender has experience of scrapping for points in the spring. He will be vital to his side’s chances of success on Tuesday; if he can help keep Luis Suarez quiet, the hosts could be on to a winner.
• Stewart Downing has enjoyed more productive campaigns in his career. The winger has failed to deliver since his summer move but he has shown flashes of his potential, and if he can find some consistency in the closing weeks of the season, he could play a significant part for the Reds.

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