Rovers set to agree to switch

Blackburn appear certain to agree to Liverpool’s request to switch the Barclays Premiership game on April 15 to avoid a clash with the annual Hillsborough Memorial service at Anfield.

The Ewood Park match had initially been moved to a 5.15pm kick-off from its original 3pm slot at Liverpool’s behest.

However, following last week’s exit from the Champions League, the Reds spoke with Rovers again regarding the prospect of playing the match on one of the nights previously reserved for a European tie.

Blackburn are happy to oblige, but in meeting Liverpool halfway, it means the game looks set to be played on Easter Sunday – April 16 – to accommodate their own fans who have bought tickets for a weekend fixture.

“It’s a very emotive day for Liverpool Football Club, and we understand that,” said Rovers manager Mark Hughes.

“We flagged up the issue before anybody else, so we have always been receptive to every sensitivity there is about the actual day, and I think that will be the case again.

“But we’re mindful people have made arrangements, and the kick-off has been changed once.

“If there is a real desire from Liverpool and the Premier League for it to be changed, and I think there is, then we have to go along with that.

“I can understand that because this kind of thing takes priority over football. If people think it is better to change the date, then we will accept that.”

Liverpool do not have another game over the Easter programme – that was actually brought forward to last night with the 5-1 victory over Fulham – while Blackburn are at Birmingham on Wednesday, April 19.

“The talk is of the game being on the Sunday afternoon,” confirmed Hughes.

“We’ve a game on Wednesday, but we play midweek week on week, so that won’t impact on us. It would be the best outcome.”