Liverpool without captain Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was forced to miss his side’s Barclays Premiership clash at Blackburn with a tight hamstring.

Jamie Carragher took over the skipper’s armband, and with Peter Crouch rested and Harry Kewell on the bench, manager Rafael Benitez made three changes to his side.

In came Mohammed Sissoko – left out of the 1-0 win over Bolton last weekend to avoid a booking and potential suspension – Fernando Morientes and Stephen Warnock.

Blackburn were unchanged following last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Portsmouth.