Source: Daily_Mail
Glen Johnson says Liverpool's defence is the key to finishing in Premier League's top four
Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes the side must build on a platform of defensive defiance to improve their chances of a top-four Barclays Premier League finish. [LNB]The Reds managed successive clean sheets for only the second time this season in victories over Debrecen in the Champions League and Everton in the past week. [LNB]Debrecen figured in Liverpool's previous back-to-back clean sheets in September, when they also beat Burnley 4-0. [LNB] Clean sheet: Liverpool have not conceded in their last two games [LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: As Steven Gerrard hits 500 games for Liverpool, Sportsmail looks back at his greatest momentsBenitez praises Ngog for emerging from the shadow Liverpool star TorresBLACKBURN v Liverpool: David Dunn may sit out Reds visitBlackburn beware: Torres set for return in Gerrard's 500th game for Liverpool Despite those results, Liverpool are out of the Champions League,although they have now gone five games undefeated ahead of tomorrow'strip to revitalised Blackburn. [LNB]The Ewood Park club marched into the Carling Cup semi-finals againstAston Villa with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea onWednesday. [LNB]Defensive duties: Johnson urges Liverpool to build from the back [LNB]Rovers boss Sam Allardyce missed the game as he continued hisrecovery from minor heart surgery, but he will be back in the dugoutagainst Liverpool. [LNB]Blackburn have been beaten only once at home this season, and they will be intent on giving Liverpool a tough match. [LNB]But England full-back Johnson says: 'We have had two clean sheets onthe spin now and hopefully we have got a platform to build on when wego to Blackburn. [LNB] 'We know that we haven't been picking up the results that peopleassociated with this club expect, but there was no better place tostart picking up points than at Goodison Park last weekend. [LNB]'Now we want to get on a good run. The next game is all that we canworry about but we want to be pushing up the table and hopefully wehave made a start.'[LNB]And boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that Fernando Torres could make his comeback from injury at Blackburn. [LNB]In a match that will be skipper Steven Gerrard's 500th game for theclub, should he play, Liverpool could have their feared attackingpartnership back together for the first time in 10 matches. [LNB] Deadly duo: Gerrard and Torres could be reunited for the game against Blackburn [LNB][LNB] Torres is close to returning to full training after treatment for aserious groin injury and will be given every chance of taking onBlackburn. [LNB]Benitez will make a late decision before deciding whether to select him for the trip. [LNB]The Spanish coach says: 'The feedback we had about Torres is very positive and he was feeling good. [LNB]'We will see how he is in the next training sessions, but it seems as though things are going well.'[LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: As Steven Gerrard hits 500 games for Liverpool, Sportsmail looks back at his greatest momentsBenitez praises Ngog for emerging from the shadow Liverpool star TorresBLACKBURN v Liverpool: David Dunn may sit out Reds visitBlackburn beware: Torres set for return in Gerrard's 500th game for Liverpool[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Glen Johnson, Sam Allardyce, FERNANDO TORRES, Rafael Benitez, Steven GerrardPlaces:Liverpool, United Kingdom, Goodison Park
