Liverpool FC facing up to fixture nightmare in New Year after latest postponement

Anfield 300LIVERPOOL boss Roy Hodgson is facing a nightmare fixture pile up in January.The postponement of yesterday's Premier League clash at Blackpool due to a frozen pitch means the Reds could play as many as nine matches next month.Their trip to Bloomfield Road has been rearranged for Wednesday, January 12 (8pm) which is hardly ideal as it comes between their FA Cup showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford and the Merseyside derby at Anfield.Hodgson was hoping to have the benefit of a free week to prepare his players for their revenge mission against Everton after the chastening defeat they endured at Goodison in October. The Reds have also had to fit in another match as the home game with Fulham, which was postponed on December 18, will now be played on Wednesday, January 26.It means a month which starts against Bolton at Anfield on New Year's Day and continues away to Blackburn four days later will see Liverpool play at least seven times.However, that will rise to nine if the Reds take United to a replay and then advance to the fourth round of the FA Cup which will take place on January 29/30.The punishing schedule will place a major strain on Hodgson's playing resources at a critical stage of the campaign.With Liverpool's league position so precarious the manager faces a difficult balancing act between protecting his star names and trying to ensure the Reds climb the table.The scheduled midday inspection at Blackpool yesterday was brought forward to 10am.

Source: Liverpool_Echo