Blackpool v Liverpool: Preview

Blackpool will revert to a more familiar line-up for the Barclays Premier League visit of Liverpool. Ian Holloway rested most of his first-team squad as he made nine changes for the FA Cup third-round loss to Southampton on Saturday. - Blackpool v Liverpool LIVE from 8pm Neal Eardley and Matthew Phillips could again be retained but senior players such as Richard Kingson, Craig Cathcart, Stephen Crainey, Ian Evatt, Charlie Adam, David Vaughan and Luke Varney all return. Elliot Grandin is available again after a hamstring injury but Marlon Harewood and Matt Gilks are out long term while Australian David Carney is at the Asian Cup. Blackpool won at Anfield earlier in the season and head into the rearranged clash - which was postponed on Boxing Day due to freezing conditions - below the Reds only on goal difference. Holloway said: "I can't wait. How can there ever be a bad time to play Liverpool? It'll be very special for the fans. "Liverpool is just down the road - they've always been miles ahead but now we're on the same playing field. Three points available in the same league! "It's fantastic for us, but not so much for them. It's probably a game their fans will think they should win, so that brings its own pressures." New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish goes into his first league match since his surprise return at the weekend without the services of captain Steven Gerrard. The England midfielder was sent off in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United and serves a three-match ban. Right-back Glen Johnson missed the Old Trafford match to be with his heavily-pregnant wife and would remain a doubt if she has still not given birth. Midfielder Joe Cole (ankle) and defender Paul Konchesky (dead leg) will be assessed before the short trip up the coast and although midfielder Jay Spearing has recovered from a broken ankle he will play for the reserves on Tuesday. Dalglish will employ the personal touch to impart his vast experience to the players and spark the necessary revival at Anfield. The 59-year-old won eight first division championships - three as manager - with the Reds and also a Premier League title while boss at Blackburn. And he believes concentrating on the staff he has rather than looking for quick-fix transfers, together with plenty of hard work, will restore Liverpool's fortunes after a difficult six months under Roy Hodgson. "I think it is the best squad of players I have inherited as a manager since the first time I came here," said Dalglish, who also managed at Newcastle and Celtic. "We don't have much time to get things up and running so the most important people for us are the people here and we will concentrate on them first and everyone will be given an opportunity. "As far as I can see, the players are 100% committed to what they want to do - to move onwards and upwards. There are no splits or divisions."

Source: DSG