Unlucky Rovers lose at Anfield

Goals to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres gave Liverpool victory in a hotly contested encounter against Blackburn Rovers.

Starting with the same structurthat was so succesful against Bolton, Blackburn pressured Liverpool's make shift defence early. A mixture of direct football, and hitting the byline by Martin Olsson, Morten Gamst and Diouf showed Blackburn were capable of mixing it up.

Kalinic had the best of the early chances for the visitors, jinking inside his made on the 18 yard box, but his shot drifted wide of the far post. Gamst Pedersen tried his luck from distance, his right foot well drilled volley well caught by Reina.

Unfortunately for Rovers, Liverpool hit on the counter. A poor first touch for Captain Gerrard pretty much set him up, dinking the ball over Paul Robinson. 1-0 Liverpool.

Both teams picked up their games, with the Liverpool wide men continuoussly attacking down the flanks, however Chris Samba was up to the task, clearing away. Hoillet looked lively for Blackburn, whilst Kalinic was his annoying self, chasing down every ball and holding it up for Gamst and Diouf to wrap around.

Rovers did manage to get their goal through an unlikely source. Whilst on the ground in the box, Jamie Carragher handled the ball just as Kalinic was about to blast his shot into the far post. Keith Andrews stepped up, just slotting the penalty under Reina. 1-1.

After clawing their way back into the game, Sam Allardyce would have been dissapointed in conceding minutes later. Robinson for some reason or another decided he should chase a ball which was drifting on the byline. Once he realised he had no chance, he was stuck in no mans land, Rodriguez feeding Torres who tapped it into an empty net. 2-1 Liverpool

The second half was one to forget. Late tackles, long ball after long ball, and more late tackles. 5 Yellow cards for Blackburn had Benitez fuming, though some of the boys in red really needed to toughen up. Kalinic continued to pressure, though a couple of tame shots didnt work Reina. Grella came on for Nzonzi, whilst Chimbonda came on for Olsson, both had recieved yellow cards earlier.

It looked like Blackburn's best chance of an equaliser would be off a Paul Robinson 70 yard bomb. However, it never materialised. Samba harrased in the box, but the ball just didnt fall his way. Roberts came on, effectively changing the formation to 3 up front, with no avail.

The best chance of an equaliser came in the 90th minute. A Rovers set piece found Samba, who struck his header towards the far post. Reina pulled of a spectacular save, tipping the ball away from the encroaching Diouf, ensuring Liverpool took all 3 points today......

Chris Samba- Had a terrific game in defence, couldnt do anything about the two goals, frustrated Liverpool all game up front when needed, just couldnt get that goal! Thats the exact reason why he is England's Former Number 1. All keepers are entitled to a howler, but Paul averages one every 3 or 4 games.....just a few too many in my opinion Olsson, Kalinic, Hoillet and Nzonzi are really shining and improving. Hoillet probably needs to up the agression a touch, but we got to be happy with the progress of these 4 players Shut Up....please?

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