FT: LIVERPOOL 1-1 BLACKBURN

Date: Monday 26 December 2011
Kick Off: 15:00
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Broadcast: n/a


LIVE ARTICLE

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/68943


Liverpool were held to another frustrating draw at Anfield on Boxing Day as Blackburn Rovers became the latest team to leave with a point.

The first half was tepid, with Liverpool only showing glimpses of inspiration as they attempted to carve open the Blackburn defence. But it was Rovers that took a shock lead on the stroke of half time.

Morten Gamst Pedersen whipped the ball into the box from a corner kick on the right, and Charlie Adam attempted to clear it but only succeeded in deflecting it into his own net.

But eight minutes into the second half, Liverpool got the equaliser. A cross into the box was headed away before Martin Skrtel sent it back in and Maxi Rodriguez headed it in.

From here, Liverpool gained confidence and proceeded to dominate the second half. Luis Suarez had a number of efforts on goal but could not find the target.

For all of Liverpool's dominance, Blackburn had a chance to take another shock lead when David Dunn weaved in between the Reds' defence, before finally losing his footing when he made it into the box and shooting wide.

Right at the death, Liverpool were twice denied a winner, and the Reds had to settle for a very frustrating point which leaves them three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.


LIVE SCOREBOARD

LIVERPOOL - 1
Rodriguez 53'

BLACKBURN - 1
Adam o.g. 45'


LIVE LEAGUE POSITIONS

6. Liverpool - Pld 18, W 8, D 7, L 3, F 21, A 14, GD 7, Pts 31.
20. Blackburn - Pld 18, W 2, D 5, L 11, F 25, A 39, GD -14, Pts 11.


TEAMS

Liverpool
25 Reina
2 Johnson
37 Skrtel
5 Agger
3 Enrique
11 Rodriguez (Bellamy 81')
14 Henderson
26 Adam (Gerrard 69')
19 Downing
7 Suarez
9 Carroll

Subs: 32 Doni, 8 Gerrard, 18 Kuyt, 23 Carragher, 33 Shelvey,
34 Kelly, 39 Bellamy.

Blackburn
13 Bunn
35 Lowe
4 Samba
31 Hanley
12 Pedersen
39 Henley
8 Dunn (Petrovic 85')
15 Nzonzi
23 Hoilett (Vukcevic 75')
10 Formica
24 Yakubu (Goodwillie 90+4')

Subs: 34 Kean, 14 Petrovic, 20 Rochina, 22 Blackman, 25 Goodwillie, 29 Vukcevic, 33 Morris.


KEY UPDATES

45: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 0-1 BLACKBURN
Morten Gamst Pedersen whips the ball in from a corner kick on the right, and Charlie Adam, attempting to clear it, inadvertently deflects it into his own net.

53: GOAL - LIVERPOOL 1-1 BLACKBURN
A cross into the Liverpool box is headed away, before Martin Skrtel sends the ball back towards goal for Maxi Rodriguez to head in from close range.

69: Charlie Adam replaced by Steven Gerrard.

72: Daniel Agger booked for diving.

75: Junior Hoilett replaced by Simon Vukcevic due to injury.

81: Maxi Rodriguez replaced by Craig Bellamy.

85: David Dunn replaced by Radosav Petrovic.

90+4: Yakubu replaced by David Goodwillie.


LAST MATCHES

Liverpool
Wednesday 21 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Wigan 0-0 Liverpool

Blackburn
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn 1-2 Bolton

Head to head
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Barclays Premier League
Blackburn 3-1 Liverpool


TOP SCORERS

Liverpool
Luis Suarez - 8
Maxi Rodriguez - 4
Craig Bellamy - 3

Blackburn
Yakubu - 11
Ruben Rochina - 6
Junior Hoilett - 3