Review: Liverpool 1 Blackburn 1

SCRAPPY 'POOL STRUGGLE TO OVERCOME DOGGED ROVERS.

Yet another example of how we have struggled in front of goal this season. With bottom of the pile Blackburn Rovers visiting this game should of been an easy 3 points for us. But football isn't about "should of's" or "might of been'"s the bottom line about our Boxing day clash with Blackburn was that we weren't simply good enough.

Anfield was flat all game, i haven't seen or heard Anfield this quiet in a long time and i think this reflected the fans feelings on quickly we are getting fed up of dropping points against visibly weaker teams. That one of the beauties of the premier league though, there's no such thing as an easy game.

The 1st half was scrappy, and it took about 20 minutes before Liverpool had a meaningful attempt on goal. Shouts for a penalty where waved away after the Rovers keeper brought down Suarez near the 6 yard box only to have the assistants flag raised for offside seconds earlier.

This set the tone for the 1st half, scrappy slow and predictable as attack after Liverpool attack was easily dealt with by the Blackburn defense.

For all our dominance and possession it was Rovers that took the lead just on half time when they one a corner, which was whipped in to the near post only to have Charlie Adam deflect it off his ankle and sail past Pepe. 1 attempt on goal for rovers and they were 1 up,. Set pieces undoing us yet again.

Adam own goal makes it 1-0 Rovers at Half time.

The 2nd half was better from 'pool. There seemed to be allot more urgency to our play. Maxi who was pretty lost all game other than linking up with Suarez a few times came to life. and really drove Liverpool on. It looked like the attacking plan was very simple, get the ball wide and hit in early crosses, this was the mandate for the rest of the game with both wingers Maxi/Bellamy, Downing being very involved in the build up play.

It wasn't long before we found ourselves level. a Corner that was only partially cleared by rovers was delightfully crossed back in by Skrtel to the far post where an unmarked Maxi nodded it in from 6 yards out to make it 1-1.

The Lads celebrate leveling the game up

Once the goal went in it was all Liverpool again, Suarez was particularly active without really being a threat, Carroll was..... well Carroll. Henderson drifted in and out of the game, and i though that Adam playing the holding midfield role again was not having is best of days.

On a positive note it was great to see Stevie G back on the field for us. His mere presence lifted the team and with his range of passing, creativity and influence he really added to the Liverpool team.This lifted the Anfield faithful too who had otherwise been very quiet all game.

For all of our possession and attempts on goal we never looked like getting that winner. Carroll came close in added time but a fantastic save from the rovers keeper meant the game ended 1-1. A good result for rovers who proved that even if your own fans don't back you any more you can still gut it out and earn a point and one of the biggest places to play professional football.

Frustration and disappointment sum up how i feel about today's result. another team we should of beat and didn't and this need to improve if we are too challenge for a European spot this year.

FTK MoM: Jose Enrique

For me, Jose was our best player out their today. He made lots of excellent runs going forward, wanted the ball and was strong at the back when tested. In a sub par Liverpool performance Jose was my man of the match.






pics: liverpoolfc.tv