Liverpool secure nervy win

Liverpool recorded an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Anfield outfit keep their lead at the top of the Premier League

Liverpool recorded an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park to increase the pressure on manager Paul Ince. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring for the away side in the 68th minute and Yossi Benayoun looked to have secured the points just ten minutes later, before a late Roque Santa Cruz effort was cancelled out by Steven Gerrard in injury time. The first half had promised very little - a fantastic 30-yard drive from Morten Gamst Pedersen that struck the bar proved the only highlight of an otherwise poor opening from both sides. With the second half beginning in much the same fashion, it looked likely that Liverpool would record a third consecutive 0-0 draw in the Premier league. However, a composed finish from Alonso but the Reds ahead and Benayoun fired across Paul Robinson to double their lead with just ten minutes to go. A tense finale was set up by Santa Cruz when he buried home a header at the back post, but it was to be in vain as Albert Riera found Gerrard to slot into an empty net deep into stoppage-time.

Opening exchanges

Liverpool were caught cold in the sixth minute when Gamst Pedersen got clear in the penalty area. But he only succeeded in sending his cross into the arms of goalkeeper Jose Reina to the disbelief of the home supporters. Tugay then tried to release Santa Cruz but put too much weight on the pass and the goalkeeper was able to make the interception. It was an encouraging start by Blackburn and Pedersen swung in a corner after 13 minutes, only for Santa Cruz's touch to let him down. Liverpool, though, almost took the lead in their first attack after 19 minutes following superb vision from Dirk Kuyt. He released Benayoun with a marvellous through ball but it was taken off his toes by Stephen Warnock as he shaped to shoot. It was little wonder the Blackburn full-back got a pat on the back from goalkeper Paul Robinson for a crucial tackle.

Pedersen screamer

Blackburn hit back and almost stunned Liverpool in the 29th minute when Gerrard lost possession to Pedersen. The Norway midfielder raced on and rattled in a 25-yard shot but Reina reacted superbly to push it onto the bar. Pedersen could hardly believe his eyes - and it was a narrow escape for Liverpool. The visitors were again forced on the back foot in the 39th minute and Reina showed good reflexes to push Pedersen's free-kick from distance around the post. Liverpool responded and Gerrard tried to pick out Kuyt but Robinson was alert to the danger and made the save. Rafael Benitez's side were starting to dictate the pace and two minutes later Alonso fired in a shot from inside the six-yard area. But Robinson stood tall to make the block and keep Blackburn on level terms. Gerrard was then denied by Robinson in the 61st minute when Robinson made a splendid parry and Benayoun was unable to make the rebound count.

Breakthrough

Liverpool went ahead in the 68th minute when Gerrard delivered a cross from the right. Kuyt took a swipe at it and in the process released Alonso, who beat Robinson with a weak low shot he probably should have saved. This was a worrying spell for a Blackburn side who had all but forgotten what it was like to win a league match. Liverpool extended their lead with a marvellous solo effort from Benayoun. He latched on to ball over the top from Kuyt and skipped away from Warnock before rifling a shot into the corner. Blackburn secured a consolation goal in the 86th minute with a Santa Cruz header but Gerrard had the final word in stoppage time after substitute Reira laid the ball into his path with Robinson marooned.

Blackburn Rovers	Team Statistics	Liverpool
1	Goals	3
0	1st Half Goals	0
2	Shots on Target	6
4	Shots off Target	3
1	Blocked Shots	0
5	Corners	6
12	Fouls	11
2	Offsides	2
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
66.8	Passing Success	81
23	Tackles	26
69.6	Tackles Success	84.6
37.9	Possession	62.1
52.4	Territorial Advantage	47.6