Liverpool produced another stuttering performance but did just enough to beat Blackburn 3-1 in their Premiership fixture at Ewood Park on Saturday, thereby heaping more misery upon Rovers boss Paul Ince. Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard scored for Liverpool, with the solitary Rovers goal coming from Roque Santa Cruz. The result ensures that Liverpool retain their one point lead at the top of the table, while Rovers could end up at the bottom should West Bromwich Albion beat Portsmouth today.
The final scoreline was rather flattering if you were a Liverpool fan, considering that Blackburn kept them out successfully for close to seventy minutes.
In the absence of the injured Fernando Torres, Rafa Benitez chose to start with Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun on the wings and Dirk Kuyt as his sole striker, keeping Robbie Keane on the bench. Emiliano Insua got his first start of the season at left back, and Sami Hyypia partnered Jamie Carragher in central defence.
Liverpool dominated the opening exchanges, but were unable to finish their moves off. Benayoun probably had the best chance for Liverpool in the first half, but was thwarted by an oustanding challenge from Stephen Warnock. At the other end, Gerrard sloppily gave away possession to Morten Gamst Pedersen, and the Norwegian’s thunderbolt was just about tipped on to the woodwork by Pepe Reina.
Liverpool started the second half with greater urgency, knowing that Chelsea were leading 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium. Gerrard forced Robinson into action, but Yossi Benayoun was not quick enough to get to the rebound, and Blackburn scrambled the ball away. A few minutes later they were not so lucky. Steven Gerrard crossed the ball into the area, and the ball fell to Alonso after Kuyt had attempted to shoot. The Spanish midfielder calmly sidefooted it into the bottom right corner, past a despairing Robinson.
Fans of the Reds would also remember Alonso’s goal against Chelsea, which ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
