LIVERPOOL 2-1 BLACKBURN ROVERS

                                                      MATCH REPORT

with the results over the weekend not helping LIVERPOOL in their chase for 4th place, made this game a must win game to keep up with the chasing pack.

                                     RAFA and ALLARDYCE about as close as they get

THE TEAM- one or two surprises with RAFA'S team selection MASCHERANO playing at right back was the biggest surprise although it meant GERRARD coming back into centre midfield giving him moe influence in proceedings, also MASCHERANO was superb at right back getting forward mant times as well. BENAYOUN out on the left and MAXI out on the right showed a more attacking look with massive lift for the team in TORRES starting, AURELIO started at left back giving INSUA a rare rest, all be it not for long as AURELIO had to come off with a thigh injury in the first half.

                                           GERRARD scores the opener


                                              THE MATCH

this match wasn't one with great quality it was a battle from start to finish. BLACKBURN are a big strong, physical team.and play to their strengths they pressured LIVERPOOL from the start. i felt LIVERPOOL defended well especially with their two best airial defenders absent in KYRIAGOS and SKRTEL . BLACKBURN started strongly and it was against the run of play when LIVERPOOL took the lead midway through the first half, when GERRARD collected the ball at the half way line and interchanged some neat passes before spraying the ball left to BENAYOUN who just played the ball to an onrushing GERRARD at the edge of the box, the ball broke off his thigh taking him clear of the BLACKBURN defenders inside the box and with just ROBINSON to beat GERRARD made no mistake.
BLACKBURN responded well after conceding and REINA had to be at his best being bombarded with high balls into his box and at one stage making a great double save from PEDERSON who had two great efforts.
BLACKBURN deservedly got back into it with a fortunate penalty CARRAGHER was on the ground with the ball by his side and inexplicably he moved the ball with his hand.giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
ANDREWS converted dispatching it just below a diving REINA'S body.

                                          TORRES slides in to grab the winner

just when it looked like both teams going in at the break level TORRES burst into the box but was tackled and the ball broke out to the right which MAXI collected TORRES got up and got into the middle, ROBINSON wandered from his cental position and was attracted to the ball giving MAXI the easiest of tasks to slip the ball to TORRES who slid the ball into the net for what turned out to be the winner.
the second half was no different from the first with BLACKBURN pressuring LIVERPOOL but in fairness LIVERPOOL stood strong. BLACKBURN were a bit lucky to finish with eleven men on the field on or two of their players on another day would have seen red.
right at the death BLACKBURN thought they had equalised when SAMBA got in a great header low to REINA'S left hand post but REINA dived full stretch to his left and palmed it away and LIVERPOOL hung on for 3 valuable points.

MAN OF THE MATCH- REINA showed why he is rated so highly under pressure from high balls into the box and had to make some great stops to see out this victory.

VERDICT-  very big win, games like this earlier in the season i think we would have slipped up. but LIVERPOOL are showing a resiliance in the last month or two, and very encouraging with players coming back from injury and TORRES starting and scoring again.

                       
Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers
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