Source: PA
Hodgson on brink after loss
Roy Hodgson has survived many low points in his short spell as Liverpool manager but a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn would seem to be one disaster too far and could hasten his exit from Anfield.
Rovers took the lead when efender Ryan Nelsen was given plenty of time in the centre circle to play the ball out to Mame Diouf on the left and when he knocked it on Martin Olsson raced past the static Glen Johnson to fire past Pepe Reina in the 32nd minute.
Five minutes later it was Sotirios Kyrgiakos' turn to be slow to react as Benjani controlled Morten Gamst Pedersen's cross on his chest and turned to lash a ferocious volley past Reina.
The Liverpool manager's misery was complete when in the 57th minute Justin Hoilett went around Martin Skrtel and Johnson as if they were not there and from the byline crossed for Benjani to sidefoot home his second of the night.
Steven Gerrard, on his 550th Liverpool appearance, fired in an 80th-minute consolation when Torres' shot was blocked but that barely raised a cheer from the travelling support.
When the captain ballooned over a penalty five minutes later, after being fouled by Michel Salgado, any hopes of an Istanbul-style fightback were dashed.
