Steven Gerrard injury scare compounds Liverpool's misery

Liverpool captain Gerrard, who was passed fit before the game, was uncharacteristically quiet as Michael Essien marked him out of the game. And a report in this morning's Daily Mail claims Gerrard's injury concern has added to Rafa Benitez's worries after a shocking night for his side. "We scored first but after that we were never in control. We conceded a bad equaliser from a set-piece. That was not because of the zonal marking but because players made mistakes to allow people space and time. "For their first goal there were three players near to the scorer and they were not able to stop him. And then something very similar happened for the second, we made bad mistakes at crucial times. "Now we know we have a difficult task in the second-leg. We have to score three times and that will be very difficult.' Liverpool face Blackburn at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime, when a win would see them return to top spot in the Premier League ahead of Manchester United's trip to Sunderland. Most Liverpool fans will now pin most of their hopes for the season on winning the title. Although if United – who were held 2-2 by Porto at home on Tuesday – are also eliminated from the Champions League, their own grip on the title could become stronger as their fixture pile-up eases. "Our first priority is against Blackburn in the League,' said Benitez. 'Then we will see what we have to do at Chelsea."