Liverpool 3 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

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Sunday Apr 13 2008 01:30

Liverpool raced clear of Everton in the battle for fourth place with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

The brilliant Steven Gerrard scored one and made another for Fernando Torres before substitute Andrei Voronin sealed an impressive display with a late third goal.Roque Santa Cruz grabbed a stoppage-time consolation goal for Mark Hughes' men.

With Everton dropping points against Birmingham City on Saturday, the Reds had a golden opportunity to open up a five-point gap in the race for the fourth Champions League spot.

And they should have been ahead after eight minutes when Gerrard's corner found an unmarked Torres only for the prolific Spaniard to nod wide from six yards out with the goal gaping.

Ten minutes later Gerrard went down under a challenge by Rovers keeper Brad Friedel but referee Alan Wiley waved away the penalty claims as the away fans held their breath.

Blackburn offered little in the early stages as Liverpool poured forward at every chance.

Gerrard was at the heart of everything and the skipper appeared to be pushed over on the edge of the area by Christopher Samba after another surging run on 25 minutes but again Wiley ruled no foul to a roar of disapproval from The Kop.

Then a flowing Liverpool move saw Dirk Kuyt and Torres combine to release Gerrard only for the midfielder to scuff his shot wide.

It was half-an-hour before Rovers carved out their first chance when a clever David Bentley pass found Santa Cruz but Jose Reina got down well to save his shot.

But it was Rafa Benitez's men who were creating the better chances and they had another chance to open the scoring through Kuyt five minutes before the break only for the Dutchman to inexplicably head Gerrard's cross wide at the far post.

Chances were scarce after the break as both teams started the second half slowly.

The game was in desperate need of inspiration before Benitez pulled off the ineffective Ryan Babel for Yossi Benayoun on 58 minutes. It proved to be an inspired substitution from the wily Spaniard as two minutes later his side took the lead.

Gerrard weaved his way through the Blackburn defence, played a neat one-two with Lucas Leiva and coolly slid the ball under the diving Friedel to finish off an exquisite move.

Blackburn had no answers as the Reds cut through their defence at will after that and with eight minutes left it was 2-0.

Again the brilliant Gerrard was involved, latching onto to a poor pass from Stephen Warnock and crossing for Torres to plant a precise header into the corner of the net.

Substitute Voronin capped off an impressive Liverpool display by sliding in to score from John Arne Riise's cross before Santa Cruz grabbed a late consolation goal for Blackburn with a volley that fizzed past Reina.

Live Commentary

90
FULL TIME LIVERPOOL 3-1 BLACKBURN: Liverpool stepped it up in the second half at Anfield with three goals against a lacklustre Blackburn side and they now go five points clear of Everton in the race to finish in the fourth Champions League position.

90
LIVERPOOL 3-1 BLACKBURN: ROQUE SANTA CRUZ fires in an impressive volley in the area to hand Blackburn a consolation goal.

90
LIVERPOOL 3-0 BLACKBURN: John Arne Riise unselfishly plays the ball across the area for ANDRIY VORONIN to convert from close range to wrap up the win.

88
John Arne Riise is coming on for the final few minutes for Liverpool in place of Xabi Alonso.

87
Benni McCarthy catches Xabi Alonso napping on the ball and breaks into the area but blasts his shot into the side-netting when he should have tested Jose Reina.

86
Second goal scorer Fernando Torres is getting a five-minute break as he is taken off to be replaced by Andriy Voronin.

84
Alan Wiley again snubs a penalty appeal by Liverpool when Christopher Samba looks to have brought down Steven Gerrard in the area.

82
LIVERPOOL 2-0 BLACKBURN: Steven Gerrard's cross from the right finds FERNANDO TORRES at the back post and he heads past Brad Friedel to break the 30-goal barrier.

81
Fernando Torres gets on the end of a nice throughball from Steven Gerrard and appears to be brought down by Brett Emerton but again nothing is given.

79
Steven Gerrard gives away a free kick in a dangerous place after fouling Steven Reid. David Bentley takes the kick from 30 yards out and the ball just drifts the wrong side of the post.

78
Steven Gerrard's corner is only cleared as far as Lucas Leiva but his shot from the edge of he area is blocked by Brett Emerton.

77
Jason Roberts goes running at Liverpool's goal but gets held up when a pass to the unmarked Benni McCarthy looked a good option for him.

75
Some nice build up play by Liverpool but the move ends when Xabi Alonso blasts his shot high over the Rovers goal.

74
Another change as well as the ineffective Johann Vogel goes off to be replaced by David Dunn.

74
A change for Blackburn here with Morten Gamst Pedersen going off to be replaced by striker Benni McCarthy.

72
Martin Skrtel does bring Jason Roberts down this time as he looked to break away on goal and is booked but it could easily have been a red card.

71
Jason Roberts knocks Martin Skrtel out of the way while running at goal but then appears to slip over although the Rovers man claims he was fouled.

69
Liverpool have been visibly lifted by the goal while Blackburn just don't seem to be able to create anything going forwards up to now.

67
Morten Gamst Pedersen puts a long throw in right into the heart of the Liverpool area but Jamie Carragher heads the ball away from danger.

66
Morten Gamst Pedersen gets a rare chance to get a shot on goal but his effort is high and wide of Jose Reina's goal.

64
Liverpool are enjoying some good possession with another corner won but Blackburn manage to clear as they cannot afford to concede a second goal.

61
Blackburn will rue that goal as they were looking quite comfortable but Roque Santa Cruz was caught in possession and Steven Gerrard was fortunate to get past the defenders before scoring.

60
LIVERPOOL 1-0 BLACKBURN: Liverpool get the lead finally as STEVEN GERRARD plays a one-two with Lucas Leiva gets past Christopher Samba and fires beyond Brad Friedel in the goal.

59
Liverpool make the first change as the lively Ryan Babel is replaced by Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun.

58
Lucas Leiva has another effort at the Blackburn goal but his shot deflects off a defender and bounces up into the hands of Brad Friedel.

57
Ryan Babel does well to get past Christopher Samba but is fouled on the corner of the Blackburn area. Steven Gerrard plays in the free kick but Lucas Leiva is flagged offside.

55
Liverpool win another corner which is played in by Steven Gerrard and the ball is knocked to the edge of the area where Lucas Leiva hit his shot well wide of the goal.

54
Liverpool will be pleased with the start they have made to this half but they are still yet to really break down the Rovers defence.

52
Steven Reid's charge at the Liverpool goal is halted by Dirk Kuyt and Rovers get a free kick in a good position. Morten Gamst Pedersen plays it in left-footed but Jose Manuel Reina easily saves.

51
Steven Gerrard does well to get in the Blackburn area and wins a corner. He plays it in the middle but Ryan Nelsen heads clear.

50
Martin Skrtel fouls David Bentley on the right side of the Liverpool area and Morten Gamst Pedersen's free kick is punched clear by Jose Manuel Reina.

48
Liverpool come back again this time through Steven Gerrard whose low cross is well held by Brad Friedel under pressure.

48
Fernando Torres does well down the left wing and his dangerous cross into the middle is headed clear by Christopher Samba.

46
Fernando Torres tries a cheeky effort straight from the kick off but the ball fails to trouble Brad Friedel's goal.

46
Alan Wiley gets the second half underway with Rafael Benitez no doubt hoping his side can turn possession into goals, while Mark Hughes will probably want more from his Rovers side going forward.

45
HALF TIME LIVERPOOL 0-0 BLACKBURN: Liverpool have enjoyed the better of the first half at Anfield but have so far failed to break down a resilient Blackburn defence.

45
There is just a minute of added time to play as Liverpool get a free kick to play into the Rovers area but the ball is played to Fabio Aurelio who knocks it out for a goal kick.

43
Ryan Babel gets past Brett Emerton and cuts in from the left on to his right foot but blasts his shot high over the bar.

41
Martin Skrtel keeps his composure under pressure from Jason Roberts to clear his lines as Rovers launched a quick attack.

40
Steven Gerrard plays the free kick in and Dirk Kuyt gets a great chance at the back post but heads the wrong side of the upright.

39
Fernando Torres gets a free kick on the left side of the Rovers area after first Christopher Samba and then Brett Emerton had a niggle at him.

38
Ryan Nelsen comes across inside the Rovers area to get a vital block in and deny Steven Gerrard an opportunity to get a shot in on goal.

37
The Liverpool fans obviously feel they are not getting fairly treated here as they cheer ironically whenever a decision does go their way.

35
A good move by Blackburn as David Bentley bursts towards goal and sets up Roque Santa Cruz whose effort from a narrow angle wa beaten away by Jose Manuel Reina.

33
Alvaro Arbeloa shields the ball as it heads out for a goal kick but Morten Gamst Pedersen fouls him trying to get to it so a free kick is awarded.

31
Blackburn get the chance to put a free kick into the Liverpool area but Morten Gamst Pedersen's kick drops beyond everyone and out for a goal kick.

29
A slight hold up here as Fernando Torres requires treatment while Steven Gerrard is still arguing about not being given a foul after that shove by Christopher Samba .

27
A terrible miss from Steven Gerrard now as he fires wide via a deflection from Christopher Samba inside the area after a good bit of work and pull-back from Dirk Kuyt.

26
Christopher Samba barges into the back of Steven Gerrard right on the edge of the Rovers area and again Alan Wiley waves play on much to the annoyance of the players and fans.

25
The heavens have opened over Anfield and it's pouring down with rain which could make the conditions a bit trickier to play in.

24
Blackburn gift the ball to Liverpool in a dangerous position and Dirk Kuyt whips in a ball across the face of goal which Brad Friedel does well to collect.

23
Blackburn have had a fair amount of possession but they just don't seem to be able to create anything in the final third of the field.

21
A shot on target for Liverpool as Dirk Kuyt tries his luck from outside the area but Brad Friedel gets down well to make the save.

21
Referee Alan Wiley upsets the crowd again as he fails to award Ryan Babel a free kick near the box as Christopher Samba looks to have pulled him back.

18
A close call here as Steven Gerrard bursts into the left side of the area and gets to the ball before Brad Friedel but the Rovers keeper pulled his hands away before the Reds man went down so it was a good decision not to award a penalty.

17
The atmosphere has been subdued on the stands too as the Champions League win against Arsenal appears to have taken a lot out of the fans.

15
it's been a fairly even opening 15 minutes here with Liverpool probably just ahead in terms of looking like breaking the deadlock.

13
Fernando Torres burst towards the Blackburn goal but Stephen Warnock makes an excellent tackle on the edge of the area and Rovers break.

11
Fabio Aurelio attempts to play a one-two with Dirk Kuyt in the area but his attempt at goal from the left side of the box is scuffed out for a goal kick.

10
Jason Roberts battles away down the left flank before laying the ball back to Stephen Warnock whose cross is too close to Jose Manuel Reina.

9
Brett Emerton concedes a corner and it is played by Steven Gerrard with Fernando Torres glancing his header just past the far post.

8
No real scoring chances in the early exchanges as both sides are enjoying possession of the ball and looking to push forward when they can.

6
An offside flag to the rescue of Liverpool as Jason Roberts is harshly adjudged to have strayed beyond the last man on the edge of the area before firing into the net.

5
Lucas Leiva fouls Ryan Nelsen in the middle of the park to give Rovers a chance to play a high ball into the area. David Bentley's free kick is easily cleared by the Reds defence.

3
Dirk Kuyt gets in behind former Reds full-back Stephen Warnock but he cannot keep his cross from going behind for a goal kick.

2
A lively start to the game here with Liverpool making the early pressing as they look to set Fernando Torres on a run at goal.

0
We are up and running at Anfield with Liverpool looking for a win to move five points clear of Everton and consolidate their position in fourth spot, while Blackburn can move up one place to eighth with a win.

0
Blackburn starting XI: Friedel, Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Vogel, Reid, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts.

0
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes makes one change from the team that drew 1-1 with Tottenham at Ewood Park last weekend with Brett Emerton replacing Andre Ooijer in defence.

0
Liverpool starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Lucas, Alonso, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Torres.

0
Lucas comes in for the suspended Javier Mascherano while Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Sami Hyypia, who drops to the bench. Ryan Babel starts in place of the injured Peter Crouch.

0
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez makes three changes to his side from the one that defeated Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield on Tuesday for the visit of Blackburn Rovers.

Statistics

Liverpool

Shots on target	9
Shots off target	8
Shots off bar/post	0
Fouls	12
Offsides	1
Corners	5

Blackburn Rovers

Shots on target	3
Shots off target	4
Shots off bar/post	0
Fouls	10
Offsides	2
Corners	1

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