Tommy Smith: Liverpool FC stand up to tough Blackburn test

THE Blackburn game wasn't football as we know it. It was a bit rough around the edges, with an awful amount of fouls in the game.That's why it was pleasing to see Liverpool stand up to it. We never gave up.You can't always play the way you want to.It may not be pleasing on the eye at times but you have to be able to adapt and take on whoever you're up against.Liverpool took it all in their stride against Blackburn and did quite well. It wasn't the greatest game but it's a win and another three points.Fernando Torres coming back made a big difference. With Steven Gerrard there as well, we're instantly a much better side.The pair of them are so good at what they do.Gerrard was back in midfield on Sunday but you can see he goes forward when he feels he has to.He picks his moments and certainly wasn't playing in midfield when he put the ball in the back of the net.Whether Gerrard plays off Torres' shoulder or further back, just having both of them on the pitch means Liverpool function better.Then there was Javier Mascherano playing right-back.He was excellent.Perhaps Emiliano Insua can pick up a few tips from Mascherano's performance at the weekend.Where Insua still gets some of the basics wrong, we chuck Mascherano at full-back for one game and he does everything right.He epitomised everything that was good about Liverpool's display against Blackburn.He doesn't have to play in midfield to play well. He'll do a job for you anywhere on the pitch.Because of his height the only place you wouldn't put him is in goal. He'd probably still have a go though!

Source: Liverpool_Echo