<<Print>>

STEVE GERRARD'S return could not inspire a win as Liverpool dropped two points at home to struggling Blackburn. The England star finally made his comeback from injury but it was not enough as their visitors rode their luck throughout. Blackburn were particularly fortunate with their opener, as Charlie Adam put past his own goalkeeper just before the break. Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez netted shortly after half-time to restore parity and the Reds pressed for a winner, but Steve Kean's men held firm to take an unlikely point from Anfield. The game got off to a slow start as Andy Carroll got no joy from his aerial battle with Chris Samba. There were many fans wearing Luis Suarez-adorned tee-shirts dotted around Anfield showing their support for the Uruguayan following his eight-game ban. The under-fire striker curled a free-kick over early on before Adam sliced an ambitious volley comfortably into Mark Bunn's arms. Suarez then fired into the side-netting from Glen Johnson's pass before planting a better chance well wide with his left foot from a similar position. For all their possession the home side were lacking the usual crispness in their play and looked a little lethargic while Blackburn were comfortable keeping things tight. Bunn was having a great half for Blackburn while Carroll was cursing his luck. The �35million striker had the ball in the net on the half-hour but his close-range effort was ruled out as Suarez, who provided the final pass, had been offside from Downing's through-ball. Moments later Rodriguez thought he had won a penalty when he was brought down by Bunn but the assistant referee again raised his flag, although it appeared to be Suarez who was in the offside position. Blackburn's attacking was sporadic but when they did get a chance to test the meanest defence in the league, they wasted it as Ayegbeni Yakubu's cross from a quickly-taken corner was well over-hit. In the end they needed a helping hand as, totally against the run of play, Adam diverted Morten Gamst Pedersen's inswinging corner past his own goalkeeper seconds before half-time. The shock lead didn't last long though, as eight minutes after the break, Downing's cross was cleared only as far as Martin Skrtel who hooked the ball back to Rodriguez who headed in at the far post. The goal gave the Reds the spark they needed and, with Bunn wasting time at every opportunity, Suarez headed wide Downing's corner from a spot very close to where his team-mate had equalised. Gerrard finally got his long-awaited return to action in the 69th minute when he replaced Adam, running straight on to curl in a free-kick which was headed over by Rodriguez. Liverpool pressed and pressed for a winner but ultimately were unable to find a way past Bunn as Blackburn took home a precious point to ease the pressure on Kean. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Maxi (Bellamy 81), Henderson, Adam (Gerrard 69), Downing, Suarez, Carroll. Subs Not Used: Doni, Kuyt, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly. Booked: Agger. Goals: Maxi 53. Blackburn: Bunn, Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Pedersen, Henley, Dunn (Petrovic 84), Nzonzi, Hoilett (Vukcevic 75), Formica, Yakubu (Goodwillie 90). Subs Not Used: Kean, Rochina, Blackman, Morris. Goals: Adam 45 og. Att: 44,441. Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).