Reds drop points in Anfield despite striker breaking his duck.LIVERPOOL(Bellamy,64mins) 1-1 BLACKBURN (McCarthy,17mins)
We failed to continue our 9 home game winning streak with a dissapointing 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.
We started well, keeping Blackburn on their half of the field for the first 10 mins before a Blackburn counter attack shocked us when Bently's early cross, was misjudged by both Hyypia and Carragher before droping nicely to McCarthy in the far post and he fire it in to the net calmly.
Liverpool continued to pour down attacks after attacks from our right flank which Pennant did a great job crossing an dearning us free-kicks. We started to get fustrated over the numerous fouls Blackburn conceded and tension rose.
Gerrard secured the midfield area along side Alonso and they started many our Liverpool's attack down the park.
Half time arrived with them leading 1-0 and Liverpool looked as if they were going to lose this already.
Second half began with Liverpool pressing hard on every ball and Bellamy was desperate to score against his old club.
Rafa subsituted Pennant for Garcia as Liverpool continued to pressure Blackburn's weak centre backs with Ooijer not settling well in England.
Finally, a corner for the reds. The ball was crossed like usual and everyone missed it. Instead it fell to our new boy Craig Bellamy who headed into the kop end and finally, breaking his duck.
He finished it cleanly and did not even had to jump for the header as he was not marked and placed the ball into the top corner of the left hand post.
We continued pressing hard in search for a win and Mark Hughes brought on 2 new midfielders. Aaron Mokoena for Tugay and Paul Gallagher for Morten Pedersen.
Blackburn became very fustrated and Robbie Savage flew into every challenge recklessly and earned himself a yellow card.
The game became one-sided with us attacking the whole of the 2nd half while Blackburn held their lines low, not allowing Bellamy any chance of sneaking became them.
The reds were in for a scare after Hyypia failed to deal with a long ball and McCarthy held the ball well before releasing Bently who faced Reina 1v1 but the latter saved the ball for a corner.
The game became slow after that with Blackburn players wasting time.
The game ended in a stalemate.
Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Aurelio, Gerrard (captain), Alonso, Pennant, Crouch, Bellamy. Subs - Dudek, Garcia, Gonzalez, Paletta, Zenden
Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Khizanishvilli, Ooijer, Neill (captain), Pedersen, Emerton, , Bentley, Savage, Nonda, McCarthy. Subs - Brown, Mokoena, Gallagher, McEveley, Roberts
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
RATINGS:Reina 8/10
Did well to keep out many shots although he conceded the forst goal
Finnan 8/10
Defended solidly and went foward many times to help out and did not forgot about his defensive chores as well
Carragher 7/10
Not as solid as the Carragher last season and misjudged the ball causing them to score the first goal
Hyypia 7/10
Very slow in challenges although he has a strong physical and aerial presence
Aurelio 6.5/10
Yet again, we conceded because of a cross from our left flank. Who else to blame?
Pennant 8/10
Did very very well to dribble while keeping the ball. Crossed many balls in and earned many free kicks
Gerrard 8/10
Started many attacks and defended well. He proved to RB why he should be playing in the middle of the park
Alonso 7.5/10
Hasnt really found back his form yet and had many shots off target
Riise 8.5/10
The most hardworking player on the pitch. Covered every inch of the field, helping out in attack, midfield and defence
Garcia 8/10
Cut in many times from left to centre, centre to right and back to centre. Tried to feed in many occasions he had the ball.
Bellamy 8.5/10
Although he has heavily marked in the game, he still managed to score against his old club and earned us a point.
Crouch 7.5/10
Did not keep the ball well like he should and chose to pass instead of shooting in some occasions
Labels: EPL, Liverpool
