Dalglish eyes Liverpool lift

11 April 2012 02:39

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says Tuesday's 3-2 win over Blackburn will give his side a much-needed boost heading into the tail end of the season.

Dalglish believes the last-gasp victory, sealed with Andy Carroll's injury-time winner, was deserved and will hold his side in good stead as they prepare for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Everton.

"I think at the end of the day we deserved to win, we're delighted for the players, it's not been a better time for them recently," the Scot said.

"That doesn't mean we've turned any corners, but it'll give everyone a lift.

"We've not had the best of results recently so that was that bit more enjoyable when you win a game with 10 men and towards the end.

"It's fresh in the mind and they deserve a bit of enjoyment."

Dalglish's Blackburn counterpart Steve Kean was left incensed by a perceived foul in the build-up to Carroll's winner.

Carroll snatched the win following a clash in the box between Grant Hanley and Martin Skrtel, one which Kean believes warranted a foul.

"I've looked at the referee's decisions and I can understand why he's not sent the sub goalie (Jones] off," Kean told reporters.

"I think when the ball's spun up and Yakubu eventually gets up and makes a touch, the referee thinks it's going to spill to a Liverpool player.

"So I can understand why he's given a yellow card because he doesn't think (Jones) is preventing a goalscoring opportunity.

"But, I do think on the last goal, Grant Hanley tried to get back to his feet, (Martin) Skrtel's pulled him down at the back post and therefore Grant can't get up in the middle of the goal and pick up his marker who was Andy Carroll."

Premier League: Blackburn 2 Liverpool 3

10 April 2012 23:48

An injury-time header from Andy Carroll secured a 3-2 win for Liverpool against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Tuesday.

The game threw up numerous talking points with two penalties and the sending-off of Liverpool goalkeeper Doni, which gives Kenny Dalglish a selection headache ahead of the Reds' FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

Craig Bellamy orchestrated Liverpool's opening goal on 13 minutes, getting in behind the Blackburn defence and finding Maxi Rodriguez, who tapped in at the back post.

Rodriguez scored his second just three minutes later when the ball fell at his feet after a goalmouth scramble, with the Argentine rifling home for a 2-0 lead.

Doni increased Dalglish's goalkeeping headache when he felled Junior Hoilett with a sloppy diving effort after the Canadian had skipped the ball past the goalkeeper and was through on goal.

Doni's dismissal brought Brad Jones into the match, with Jon Flanagan making way for the Australian goalkeeper.

Jones asserted himself instantly, diving to his right to save Yakubu's tame penalty.

Yakubu made up for his gaffe in the 36th minute as a free-kick from David Dunn found the striker unmarked and free to head the ball into the bottom corner.

Andy Carroll nearly gave the Reds a blistering start to the second half but he was unable to get enough power behind his diving header, seeing the ball go wide of the goal.

Jones then undid his earlier good work when Yakubu charged down his attempted clearance, before the goalkeeper compounded his error by shoving the Blackburn striker and conceding a penalty, picking up a yellow card in the process.

Yakubu made no mistake from the spot second time out to draw scores level.

Blackburn failed to capitalise on their dominance after finding the equaliser, rarely managing to overcome a resolute Liverpool backline, though Jones was forced to tip over the bar after Carroll's misjudged header almost sailed into his own net.

With the match heading for a draw, there was time for late drama as Daniel Agger headed into Carroll's path for the towering striker to nod home an injury-time winner.

Premier League preview: Blackburn v Liverpool

9 April 2012 20:53

Liverpool's trip to face Blackburn Rovers on Monday is their last chance to find form before an FA Cup semi-final showdown with Everton.

Kenny Dalglish's have struggled badly since beating Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final on February 26.

They have managed just one win from seven English Premier League matches, and needed a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Aston Villa on Saturday to end a sequence of three defeats in succession.

Liverpool's slump has left them seventh on the table, 14 points off their stated ambition of Champions League qualification.

Blackburn meanwhile are on a three-match losing streak of their own, going down 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

During that run, Steve Kean and his players have seen a six-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone disappear.

They are now 18th, level on points with QPR but inside the bottom three due to their inferior goal difference.

There remains little separating the struggling teams at the wrong end of the table.

A draw against Liverpool would be enough for Blackburn to climb back above QPR, and a precious victory would lift them as high as 16th, beyond both QPR and Bolton Wanderers.

Given Liverpool's problems, a win is not out of the question for the home side at Ewood Park.

And they may be able to take advantage of some key absentees in the visitors' defence.

Ever-present Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is suspended, meaning Brazilian Alexander Doni will deputise.

Fullbacks Glenn Johnson (hamstring) and Martin Kelly (ankle) are in doubt.

Blackburn manager Steve Kean has close to a full complement of players to choose from. Only striker Anthony Modeste (suspended) and long-term absentee Vince Grella (hip injury) are unavailable.