MATCH REPORT: Blackburn 0 – Liverpool 0

This result probably didn’t come off as much of a surprise as when the teamsheet was announced.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the likes of Riera and Benayoun on the wings, backed by Insua and Johnson would shred the Blackburn defence mercilessly.

Well, Blackburn defended mercilessly for certain, throwing bodies unapologetically all over the place, and when they do got possession, the ball would be launched long into our penatly box, hoping for a certain Italian to weave his magic, and no, not Aquilani mind you, but young Franco Di Santo.

If Di Santo had a couple of years of experience under his belt, he would have easily converted a few half chances, but to depend on the inexperienced striker against the colossal Carragher, is simply asking too much.

Indeed Carragher may have placed a few feet wrong, but his experience made up for it, while Agger provided enough cover to provide stability in an already leaky defence.

The central pairing of Carragher and Agger has yet to mature and blossom, but they are looking good these days, along with the safe pair of goalkeeping hands of Reina too.

Thanks to Reina’s quick thinking and superb keeper-sweeper display, the Blackburn sucker punch never came, fortunately enough.

If you had witnessed the first half of the game, you would probably daze away in a stupor, after an uneventful period.

The substitution of Ngog for Riera turned out to be the catalyst for Liverpool’s second half waves of attack.

Though it may seem adequately impressive that Liverpool’s attacking plays finally kickstarted the engine, it was extremely annoying that Red’s approach play is still littered with mistimed passes, poor dribbles and sorrowfully inadequate off-the-ball runs.

Where a simple one-two would work, instead the ball was held in possession for far too long.

Where a quick layoff was needed, instead the pass was delayed, thus causing a breakdown in the attacks.

Overall, Liverpool’s reluctance to run at Blackburn’s defence came off as annoying, but fortunately Johnson came to the rescue with some timely penetrating runs on the right flank.

Just when the opening goal was inevitable, the uneven pitch came to Blackburn’s rescue as Johnson’s low cross bounced off the ground, causing Ngog shins instead of boots to connect with the ball, which eventually hit the bar instead of the back of the net.

That was probably the only time that Blackburn allowed Liverpool’s players to get behind them, and so to say that the Reds would have deserved all 3 points is an overstatement.

Blackburn deserved their point, and Liverpool’s lethargic display surely begs the question of just how inventive their midfield is?

Although Lucas’ rare foray into the penalty box almost allowed Gerrard to earn a spotkick, that was the only play worth mentioning for the Brazilian, who was largely ordinary throughout the game.

Sure we know that Torres’ return is a couple of games away, but just where was Aquilani?

Why didn’t Rafa play him instead of Lucas, and in a game where the hosts were simply content to sit back and absorb all the pressure that it can, surely Aquilani deserves a run out?

If any good were to come out of the game, it was the team’s clean sheet that’s worth mentioning.

If any bad were to come out of the game, it was Rafa’s insistence on not using Aquilani, yet again.

Perhaps mid week’s Fiorentina game might see him making a full debut?

———-

AUTHOR BIO: Mar is a passionate, understanding and tolerable Reds fan through and through. Until he gets to visit Anfield and experience the KOP end, he’s not quite the perfect Kopites as yet, but he’s getting there, nevertheless. Catch him at his personal blog.mar.sg and say hi.