Video Highlights: Blackburn 2-3 Liverpool

Andy Carroll scored an injury-time winner to give Liverpool a 3-2 win over Blackburn on a night when stand-in goalkeeper Alexander Doni received a red card which will rule him out of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

The Reds led 2-0 until Doni was dismissed for a foul on Junior Hoilett after 25 minutes.

On came third choice stopper Brad Jones in a week when his partner Dani gave birth to a baby boy named Nico Luca after Brad's sadly deceased son Luca - and the Australian immediately saved a penalty.

A Yakubu brace looked to have given Blackburn the point that would lift them out of the relegation zone until Carroll ruined their night with a close-range header.

Kenny Dalglish made six changes to his side from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, selecting Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez on the bench and resting Steven Gerrard altogether.

The return of first-choice right-back Glen Johnson, meanwhile, provided a timely boost ahead of the Wembley derby. The England man was given 52 minutes before being replaced by Daniel Agger.

Liverpool offered little in the opening exchanges but after 13 minutes they were in front following a route one pass downfield by captain-for-the-night Martin Skrtel, whose vision to pick out Craig Bellamy is sure to feature in any highlights package of his already excellent season. Bellamy then delivered a precise cross which made Maxi's task of finishing the job at the far post an easy one.

Three minutes later the Argentine made it 2-0 from a similar position, this time using his predatory instincts to convert after both Jonjo Shelvey and Carroll were denied.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Match Report: Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

With Liverpool drawing at Wigan through the week in a match the felt they should have won, it was back to Anfield for two home games in a week. A home banker on most peoples coupons with Blackburn in so much trouble at the wrong end of the table and decimated with injuries for this match not helping their cause. Liverpool looking to improve their home form with five draws at Anfield this season.

THE TEAM

Kenny made one change to the side that drew with Wigan with Andy Carroll replacing Dirk Kuyt. Great news for the home support was the name of Gerrard included as a substitute. Maxi once again started on the left for Liverpool with Downing on the right and Adam and Henderson in the middle with the formidable defence remaining unchanged with Carragher once again having to play patience.

THE MATCH

Not surprisingly Liverpool started the match attacking and Suarez went close with a free-kick in only the second minute before Adam brought out a save from Bunn. But apart from a few set-pieces it was a rather low key start to the match.

In the 19^th minute Suarez fired a shot into the side netting from an acute angle before curling an effort wide from inside the box as Liverpool struggled to break down the Blackburn defence. The best chance of the first half came from an Enrique cross which fell to Carroll inside the six yard box but his prodded effort was superbly saved by Bunn.

Enrique and Downing were making good runs down either flank but the strikers were not getting on enough of their crosses. Carroll had the ball in the net in the half hour mark but it was ruled out for offside, then Maxi was brought down by Bunn and Liverpool thought they had won a penalty but the referee’s assistant once again saved Blackburn.

Then right on the stroke of half-time Liverpool were stunned when Charlie Adam diverted a Pedersen corner kick past Reina at the near post.

Liverpool came out for the second half looking sharper and moving the ball around quicker as they set about getting back into the match. After some sustained pressure they deservedly drew level when Maxi headed past Bunn from close range from a Skrtel lofted cross.

The home support was aroused from their slumber with the goal and roared their side on for more goals. Suarez and Carroll went close with aerial efforts as the pressure mounted on the visitors. Then Dalglish brought on Gerrard for Adam with 20 minutes remaining to try and inspire his troops and his first touch almost created a goal when his free-kick was headed by Maxi.

Then Suarez wasted a header off target from a Johnson cross. Blackburn almost stole it when Dunn danced into the Liverpool box but he lost his footing at the vital moment. The chances kept coming and going for Liverpool as they remained frustrated and in the final seconds Carroll prodded an effort from close range but Bunn made an unbelievable save and then from the resulting corner Skrtel’s header was cleared off the line as time ran out.

SUMMARY

Once again I was left frustrated with the amount of missed chances. I was pleased to see Carroll starting and was hoping he would score but things are not going his way. He was very unlucky not to score. But we started off a bit lethargic in the first half as we never created enough chances, but the second half was far better and we should have won the match. Adam made a very poor mistake for the Blackburn goal and his passing was a bit off today. I thought Maxi, Downing, Enrique and Johnson made great efforts to get down the flanks, just not enough support in the box to meet their crosses. Surely we are due to hammer somebody soon but at least we are still in the running for a top four place so hopefully our form will pick up soon. Great to see Gerrard back and he looked pretty sharp to me, oozes class.

Man Of The Match- Enrique – it had to be one of the wide players and Enrique just edges it for me another superb performance.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

Steven Gerrard returned to action but Liverpool were left frustrated as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Boxing Day.

Having rarely threatened in the opening 45 minutes, the visitors took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Charlie Adam turned a corner into his own net to stun the Kop.

However, their joy was short lived as the Reds levelled eight minutes into the second half when Maxi Rodriguez headed Martin Skrtel's cross over the line.

With Liverpool pushing for a winner, Gerrard was summoned from the bench with just over 20 minutes remaining, much to the delight of the Anfield crowd.

However, despite applying heavy pressure to Rovers' goal, the home side were unable to muster a winner and had to settle for a point.

News emerging from the home dressing room ahead of kick-off confirmed the return of Gerrard to the matchday squad, with the No.8 handed a place on the bench for his first first-team involvement since October due to an ankle infection.

Elsewhere, Kenny Dalglish's selection saw Andy Carroll handed a starting berth. The striker replaced Dirk Kuyt in the only change made to the side that had started at Wigan Athletic last week.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Video: Liverpool v Blackburn preview

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Video: Dalglish 'saddened' by Blackburn plight and other Boxing Day preview

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Rumour Mill: Liverpool interested in Argentine striker

According to Skysports.com, Blackburn Rovers have agreed terms with the Argentinean striker Mariano Pavone, who will sign a three-year deal with the Premier League club during the weekend.

But the Lancashire outfit have been unable to finalise the deal.

Now Pavone, who is a free agent after buying out the remaining year of his contract at Real Betis, is growing increasingly frustrated.

Whilst Rovers remain in pole position to sign him, Pavone is now ready to consider other offers and a number of clubs are showing an interest in the forward.

Skysports.com understands Liverpool, Fulham and Swansea are all interested in now striking a deal to land Pavone.

Pavone's British representative Barry McIntosh confirmed that a number of clubs were monitoring the situation.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Sky Sports

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Case Closed: Phil Jones Officially A Devil

Blackburn have stepped aside to allow Phil Jones to "follow his dream" of joining Manchester United.

Although Rovers have claimed Jones' switch to Old Trafford could eventually break their transfer record, United have not gone beyond the initial £16.5million offer that triggered a buy-out clause in the teenager's contract last week.

Even as Blackburn owners Venky's were refusing to sanction the deal when it was first put together last Wednesday and were fielding renewed interest from Liverpool over the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson was secure in the knowledge Jones was not interested in going anywhere else.

So, once Jones' contribution to England's draw with Spain in their opening European Under-21 Championship group game was out of the way last night, further contact with Blackburn was made to assure the club any attempt at prolonging the transfer was futile.

Jones will formally sign a five-year contract once he returns from Denmark.

"Much as we would love him to stay on with us - and we made all efforts to convince him to stay - Phil has to finally follow his heart," said a statement on behalf of the Rovers' owners, directors and manager, released on the club website.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean confirmed those efforts included offering to make Jones the highest-paid player in the club's history.

"The offer we made he was staggering for a 19-year-old, but it wasn't the money," Kean told Sky Sports News. "Phil wants to play Champions League football now and we're not at that level.

"I'm sure we will be in the coming years, and we gave it a real good try and made him a fantastic offer, but I understand why he wants to go now. He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.

"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England, he's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."

It represents a smart piece of business for Ferguson, who knew the 19-year-old was also coveted by Arsenal, and secures another important piece in a developing United team that now contains four of England's starting line-up last night.

In addition, the Old Trafford chief is hoping to complete the signing of Spain goalkeeper David De Gea, who produced an excellent performance in Herning.

However, Ferguson is not focusing purely on youth as he looks to rebuild in the wake of his club's chastening Champions League final defeat to Barcelona last month.

It is widely assumed Ashley Young's much-discussed switch from Aston Villa will be completed once the Midlands outfit have sorted out their managerial situation.

Ferguson is also trying to secure a replacement for recently retired playmaker Paul Scholes, although apparently it will not be Mesut Ozil, the Germany star whom United were interested in before he left Werder Bremen for Real Madrid last August.

"We thank Manchester United for their interest but Ozil is fine in Madrid and has no intention of leaving," said the midfielder's agent Reza Fazeli.

With Wesley Sneijder giving out mixed messages over a potential departure from Inter Milan and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp repeatedly stating he has no interest in offloading Luka Modric, finding someone to step into Scholes' shoes is not going to be easy.

"That is up to the manager," laughed Scholes.

"You only have to look at the youth team and what they have done this year to see there is a lot of talent at this club. There are some great players.

"But the ones we have been linked with are great as well."

Although he will be part of Ferguson's coaching team at the start of pre-season, with his precise role yet to be determined, Scholes will have no input in the discussions over his replacement.

Instead, he will be like any other fan, sitting back and waiting to find out which star name will eventually arrive, knowing his first appearance on English soil could well come in Scholes' testimonial game against New York Cosmos on August 5.

"It is a great time of year," said the 36-year-old.

"Even when I was a player you see all these top players around the world that you're linked with, and you are excited about maybe playing with them.

"Now I am just like my son, hoping we buy the best players in the world and that they make us even stronger for next year."

Meanwhile, one of Ferguson's more bizarre recent captures, Bebe, is in talks with Turkish club Besiktas about a loan move.

Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime buy snapping Bebe up despite never actually seeing him play.

The transfer has not really worked out, with the 20-year-old making only seven appearances, scoring two goals.

Source: Football365

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Liverpool outbid United for Jones

Manchester United’s multi-million pound signing of teenage defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers lies in tatters.

Blackburn's Indian owners have reacted furiously to what they perceive as United's attempt to railroad them into selling the 19-year-old and have told United: 'We will not be bullied'.

And in a stunning 11th-hour development on Saturday, the Mail on Sunday can reveal that Liverpool have told Blackburn they will pay £22million for Jones, a move that will ruin Alex Ferguson's holiday mood as he takes a break in the south of France.

Arsenal have also belatedly submitted a bid that tops United's £16.5m offer, and with Chelsea showing serious interest in the player, too, an auction appears to be unfolding. It will come as a bitter blow to Ferguson if he misses out on Jones, and it will sting all the harder if the player ends up at United's fierce rivals at Anfield.

Rovers' owners have been angered by United's attitude and at a meeting on Saturday in Pune, India, which was attended by manager Steve Kean - straight off a plane to Mumbai - they resolved to prevent the deal going through.

United have offered to make Jones the highest-paid teenager in the history of English football with a startling £80,000-a-week contract, but Blackburn are even prepared to top that.

Rovers chairwoman Anuradha Desai made it clear to Kean and fellow executives, who made up a 'war council' in India, that they must try to persuade the defender to stay. The prospect of being a future club captain is also being dangled before Jones.

Money is said to be 'not an issue' for Desai's family, who are billionaires through their Venky's poultry conglomerate.

They want to keep their best players, especially home-grown talents such as Jones.

But if they fail to persuade him, they will do all they can to elicit the best price from one of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, United or Tottenham, telling Jones: 'If you go, you go where we get the best money.'

A source close to Rovers said: "United can't do what they want in this case. Jones is a Blackburn player and while there is a clause that could mean he leaves, it's far from the straightforward issue everyone assumes it to be."

Jones signed a United shirt for fans while training with England's Under-21s in Denmark on Friday and, along with his representatives and United, had thought the transfer was a formality.

The player wants to join United but it is not known whether he has even been informed yet that Liverpool have made a bigger offer.

A major headache for United is in the interpretation of the release clause in Jones's contract. They triggered it with their £16.5m offer and were allowed to talk to the player as a result.

But Rovers have taken legal advice and insist the clause does not force them to sell to the first club to meet the figure.

The biggest loser in all this could be England Under- 21 boss Stuart Pearce.

He would not name his team on Saturday night for the opening game against Spain as the possibility of the transfer deal distracting the versatile defender grew.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Mail

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Jones snubs Liverpool for United

Skysports.com has learnt Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones is at Manchester United having a medical as he closes on a move to Old Trafford.

The in-demand centre-half is also a target for Arsenal and Liverpool but it would appear United have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals in a transfer race that could be concluded soon.

Liverpool were thought to be the early front-runners for the England Under 21 international but Sir Alex Ferguson, with a healthy transfer chest of his own, is set to land a player many believe will be a mainstay for the senior national side for years to come.

It is understood United have offered the player a five-year contract, despite widespread reports he was to undergo a medical at Liverpool's training ground.

The 19-year-old was supposed to travel to Denmark on Wednesday with the England Under 21s for this summer's European Championship.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Sky Sports

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Liverpool to kop £30M deal for young England stars

Liverpool are closing in on a £30million swoop for two of England’s hottest prospects — Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The Anfield giants increased their initial offer of £13million for Henderson, 20, to £15million yesterday and are hopeful Sunderland will compromise on their asking price of £18million.

Liverpool are also ready to make a formal offer to Blackburn for £15million-rated Jones, though they face a battle for him with Arsenal and Tottenham.

The moves are part of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's strategy of buying top English talent, having signed striker Andy Carroll in January for £35million from Newcastle.

The club have also asked about the availability of midfielder Lee Cattermole at the Stadium of Light.

Henderson and Jones are in Spain with the England U21 party preparing for this month's European Championship in Denmark.

Stuart Pearce's squad fly home tonight before travelling to Southampton for Sunday's friendly against Norway, but Henderson is on stand-by to travel to Merseyside and complete the deal as soon as the two clubs agree a fee.

Liverpool's move for Jones will alert Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made it known he wants to build his back four around the 19-year-old.

Wenger was prepared to wait a year while signing Jones's Blackburn team-mate Chris Samba now.

That deal is advanced but Liverpool's move may force Wenger to rethink his plans for Jones, who has impressed in the centre of defence and midfield since making his Premier League debut against Chelsea in March last year.

He signed a five-year deal that May and extended it by 12 months in February.

Blackburn would prefer to keep their prize asset and sell Samba but accept that they will not be able to stand in Jones's way if the right offer comes in.

Dalglish has already signalled a change of direction at Anfield since succeeding Roy Hodgson by handing first-team opportunities to 17-year-old Jack Robinson, 18-year-old John Flanagan and 21-year-old Martin Kelly, and giving a new deal to Jay Spearing, 22.

However, both deals are still on a pre-matured stage. Sunderland boss, Steve Bruce has made it clear to all clubs pursuing Jordan Henderson that he is not for sale.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Mail and PremierLeague.com

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Match Highlights: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Liverpool

Liverpool's away day woes continued as they were beaten 3-1 by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Wednesday night.

Martin Olsson opened the scoring for the hosts just after the half-hour mark, making no mistake with a cool finish after being sent bearing down on Pepe Reina's goal.

Benjani doubled Blackburn's advantage shortly after on 38 minutes when he held off Sotirios Kyrgiakos before unleashing an unstoppable effort beyond the Reds' goalkeeper.

The Zimbabwean forward then made it three early in the second half, tapping home from close range from Junior Hoilett's cross.

Steven Gerrard claimed a consolation for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining when he finished emphatically after pouncing on a loose ball inside the box.

But any hopes of a dramatic fight back evaporated when Gerrard blazed over from the penalty spot following a poor challenge by Michel Salgado on 86 minutes.

Liverpool went into the clash aiming to secure their opening away win of 2011 at the first hurdle having won just twice on the road in the Barclays Premier League in the whole of the previous calendar year.

However, both those successes had been achieved in Lancashire - at Burnley and Bolton - and following the manner of the dramatic New Year's Day win against the Trotters, the Reds embarked on the short journey to Ewood Park with renewed confidence. [Read more…]

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Fernando Torres rediscovered his scoring touch to earn Liverpool a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon.

The 26-year-old's winner was his first goal since the win over West Brom on August 29.

It came at the end of a crazy five minutes in which Sotirios Kyrgiakos had given the Reds a lead only to see it cancelled out by a Jamie Carragher own goal.

 

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