Reds held to Rovers draw

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.

The Reds had come away from the DW Stadium harbouring a degree of frustration having been unable to capitalise on a number of chances created meaning they had to settle for a goalless draw with the Latics.

And bottom-of-the-table Blackburn emerged from the tunnel aiming to administer similar annoyance upon Liverpool, but just two minutes were on the Anfield clock when Luis Suarez curled a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar of Rovers' stopper Mark Bunn before Charlie Adam had an effort saved soon after.

But in truth, it was a fairly low-key opening to the contest and despite a succession of early set pieces, the Reds did not threaten again until the 19^th minute when Suarez had two attempts in quick succession. First the No.7 drilled into the side netting from an acute angle before his nimble footwork inside the box created a shooting opportunity which he curled wide via his left boot.

The 27^th minute brought the best opportunity of the afternoon so far for the hosts when Enrique's dangerous centre from the left touchline fell invitingly for Carroll in a crowded six-yard box, but the No.9's instinctive prod goalwards was well blocked by the sprawling Bunn.

Carroll did have the ball in the back of the net on the half-hour mark, but he was in an offside position when he turned home Suarez's pass across the face of goal.

Blackburn were rescued by the raised flag of the referee's assistant again almost immediately when Bunn brought down Maxi- though this time TV replays suggested the Argentina playmaker was onside when he met Stewart Downing's reverse ball into the danger zone.

Liverpool had dominated possession throughout the opening period, but with one of the last kicks of the first-half, Blackburn stunned Anfield by taking a shock lead when Adam inadvertently diverted Morten Gamst Pedersen's corner into his own net to leave the Reds with much to ponder during the interval.

However, whatever was said inside the dressing room certainly had the desired impact as an energetic start to the second half was rewarded on 53 minutes with an equaliser.

Blackburn failed to clear a Liverpool corner properly, allowing Skrtel to loft a cross to the back post, where Maxi nodded over the line unmarked.

With the decibel levels inside Anfield sufficiently cranked up, the home side went in search of a second and Carroll and Suarez both went close with aerial efforts of their own in the aftermath of the leveller.

Dalglish opted to introduce Gerrard into the action with 21 minutes remaining as the Reds pressed for a winner - and with his first touch, he provided the free-kick for Maxi to go close with a header.

Suarez was next to threaten as he nodded Johnson's in-swinger just off target, but David Dunn spurned a glorious opportunity to restore Blackburn's lead when he danced into the box only to lose his footing at the vital moment and direct an effort wide.

With 10 minutes remaining, Carroll shaved the base of the post when he directed Enrique's cross goalwards with his head, before Downing saw a low attempt stopped by Bunn.

But despite the heavy pressure continuing deep into stoppage time, which saw Carroll and Agger go close, Liverpool could not muster the winner their dominance deserved.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Jose Enrique