Fowler's 29th minute goal was enough to secure a 6th Premiership win on the bounce after another superb rearguard action in the second half repelled Mark Hughes' side, who themselves are chasing a Champions League place. And Liverpool are now all but virtually assured Champions League football again next season.

It was a landmark day for Pepe Reina on his 50th Liverpool appearance as he beat Ray Clemence's record of 1970/71 when he conceded 32 goals in his first 50 games for the Reds, Reina has conceded just 29.

Rafa Benitez made three changes from the side that beat Bolton at Anfield last week, with Steven Gerrard, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch giving way to Stephen Warnock, Momo Sissoko and Fernando Morientes.

When the game started it was the defences who were on top and goal incident was rare. But for all that it was an uneventful start, Rafa will have been the happier of the two managers as the Reds rarely looked in danger and were controlling the play.

Liverpool had claims for a penalty in the 23rd minute when Fernando Morientes' smart turn was halted by Ryan Nelson in the penalty area. But the massive Liverpool following didn't have to wait long to see their side gain the advantage when Robbie Fowler made the breakthrough in the 29th minute.

It was a goal all of Fowler's own making as he cleverly chested the ball into Morientes' path. And Nando was equally astute as he drew Brad Friedel from his goal and laid the ball back into Fowler's path and he dispatched his fourth goal of his second coming into the back of net from 12 yards.

Blackburn players were furious in the aftermath of the goal as they claimed for offside against Djibril Cisse, but referee Alan Wiley and his assistant ruled the Frenchman wasn't interfering and the goal stood.

Cisse was involved again on the stroke of half time and he almost doubled Liverpool's lead as the raced clear and saw Friedel deflect his shot into the ground and then against the crossbar.

It was Blackburn who were in the ascendancy after the restart and they put Liverpool under pressure in their search for an equalizer. From having little to do in the first half Pepe Reina was now a busy goalkeeper and he had be alert to deal with a Dickov cross that came down under his crossbar and then again to keep out Bentley's shot.

Liverpool had a great chance to make the game safe in the 73rd with one of the moves of the match. It started with an exchange of passes between Djibril Cisse and Harry Kewell; and when Kewell crossed into the area Fernando Morientes was there to flash a header wide. And Cisse missed an even better chance in stoppage time as he again crashed a shot against the Blackburn woodwork.

As it was Fowler's goal proved to be the winner and it means Liverpool still have a realistic chance of overhauling Manchester United in 2nd place. And they will go into next Saturday's FA Cup Semi Final with no shortage of confidence.