The Reds had gone into the Ewood Park encounter hoping to extend their winning run to three matches and continue their rise up the Barclays Premier League table.

But despite the best efforts of Steven Gerrard - who was playing his 500^th game for the club - they could not find the breakthrough and were forced to settle for a hard-fought point.

Ahead of the clash with Sam Allardyce's men the spotlight had been firmly focused on our inspirational number eight's landmark appearance and it was the Reds skipper who had the visitors' first real shot of note on 13 minutes.

The script seemed to be written for him to mark the milestone with a trademark goal, but not on this occasion, as his 25 yarder deflected to safety.

In truth that was as good as it got for Benitez's side in the early exchanges as Blackburn's aerial threat saw them dominate without causing Pepe Reina too much concern.

The hosts were restricting the Reds to few opportunities and gave further warning of their ability in the air when Vince Grella's swirling cross was headed away by Johnson on the stretch after McCarthy had looked set to pounce.

Another set piece on 25 minutes caused havoc in the Liverpool defence and only some desperate defending prevented Chris Samba from volleying home the opener.

It had been a first period devoid of any real quality until the visitors broke forward with the best move of the half on 39 minutes.

Yossi Benayoun fed Kuyt, who in turn picked out the forward run of Lucas Leiva. The Brazilian took a touch before playing a ball to Gerrard on the left. The Reds skipper cut in on his trusty right foot before seeing his goalbound curler deflect just past Robinson's far post.

It was the catalyst for a spell of Reds pressure in which Gerrard almost sent Lucas in on goal, but the midfielder's first touch was too heavy and the chance was wasted.

More of the same was required from the start of the second 45, but it was Rovers who should have gone ahead on 46 minutes. Franco Di Santo broke the offside trap but could not get the ball out of his feet, allowing Jamie Carragher to get back and make a vital last-ditch challenge.

It was a huge let off for Benitez's men and they responded in the right manner.

Gerrard saw another effort well saved by Robinson before substitute David Ngog somehow hit the bar from six yards out after a sensational run to the byline by Glen Johnson.

The game was threatening to develop into an exciting end to end encounter, but the goal it so desperately needed continued to elude us.

Liverpool were enjoying some good passages of play but Rovers remained dangerous on the counter with McCarthy and Grella both going close.

In the dying moments the game continued to stretch, but neither side had the composure to take advantage and they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.