Liverpool frustrated at Blackburn

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers in an entertaining Premier League clash at Ewood Park.

The 2-0 Merseyside derby win last weekend seemed to have kick-started Liverpool's season but, despite a better performance in another North West derby, David NGog in particular was unable to capitalise on the chances created against a bright Rovers side who could have won it themselves.

The visitors were notable for one absence, with Fernando Torres still not deemed fit enough for even a place on the bench, while the hosts welcomed back boss Sam Allardyce after his recovery from minor heart surgery.

The first half was an even if uneventful affair, with neither side taking too many risks and Rovers centre-halves Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen the stand-out players.

Liverpool occasionally got their passing game together, but the home side's combative midfield of Vince Grella, Brett Emerton and, in particular, Steven N'Zonzi did not give Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera space to breathe.

In the absence of Fernando Torres, the only real chances that did come predictably fell to Steven Gerrard.

On 33 minutes the England man was denied by quick thinking from Samba after he escaped a wild lunge from Pascal Chimbonda, while five minutes later Samba put in a last-gasp dive to deny him the opener after a superb through-ball from Lucas Leiva.

Dan Agger headed the subsequent corner wide and, with Rovers decent in possession but frustrating in the final third, that was as good as it got before the break.

The second half was much more eventful and started in breakneck fashion as both sides exchanged excellent opportunities.

Seconds after the restart, Gerrard was denied a clear route to goal by a wonderful last-ditch tackle from Chimbonda, for which the Reds skipper tried in vain to claim a penalty.

Blackburn went straight down the other end but Franco Di Santo's heavy first touch let him down when he was sent one-on-one by a delightful flick from the impressive N'Zonzi.

Ten minutes later Gerrard was fortunate to escape a booking after a clear dive as N'Zonzi stepped away from the challenge during a penalty-box pinball started by Lucas that ended with NGog - on for Riera - accidentally blocking Kuyt's shot.

Liverpool had found their rhythm and dominated the next quarter, but Rovers matched them for chances.

Benayoun headed a Gerrard corner just over on the hour mark but, three minutes later, Di Santo forced Pepe Reina to save after racing away from Jamie Carragher.

Rafael Benitez's side were having the lion's share of possession but, with Benayoun tiring he brought Nabil El-Zhar into play, despite having an apparently fit Alberto Aquilani on the bench.

The best chances fell to substitute NGog though.

On 71 minutes the Frenchman rattled the bar from close range, flying in to meet Glen Johnson's cut-back after a scintillating run from the England right-back: Kuyt should have buried the rebound but was denied by a great save from Robinson.

Blackburn went close twice, with Benni McCarthy and Vince Grella both drilling just wide, but NGog again should have scored but failed to make contact with a Gerrard knock down that gave him an open goal.

Both sides had chances in injury time, with Kuyt's long-range shot deflected just over, while Rovers sub Nikola Kalinic collided with Reina as he tried to loft the ball into the net following a run from halfway by fellow replacement David Hoilett.

A draw was a fair result though, keeping Rovers lower-mid table and Liverpool hovering behind the Champions League places.

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