Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers: Score, Grades, Reaction from 2014/15 FA Cup

Resilient Blackburn Rovers forced Liverpool into an unwanted FA Cup quarter-final replay after a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

The Championship club's stoic defending blunted the Reds in attack, and goalscoring attempts came at a premium. Blackburn defender Alex Baptiste had the best chance of the tie, but Simon Mignolet brilliantly saved his early-second-half header.

A serious injury to Martin Skrtel just three minutes into the tie marred the game. The defender needed extensive treatment on the field before being carried off on a stretcher.

The injury could prove to be an issue for the Merseyside club as they now face an extended fixture list in their chase for a Champions League spot via the top four of the Premier League.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard remained sidelined for the Reds, but Glen Johnson and Lazar Markovic returned to the starting XI. Joe Allen was injured in training on Saturday and did not play.

There was some early concern for Skrtel after he fell heavily in a challenge with Rudy Gestede in the third minute of the game. The Slovakia international required lengthy medical attention on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher with a neck brace and replaced by Kolo Toure.

When the action resumed, an unmarked Gestede gave Liverpool a scare when he got on the end of a long free-kick into the box, but Mignolet did enough to put the striker off.

Jordan Henderson intercepted Adam Henley's ball out of defence in the 16th minute, but his pass was just too far for Daniel Sturridge inside the Blackburn area.

Liverpool were looking for a penalty in the 20th minute, but television replays proved Matt Kilgallon had produced a superbly timed tackle to thwart Adam Lallana.

There was a sharp intake of breath around Anfield moments later when Johnson almost guided a Craig Conway cross into his own net, but the ball went just wide.

After Toure made three successive clearances, Raheem Sterling appeared to throw himself into blocking a cross for Gestede, but replays suggested there was a suspicion of handball on the Liverpool man's part.

Football Radar's Jack Rathborn believed Sterling was lucky to get away without a penalty there:

Great buildup play by Blackburn set up Conway for a chance from the edge of the Liverpool area in the 32nd minute, but the Scot blazed wide of goal.

Toure had the ball in the net for Liverpool soon after but was adjudged to be offside, although the initial cross appeared to strike Gestede on the hand.

Emre Can was cautioned in the first minute of eight in injury-time for hauling back Tom Cairney.

Before the half-time whistle, Sturridge weaved into space before unleashing a fierce, angled drive which Simon Eastwood managed to punch clear.

Just four minutes into the second period, Mignolet produced a superb save to palm away a powerful Baptiste header from close range.

Sturridge called for a penalty in the 56th minute after Kilgallon appeared to pull him, but the referees did not oblige.

Brendan Rodgers made his second change of the day in the 59th minute when Mario Balotelli came on for Markovic, and seconds later, Toure headed against the post from a deep Philippe Coutinho free-kick.

Liverpool began to ratchet up the pressure as the second period progressed, but while the Reds kept the Championship side pegged into their own half, there was still no obvious threat.

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer brought on Chris Taylor for Ben Marshall in the 68th minute in a like-for-like switch.

A clipped Lallana ball to the near post almost found Balotelli, but Eastwood was able to drop on the ball to save Rovers.

Coutinho had a quiet game but created some space for himself in the Blackburn area before firing into the side-netting with Balotelli and Sturridge waiting for a cross.

A teasing Johnson cross five minutes from time offered some threat, but neither Balotelli nor Sterling could take advantage.

Rovers held firm until the end to force another game against their Premier League opponents at Ewood Park. 

Selected Player Ratings

Jordan Henderson: A

Henderson was the best Liverpool player on the pitch in the first period, with some excellent passing and smart balls to find his forwards.

Rudy Gestede: A-

The Blackburn striker was a menace to the Liverpool defence in the first half, with his height and strength outmuscling the Anfield back line, but his hold-up play could see a move to the Premier League deferred for the moment.

Glen Johnson: B

The Liverpool defender returned to the starting XI but failed to impress in the first 45 minutes, as several passes went astray.

Post-Match Reaction