Blackburn vs. Liverpool FC: Return of Steven Gerrard Ends in Reds' Frustration

Fans entered the match with excitement as news spread of the return of talismanic captain Steven Gerrard.  Fans left the match disappointed though; Liverpool were held to a draw in consecutive games.

Liverpool drew 1-1 to a lesser Blackburn side, spurning clear opportunities to win the match. 

Charlie Adam scored an own goal, misfiring his clearance in the dying moments of the first half.  Maxi Rodriguez found the equalizer in the 53rd minute, after heading a cross delivered by Martin Skrtel. 

The remainder of the match left Liverpool supporters frustrated as Blackburn replacement goalkeeper Mark Bunn and Adam Henley denied two goal-bound efforts with goal line saves. 

Liverpool fans will be left frustrated as they have dropped points once again, failing to capitalize on Chelsea's failure to win today.  Clinical finishing was absent once again as opportunities were wasted.

My ratings for the Liverpool players can be found on the next couple slides.  Drop a comment if you have an opinion about the ratings, or regarding Liverpool's performance.

Goalkeeper

Pepe Reina: 6.0

Besides picking the ball out of the net after Adam’s own goal, Reina had little to do.  Blackburn created few chances, leaving Liverpool's keeper with a quiet day.

Unfortunately, Adam took away Reina’s clean sheet with a clearance that misfired into Reina’s goal, leaving him with no chance to save it. 

Reina was left as a spectator for the majority of the match. 

Defenders

Jose Enrique: 5.5

Enrique was disappointing today, putting in an uncharacteristic performance.  He continuously failed to keep possession as he was stripped of the ball multiple times throughout the match.  He was a victim of his usually high standards, lacking his usual spark and wasteful on the left wing. 

Glen Johnson: 6.5

Johnson got forward at times, but also faded in and out of the match, yet did well to limit the threat down his wing from the opposing wide men.  At times, he was caught out of position, but Henderson and others helped cover for the attacking Johnson. 

Daniel Agger: 6.5

Agger was solid apart from his consequential error, inexplicably handing Blackburn a corner, which resulted in a Charlie Adam own goal.  A little more cautiousness from the Dane could have prevented the corner from being given; a throw-in would've been a much better alternative.  Other than that, Agger was solid in the middle alongside Skrtel. 

Martin Skrtel: 7.0

Skrtel put in a good performance on both ends of the field, as he did well to quiet the husky Ayegbeni Yakubu with Agger's help.  He also got on the offensive side of things with an assist, delivering an inch perfect cross that resulted in Rodriguez scoring a header. 

Midfielders

Charlie Adam: 6.0

Adam was terribly unfortunate to see his attempted clearance misfire into his own net.  He was inconsistent in the middle of the park today, placing some neat passes, but also occasionally sloppy with possession.  Dalglish took him off for Gerrard in the 69th minute.

Jordan Henderson: 6.0

Hendo had a somewhat flat performance, but was also a little more ambitious than usual—a sight welcomed by supporters.  He also had a couple of half chances, which never really threatened  Bunn.  He did well in defense, covering for Johnson at times. 

Stewart Downing: 6.0

Downing found himself on the ball on quite a few occasions today, whipping in several crosses that never really threatened the goal.  He'll be disappointed to not have given 17-year-old fullback Adam Henley more problems on the right wing.  Downing also had a solid strike, which was laid on by Gerrard, but Bunn did well to stop it. 

Maxi Rodriguez: 6.5

Maxi did well to link up with Luis Suarez, as he is known to do, and got in some dangerous positions in the final third.  He also took his goal well, with a neat header off a Skrtel cross.  Rodriguez keeps giving Dalglish reasons to start him, as he somehow always finds a way to net a goal. 

Forwards

Andy Carroll: 6.0

Carroll found himself trapped under the shadow of Christopher Samba for a large portion of the match, and rarely found himself at the end of crosses.  He was given a couple clear cut opportunities to score, but had a goal ruled out due to Suarez being called offside.  Carroll brought out the best of Bunn who denied him twice on two goal-bound efforts.  Carroll's performance today did little to eliminate the doubts Liverpool supporters have about the Englishman. 

Luis Suarez: 7.0

Suarez looked like the most passionate and perseverant Liverpool player as he continuously pestered Blackburn's defense.  He did well to find himself in good positions, but couldn't do much more than that, which means questions will continue to be murmured about his ability to score for Liverpool.  However, he was the center of most of Liverpool's attacks, and supporters will fear any type of absence of the star forward.  

Substitutes

Steven Gerrard: 6.5

Gerrard was brought in in the 69th minute, and was more incisive than his fellow midfielders had displayed.  He helped create a more attacking atmosphere, and will be one of the few positives taken from today's match.  Gerrard will be able to take the burden off Suarez, and bring dynamism onto the pitch. 

Craig Bellamy: 6.0

Bellamy was brought in in the 81st minute for Rodriguez, but didn't see much of the ball until the dying moments of the match.  He could've possibly been a game-changer had he been substituted earlier; he had the pace to disturb the defense.