Without further ado, Liverpool’s second-string raced into a 2-0 lead after 15 mins thanks to two goals from prolific midfielder Maxi Rodrigues.
Then unlucky goal-keeper Alexander Doni got sent off for fouling a Blackburn player in the box, he now misses the FA Cup semi-final v Everton.
Inexperienced young full-back John Flanagan was hauled off as the sacrificial lamb, (yes it is still lambing season) to be replaced by Brad Jones who saved Yakubu’s resultant penalty.
However, Yakubu made amends minutes later from a David Dunn free-kick as he headed a goal on 36 mins.
Then early in the second-half, Liverpool players were again guilty of passing the ball back to the keeper when in attacking positions and replacement goalie Brad Jones was very lucky not to also be sent-off when he fouled The Yak, he got a yellow and Yakubu levelled the game with his second penalty attempt of the night.
So Liverpool were looking down and out again at 2-2 having lost a two-goal lead and were a man short, it looked like another capitulation was on the cards.
But full credit to the team that played last night, they came out fighting and Andy Carroll scored Liverpool’s winner with a headed goal in injury-time.
It was just rewards for a resilient Liverpool performance, despite being reduced to ten men for over an hour, they still found it within themselves to overcome a team fighting for their lives in Blackburn Rovers.
Special mention for Andy Carroll who worked tirelessly on his own upfront, defended well at set pieces and scored the all-important winner for Liverpool.
I have been his biggest critic all season, but well done against Blackburn Andy Carroll.
Man of the Match: Andy Carroll
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