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I'm 21-year old Journalism student based in Leicester and a bit of a football obsessive. You'll probably guess from my blog posts that I'm a Liverpool fan and you'd be correct. I post on here, Tumblr and the Kop and also have a Twitter (@MattKenny_LFC) page. Comments are always welcome so have a read and tell me what you think.

Sunday 24 October 2010

Match Report: Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool gained only their second league win of the season as they beat a limited Blackburn side 2-1 at Anfield.

All the goals came within five second half minutes with ex-Red El-Hadji Diouf cancelling out Sotirios Kyrgiakos' opener before Fernando Torres struck home the winner.

The victory helps take some of the pressure off manager Roy Hodgson after his team went five league games without a win, a run which included the shock loss at home to minnows Blackpool.

The home side started with the purpose and desire that was so lacking in last week's Merseyside derby with the much-maligned Maxi Rodriguez causing all sorts of problems for the Rovers defence.

The Argentine midfielder cut-back for Joe Cole early on and after his shot was expertly saved by Paul Robinson with the ball falling to Raul Meireles who slipped and fired wide.

Former England goalkeeper Robinson was again in action minutes later, defying Steven Gerrard after a swift Liverpool counter attack involving Rodriguez and the impressive Lucas.

Liverpool were not to be denied though and the breakthrough came three minutes into the second half when Sotirios Kyrgiakos leapt to thump home a Gerrard corner; with a deflection off of defender Martin Olsson finally beating the Rovers goalkeeper.

The Anfield faithful's joy was short lived though and when Benjani broke down the right and squared for El-Hadji Diouf in the penalty area, the former Liverpool striker struck a shot which rebounded off Konchesky and Carragher before rolling into the net; cementing the Senegal international's status as the most unpopular man on the pitch.

The match remained level for all of 3 minutes though. After playing a short corner captain Steven Gerrard pulled the ball back to Joe Cole who crossed to an unmarked Fernando Torres who cooly slotted home to end his recent goal drought.

Hodgson was visibly delighted with the goal, punching the air in celebration. But his joy soon turned to anxiousness as his Liverpool side dropped deeper and deeper, showing the lack of confidence that their recent run of defeats has given them.

Blackburn failed to capitilise however and the Reds held on for a much-needed win which sees them draw level with Rovers and Fulham and leaves them only three points off of 7th.

The Anfield faithful will now be hoping that Roy Hodgson can end his dismal away record, of just 6 victories over 3 and a half seasons, in the Premier League with a win at Bolton next time out.

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