article_snippet: Almost turned a cross into Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet own goal in the first half but got forward well as Liverpool seized the upper hand.
article_snippet: Had Martin Skrtel hands full with Blackburn Rovers' Rudy Gestede after Martin Skrtel’s exit and struggled with the big Blackburn striker at times.
article_snippet: Lively down Liverpool Liverpool right but faded and replaced by Balotelli just before the hour mark.
article_snippet: Lazar Markovic (centre) was lively for the Reds down the right side but was replaced by Balotelli .
article_snippet: Played in midfield again and looked solid enough without producing anything spectacular.
article_snippet: Didn’t make as much of an impression as Lazar Markovic (centre) can and struggled to get into the game.
article_snippet: The little Brazilian has scored some memorable goals recently but didn’t have The little Brazilian shooting boots on, twice firing well off target .
article_snippet: Guilty of poor distribution in the first half and did not have a big enough impact on the game for a player of his calibre.
article_snippet: Had less to do than Raheem Sterling might have expected early on but produced great reflex saves to deny Sturridge and Henderson.
article_snippet: Battled well throughout but fortunate to avoid a booking for a late challenge on Can.
article_snippet: Made some great challenges, including one interception on Lallana in the first half, but rode MATTHEW KILGALLON - 7.5 luck by holding back Sturridge in the box.
article_snippet: Declared fit after hamstring problem and so nearly emerged as Blackburn’s hero but MATTHEW KILGALLON -
article_snippet: Kept on Defender Alex Baptiste (right) toes by Markovic but coped well on the whole to make sure Liverpool were limited to hopeful balls into the box.
article_snippet: Worked tirelessly in front of LEE WILLIAMSON - 7.5 defence to ensure that Liverpool did not have the time and space to pick off their Championship opponents.
article_snippet: Impressed in a central role behind Gestede, particularly in the first half when Blackburn were more not pinned back in their own half.
article_snippet: Blackburnimpressed for TOM CAIRNEY - 6.5 side in behind Gestede .
article_snippet: Replaced by Taylor midway through the second half after putting in a decent shift on the left side of Blackburn’s midfield .
article_snippet: Posed a real problem for the Liverpool defence from the moment Skrtel was injured.
article_snippet: Won almost every high ball and provided a vital outlet for his team.