Liverpool 4 Blackburn Rovers 0

Last updated : 11 April 2009 By Footymad Previewer
Liverpool kept the pressure on Manchester United with an impressive 4-0 demolition of Blackburn who simply lacked the quality to take anything from the game.

A Fernando Torres brace and further efforts by Daniel Agger and David N'Gog sealed a very comfortable win in a performance labelled as 'good enough to win the title' by Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce.

Hoping to erase the memories of the Chelsea drubbing in midweek, Liverpool flew out of the starting blocks and within five minutes lone striker Fernando Torres had rifled the ball into the top corner of the net.

A long ball from Jamie Carragher dropped over the shoulder of Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen and onto the chest of the Liverpool number nine who still had a lot to do with his back to goal.

However, after controlling the ball he didn't need another touch and volleyed over a stranded Paul Robinson.

The Reds kept the pressure on and should have doubled their lead ten minutes later after a poor ball forward from last man Aaron Mokoena dropped onto the foot of Albert Riera to release Dirk Kuyt down the left.

Kuyt found himself in a two-on-one situation with Javier Mascherano piling into the box but, having played in the Argentine, he couldn't beat Robinson who parried the shot from close range before Torres blasted the rebound over.

The Blackburn keeper was called into action again just before the half-hour mark after left-back Emiliano Insua had played a neat one-two with Riera and swung in a cross to an unmarked Kuyt.

However, the flying Dutchman's header from six yards was brilliantly saved by Robinson.

Despite heroics from the former England shot-stopper it seemed only a matter of time before Liverpool doubled their lead and it was Torres who was on hand to extend the lead and grab his second of the game.

A foul on Riera by Keith Andrews allowed Rafa Benitez's side to pack the box once again and a high ball whipped in from Xabi Alonso was met by Torres who had the run on 6ft 7in Christopher Samba to power home a header from five yards.

Liverpool continued to pepper shots at the visiting goal after the restart with efforts from Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Torres but, with practically ten men behind the ball, Liverpool had to settle for shooting from outside the area.

Rovers almost conceded another goal when Riera jinked past two men and cut inside onto his weaker right foot but he dragged his shot from inside the box wide.

Blackburn eventually managed a shot on target when Keith Treacy was allowed time to loft in a high cross to the back post where Samba climbed above Agger but he couldn't get enough power to trouble Reina in goal.

With 15 minutes to go Benitez brought off star striker Torres to a standing ovation but the switch brought a fresh surge from Blackburn with Carlos Villanueva firing over the bar and Samba having an effort saved by Reina.

Despite the late Blackburn burst, Liverpool never looked like conceding and they added a third goal in the 83rd minute thanks to a stunning solo effort by Agger.

After receiving the ball from Benayoun, Agger was given enough space to run at the back line and, with no one challenging, he had the time to pick his spot and smash home the goal of the game from 30 yards.

Still throwing men forward, Liverpool had time to add one more to the tally. Jamie Carragher floated a cross to the back post where substitute Lucas headed back across goal to N'Gog who nodded in from close range.