Liverpool 1 Blackburn 1
Andy Cole struck a superb late equaliser as Liverpool failed to get their faltering title bid back on track at Anfield today.
Cole volleyed home after 77 minutes to cancel out John Arne Riise's first-half opener.
The goal condemned Liverpool to their worst run of results since being relegated from the top flight in 1954. Since topping the table in November they have now gone eight Premiership games without a win, collecting just three points from 24.
It was another story of missed chances for Liverpool, with Michael Owen and Milan Baros both going close to winning the game in the closing minutes.
Yet Blackburn deserved their point, with Cole having spurned two earlier good chances.
Liverpool started with a fully-fit Emile Heskey restored to his favoured position alongside Owen up front.
Manager Gerard Houllier also hoped to relieve the pressure by utilising Vladimir Smicer from the start in the continued absence of the injured Dietmar Hamann.
Graeme Souness was also able to call upon another former Liverpool midfielder in David Thompson, who was available again after suspension.
Thompson came in for David Dunn with another ex-Liverpool player in Brad Friedel taking his place between the posts.
Liverpool's reward for their bright start came after 16 minutes when Owen raced onto a Murphy pass to put Riise away down the left.
The Norwegian charged into the area and struck a fierce shot that looped over Friedel with the aid of a deflection.
Prior to that the visitors had enjoyed little possession but they did not allow the goal to affect their composure as they began to build some attacks.
Their first genuine attempt came in the 24th minute when Cole combined with Dwight Yorke in the area but his shot was blocked by Sami Hyypia.
Blackburn finished the first half strongly and went close when a Thompson shot bobbled through the area and was deflected wide.
Liverpool had the first opportunity after the break when Owen broke clear after 51 minutes.
The England striker raced away from the Rovers defence but chose to shoot low across Friedel's goal instead of squaring for the unmarked Riise.
The ball ran way for a goal-kick with Friedel untroubled.
Houllier decided to throw Igor Biscan into the fray for Smicer after 65 minutes and the Croat also went close to scoring.
Biscan did well to control a long pass from Hyypia and had two attempts at shooting before the ball went narrowly wide.
But Rovers were never out of the game and Cole made up for his earlier misses with an outstanding 77th-minute equaliser.
Henchoz's headed clearance bounced perfectly in front of the Rovers striker outside the area and he unleashed a powerful volley that flew past Kirkland.
Liverpool were clearly rocked by yet another setback but should have bounced back to win the game.
The had two clear chances to reclaim the points late on. First Baros was denied by Friedel and then the American keeper saved from Owen.
PA