The Reds dominated the second half here and they had chances to run away with it, but they must be content with a point after Brad Friedel made a number of great saves and David Bentley cleared a Crouch header off the line.

A draw between Arsenal and Manchester United in the day's early kick off at the Emirates Stadium gave the Reds an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the table, and although they've continued their excellent away form, they'll leave here frustrated.

Injuries to Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres meant that Rafa had to shuffle his pack for this one and that meant starts for Momo Sissoko, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel. The inclusion of Harry Kewell on the substitutes' bench a welcome boost for the Reds after a horrendous run of injuries.

With Blackburn on a seven game winning run and Liverpool yet to be beaten in the League, a tight game was expected and the early stages did little to suggest anything otherwise. It took 35 minutes before either side had a chance of note and it almost brought a breakthrough for Blackburn.

The Reds had been enjoying plenty of possession without carrying much of a threat and they nearly fell behind when Bentley raced clear and shot against the outside of Pepe Reina's left hand post.

Liverpool responded with the best move of the match in the 41st minute. The quick feet of Yossi Benayoun wrong footing the Rovers defence before Gerrard's pass found Babel and his blistering shot brought an excellent save out of Friedel.

After a dour opening the game was beginning to open up and David Dunn found space on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area and hit a superb shot that came back off the underside of the crossbar with Reina beaten. It was a real let off on the stroke of half time.

The second half was equally as competitive as the first, but Liverpool would go on to create a hatful of chances.

Blackburn thought they'd found a way through when Riise sliced his clearance to McCarthy, but he was quickly closed down by Reds defenders. And Liverpool signalled their intent when Kuyt got free on the right only to get his wires crossed with Gerrard and a good chance was wasted.

Rafa Benitez made a change just after the hour when he replaced Ryan Babel with Harry Kewell and he demonstrated his desire to win and made another attacking move when he replaced Crouch for Benayoun 10 minutes later.

Spurred on by their army of fans, Liverpool went in search of a winner as the game entered the final quarter. And they twice came within a whisker off snatching the points.

First in the 79th minute when Kuyt's pass put Gerrard through and Friedel made another great save; and then when Finnan crossed to Crouch and his header was cleared off the line by Bentley.

Liverpool weren't finished and Kuyt twice had a had chance to win it, but he couldn't find the target.