Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn
Liverpool's title hopes suffered another blow on Boxing day, as they dropped a further two home points against Graeme Souness' Blackburn side.
The Reds appeared to be on their way to a first win in 8 league games after an excellent first half display which saw them a goal ahead at the brea.
John Arne Riise tested former Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel after only a couple of minutes of the game, forcing the American 'keeper into a save at his near post from a shot which was fired in from 25 yards out.
Emile Heskey was not quite as close to opening the scoring with Liverpool's next chance though, as he headed over following a well delivered cross by Gerrard.
It took Liverpool just 16 minutes to get their goal though, and it was Riise with it, following his strike from the corner of the area which took a deflection off Lucas Niell to send the ball over Friedel.
David Thompson and Damien Duff each saw long range shots fail to hit the target at the Liverpool end, though Blackburn's best effort of the first half was from a David Thompson free kick, which deflected just prior to reaching Chris Kirkland, but the big 'keeper made a save with his right leg to concede the corner.
Liverpool continued the second half as the dominant side, and Michael Owen should have done better with an early opportunity at the Anfield Road end, but struck his shot across goal and narrowly wide after making a run down the right side of the pitch.
The Reds' failure to extend their narrow lead eventually cost them the points though, as Blackburn started to put themselves int he driving seat and looked likely to take something from the game as long as the lead remained at just the one goal.
Andy Cole missed a fantastic opportunity to net the equaliser when he sidefooted a shot high and wide of the goal with only Carragher to beat on the goalline after Egil Ostenstadt had cut the ball back from the right hand side.
Though the former Man United striker did better with the next chance that came his way, when he fired a dipping volley from 30 yards out that took Kirkland completely by surprise and clipped the underside of the bar as it flew into the back of the net.
Liverpool still could have won the game, when first Milan Baros and then, in the last minute, Michael Owen saw Brad Friedel makes saves to deny them, and for the third time this season, Liverpool lost a lead at home in the league, to drop valuable Premiership points.
With Arsenal winning at West Brom, Liverpool now lie nine points behind the Gunners, making Sunday's trip to Highbury a match which they mustn't lose, if they're to keep alive their fading hopes of winning a first Premiership title.
