Blackburn 3-4 Liverpool
Goals from Danny Murphy, Emile Heskey and Harry Kewell saw Liverpool safely into the 4th round of the Carling Cup at Ewood Park tonight.
After a quiet opening half hour, the game really came to life when Dwight Yorke put the home side in the lead with a header which clipped the inside of the far post before beating Kirkland.
Liverpool had enjoyed slightly more of the play up until the goal and they refused to panic even though they were behind, and wasted no time in grabbing an equaliser, which came from the penalty spot after Sinama Pongolle was fouled from behind by Lucas Neill.
Neill receieved a red card and Murphy struck the penalty into the top corner.
The Reds were always on top with their one man advantage, and missed a hatful of chances in the second half, though Emile Heskey and Harry Kewell made sure that Brad Friedel had to pick the ball out of his net a further three times.
Heskey was first to add his name to the scoresheet in the second half, heading brilliantly past the former Reds' goalkeeper after 49 minutes and just after the hour mark, Heskey added his second of the night to give his side a comfortable advantage.
Diouf again caused Martin Taylor problems on the left, and his cross to the far post was once again met by the head of Heskey, while Diouf created a third goal of the night when he ran of the length of the pitch before playing another precise ball behind the Blackburn defence for Kewell to tap in from close range.
Barry Ferguson finished a fine passing move by Rovers to give the home side a glimmer of hope, and a further consolation was scored in the final minute of added time by Dwight Yorke but Liverpool held on for a much deserved win and a place in round four of the draw.
