Blackburn 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool's 100% start to the season was ended following a draw at Ewood Park in a highly entertaining game.
Liverpool began the night needing a win to top the table, but after only 12 minutes, David Dunn put Blackburn into the lead. A cross by Damien Duff found Dunn in the area, and Dunn calmly took the ball under control before shooting past Dudek from close range.
Liverpool looked lively throughout the half though, and Owen was almost faced with a one on one chance, but Craig Short defended excellently and saw that the ball ran safely back to Brad Friedel in the Blackburn goal.
Though Danny Murphy cancelled out Dunn's opener on 31 minutes. Abel Xavier put a cross into the Blackburn area, and the slightest of touches by Murphy sent the ball goalwards and Friedel could only watch as the ball landed just inside the far post.
It was nothing less than the Reds deserved, and was the first goal conceded by Blackburn this season.
With both Diouf and Owen having quiet games, Gerard Houllier made a double substitution, bringing both players off and replacing them with Smicer and Heskey.
Within minutes of the change, Liverpool were ahead. A cross by Smicer found the head of Riise, and a looping header by the Norwegian sailed over the head of Fridel and into the net.
But the lead lasted just a few minutes, with Marco Grabbi netting a Blackburn equaliser soon after coming on as a sub. Duff's cross into the area was missed by all, and a cross from the opposite side of the field found Grabbi unmarked, and his powerful header from close range gave Jerzy Dudek no chance.
Salif Diao made his league debut, replacing John Arne Riise, as Houllier opted to protect what Liverpool already had, rather than to seek a late winner.
The result puts Liverpool level on points with Arsenal, but the Gunners have a slightly better goal difference. The only other side with a 100% record over their first two games, Leeds, were beaten 1-0 at home to Sunderland.
View match pictures from this game!
