FA CUP: BLACKBURN TAKE LIVERPOOL TO QUARTER-FINAL REPLAY

A resolute Blackburn held Liverpool and forced a replay in an evenly-fought game between the Championship and Premier League side at Anfield.

Blackburn held their own during the first half. Rudy Gestede was a constant threat to Liverpool, who simply could not handle his physical presence and power; and Craig Conway wasted the best opportunity by blazing over the bar while entirely unmarked on the right side of the box.
The hosts did have their chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling both looking lively, and Kolo Toure even getting the ball in the net before noticing the flag raised for offside.
Liverpool regrouped during the break, muting Gestede much more competently and holding most of the possession. Mario Balotelli joined the fray on the hour mark to add an additional attacking outlet, but even that failed to make a real impact as Blackburn defended well and goalkeeper Simon Eastwood particularly impressed.
The match was subject to a nine-minute delay after Martin Skrtel fell awkwardly under a third-minute challenge from Gestede and required medical treatment before being stretchered off.

KEY MOMENTS
3’ INJURY! Skrtel falls awkwardly after a challenge from Rudy Gestede. Break in play here while they bring on the stretcher. He's not moving. 
19’ NO PENALTY! Lallana thinks he’s been brought down by Kilgallon, but the rest of the world think that’s a fair challenge. Corner. 
31’ CHANCE! Gestede hops over the ball as the cross races towards the right side of the box, and Conway simply blazes his shot nonsensically over the bar. What a chance. 
59’ MISS! What a chance! Toure gets his head to it at the far post, he's heading downwards, there's plenty of space - and it goes wide. 
80’ UGH! What a dreadful free kick from Coutinho. Miles over the bar. 
85’ MISS! Good ball in from Johnson, Balotelli jumps but it's through to Sterling at the far post, who throws himself towards it but can't connect. 

KEY STATS
Blackburn and Liverpool have been drawn together in the FA Cup nine times before this, with Rovers progressing four times and Liverpool on five occasions (twice after a replay).
Blackburn have won none of their last 11 trips to Anfield (D5 L7) since their last victory in January 2000, which was also the last time they met in the FA Cup.
Liverpool have progressed on 15 of the last 16 occasions they have reached the FA Cup quarter final.
Rovers and Liverpool have met at the quarter final stage once, with Blackburn winning 2-1 in 1958. 

TALKING POINT
Liverpool will reckon they should have had at least two penalties. Expect multiple slow-motion replays showing Lallana and Sturridge going to ground under limited challenges. 

MAN OF THE MATCH
Simon Eastwood, Blackburn Rovers - An excellent display between the posts. And one which has given the underdogs a mouth-watering opportunity on home turf. 

PLAYER RATINGS
Liverpool – Mignolet 5, Johnson 7, Skrtel 5, Lovren 6, Can 6, Henderson 6, Markovic 6, Sterling 6, Coutinho 6, Lallana 5, Sturridge 7. Subs - Ward, Toure 6, Sakho, Moreno, Williams, Balotelli 6. 
Blackburn – Eastwood 8, Henley 7, Baptiste 7, Kilgallon 7, Olsson 7, Marshall 7, Evans 7, Williamson 7, Conway 7, Cairney 7, Gestede 7. Subs - Steele, Spurr, Brown, Rhodes, Taylor 6, Henry, Lenihan.