Blackburn 2 - 3 Liverpool: Andy Carroll gets Liverpool out of jail

Maxi Rodriguez struck twice to seemingly open up a comfortable lead at Ewood Park but Liverpool goalkeeper Doni, in for the suspended Jose Reina, was sent off for fouling Junior Hoilett in the box. Substitute goalkeeper Brad Jones saved Ayegbeni Yakubu’s penalty but the Nigerian pulled one back before half-time.

Jones, now set to be the Reds’ No 1 for the Wembley showdown with Everton, was less impressive in giving away a second-half penalty for fouling Yakubu, who this time converted from the spot to make it 2-2, only for Carroll to snatch it at the end.

Captain Steven Gerrard was omitted as manager Kenny Dalglish made six changes with Saturday in mind. Martin Skrtel, captaining Liverpool for only the second time, fouled Junior Hoilett on the edge of the penalty areas but Martin Olsson whipped the seventh-minute free-kick over the crossbar. Jon Flanagan was caught in possession by Marcus Olsson deep in the right-back position and the teenager’s only option was to foul his opponent and be booked. Liverpool’s problem this season has been converting chances so to score two within four minutes was something of an achievement. Firstly, Skrtel’s long ball from well inside his own penalty area brilliantly picked out Craig Bellamy on the right in the 13th minute and he charged forward before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Rodriguez to convert what has become a trademark close-range finish.

Rovers barely had time to recover before they went 2-0 down thanks to the industry of Jonjo Shelvey and the smart finishing of Rodriguez. Shelvey robbed David Dunn inside the Liverpool half and ran 50 yards to force Paul Robinson to parry his low shot into the path of Carroll. The striker’s shot was blocked by Bradley Orr but once again the Reds’ little Argentinian was in the right place at the right time to smash in a first-time volley with his weaker left foot. But nothing has been straightforward for Dalglish’s side this season and midway through the half they suffered another crazy moment. Flanagan’s backpass was hopelessly short and Hoilett capitalised only to be brought down by Doni, who was shown a red card by referee Andy Taylor.

Jones, who came on for Flanagan, was making only his third appearance.

He began well, however, by saving Ayegbeni Yakubu’s pitiful penalty which barely had the strength to reach the goalkeeper.

However, his Premier League debut was only 11 minutes old when he was beaten as Yakubu headed home his 15th goal of the season to atone somewhat for his spot-kick miss. Soon after the break Jones smashed Skrtel’s backpass straight at Yakubu he palmed away the looping ball instead of catching it, and in attempting to recover he brought down the Nigerian. Referee Taylor was lenient in showing a yellow card but Yakubu was less so, drilling his spot-kick straight down the middle. It looked like Rovers had salvaged a precious point until Carroll struck.

Blackburn: Robinson, Orr, Dann, Grant Hanley, Martin Olsson, Hoilett, Dunn, Nzonzi, Marcus Olsson, Formica, Yakubu. Subs: Kean, Givet, Pedersen, Petrovic, Rochina, Goodwillie, Lowe.

Liverpool: Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Skrtel, Johnson, Henderson, Shelvey, Spearing, Maxi, Bellamy, Carroll. Subs: Jones, Jose Enrique, Agger, Aurelio, Suarez, Kuyt, Carragher.