Mark Platt 15 October 2005 Liverpool got back to winning ways in the Premiership as Djibril Cisse scored his first home league goal of the season to sink 10-man Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. The Reds bounced back from their defeat to Chelsea a fortnight ago with a hard-fought but fully deserved 1-0 victory in front of an anxious Kop.
Despite the visitors being reduced to ten men earlier in the first half it looked like being another frustrating day for the hosts until Cisse sparked relief by netting the winning goal 15 minutes from time.
Sami Hyypia was a notable absentee from a Liverpool starting eleven that showed four changes in total to that from their last outing a fortnight ago.
Josemi, Momo Sissoko, Bolo Zenden and Djibril Cisse were back, while Jamie Carragher captained the side in the absence of injury victim Steven Gerrard.
Cisse's recall ensured the Reds reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, although there was an unfamiliar role for Steve Finnan who was pushed up into a more advanced right midfield position to accommodate the return of Josemi at full-back.
A bright opening saw both sides willing to attack but the first real opportunity went Liverpool's way in the 9th minute. Alonso whipped in corner from the right and Cisse would no doubt have fared better had he not opted for a spectacular overhead kick.
Minutes later Carragher headed narrowly wide after connecting with a Finnan free-kick and it was also from the Irishman's delivery that Cisse did likewise after 18 minutes.
It was not all one-way traffic however and only a commendable last-ditch tackle by Traore prevent Paul Dickov with a free shot on goal from a dangerous position inside the box.
The game erupted in controversy shortly after the half hour mark. Zurab Khizanishvilli brought Cisse down on the edge of the box and referee Mark Halsey, after lengthy consultation with his linesman, gave Blackburn's Georgian defender his marching orders.
From the resultant free-kick Zenden almost broke the deadlock with a sweetly struck shot that bounced off the top of the crossbar.
OH Why did we let Baros and Owen gona ted, the ignoramuses are those who actually believe Crouch to be a decent player. If you want me to say something positive about him, brace yerself. He did ok scoring...
Liverpool continued to press forward and Cisse twice went close with good headed efforts as the interval approached.
With ten-men Rovers now content to sit back and hold on for a draw it was no surprise that the Reds maintained their dominance after the break. Unfortunately, for all the possession they enjoyed, there was still no end product.
Luis Garcia entered the fray on the hour mark in a bid to inject some more inventiveness to Liverpool's play, while Fernando Morientes followed shortly after.
A legitimate looking penalty appeal was waved away after Warnock went down in the box and the visitors goal seemed to be enjoying more and more of a charmed existence with every pbutting Liverpool chance.
Former Reds keeper Brad Friedel did well to tip an angled Cisse header over the bar and moments later the Frenchman lackadaisically dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box after being teed up by Garcia.
With time ticking by rapidly a sense of anxiety was beginning to infiltrate the home crowd but in the 75th minute Cisse redeemed himself with what proved to be the crucial winning goal.
Robbie Savage fouled Zenden 25-yards from goal, Alonso subsequent set-piece to Cisse and with a venomous low drive he gave Friedel no chance.
The striker was overcome with joy at scoring and after celebrating wildly he took time out to run over and shake manager Rafael Benitez by the hand.
Morientes then spurned three gilt-edged opportunities to seal the victory late on but Liverpool hung to register only their second Premiership win of the season and the reaction at the final whistle suggested that it was the points, not the performance, that mattered most today.
Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY
