Cole fans flames of Houllier's anxiety

Liverpool 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

As far as Liverpool are concerned, they cannot see the back of 2002 quickly enough, because the new year surely has to bring an improvement. All they wanted for Christmas was a change in their Premiership form, but this draw against Blackburn Rovers yesterday means they are now in their worst run since they were relegated in 1953-54.

Three points from the last possible 24 have dragged Gérard Houllier's team from aspiring champions to gasping also-rans, nine points behind the leaders, Arsenal. And, to twist the knife a little more, the man who got the equaliser yesterday that ensured that Liverpool have not won in the Premiership since 2 November, was a former Manchester United player.

Andy Cole had missed a chance so ripe it was threatening to go mouldy, from point-blank range early in the second half, but he more than made up for it with a thunderous half-volley from 30 yards after 77 minutes. Chris Kirkland in the Liverpool goal did not have a past, present or future Christmas ghost of a chance as it crashed past him. "I thought it was going to be the scruffy 1-0 win that I've been hoping for," Houllier said, "but Cole got a great goal, you have to acknowledge that. It's a tricky period for us and we have to keep our heads up and keep going."

In his programme notes Houllier had emphasised the importance of a united front against adversity and, to his team's credit, Liverpool began with such earnest intent that Blackburn's attempts in midfield were scattered like a infant's first try at a jigsaw.

Rovers were being harried to distraction and it was appropriate that the home side's goal after 16 minutes was a direct result of this scavenging. Danny Murphy seized upon Martin Taylor's mis-control and when he played a short pass to Michael Owen; he, in turn, teed up John Arne Riise to his left. The shot might have beaten Brad Friedel anyway, but a deflection off Lucas Neill turned the possibility to a certainty and the ball looped into the roof of the net.

This goal had the effect of dousing some of Liverpool's early fire and, with Tugay Kerimoglu becoming the dominant influence in midfield, the visiting side were transformed. "It was a bit like the Manchester United game, where we showed the opposition too much respect for the first half hour," Graeme Souness, the Blackburn manager, said.

David Thompson's free-kick shortly before half-time that Kirkland just managed to turn round the post marked a sea change, and the goalkeeper also made an outstanding save to deny Egil Ostenstad after 64 minutes.

Given that Cole had somehow managed to blaze high and wide from six yards 10 minutes earlier after Ostenstad had pulled the ball back, it appeared that Blackburn would not be able to build on Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester United. But Cole altered that three minutes from time when Stéphane Henchoz failed to gain proper distance with his header.

"With the quality of finishing we have in the team we're going to get goals if we create two or three chances," Souness said. "We're delighted to come here and get something."

Liverpool (4-4-2): Kirkland 5; Carragher 5, Henchoz 6, Hyypia 5, Traoré 4 (Diouf, 83); Smicer 5 (Biscan 5, 65), Murphy 6, Gerrard 7, Riise 6; Owen 4, Heskey 4 (Baros 5, 58). Substitutes not used: Diao, Arphexad (gk).

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel 6; Neill 5, Taylor 6, Short 7, Johansson 5 (Ostenstad 5, 51); Thompson 6, Tugay 8, Flitcroft 6, Duff 5; Cole 7, Yorke 4. Substitutes not used: Todd, Danns, Curtis, Kelly (gk).

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe) 7.