[lfc-news] Liverpool vs Blackburn (Spoiler)

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Cisse's sweet shot proves bitter pill for Rovers

Ian Whittell at Anfield
Sunday October 16, 2005
The Observer

Unconvincing it may have been and owing almost all to Blackburn playing
with 10 men for an hour, but Liverpool and Djibril Cisse will take any
victory and any goal at the moment.
After admitting he endured a 'nightmare' playing for France against Cyprus
in midweek, Cisse appeared to be duplicating that performance until he
struck the 75th- minute winner.

Robbie Savage conceded a free-kick for a foul on Bolo Zenden and Xabi
Alonso passed the ball a short distance to his right where Cisse connected
with a sweet and unstoppable 22-yard shot that flew past former Liverpool
goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Cisse's sweet shot proves bitter pill for Rovers

Ian Whittell at Anfield
Sunday October 16, 2005
The Observer

Unconvincing it may have been and owing almost all to Blackburn playing
with 10 men for an hour, but Liverpool and Djibril Cisse will take any
victory and any goal at the moment.
After admitting he endured a 'nightmare' playing for France against Cyprus
in midweek, Cisse appeared to be duplicating that performance until he
struck the 75th- minute winner.

Robbie Savage conceded a free-kick for a foul on Bolo Zenden and Xabi
Alonso passed the ball a short distance to his right where Cisse connected
with a sweet and unstoppable 22-yard shot that flew past former Liverpool
goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Yet the euphoria of Istanbul in May has quickly dispersed from around
Anfield. You may fool Merseyside football fans some of the time, especially
when you offer them the European Cup to mask domestic shortcomings, but the
realisation that Rafael Benitez has assembled a wholly ordinary Premiership
squad has long since dawned.
A couple of early Savage free-kicks caused mild consternation in the home
defence, as did a towering header from Blackburn's big centre-forward
Shefki Kuqi, which flew over the crossbar.

The conceding of such set-pieces demonstrated Liverpool's edginess, as did
errant passes which constantly handed a confident Blackburn side possession.

In contrast, Liverpool created little to trouble Friedel at the other end.
Momo Sissoko showed neat footwork on the edge of the area but fell over as
he aimed to shoot, Cisse connected with thin air as he attempted a
ridiculous bicycle kick from Alonso's corner and another Alonso flag kick
was headed down, and over, by Jamie Carragher.

Still, the 32nd minute brought the home side a lucky break which promised
to prove decisive as Cisse chased Zenden's through ball and was brought
down on the edge of the penalty area by Zurab Khizanishvili. It looked
highly debatable as to whether the defender was 'last man' and Liverpool
appealed vehemently to referee Mark Halsey that the infringement was inside
the area.

But, the upshot was a red card for the Rovers man and a free-kick on the
edge of the area which Zenden thundered against the bar.

The crowd, muted until then, now took encouragement from Blackburn's
troubles. Carragher appeared at the far post and steered another Alonso
set-piece at the keeper and Cisse twice headed over as Liverpool pressed
for the opening goal.

Yet the promised second half domination failed to materialise, immediately
at least, as Rovers altered their shape and coped admirably. In fact, for
all Liverpool's possession, it was Morten Gamst Pedersen's inswinging
corner that almost drew first blood, Jose Reina punching it clear from
under his bar after 49 minutes.

But, as the pressure built, Cisse twice came close before his winner and
substitute Fernando Morientes missed a sitter in the closing stages.

Man of the match: Djibril Cisse - but only because of the goal.

FA Premiership
Saturday October 15, 2005
FT Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn
33' Khizanishvili
75' Cisse 1-0
77' Bentley
77' Neill
81' Savage
Liverpool
Jose Manuel Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Jose Miguel Josemi
(Javier Sanz Luis Garcia), Djimi Traore, Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko,
Stephen Warnock (John Arne Riise), Boudewijn Zenden, Djibril Cisse, Peter
Crouch (Fernando Morientes)

Blackburn
Brad Friedel, Michael Gray, Zurab Khizanishvili, Lucas Neill, Ryan Nelsen,
David Bentley, Morten Gamst Pedersen (Brett Emerton), Robbie Savage,
Kerimoglu Tugay (Aaron Mokoena), Paul Dickov (Andy Todd), Shefki Kuqi

Referee: Halsey, M

Venue: Anfield

Attendance: 44,697

Corners:
Liverpool 9
Blackburn 2

Goal Attempts:
Liverpool 19
Blackburn 5

On Target:
Liverpool 5
Blackburn 1

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