Blackburn's run of poor form continued with a 3-1 home defeat to leaders Liverpool. Rovers remained on level terms for 70 minutes and then conceded three goals, with a Roque Santa Cruz header being a mere consolation.

"There has been a bit of a low this five or six games, and it has been hard for us, but today was an exceptional performance," said the Rovers boss Paul Ince.

"We haven't got the three points but you've got to take some positivity away from the game. We matched the Premier League leaders and with a bit of luck that you need against the top sides we could have come away with something from the game.

"It was a fantastic performance from the players and we need to take that on board for next week against Wigan."

"It was always going to be hard playing against Liverpool, but we matched them for 70 minutes," Ince added.

"The scoreline was harsh, we deserved something from the game. It is hard to do that week-in, week-out when you keep losing games but today that might be the step we need to push on.

"The post match team talk was probably the easiest it has been because the players were positive because of that performance they've put in.

"We've got five cup finals coming up and if we play like we did today then you've got to believe that it is going to turn around."