Resurgent Rovers leave Roy staring into abyss

WHERE else but the scene of his only sacking as a Premier League manager for Roy Hodgson to suffer the most depressing night of his Liverpool reign to date.

Hodgson, who was shown the door by Blackburn in December 1998, watched his Reds team serve up an abject display at Ewood Park after they were outplayed by Rovers from start to finish.

A depressed Liverpool manager refused to answer questions about his future after his side slipped to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Blackburn.

Two goals from Benjani Mwaruwari, who had not started since November 6 and scored once in 12 previous appearances, and Martin Olsson condemned the Reds to a ninth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season despite an 80th-minute consolation from Steven Gerrard, who missed a late penalty.

“I am not prepared to talk about that because obviously I am depressed enough with the performance and the result,” said the 63-year-old.

“I have no comments to make and I have no intention to answer any questions on the subject.”

Asked about his feelings after the defeat Hodgson said: “Dejection, bitter disappointment, frustration.

“I am very disappointed for the fans who gave us good support and saw the team concede the goals we did.”

It remains to be seen how high a price Hodgson will pay for the loss.

Few eyebrows were raised around the stadium when Swedish international Martin Olsson gave the home side a deserved 32nd-minute lead and by half-time it was doubled thanks to a fine Benjani strike.

The former Portsmouth striker got his second of the night after the break before Steven Gerrard’s late consolation for the Reds, with the England midfielder also missing a penalty late on — summing up Hodgson and his team’s fortunes at present.

Blackburn, whose ambitious yet equally absurd pursuit of AC Milan’s Brazilian star Ronaldinho looks set to end in disappointment, made three changes with wantaway defender Christopher Samba left out.

Rover, despite dominating had to wait until the 13th minute for their first chance of the game to arrive when midfield maestro Morten Gamst Pedersen saw a free-kick from the right touchline curl narrowly over Pepe Reina’s crossbar.

A golden opportunity went begging just minutes later when Martin Olsson whipped a cross into the danger area at pace which evaded the lunging Martin Skrtel, however Mame Biram Diouf was unable to readjust his feet in time to make a clean connection.

The Reds offered an overdue reminder of their attacking potential, however, when Glen Johnson slotted in Cole down the right but his cross-cum-shot slid agonisingly beyond the post.

It was no surprise when Rovers went ahead when Biram Diouf cleverly cut out the hapless Glen Johnson with a threaded pass to send Olsson through and coolly fired between Reina’s legs.

Within six minutes the advantage was doubled with Pedersen the provider after he chipped a ball into Benjani who, with his back to goal, rolled Sotirios Kyrgiakos far too easily before unleashing an explosive volley.

Liverpool’s night to forget got worse still in the second half when the home side made it three in the 57th minute.

Olsson was at the heart of the move once again. He cleverly found Junior Hoillett down the left channel and the youngster made a mockery of Johnson at the byline before crossing to leave Benjani with the simplest of tap-ins for his second.

Gerrard scored a consolation with nine minutes left when Torres’ blocked shot fell kindly for him and his late missed penalty, given after he was caught by Michel Salgado, summed up a miserable night for Hodgson.

BLACKBURN: Bunn, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Hoilett, Dunn (Morris 75), Pedersen, Olsson (El-Hadji Diouf 73), Mame Diouf, Mwaruwari (Goulon 84).

LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos (Agger 51), Skrtel, Konchesky, Cole, Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi (Kuyt 58), Torres, Ngog (Babel 78).

Ref: Andre Marriner.