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Liverpool attacker Raheem Sterling (left) and Blackburn Rovers' Craig Conway. EMPICS Sport
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool, FA Cup

The Reds were at Ewood Park for a quarter-final replay with the Championship outfit.

LIVERPOOL’S last chance of silverware this season hung in the balance. 

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ben@the42.ie, tweet @football_iepost a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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There is one more FA Cup semi-final spot up for grabs this evening as Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool meet for a second time in a month. While Reading and favourites Arsenal face off on 18 April, Aston Villa await the winner of this one in the last 4.

Here are the teams:

Blackburn Rovers: Eastwood, Henley, Baptiste, Kilgallon (c), Olsson, Conway, Williamson, Evans, Marshall, Cairney, Rhodes.

 

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Sakho, Lucas, Allen, Henderson (c), Moreno, Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge.

When these two met this day last month, the game ended in a scoreless draw. Liverpool, fifth in the Premier League, come into the tie on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. Rovers, meanwhile, are tenth in the Championship thanks to a 3-0 victory over Leeds on Saturday.

Teams on their way out. Huge night for both clubs.

Hendo

We’re up and running. The home side, wearing their home colours of blue and white, tip off. Liverpool in all-red.

Liverpool easing themselves into the game with an early spell of passing it among the backline. The pitch doesn’t look to be in great shape and the ball is bobbling up a lot already.

Henderson tries to curl a ball over the top but it’s met by the head of Alex Baptiste. The defender can only head it as far as Joe Allen, however, and he hits an awkward volley wide of the mark.

Sterling shoots from 25 yards. It’s a couple of yards off Simon Eastwood’s goal post.

Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge has been forced into a change of footwear. BT Sport co-commentator Michael Owen isn’t happy: “You warm-up for a half hour for exactly that reason”.

Sturridge

Half-chance for Rovers. A free-kick is floated in from the halfway line, Sakho delays clearing and Jordan Rhodes nips in. Thankfully for Liverpool, the French defender recovers to make a vital block from Craig Conway.

A young Liverpool fan has a message for Raheem Sterling, who has recently turned down a £100,000-a-week deal.

Soccer - FA Cup - Sixth Round - Replay - Blackburn Rovers v Liverpool - Ewood Park Lynne Cameron Lynne Cameron

Coutinho’s gets a half-valley away but Ben Marshall gets his body in the way. Minutes later, Sturridge curls over the bar.

Sakho has pulled up holding his hamstring and could be in trouble here.

Sakho is still struggling and Rhodes has just got in ahead of him to head over. Kolo  Toure has just been introduced in his place. Another headache for Brendan Rodgers.

Lee Williamson gets up off the ground and knees Coutinho in the back of the had. Could easily have earned himself a yellow card.

Strong save from Eastwood from Coutinho’s low drive after a corner is headed to the penalty spot. Liverpool continues to attack and Lovren eventually heads wide.

Liverpool are controlling possession and creating bit and pieces but thus far Rovers have been resolute in their defending.

Half-time: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool

We’re back underway here.

Two super chances for Rovers. Cairney forces the best out of Mignolet with a curling effort before the Belgian goalkeeper prevents Marshall’s header from crossing the line.

Replays show Marshall’s header came off the arm of Allen but it would have been a harsh penalty.

It’s end-to-end at the moment with both sides intent on getting bodies forward to break the deadlock.

More strong defending from Baptiste, who hurts himself while blocking a cross. He will be able to continue, thankfully.

Gary Bowyer has thrown on French striker Rudy Gestede, who has 16 goals for the club this season. He comes on for Conway.

Rhodes makes a bit of room for himself inside the Liverpool box and lets fly. Kolo Toure, struggling to get back, just about gets the last-ditch block in.

GOAL! Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Liverpool (Coutinho) 

The visitors have got one! Coutinho plays a neat one-two and the Brazilian advances a few yards before blasting into the bottom corner.

Footgoals / Vine

Sterling plays a beautiful ball into the path of Sturridge and the England striker attempts a deft chip over Eastwood — but it’s slightly too high.

Liverpool’s latest opportunity sees Sterling shoot over. Meanwhile, Baptiste is on his last legs and makes way for Tommy Spurr.

Six minutes to play, and Rickie Lambert has just replaced Sturridge. He hasn’t been at his best tonight.

Sterling slips away from three Rovers defenders and cuts onto his weaker left foot. The strike doesn’t trouble Eastwood though.

Four minutes of added time for Liverpool to hold out… and Blackburn to snatch an equaliser.

Great clearance from Toure as Blackburn pour men forward. Even Eastwood has gone forward for a late long throw-in.

Full-time: Blackburn 0-1 Liverpool

The ball falls to Eastwood and he shoots cleanly. But it’s straight at Mignolet and the final whistle goes.

So it’s a trip to Wembley for the Reds, who face Aston Villa in the last four on Sunday, 19 April. That’s a 3pm kick-off for those of you who are wondering.

Thanks for joining me. I’m off to catch-up on the Masters Par-3 Contest!

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