iverpool were forced to an FA Cup quarter final replay at Ewood Park, after a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
In a game of few clear cut chances and several penalty claims, the team that sit 11th in the Championship forced a deserved draw, with Liverpool centre back Martin Skrtel carried off on a stretcher after a second minute challenge.
Skrtel appeared to be out cold after an awkward fall, and after an eight minute delay the Slovakian was carried off and replaced by Kolo Toure.
The early injury seemed to disrupt the Reds somehow, and they did not manage a shot on target until the 42nd minute.
It was in fact Blackburn who created the most clear cut chance of the first 45 minutes, when Craig Conway blasted over the bar after decent build up play.
The Reds had a couple of penalty claims, when Adam Lallana appealed he was fouled when baring down on goal only to see the referee award a corner.
Kolo Toure also saw a goal disallowed for offside, although replays showed the ball had struck the hand of Blackburn forward Rudy Gestede on it’s way toward goal.
Daniel Sturridge tested Blackburn goalkeeper Eastwood with a powerful strike as the clock went into eight minutes of injury time.
It was Reds keeper Simon Mignolet who made the save of the game however, when he reacted brilliantly to tip Alex Baptiste’s header over the bar five minutes into the second half.
That was as close as the vistors came, and the Reds set about the remainder of the game trying to find that all important breakthrough.
Daniel Sturridge had perhaps the hosts best shout for a penalty, when he appeared to be tugged inside the box by Rovers defender Matt Kilgalon. The fact the England striker was attempting to get onto a through ball from Raheem Sterling and not adjudged to be in control of the ball persuaded the referee to turn down the penalty appeal.
Mario Balotelli was introduced in place of Lazar Markovic and also had a claim of his own, when Baptiste grabbed ahold of his shirt in the box on the wrong side of the official.
Kolo Toure missed the best chance of the half, having earlier seen an effort disallowed. The Liverpool centre back hit the post with a free header from a Philippe Coutinho free kick from just outside the six yard box, and it started to look as if it might not be the Reds day.
Jordan Henderson almost made it three goals in a week when connecting with a volley inside the box, but Eastwood was equal to it with a smart save down to his left.
The breakthrough did not happen however, and now the Reds must hope they do the job at Ewood Park.
