Liverpool's Premier League title aspirations suffered another blow when they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at Manchester City on Sunday.
Rafa Benitez's side went into the game hoping to put the pressure on second-placed Manchester United after their defeat on Saturday, and again move within eight points of leaders Arsenal.
But instead they failed to fashion a winner against a City side seemingly content to stifle their opponents.
Sven-Goran Eriksson started with only Darius Vassell up front ahead of a five-man midfield, and as a result chances were scarce.
Liverpool created most of them, with Yossi Benayoun going close on more than one occasion.
But the only real excitement came in the closing minutes when the Reds finally threw everything into attack.
The closest they came to the winner saw Dirk Kuyt's close-range header superbly saved by Joe Hart before the excellent Richard Dunne cleared the ball off his own line.
David Bentley reproduced the form that brought him an England call as Blackburn came from behind to beat Derby 2-1 and leave the Rams rooted to the foot of the table.
The Blackburn winger was outstanding, scoring one goal and having a hand in the other as Rovers came away with maximum points.
With Roque Santa Cruz continuing his excellent goalscoring run with Rovers' equaliser, Derby found themselves on the back foot for long spells.
Yet they were dreaming of only their second league win of the season when Matt Oakley put them ahead.
However a missed penalty by Steve Howard proved to be the turning point at Pride Park as Blackburn regrouped and gave an indication they could be pushing for a place in Europe for the second successive year.
Source : www.sportinglife.com
