The key stats and moments from the game against Liverpool

FRIEDEL: Didn't have too much to do but when he was called into action he excelled as usual.... 7

NEILL: Coped well under pressure considering he was asked to play in two different positions during the course of the 90 minutes. ...7

JOHANSSON: Survived some nervy moments in the opening half hour but stuck to his task diligently until he was sacrificed.... 6

SHORT: Another commanding performance from the veteran defender who needed all his experience to keep Owen and Co at bay.... 8

TAYLOR: His mistake led to the opening goal but the impressive thing was he didn't let that affect the rest of his game.... 7

FLITCROFT: Won his personal battle with Steven Gerrard and grew stronger and stronger as the game wore on.... 8

TUGAY: Rovers' top performer on the day after delivering a midfield masterclass in the second half.... 8

THOMPSON: Relished the chance to impress on his return to Anfield with the kind of gutsy performance we've come to expect.... 7

COLE: Always a threat up front and his moment of magic in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.... 8

YORKE: Held the ball up well up front especially in the second half when Rovers were on top. ...7

DUFF: Always a threat down the left and Liverpool had to double up to snuff him out. ...7

SUBS:

OSTENSTAD (for Johansson, 52)... 7

NOT USED: OSTENSTAD, TODD, CURTIS, DANNS, KELLY

LIVERPOOL:

KIRKLAND: Went walkabout for the goal.... 6

HENCHOZ: Solid defender. ...7

HYYPIA: Poor defensive header.... 6

TRAORE: Looked stretched at times.... 6

CARRAGHER: Good battle with Duff.... 7

SMICER: Faded as the game wore on. ...6

MURPHY: Never stamped his authority.... 6

GERRARD: Typically robust.... 7

RIISE: Enjoyed the luck. ...7

OWEN: Missed a sitter.... 6

HESKEY: Flattered to deceive.... 6

SUBS:

BAROS (for Heskey, 58)... 6

BISCAN (for Smicer, 65)... 6

DIOUF (for Traore, 83)

NOT USED: DIAO, ARPHEXAD

STATS:

Goal attempts: Rovers 10 Liverpool 15

Shots on target: Rovers 4 Liverpool 5

Woodwork: Rovers 0 Liverpool 0

Offsides: Rovers 3 Liverpool 3

Corners: Rovers 3 Liverpool 6

Free kicks: Rovers 6 Liverpool 9

Bookings: Rovers; Neill (foul) Liverpool; Traore

Sendings off: None

Referee: Mr N Barry... 7

Attendance: 43,075

TIME FOR ACTION:

04: Brad Friedel makes an early save to deny John Arne Riise

17: It's 1-0 to Liverpool as Riise's shot loops over Brad Friedel after taking a deflection

24: Sami Hyypia makes a last-ditch block to deny Andy Cole

31: David Thompson fires wide of the near post following a great ball from Tugay

44: Chris Kirkland tips aside a Thompson free kick at full stretch

51: Michael Owen gets his first real sight of goal but drags his effort wide of the far post

53: Cole fires over off balance after great work from Egil Ostenstad

54: Martin Taylor whips over a cross from the right but Cole heads over

65: Kirkland saves from Ostenstad after Cole makes the chance

77: Get in! Cole grabs the equaliser with a stunning 30 yard volley

85: Milan Baros looks odds-on to grab the winner but Friedel saves at his feet

90: Owen can't believe it as he scuffs his shot straight to Friedel from four yards out