Two goals of contrasting quality in the space of three first half minutes were enough to give Liverpool victory over managerless Blackburn.

Rob Sloman reports (BBC News 24)

Gerard Houllier's team, in need of a boost after their midweek mauling by Celta Vigo in the UEFA Cup and three successive home defeats, duly secured three home points through Paul Ince's superb 30-yard strike and Michael Owen's fortunate tap-in.

But it was yet another hard luck story for Blackburn, who battled bravely for caretaker boss Tony Parkes but lacked a cutting edge up front.

Ince scores for Liverpool after 30 minutes

As if the basement club did not have enough problems, they went into the game without the services of injury victims Tim Flowers, Billy McKinlay, Jason Wilcox, Darren Peacock, Sebastian Perez and Garry Flitcroft, as well as suspended duo Tim Sherwood and Chris Sutton.

Liverpool began the brighter, with Blackburn reserve keeper John Filan doing well to keep out Patrick Berger's volley and Jamie Redknapp driving just over the bar.

Patrik Berger battles past Stephane Henchoz

But the under-strength visitors were in confident mood and Nathan Blake and Damien Johnson both came close, as Liverpool were pegged back.

However, the decisive moments of the match came in a three-minute spell of Liverpool dominance just past the half-hour mark, which was against the run of play.

First Robbie Fowler laid Steve Staunton's through-ball off to Ince and the England midfielder took a stride forward before striking a fantastic swerving drive into the top corner.

And then Owen inadvertently netted from close range after Ince's cross had pinballed around the Rovers area. Filan did well to keep out Owen's point-blank shot, but the ball ricocheted off the 18-year-old and over the line.

Michael Owen puts Liverpool two up

Owen's pace was a constant threat for Liverpool, and in the 44th minute he took on Stephane Henchoz down the left before laying a pass in for Fowler to strike into the side netting.

Early in the second half Fowler sent Owen away, but the youngster screwed his shot across goal and well wide.

Owen fired in an 18-yarder that was so fierce it bounced back off Filan's chest with the keeper knowing little about it and the keeper then kept out Fowler's volley from the edge of the area.

But Blackburn desperately pushed on and Nathan Blake took a pass from Damien Duff and spun to drive a low shot wide of the far post.

As a scrappy game drifted to a conclusion, Liverpool never really looked like finishing the contest with a flourish.

But Houllier will not be too concerned with the manner of the performance - victory is enough right now.

Teams:

Liverpool: James, Staunton, Babb, Fowler, Owen, Redknapp, Heggem, Berger, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs: Friedel, Kvarme, Murphy, Thompson, Gerrard.

Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Henchoz, Gallacher, Duff, Blake, Marcolin, Johnson, Dailly, Dunn. Subs: Davies, Broomes, Croft, Fettis, Taylor.