Liverpool held at Blackburn

Owen heads Liverpool in front at Blackburn

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Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Liverpool

Liverpool scrambled to the Premiership summit in unconvincing style with a draw at Blackburn Rovers.

Michael Owen gave Liverpool a first-half lead when he headed his 13th goal of the season - but Matt Jansen struck to give Graeme Souness's side a deserved share of the points.

Liverpool never hit the form they showed in disposing of Manchester United, and displayed a surprising lack of ambition at Ewood Park.

But Liverpool edge above Leeds on goals scored as they attempt to take the title back to Anfield after a barren spell of a decade.

I think we got it right tactically - our aim this season is to stay in the Premiership and I think we will

Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness

And they will still feel they should have emerged with all three points after new England cap Danny Murphy missed a simple chance deep into injury time.

Blackburn boss Souness, however, will see the result as more confirmation of his side's Premiership development after draws against Manchester United and Arsenal.

Liverpool restored Robbie Fowler up front alongside Owen - but had little opportunity in a sterile first half.

Blackburn's fear of Owen's pace - combined with Liverpool's trademark counter-attacking approach - led to a stand-off for much of the opening period.

Blackburn's Garry Flitcroft was booked after a rare moment of aggression brought a foul on Dietmar Hamaan.

It is amazing Blackburn played that way, especially at home, but I felt we played really well

Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson

And Liverpool stunned Blackburn by taking the lead with their first serious attack of the game after 29 minutes.

It came from the unlikely source of Owen's head, as he stole in on the end of Steven Gerrard's cross to head past a scrambling Brad Friedel.

Blackburn responded, but Liverpool survived in relative comfort.

Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek was tested twice by Jansen, as well as England Under-21 captain David Dunn, as Liverpool lacked the urgency to press home their advantage.

And Blackburn's determination was rewarded when they restored equality in the 52nd minute.

Dudek had already saved well from Jansen at the near post, but it was a brief reprieve as Liverpool failed to clear the resulting corner and the Blackburn striker was finally on target from close range.

Berger battles for possession

It was no more than Blackburn deserved, and Souness's side suddenly saw the possibility of victory, with gifted Turkey international Tugay dictating affairs from midfield.

Liverpool attempt to lift their game by sending on Murphy for Patrik Berger on the hour.

Fowler had endured a quiet game, but demonstrated his threat after 68 minutes when he broke on to Gerrard's pass and had Friedel stretching with a delicate lob.

Liverpool made another change with 20 minutes left, and it was a surprise as Owen was replaced by Emile Heskey - a decision which left the England striker clearly unimpressed.

But with the game heading towards a draw, Liverpool should have snatched victory in the third minute of injury time.

Gerrard played in Murphy with time and space to beat the exposed Friedel, but he lobbed tamely wide.

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Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis, Berg, Short, Bjornebye, Gillespie, Flitcroft, Tugay, Dunn, Duff, Jansen. Subs: Bent, Hughes, Hignett, Taylor, Kelly.

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz, Riise, McAllister, Gerrard, Hamann, Berger, Fowler, Owen. Subs: Smicer, Heskey, Redknapp, Murphy, Kirkland.

Referee: M Riley (Leeds)