BLACKBURN Rovers manager Mark Hughes saluted his players after they edged a step closer to their safety target by earning a superb point at Anfield last night.

Rovers opened up an eight-point gap on the bottom three thanks to a battling 0-0 draw against Champions League-chasing Liverpool.

Hughes' side are now unbeaten in six league and cup games and the Welshman was delighted with their latest performance, which eases the pressure going into Saturday's match with Arsenal.

"It was important that we were able to build on the results we've had of late," said Hughes.

"We had a great result against Everton the other week and this was another big test for us, but I thought we came through it with flying colours.

"We restricted Liverpool to very, very few chances, if any, and that was probably one of the quietest nights Brad Friedel has had for some time.

"I think that shows the level of performance we put in.

"We kept our shape very well, we worked extremely hard to close people down, and probably the only negative from the evening was at times, with a little bit more care in certain situations, we could have created a little bit more ourselves.

"Our set-pieces weren't as good as they have been lately but overall I'm absolutely delighted.

"You have to come to places like this and get points on the board and that's what we did."

In a game of few chances, Rovers recorded their fifth clean sheet in six outings courtesy of a magnificent defensive performance.

Andy Todd and Ryan Nelsen, in particular, both produced towering displays at the back to keep Liverpool at bay, but Hughes was eager to give all his players credit for what was a supremely disciplined team performance.

"I think Andy Todd actually got the man of the match award but there was quite a few players who could have been candidates for that," said Hughes.

"Certainly the lads at the back snuffed out everything that Liverpool

threw at us and they got great protection from the lads who worked hard in midfield in front of them, so it was a good performance overall and we're delighted.

"We went into a period of four difficult games and I don't think anyone expected us to get anything from them, but we've picked up four points from two games so far, which we are very pleased about."

Meanwhile, Blackpool boss Colin Hendry has signed Rovers' reserve team midfielder Ciaran Donnelly on a freet.