SAM Allardyce believes Blackburn Rovers were ‘just a goalscorer away’ from a first league win at Anfield in more than a decade as Liverpool’s ruthless streak broke the visitors hearts.

The Rovers boss was delighted with his side’s brave effort but revealed his disappointment at their failure to convert a plethora of chances – describing the 2-1 defeat as a missed opportunity.

Fernando Torres’ 45th minute strike proved the winner, after Keith Andrews’ penalty had cancelled out Steven Gerrard’s opener, but Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina had to be at his best to deny Rovers at least a point.

Morten Gamst Pedersen, Nikola Kalinic, Steven Nzonzi, Chris Samba and Junior Hoilett all had chances to earn Rovers a draw but in the end their lack of composure in front of goal.

A feisty affair threatened to boil over on several occasions as Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez grew increasingly frustrated at his side’s inability to break Rovers down.

El-Hadji Diouf was inevitably at the centre of the controversy, angering the home fans with his waves to the crowd, but in honesty he did little wrong and the same could be said of his teammates.

However, the Senegalese winger got involved in a heated exchange with Liverpool skipper Gerrard at the half-time interval.

Steven Nzonzi and Pascal Chimbonda were perhaps fortunate to escape red cards for petulant moments after the break but Benitez’s post-match fury at Rovers ‘bullying’ tactics was simply unfair towards an impressive Rovers’ away day display.

Allardyce said: “If we had a goal scorer we would have won the game, with the chances we created. Most definitely we created more chances than them.

“We failed because we didn’t have a goalscorer. They have Torres and Gerrard and their great quality proved the difference.

"Half a chance and they score.

“For us so many chances went begging and in the end we have only scored from the penalty spot.

"So of course we are very disappointed in the wasted opportunity.”

Andrews' leveller from the spot was more than deserved but then some hesitant defending between Samba and Gael Givet allowed Torres to nip in and steal the points.

“We put ourselves in a good position,” said Allardyce. “We should have been coming in level but it was a poor goal to give away.

“I can’t criticise the defending as a whole but we know it was a poor goal to give away.

“But I have never been here and created that many clear cut chances before.

"I said to the players it is disappointing we haven’t made the most of that.

“Their keeper has produced some really good saves and it is a great shame for the players.

"Hopefully we can continue that sort of performance away from home and get a few results on the road between now and then.”