SAM Allardyce thought facing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres would be the toughest task facing him on Sunday afternoon – it turned out to be the bear pit of a post-match press conference.

The Blackburn Rovers boss came in to meet the waiting national journalists after a hard-fought 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, satisfied with his team’s impressive display, albeit frustrated at a lack of killer instinct in front of goal.

By the end of an explosive six minutes though, Allardyce must have been wondering whether he had been watching a different match as several reporters turned on him and his side’s so-called physical approach to the game.

In truth, the press lounge bore a resemblance to a Liverpool supporters’ club meeting with a number of ‘Reds’ disgusted that unfashionable Blackburn Rovers had threatened to derail their Champions League qualification bid.

How dare little Blackburn mix it with our superstars? You could almost smell the sense of indignation coming from every pore of journalism’s own Liverpool mafia.

Rough stuff? Don’t make me laugh.

For the majority Rovers were just stronger in the tackle than Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool and simply refused to be daunted by the talent on show.

Blackburn Rovers seem to suffer because they don’t have the presence in the red tops that the likes of Liverpool have.

It is all far too easy to blame the ills of the world on Allardyce rather than their beloved Benitez.

Fair enough, Steven Nzonzi could have seen red for a petulant push on Lucas and Pascal Chimbonda would be well advised to keep his stray boot to a minimum.

But thuggery? Give me a break.

It should have been Benitez who was given a hard time by the world’s media as his Liverpool side continue to flatter to deceive and remain a world away from the Premier League’s real class sides.