Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer pays tribute to efforts of players and fans in Liverpool FA Cup loss

Philippe Coutinho’s superb 70th-minute strike sent the Premier League outfit through to the semi-finals and a Wembley showdown with Aston Villa.

But, just as in the initial tie between the teams at Anfield, they were indebted to their goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who made superb saves from Tom Cairney, Ben Marshall and, incredibly, his opposite number Simon Eastwood at the death.

Bowyer said: “I thought the players were tremendous and over the two games we’ve given Liverpool a really good go – as have our supporters.

“The noise levels they produced were tremendous and even at the death they were still making a racket and still showing their appreciation.

“I’d like to thank every single one of them for the support that they gave the team, myself and all the staff.

“They were phenomenal and they showed the country what great fans they are and to make Ewood rocking like that was a very proud moment for me.

“The players also deserve my praise. They left everything they possibly had out on the pitch.

“The commitment, the passion, the hard work and the effort they put in for this club was outstanding. Every single one of them.

“But we’ve met a goalkeeper in fine form again and he’s pulled off a couple of great saves and the one from Marshy we thought it was penalty as it hit Joe Allen’s arm first.

“And then he made another at the death from Easty. I didn’t know Easty had it him but he’s put himself forward to play centre-forward on Saturday now!

“You wanted it to go anywhere but straight and it bobbled out and unfortunately it didn’t bobble out to any our lads who were waiting.

“We pushed them right until the very death. I’ve got nothing but praise for them.”

Bowyer could name only 14 first-team players in his 18-man matchday squad after 11 players were ruled out through injury and ineligibility.

And he revealed Craig Conway and second-half substitute Rudy Gestede should never have played given they were still troubled by hamstring problems while Alex Baptiste had to be ‘dragged off’ after picking up a knock early in the second half.

“Rudy wasn’t fit this morning when he woke up and when he went in he wasn’t fit,” said Bowyer, who hailed man-of-the-match Adam Henley as ‘magnificent’.

“Dave Fevre and the physio department and the medical department worked ever so hard on him and he thought he could give it a go.

“That’s the measure of the man and when he came on I thought he was excellent.

“And Craig Conway, I can’t speak highly enough of him as he shouldn’t have been out on the pitch.

“To get fit is nothing short of outstanding and he’s a credit to himself and a great example to everyone at the club.

“And it’s the measure of Baps that he wanted to play on. He was playing on one leg but we had to drag him off because he didn’t want to come off.”

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "I think we showed great character. We knew when we came here they’d make it difficult for us but from start to finish we controlled the game, I thought we were brilliant.

“Towards the end when we’d gone 1-0 up they were chucking everything at us but we defended fantastically.

“Credit to the lads really and we'll go to Wembley against Villa and I'm sure it will be a tough game because they're a good side."