Blackburn comfortably frustrated Liverpool's attempts to win their seventh successive home league game at Anfield.

Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt both headed efforts wide but goalkeeper Brad Friedel was not unduly troubled.

Jose Reina, playing his 150th game for the hosts, was also only troubled by a Roque Santa Cruz angled drive.

Referee Wiley then ignored far more straightforward claims for a free-kick when Christopher Samba bundled Gerrard over on the edge of the box.

And when Torres and Dirk Kuyt combined to set-up Gerrard for a 20-yarder that looked to be deflected wide, the official gave a goal-kick much to the growing anger of the home crowd.

Jason Roberts and Roque Santa Cruz produced moments of strength and good movement to trouble Liverpool, and Santa Cruz tested Jose Reina with a fierce drive.

Kuyt then saw a 25-yard effort held by Friedel before the Dutch forward headed just wide from a Gerrard free-kick.