Liverpool lead Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at the interval after a lively 45 minutes at Ewood Park.
It was the home side who made a fast start to proceedings, with Junior Hoilett justifying his recent praise.
Chances were few and far between in the opening stages of the match, however, at a subdued Ewood Park.
Liverpool took the lead after 13 minutes when Craig Bellamy squared for Maxi Rodriguez, who tucked the ball home from close range.
It was two moments later when Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson denied Jonjo Shelvey from close range, only for Maxi to pass the rebound into the back of the net.
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes, however, when Liverpool stopper Doni felled Hoilett in the area, only for Rovers' top scorer Yakubu to step up and send the penalty straight at substitute goalkeeper Brad Jones.
Blackburn continued to push for a goal in the latter stages of the half, and Yakubu made amends for his penalty miss when he headed a David Dunn cross into the net after 36 minutes.
Grant Hanley might have levelled with five minutes of the half remaining, but it remained 2-1 at the break.
Matt Law
