Gerrard return can't inspire Reds

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish welcomed back Steven Gerrard from injury but was left ruing more missed chances and dropped points at home to Blackburn.

The England international made his first appearance for two months after an ankle infection as a second half substitute but could not inspire his side to find a winner in the 1-1 draw.

"He has done really well in training. He looks really fit but needs some time on the pitch now to get him back to full fitness," said Dalglish.

"The difficulty was who to take off because it wasn't as if we were playing poorly.

"Usually if there is a bit of a struggle you can see you have two or three options but there wasn't anyone who deserved to come off.

"But we had to do something to try to win the game. I made two substitutions - Steven and Craig Bellamy to try to win it - and with a bit of good fortune we probably would have."

Rovers boss Steve Kean, who fielded five players who featured in last season's reserves cup final, was delighted with his side's performance.

"I enjoyed it. We were disappointed in the way we started the second half but in the first half we got our defensive organisation sorted," he said.

"We have worked on that to try to establish a platform and work on counter-attacks.

"We have a very young side because of all the injuries we have but it was not only young Adam (Henley), there are five lads who were playing in the reserve cup final last year."