Robbie Fowler scored his fourth goal in five games to extend Liverpool's winning run to seven matches.

Fowler slotted into an open net from Fernando Morientes' pass after the offside Djibril Cisse was adjudged not to have interfered with play. Although it was controversial goal it has virtually guaranteed Liverpool at least third place in the Barclays Premiership - putting pressure on Manchester United for second - and gave Benitez a 46th birthday present to savour.

Cisse could have doubled the Reds' lead on the stroke of half time but Brad Friedel turned his strike onto the bar.

Blackburn piled on the pressure in the second half as Liverpool retreated but failed to seriously trouble Jose Reina.