Carroll saves Liverpool's and Kenny's blushes

Liverpool's £35 million flop Andy Carroll not only silenced his critics with his dramatic injury-time winner against Blackburn Rovers but may have saved Anfield icon Kenny Dalglish from suffering another embarassing defeat.

The Reds looked to be cruising to victory after goals from Maxi Rodriguez fired them into a 2-0 lead early on against a club battling relegation.

But a red card for goalkeeper Alexander Doni - himself filling in for the suspended Pepe Reina - changed the complexion of the game and thrust third-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones into the limelight.

Jones promptly announced his entrance by saving Ayegbeni Yakubu's spot-kick but Rovers hauled themselves back into the contest and eventually drew level.

Yakubu made amends for his penalty miss to head home for 2-1 and then levelled from the penalty spot in the second half to make it 2-2 and give Rovers hope of pulling clear of the relegation zone.

However Carroll was to have the final word with his header a minute into stoppage time to give Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, another Ewood Park occasion to put in his memory bank.

It will always be a special ground for Dalglish after winning the Championship while in charge of Blackburn in 1995.

Carroll could have made life easier for Liverpool just after half-time when he stretched for a diving header at a corner only to direct it wide from four yards.

Dalglish’s reaction was one of a man who thought he should have scored.

After Yakubu's equaliser, the chorus of chants against Dalglish from travelling fans grew louder.

Little wonder he started singing Carroll's praises for salvaging Liverpool's pride.

“I think Andy is really confident and he got what he deserved tonight,” said Dalglish.

“He worked really hard, and scored a fantastic header. I don’t think confidence is a problem.”

Carroll's golden header would not only lifted Liverpool's spirits ahead of their derby against Everton in the FA Cup semifinal on Saturday but also put on hold moves to sell the former Georgie this summer.

“I think the victory will do everybody the world of good. We’ve not had the best of results recently but that will give everyone a lift,” said Dalglish.
 

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