Blackburn Rovers went into their clash with Liverpool in 2012 on the back of three successive defeats but maximum points against the Merseyside club would move them out of the relegation zone.

Liverpool had endured a similar run of form under Kenny Dalglish, with a draw at home to Aston Villa their only positive result during a four-game period that had left the Anfield outfit outside of the European spots with six games remaining.

With an FA Cup semi-final with Everton approaching, Dalglish opted to rest players for the visit to Ewood Park, which allowed fringe players Sebastian Coates and Jay Spearing to make a rare start while Andy Carroll was given the opportunity to add to his tally of six goals for the campaign.

After a quiet opening in which both sides failed to settle, it was another of Liverpool's deputies - Maxi Rodriguez - who handed the Reds the early advantage. Craig Bellamy demonstrated his lightning pace down the right flank before finding the Argentine with a fine delivery that was tapped home at the far post.

Within three minutes of his first, Maxi found himself in the right place at the right time to notch his second to leave Steve Kean's team and the home crowd in disarray.

Jonjo Shelvey made inroads with a powerful run towards goal but after his effort was saved and Carroll had failed to convert the rebound, the ball fell kindly to the former Atletico Madrid winger, who made no mistake from a couple of yards out.

However, Blackburn were handed a lifeline midway through the first half when Liverpool stopper Doni was handed a red card for fouling Junior Hoilett inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to immediately dismiss the Brazilian.

Brad Jones replaced Jon Flanagan as Liverpool were forced into a reshuffle at the back, and the Australian goalkeeper made an instant impact by keeping out Yakubu's spot kick with a dive to his right.

The Nigerian forward didn't waste much time in making amends as he halved his side's deficit shortly before half time. David Dunn floated a free kick into the box that Yakubu directed inside the near post.

Despite having a man fewer Liverpool started the second half strongly, with Carroll heading wide after losing his marker, but Blackburn always looked a threat on the counter and as the game reached the 60-minute mark, Yakubu netted his second.

Jones hauled down the former Portsmouth striker inside the 18-yard box and was fortunate to avoid being the second Liverpool player to be sent off. However, he was unable to stop Yakubu's second penalty of the night, and the Ewood Park crowd sensed victory against a team who had little to play for in the Premier League.

Rovers upped the ante after their equaliser, constantly forcing Liverpool onto the back foot, and the Reds were grateful for the defensive contribution of Carroll as Blackburn launched a flurry of high balls into the box.

However, it was the striker's efforts in attack that proved pivotal as he struck in the final minute to earn Liverpool three unlikely points. A long ball from Coates was flicked on by Daniel Agger into the path of the former Newcastle United man, who made no mistake in nodding the ball past Paul Robinson.

The result at Ewood Park gave Liverpool the boost that they needed to get past Everton in the FA Cup semis, but with their Premier League campaign continuing to peter out, they were unable to raise their game in the final against Chelsea, falling to a 2-1 defeat.

As for Blackburn, four losses in their final five fixtures saw them finish six points adrift of safety, leaving Rovers with the prospect of Championship football the following year.