Liverpool Reserves 2 Blackburn Rovers Reserves 4: Coach Rodolfo Borrell angry as Reds Reserves lose for the first time at home this season

Jan 25 2012 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL Reserves boss Rodolfo Borrell slammed his players after they suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers at the Academy.

The angry Spaniard also expressed his dislike for Rovers' direct approach which inflicted a first home league reverse of the campaign on his young Reds.

“It was a shocking performance,” Borrell said. “We needed to fight but the players forgot very quickly we had a physical game.

“It's a fixture I don't like. I cannot understand this type of football but we need to get using to playing against that type.

“It was more like a rugby game than a football game. We couldn't defend against their style or make success from our own style of football.

“There are no excuses. Our play wasn't at the right level. We need to learn.”

Kenny Dalglish, Steve Kean, Terry McDermott, Robbie Fowler were all in attendance at the Academy.

Rovers deservedly took the lead early on when captain Nick Blackman picked-out Hugo Fernandez who tapped home.

In the space of seven remarkable minutes before half-time there were four goals.

First, Nathan Eccleston fired past Jake Kean to make it 1-1 but then Reds keeper Tyrell Bedford spilled a cross, leaving Fernandez with a simple finish.

From the kick-off Michael Ngoo burst into the box and was hacked down by Adam Henley. The Liverpool striker picked himself up to equalise from the spot.

But just before half-time the home side shot themselves in the foot once again.

Matthew McGiveron's clearance went straight to Josh Morris who clinically punished the error.

Stephen Sama and Emmanuel Mendy both hit the woodwork in the second half before Jordan Slew wrapped up the points for Blackburn.