---
title: "OTD: Liverpool win seven-goal thriller vs Blackburn Rovers"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/otd-liverpool-win-seven-goal-thriller-vs-blackburn-rovers/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-05-08T12:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-08T12:00:00Z"
---

# OTD: Liverpool win seven-goal thriller vs Blackburn Rovers

On this day (May 8) in 2002, [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/08/virals-journalists-disagree-on-gini-wijnaldum-to-bayern-munich-prospects/) edged out Blackburn Rovers [4-3 at Anfield](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/232128-no-6-liverpool-4-3-blackburn-rovers-2002) to cement second place in the Premier League behind Arsenal.

The Reds welcomed a familiar face to the dugout as iconic ex-captain [Graeme Souness](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/05/03/graeme-souness-believes-erling-haaland-is-tailor-made-for-epl/) brought his Rovers side to the Scotsman’s former haunt.

Liverpool were managed by the late, [great Gerard Houllier](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/announcements/420403-video-anfield-pays-tribute-to-gerard-houllier) on a night whereby even the best defenders were well and truly put to the sword.

Midfielder Danny Murphy [opened the scoring for the Reds](https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/2380) before goals from flamboyant French striker Nicolas Anelka and battle harder Finnish centre-back Sami Hyypia added to the tally.

Rovers continuously fought fire with fire as Damien Duff, Andy Cole and Matt Jansen threatened to spoil the [final home game](https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/395/blog?match=true) of the 2001/02 campaign.

But, with just five minutes remaining, a pirouetting Jamie Carragher found striking powerhouse [Emile Heskey turned his man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94BHqT_98dk) to fire home past Alan Kelly.

For Liverpool, it was yet another case of [‘always the bridesmaid’](https://www.statbunker.com/competitions/LeagueTable?comp_id=76) in their quest for an elusive Premier League title – a wait that ended in 2019/20.

Back in the present day, Jurgen Klopp’s side [takes on Southampton tonight](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953531) hoping to maintain their [top-four chances](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) with, hopefully, a more comfortable evenings work.