Liverpool slipped into relegation after suffering a home defeat to newly promoted Blackpool. The visitors were two-nil up at the break, and despite Kyrgiakos pulling a goal back early in the second-half, the Merseysiders failed to find an equaliser against a well-organised side. - Premier League Table -

Fernando Torres started the Sunday afternoon clash, but the Spaniard was substituted on ten minutes after feeling a slight twinge in the groin area.

For the visit of Blackpool, Roy Hodgson recalled Steve Gerrard in place of Lucas Leiva. And Jamie Carragher was moved to left-back with Kyrgiakos returning to the starting eleven alongside Martin Skrtel in the centre of defence.

Reina was called into action as early as the second minute. The keeper produced a fine save at full-stretch to keep out a Charlie Adam free-kick.

Joe Cole went agonisingly close to an opener for the Reds after some good work from Torres. The Spaniard whipped in an excellent cross from the right-wing, but unfortunately for the home side, Cole was millimetres away from getting on the end of Torres’ inviting cross.

With just ten minutes gone Liverpool suffered an injury blow as Fernando Torres was forced to leave the field. The number ‘9’ was replaced by fellow striker David Ngog.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who would score after the break, had a header from a corner headed off the line as the Reds looked to break the deadlock. Blackpool though were looking dangerous themselves and it was the Seasiders who were to draw first blood.

The Tangerines were awarded a penalty just before the half hour mark. Varney was brought down by Johnson in the box and Charlie Adam fired under Pepe Reina’s dive to put the visitors in front.

Blackpool doubled their lead moments before the half-time whistle. Varney ran onto a Fletcher pass before shooting low past Reina. The keeper got his hand to the ball, but the power took it past the Spanish shostopper and into the bottom left-hand corner.

Liverpool had a good chance top pull a goal back straight after the restart but Ngog failed to hit the target with a diving header.

The Reds continued to try to find a way back, and their pressure was rewarded on 53 minutes. Defender Kyrgiakos met a Gerrard free-kick with a thumping header to reduce arrears for Liverpool.

The visitors were on the back foot as Joe Cole almost drew the Merseysiders level. The midfielder popped up between to Blackpool players, but with just the keeper to beat Cole dragged his shot inches wide of the far post.

It was all Liverpool as Blackpool failed to get out of their half. Kuyt had a header saved by Gilks as the Merseysiders pushed for an equaliser.

With the game into the third minute of added time Gilks produced a brilliant save to deny Kyrgiakos. The defender’s point-blank header was parried the Blackpool keeper as the visitors held on for a famous win.


- Match Stats: Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Carragher, Poulsen (Jovanovic, 60), Meireles, Kuyt, Gerrard, Cole (Maxi, 89), Torres (Ngog, 10)

Booked: Reina, Kyrgiakos

Goals: Kyrgiakos 53

Blackpool: Gilks, Eardley, Evatt, Cathcart (Keinan, 20), Crainey, Vaughan, Adam, Campbell, Grandin (Southern, 63), Varney, Taylor-Fletcher

Booked: Taylor-Fletcher

Goals: Adam 29(pen), Varney 45