THE key stats and moments from the match against Liverpool.

ROVERS:

BRAD FRIEDEL: Stood between Rovers and a hiding. Denied Michael Owen alone on at least three occasions. 8

LUCAS NEILL: Having a torrid time of it at the moment. Deserved to go for a reckless challenge and his sending off changed the whole game. 4

VRATISLAV GRESKO: Not the convincing figure we saw last season. Conceded the penalty and never got to grips with El Hadji Diouf. 6

LORENZO AMORUSO: Made one or two vital interceptions but still looks suspect defensively at times. Given the slip by Owen too easily. 6

MARKUS BABBEL: Didn't hit the same heights as he reached at Chelsea on his debut but maybe the incident with Baros was playing on his mind. 6

GARRY FLITCROFT: Plenty of effort and endeavour but he was ultimately outnumbered in midfield after the sending off. 6

BARRY FERGUSON: Difficult circumstances in which to make your debut but he showed a few flashes of his ability when Rovers had their backs to the wall. 6

DAVID THOMPSON: Played as if he had a point to prove to Gerard Houllier. No-one tried harder than him to make things happen in the final third. 7

MATT JANSEN: Getting better and better with every game. A magnificent goal and his effort and work-rate was exceptional. 7

ANDY COLE: On a hiding to nothing up front after Neill got sent off. Worked hard but it was mainly to no avail. 6

BRETT EMERTON: Started off brightly but then the sending off meant he had to drop deeper which curtailed his influence. 6

SUBS: YORKE (for Jansen, 64) Didn't have much of an influence. 6. BAGGIO (for Thompson, 64) Needs time to adjust to the pace of the Premiership. 5.TUGAY (for Flitcroft, 71) Fought a losing battle. 6. NOT USED: JOHANSSON, KELLY

LIVERPOOL:

DUDEK: Rarely tested 7

FINNAN: Looks a decent acquisition 7

HYYPIA: Snuffed out Cole 7

BISCAN: Dodgy defensively 6

CARRAGHER: Didn't last long 6

KEWELL: Strangely subdued 6

GERRARD: Steadying influence 7

SMICER: Flatters to deceive 6

DIOUF: Final ball let him down 7

OWEN: Should have had more 7

BAROS: Unlucky break 6

SUBS: HESKEY (for Baros, 5) Worked hard. 6. RIISE (for Carragher, 18) Distribution could be better. 6. LE TALLEC (for Gerrard, 86). NOT USED: TRAORE, LUZI

STATS:

Goal attempts: Rovers 7 Liverpool 19

Shots on target: Rovers 2 Liverpool 14

Woodwork: Rovers 0 Liverpool 0

Offsides: Rovers 5 Liverpool 2

Corners: Rovers 5 Liverpool 8

Free kicks: Rovers 10 Liverpool 11

REFEREE:

Mr N Barry (North Lincolnshire) Got the big decisions right but too inconsistent 6. Bookings: Rovers; Amoruso, Baggio Liverpool; Finnan, Smicer. Sendings off: Neill (Rovers)

Attendance: 30,074