Liverpool beat Blackburn, Aston Villa await in semi-final

Liverpool recovered from the disappointment of losing successive Premier League matches to reach the FA Cup semi-final after beating Blackburn Rovers 1-0.

A cagey affair with few chances was always going to be decided by the odd goal and one moment of quality decided it twenty minutes from time, Philippe Coutinho exchanging passes with Jordan Henderson before rifling his sixth of the season past Simon Eastwood from a tight angle.

Blackburn were not without chances of their own and nearly snatched a dramatic late equaliser when keeper Eastwood controlled and volleyed straight at a scrambling Simon Mignolet, who grabbed at the second attempt.

But Liverpool were worthy winners on the night despite their depleted ranks and will now face Aston Villa for a spot in the FA Cup final when the teams meet at Wembley on Sunday April 19.

36’ – GOOD SAVE EASTWOOD! Coutinho shoots through a sea of bodies and the keeper sees it very late before palming away.

47’ – MIGNOLET TO THE RESCUE! The Liverpool, keeper saves a swerving shot from Cairney before palming Marshall’s header against the post from the resulting corner.

70’ – GOAL! Blackburn 0-1 Liverpool. A moment of quality from Coutinho, who exchanges passes with Henderson before rifling the ball home past Eastwood and into the far corner from an acute angle.

76’ – CHANCE STURRIDGE! Sterling picks out the striker and he tries to dink it over Eastwood but puts too much on it and it’s well wide.

90+4’ – GOOD SAVE MIGNOLET! It’s almost a sensational equaliser from the opposing keeper, who controls and fires at goal but Mignolet grabs at the second attempt.

Philippe Coutinho scores his sixth goal of the season.

Liverpool have not lost to lower league opposition since Paul Dickov’s Oldham beat them in 2013.

Liverpool reach their 24th FA Cup semi-final.

Should Blackburn have been awarded a penalty? Joe Allen appears lucky to get away with it as the ball brushes his arm from Ben Marshall’s header before Mignolet saves onto the post.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool): One of few bright sparks in a red shirt on the night but proved the difference on the night with one moment of quality.

Blackburn Rovers: Eastwood 7, Henley 6, Baptiste 6, Kilgallon 7, Olsson 6, Conway 6, Williamson 6, Evans 6, Marshall 7, Cairney 6, Rhodes 6. Subs: Spurr 6, Gestede 7.

Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Johnson 6, Lovren 6, Sakho 6, Lucas 6, Allen 6, Henderson 7, Moreno 6, Sterling 7, Coutinho 8, Sturridge 6. Subs: Toure 6, Lambert 6.