ROBBIE KEANE watched on from the bench as Liverpool held on to the top spot at Blackburn.
Second-half strikes from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benyoun and Steven Gerrard kept the Reds ahead of Chelsea.
Roque Santa Cruz grabbed a consolation but the defeat heaps more pressure on Rovers boss Paul Ince, who desperately needs to haul his side out of the relegation zone
Liverpool failed to hit the target in their last three league games despite lying top of the table.
Kop boss Rafa Benitez decided drop troubled £20million striker Keane, who has scored just twice in the league this season.
His bold decision paid off but the Spaniard insisted it was a purely tactical move.
Blackburn: Robinson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Andrews, Kerimoglu (Vogel 84), Pedersen (McCarthy 81), Roque Santa Cruz, Derbyshire (Treacy 90). Subs not used: Brown, Villanueva, Simpson, Fowler. Booked: Andrews, Warnock. Goals: Roque Santa Cruz 86.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Insua, Benayoun (Riera 87), Mascherano (Leiva Lucas 83), Alonso, Babel (El Zhar 64), Gerrard, Kuyt. Subs not used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Keane. Booked: Babel, Arbeloa. Goals: Alonso 69, Benayoun 79, Gerrard 90.
