London: Andy Carroll’s ninth goal since joining Liverpool over a year ago gave 10-man Liverpool a 3-2 win at relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers in a game including a sending-off, two penalties and some comical goalkeeping.

Carroll, under fire for his lack of goals since his $55 million move from Newcastle in January last year, headed home from six metres out with only three minutes on the clock to worsen their opponents’ plight.

Blackburn remained in the bottom three on 28 points from 33 games, level on points with 17th-placed Queens Park Rangers and Wigan Athletic who have both played one fewer match, while Liverpool stayed eighth on 46 points.       

The visitors started brightly and were two goals clear after Argentine Maxi Rodriguez clinically dispatched chances in the 13th and 16th minutes.