Glen Johnson says Liverpool found it hard work against Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, with the Reds unable to find a way past their physical defence in a goalless draw at Ewood Park.

It was Liverpool’s third consecutive clean sheet, but will be seen as two points dropped with the chance to edge back into the top four with Tottenham also dropping points this weekend.

Johnson, who created a brilliant second half chance with a cross to David N’gog who hit the crossbar from close range, said after the game, “It’s always difficult against Blackburn because they don’t play much football and just launch the ball forward at every opportunity.

“They play an ugly game very well and play to their strengths. It makes life difficult for the opposition at times.

“We knew what to expect and we tried to get the ball down on the floor and play. The pitch wasn’t great and we took a while to get used to it, but that’s football and you have to live with things like this.”