Andy Cole extended Liverpool's winless Premiership run to eight games with a deserved Blackburn equaliser inside the last 15 minutes.

Liverpool had been leading for most of the match through John Arne Riise's deflected strike, but the Reds were unconvincing again and Blackburn were good value for their point.

Gerard Houllier must now take his side to Highbury on Sunday knowing that a defeat would leave them 12 points behind Arsenal and out of the title race.

Houllier shuffled his pack, bringing in Emile Heskey for Milan Baros, and Vladimir Smicer starting in place of Salif Diao.

Riise had already gone close with an early 20-yarder that Brad Friedel tipped around the post before he gave Liverpool the lead after 17 minutes.

Key moments

17 mins: Riise's deflected shot puts Liverpool in front 77 mins: Cole sends a 25-yard shot past Kirkland to equalise

Then Craig Short gave the ball away at the back and when it came out to Riise on the left his shot deflected off Lucas Neill and past Friedel.

Blackburn rarely threatened in a scrappy first half with David Thompson's flashing shot from distance the closest they came.

Early in the second half Graeme Souness tried to change things up by taking off full-back Nils-Eric Johansson and bringing on a third striker in Egil Ostenstad.

And almost immediately Ostenstad set up Andy Cole, who wastefully scooped his shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Moments later Cole had another excellent chance when he got in front of his defender but his header from six yards was again off target.

Liverpool responded by making their own switch, with Baros replacing Heskey.

I thought it was going to be the scrappy 1-0 win we had hoped for, but it was a fair result Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier

And the Liverpool sub was straight into the action, forcing Friedel to concede a corner.

But Blackburn were still creating chances, and Cole set up Ostenstad, who forced a fine save from Chris Kirkland.

And Blackburn's industry was rewarded on 77 minutes when Cole made up for his earlier misses.

I thought if we could get a goal we could go on and win but we are delighted to come here and take something Blackburn manager Graeme Souness

The former Man Utd striker chested the ball down 25 yards out and struck a curling shot into the corner of Kirkland's goal.

With five minutes to go, Baros had a fine chance to take the points after being played in by Michael Owen, but Friedel again proved his worth with an excellent save.

Owen had a better chance inside stoppage time, but his shot from close range went straight at Friedel and Blackburn held on for a deserved draw.

Watch a round up of the Boxing day Premiership action

Liverpool: Kirkland, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore (Diouf 83), Smicer (Biscan 65), Murphy, Gerrard, Riise, Heskey (Baros 59), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Diao, Arphexad.

Booked: Traore.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Taylor, Short, Johansson (Ostenstad 52), Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff, Cole, Yorke.
Subs Not Used: Kelly, Todd, Curtis, Danns.

Booked: Neill.

Attendance: 43,075

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire).