Blackburn 0 Liverpool 1: Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler provided manager Rafael Benitez with further evidence that he deserves a new contract with his latest match-winning goal against Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Fowler, whose short-term deal following his January transfer-window arrival from Manchester City expires in the summer, made it four in five matches as the Reds stretched their winning run to seven games.

It was also his third in successive outings - the first time he has achieved such a feat for the Anfield club since November 1997.

Although it was controversial goal it has virtually guaranteed Liverpool at least third place in the Barclays Premiership - putting pressure on Manchester United for second - and gave Benitez a 46th birthday present to savour.

It remains to be seen, though, whether Fowler's scoring streak will be enough to land him the longer-term deal he would love to sign.

Remarkably the goal came after a chanceless opening 29 minutes that ebbed and flowed but did nothing to suggest what was to follow.

The game exploded following a long throw from John Arne Riise from just inside the Blackburn half that was chested on by Fowler.

Djibril Cisse was clearly off side but left it alone as an overlapping Fernando Morientes collected the pass. The linesman chose not to raise his flag and that allowed Morientes to tee up Fowler for a simple sidefoot finish from 10 yards.

Understandably, that sparked furious Blackburn protests as a number of players raced across to the referee's assistant, seemingly with good cause, albeit to no avail.

Referee Alan Wiley was forced to intervene as the argument raged, but Rovers' fury fell on deaf ears.

It proved the winner, extending Liverpool's unbeaten run over Rovers to 15 matches in the Premiership, and all but extinguishing Blackburn's hopes of Champions League football for next season.

In fairness, it was another masterclass in defending from goalkeeper Jose Reina and his back line, with the Spain international beating Ray Clemence's club record for goals conceded in the first half century of Reds matches.

Reina has let in just 29 goals in his 50 games, compared to the 32 of Clemence back in 1970-71.