Jack Walker, Blackburn's Rovers's benefactor and chief decision-maker, would be well advised not to dwell too long on whom he intends to invite to fill his club's managerial vacancy.

Unfortunately for Walker and for those who cherish the Lancashire club, Harry Houdini is no longer with us and thus cannot be considered for the post.

It was only three and a half years ago, ironically at yesterday's venue, that the team which Jack built were crowned champions of England. But much water has passed beneath many bridges since that day and this morning Blackburn are marooned at the foot of the Premiership - a club which has lost its manager, its way and the plot.

Finding an individual imbued with sufficient confidence to assume control at Ewood Park may prove rather difficult. And, even with Uncle Jack's generosity, it is a most demanding task.

Prospective successors to the sacked Roy Hodgson should have spent yesterday afternoon wandering around Anfield's main stand, for it was there, wearing not boots but frowns, that those players who will shape Blackburn's immediate future were to be found.

Of the eight men ruled out because of injury or suspension, six would certainly have made it into the team which was sent out by the most polished caretaker manager in British football, Tony Parkes.

Not for the first time in recent seasons Parkes was asking boys and novices to undertake the work of men; this time it was beyond them. "I could be in charge for two or three weeks, but I think the people who matter inside my club have got the message that something has to be done quickly this time," he said.

Parkes added: "Bearing in mind the team we put out, I thought we did tremendously well. Things will improve; we must be looking for better times ahead."

Liverpool's confidence is so fragile that, unless they are provided with the comforter of an early goal, panic tends to spread through their ranks like dye through still waters.

As is now the norm, their initial hesitancy manifested itself in some extraordinarily nervous football. Despite the determined efforts of Jamie Redknapp, there was to be no link between a defence which still cannot be trusted and an attack which must be sick and tired of trying to grow fat off unappealing crumbs.

Blackburn, you suspect, knew all too well that they were staring a drubbing full in the face but, even so, it was only a matter of 10 minutes or so before they were enveloped by the warm feeling that the team before them in red shirts were similarly bedeviled by problems. That the team which Gerard Houllier is attempting to knock into shape cannot defend, either individually or collectively, is common knowledge, but even so the sight of such an impoverished Blackburn team initially threatening to prosper was wholly unexpected.

When your back is pressed against the wall moving forwards does represent an attractive proposition, and this is what Parkes's boys attempted to do.

Had Blackburn scored during an opening 20 minutes when neither side held sway, the afternoon may have held at least a measure of intrigue. But it was not to be.

In fact, once Liverpool had moved in front just before the half-hour the argument was all but at an end.

Blackburn's reserves were content to avoid a hammering; Liverpool were happy to log only their third league win in 10 weeks.

"This result does not mean that we are healed because it will be a long process," said Houllier. "Today was better but it wasn't perfect. We are in a period of convalescence but it isn't finished just yet."

Paul Ince's goal was always likely to provide a tepid game's one abiding memory for he can rarely have struck a sweeter shot a ferocious right-foot drive which drifted away from the Blackburn goalkeeper, John Filan, before striking the inside of a post and going in.

Three minutes later Blackburn's stout resistance was over when Filan blocked a Michael Owen drive only to look on helplessly as the rebound fortuitously cannoned off the teenager's knee and over the line.

And that, rather sadly, was that. No more goals, no more entertainment. File under dull and predictable.

Houllier made no attempt to play down the difficulties facing Liverpool after their recent poor run. "There were two positive things - the three points because we desperately needed them and the second one is the clean sheet.

"I don't think you can speak about targets at this stage. We have been through a very difficult spell and at the moment we are just fighting our way out of it."

Liverpool: James, Staunton (Kvarme 75), Babb, Fowler, Owen, Redknapp, Heggem (Gerrard 90), Berger, Ince, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs Not Used: Friedel, Murphy, Thompson. Booked: Staunton. Goals: Ince 30, Owen 33.

Blackburn: Filan, Kenna, Davidson, Henchoz, Gallacher, Duff, Blake, Marcolin, Johnson (Davies 87), Dailly, Dunn. Subs Not Used: Broomes, Croft, Fettis, Taylor. Booked: Davidson.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).