GRAEME Souness remained positive today despite Blackburn falling to their fifth successive defeat.

Liverpool progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 4-3 victory at Ewood Park to make it seven games without a win for Souness' side.

In an incident-packed cup tie, Lucas Neill was shown another red card following his dismissal for the tackle that broke Jamie Carragher's leg in the Premiership meeting between the sides last month.

His latest indiscretion, for a professional foul on Florent Sinama-Pongolle, could land him a lengthy ban for his second sending off of the season.

The resulting penalty allowed Danny Murphy to equalise Dwight Yorke's opening strike and Liverpool built a 4-1 lead on another torrid night for the Blackburn defence.

But it's the way his side fought back to reduce the deficit to one goal that has given Souness renewed hope that Rovers can banish their miserable form to the history books.

And while admitting that the current slump is getting him down, the manager is delighted that the players are remaining upbeat.

"I'm going to take positives from the game because there were some very good things, most of all the team spirit," said Souness.

"It's very easy to feel sorry for yourself in life and very easy to feel sorry for yourself in this business as well and I think I'm the only one that is maybe feeling sorry for myself, because the players aren't.

"They're showing character and they will continue to show it, I'm convinced of that.

"As long as I get that, I'll be happy and we will turn the corner sooner rather than later."

Souness also singled out fellow Scotsman Barry Ferguson for special praise as he opened his account with Rovers' second goal.

He was also satisfied with the reunion of Dwight Yorke, who scored twice, and Andy Cole in attack as he reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.

"I think what I have to take from the game was some wonderful individual performances and I thought the best player on the pitch by a long way was Barry Ferguson," said Souness.