GRAEME Souness and Gerard Houllier will renew their rivalry when Blackburn Rovers face Liverpool in a potentially explosive Carling Cup tie later this month.

Just two weeks after Souness and Houllier were embroiled in a simmering row over Lucas Neill's challenge on Jamie Carragher, their two clubs were paired together again in Saturday's third round draw.

"We are looking forward to it," said chief executive John Williams.

"Let's hope it's more about football than off the field issues this time.

"It should be a cracking tie and a fantastic football match."

The last meeting between the two teams at Ewood sparked a bitter row which rumbled on for the best part of a week.

Houllier was incensed by Neill's late challenge on Carragher which left the England defender nursing a broken leg.

Despite the best attempts of Souness and Neill to apologise, the Liverpool boss refused to let the matter drop, publicly branding the Aussie a 'coward' in the Press.

The third round tie will be played at Ewood in the week beginning 27 October.