BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted tomorrow's high-noon showdown between Rovers and Liverpool is not a grudge match between him and Phil Thompson.

Souness controversially sacked Thompson as reserve team boss during his reign as manager at Anfield in 1992 and then heavily criticised his former team-mate in his autobiography 'The Management Years.'

But, despite insisting he still stands by those comments as the pair prepare to come face to face in the dugouts, Souness has moved to diffuse a potentially hostile situation by stressing it's all about three points.

"I stand by everything I said in the book because it's the truth," said Souness.

"But tomorrow's game isn't about me or Phil Thompson, it's about getting three points for Blackburn Rovers.

"And that's all I'm focused on going into it."

Thompson, who is currently standing in as manager while Gerard Houllier recovers from life-threatening heart surgery, has also played down talk of the rift, insisting he is only interested in turning up the heat at the top of the Premiership.

"This game is purely about Liverpool against Blackburn Rovers. I'm not prepared to comment about anything other than that," said Thompson.

"Blackburn have done exceptionally well since they were promoted. Whereas Bolton and Fulham have been a bit up and down, Blackburn have found a good level of consistency.

"I'm looking forward to an entertaining match at Ewood Park because when we've gone there in the past they have always been good matches. I hope we will get something out of the game."

Since Thompson took temporary charge, the Reds have enjoyed an excellent run in both the Premiership and the Champions League.

But, though Souness is aware of the dangers they pose, he insists there is nothing sophisicated about the way they play.

"The way they play, they try to draw you out to leave space for Michael Owen to run into. "So there's nothing clever or cute about their tactics. I think everyone knows how they play their football but it's hard to play against.

"Hopefully, we'll get chances because we tend to make chances in every game we play.

"And they are sure to make chances so it's a case of who takes them.

"But we're at home and we'll be more concerned by what we do.

"Liverpool appear to play the same way at home as they do away from home.

"Like ourselves, they go after teams.

"But we can't change our style for just one game, we'll just have to be guarded because we don't want to be hit by the sucker punch.

"There's no point having all the ball and then being caught on the break time after time.

"And that's how Liverpool play."

Souness is still sweating on the fitness of Garry Flitcroft who is struggling with a groin injury.

And Ciccio Grabbi is a definite non-starter as he battles to recover from a medial knee ligament injury.

However, Damien Duff is expected to return after a two month absence following hamstring trouble.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Berg, Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Tugay, Johnson, Gillespie, Duff, Jansen, Bent, Hughes, Hignett, Johansson, Mahon, Filan.