IF anyone needed reminding that Rovers are back in the big time then Saturday's visit of Liverpool should act as a timely nudge.

Few fixtures on the football calendar set the pulses racing quite like a meeting with the Anfield giants.

And Saturday's game in particular is sure to have plenty of added spice given the history which exists between Graeme Souness and stand-in Liverpool boss Phil Thompson!

However, aside from the passion in the technical area, the game itself promises to be a real cracker between two sides overloaded with attacking talent.

In my opinion, Liverpool are currently the best team in England and they are sure to put Rovers' Premiership credentials to the sternest possible test in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Michael Owen must be the deadliest predator in Europe on his day while Emile Heskey would be a handful for any defence.

And is there a more complete midfielder in the country at the moment than Steven Gerrard? I think not.

But Rovers have absolutely no reason to run scared. Far from it, in fact!

Throughout Souness's reign at Ewood, they have feared no-one and one of the most impressive elements of the current playing staff is their ability to rise to the big occasion. In fact, the bigger the occasion, the better they tend to play, as witnessed by the two thoroughly entertaining draws against Arsenal and Manchester United.

In David Dunn, Rovers possess a player capable of winning any match almost single-handedly on his day.

And, if Damien Duff is passed fit to return on the left, then that will present Souness with an abundance of options in midfield as he plots the downfall of his former club.

All we need now is for Ciccio Grabbi and Matt Jansen to hit top form and I believe an upset could well be on the cards.

Whatever happens, though, I'm sure the fans are in for a real football feast between two teams who try to play the game the way God intended.

The only downside is Gerard Houllier won't be there to witness it for himself. I'm sure I speak for all football fans everywhere when I wish one of the true gentlemen of the game a full and speedy recovery.

Now switching tack completely, I must admit I was delighted to see the level of response the PFA received in last week's ballot.

Like all fans, the last thing I want to see is a strike but the way the Premier League have reneged on their agreement is shameful and it's about time someone brought them to book.

Football may be booming at the minute but if some of the leading authorities continue to show a blatant disregard for organisations like the PFA then the bubble is in danger of bursting.

As Gordon Taylor said in his interview with us on Monday, this battle isn't just about money, it's about pricking football's social conscience.

Without bodies like the PFA, more clubs would go to the wall, more past players would fall on hard times and the very fabric underpinning the game would come apart at the seams.

It's therefore scandalous to hear the likes of the Premier League trying to diddle them out of every last penny at a time when the game has never been richer.