Blackburn host Liverpool at Ewood Park hoping to build on their mid-week Carling Cup penalty shoot-out heroics against Chelsea.

Blackburn sealed their place in the Carling Cup semi-final after coming through a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea after the match had ended 3-3.

The win will give Sam Allardyce’s men the perfect boost ahead of the arrival of Liverpool, and ‘Big Sam’ himself is set to return after undergoing heart surgery.

A dour 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City last week showed that Blackburn are still some way off the finished articles, especially in the Premier League, and Rovers will need to be at their best to topple the Reds.

Rafa Benitez’s men might have turned a corner of late having been dumped out of the UEFA Champions League, and everyone at the club will be hoping that last Sunday’s 2-0 win against Everton, will be a springboard for future success.

The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League, 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, and know that any more slip-ups could finally extinguish their already extremely slim title hopes.

The match holds special significance for captain Steven Gerrard who is set to make his 500th appearance for his boyhood club, against the same team he made his first-team debut against 11 years ago.

Be sure to check out our video tribute for 'Steve G'.

Team News:

Blackburn will be sweating on the fitness of midfielder David Dunn who is still struggling with a calf injury.

Liverpool are still without injured striker Fernando Torres and Dutch winger Ryan Babel is also set to miss out with an ankle injury.

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani is set for a place on the bench with Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger set to continue at the heart of the defence.

Probable Line-Ups; Star Man:

Blackburn (4-4-1-1): Robinson, Chimbonda, Samba, Nelsen, Salgado, Emerton, Nzonzi, Andrews, Diouf, Di Santo, Roberts.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Aurelio, Gerrard, Ngog.

ExtraFootie's prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Liverpool. The Reds have turned a corner of late and we fancy them to be too strong for Blackburn who are sure to be feeling the effects of their midweek exertions.