Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez refused to bite back at Sam Allardyce after being described as a moaner by the Blackburn Rovers manager. The two have been long-term adversaries from Allardyce's Bolton days, with Benitez unable to disguise his distaste at the long-ball style the Ewood Park chief utilises.

Benitez would only say: "I would expect to play the game on Saturday and afterwards just talk about football. I will shake his hand, no problem there.

"Blackburn are in a difficult position but they have won some games recently and they have improved. They, too, will have to win against us, it is as massive for them as us.

"But we know they are a physical team. We will try to play football but, if we have to fight for the ball, then we will do that.

"I have seen Sam Allardyce's teams at Bolton and now at Blackburn. I do not expect the style to change very much but I believe it is more difficult to manage at the bottom of the table because every defeat is very negative.

"The pressures there are so much different, losing games there is not the same as losing games in the top half of the table.

"But we will have our confidence back, the team are ready and looking forward to this game."