BLACKBURN keeper Brad Friedel has attempted to diffuse all talk of bad blood between Rovers and Liverpool ahead of tomorrow's showdown at Anfield.

Lucas Neill's late tackle on Jamie Carragher in the corresponding fixture at Ewood earlier in the season triggered a bitter war of words between rival managers Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier.

Carragher ended up suffering a broken leg from the challenge and Houllier later accused Neill of being 'coward' - a comment which provoked an angry response from Souness.

The row rumbled on for several days in the media but Friedel insists the whole incident has now been forgotten and Rovers are concentrating solely on getting the win they need to boost their survival fight.

"There was an unfortunate incident with Jamie Carragher which got spiced up by people - not players - speaking up after the game in the media," said Friedel.

"The players were actually fine with one another. To my knowledge, Jamie Carragher was as good as gold when Lucas phoned up to see how he was and apologise.

"So I don't think from a players' stand-point there's any extra rivalry.

"I think it will just be two teams going out there who are desperate for the three points because you've got to remember it's not only us who are desperate for the points, Liverpool are as well."

Souness will drop Neill from his plans altogether tomorrow in a bid to prevent the game from turning into a grudge match.

With Rovers currently hovering dangerously near the relegation zone, it's vital the players are not distracted from the task of trying to secure a priceless away win.

Just three points currently separate Rovers from the bottom three but Friedel is remaining positive about team's hopes during the run-in.

"Right now, it looks like our backs are up against the wall a little bit," said the United States number one.

"We're down near the relegation zone and we've only got eight games to go.

"Three seasons ago we were in a worse position than this and came out of it and that's what we are going to try and keep our minds focused on now. There's no secret to what we need to do. We've got to get on the training pitch and try and work through it."