FA Cup 4th round: Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers - Pete Oliver's big match preview

NINE years ago the fates conspired against Rovers when a last-minute own-goal from Mark Atkins prompted a third-round FA Cup exit to League Champions Liverpool.

Tony Parkes' men will therefore be hoping that the luck finally evens itself out on Monday night when Blackburn head for Anfield for a fourth-round televised showdown.

Back in January, 1991, Rovers, managed by Don Mackay, were fighting against relegation from the old Second Division.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were top of the First Division and mounting a fierce defence of what turned out to be their 18th and most recent Championship crown as they were ultimately pipped at the post by Arsenal.

But Rovers were within seconds of clinching a famous win at Ewood Park, before Atkins turned a throw-in past Bobby Mimms in the Rovers goal to cancel out Simon Garner's strike and allow a relieved Liverpool to set up a 3-0 replay victory at Anfield three days later.

Mackay recalled: "It had been a very difficult season and we'd lost a lot of players through injury.

"We'd lost Scott Sellars, who was a smashing player and the team was built around him.

"He was just starting to come back and we took a chance with him and put him in the side and we went out to have a right go. "We were 1-0 up and we deserved to be when Scott started to run out of steam and I made a substitution to try and hang onto it.

"Unfortunately we gave away a stupid throw-in. Instead of knocking it long we put it out near the box. It was well into injury-time and they thought they were out.

"But they put the ball into the box and unfortunately Mark knocked it in.

"We were just all stunned and it was unfair on Mark because he had had a good game. There was no-one who hadn't done well.

"In those days you got just one chance and you still do against top-flight sides. You've got to take that chance and we didn't.

"It was so sad because we should have won the first game."

The game is also remembered for comments by BBC pundit Jimmy Hill, who questioned a ball-girl for returning the ball too quickly to a Liverpool player as Rovers re-grouped for the critical throw-in.

"Bill Fox, the chairman, was furious, as we all were, and he got him to reply and apologise because the poor lass got some stick on the Monday morning.

"I said at the time it was nothing to do with her. She was only there to return the ball," Mackay added.

The gulf currently existing between the two sides isn't quite as vast going into Monday night's game, although Liverpool, fifth in the Premiership, will still be hot favourites to beat a Rovers side desperately trying to regain their elite status. Gerard Houllier finally looks to have reversed the Anfield decline and Mackay has been impressed with what he's seen.

"They are a different team from the one we played. They are not quite so much of a passing team. Big Camara up front runs with the ball and runs at people and they've not just got the one striker which they really had with Ian Rush," he said.

But the former Rovers boss believes Blackburn have a chance if they go with the right plan and stick to it.

"Blackburn have got to frustrate them and not play them on equal terms because it's Premiership versus First Division. No matter what you believe, they (Blackburn) are First Division and you've got to be realistic.

"I don't mean be negative but you've got to be organised because organisation frustrates teams.

"It will annoy the Anfield faithful and then Blackburn can use the quality in their side to capitalise on that.

"What Liverpool have got again now is a spirit and Blackburn have got to match that and work hard and then they've got players, like wee Duff, who can maybe open doors.

"It's an ideal chance to kick-start the rest of their season and get into the play-offs," said Mackay.

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