CHRIS Taylor could have lined up for Blackpool in the Premier League four seasons ago, but the Blackburn Rovers midfielder is not dwelling on the past as he aims for victory against the Seasiders today.

Taylor was a rising star at League One side Oldham Athletic in 2008 when Championship club Blackpool made their move for the midfielder.

The Latics rejected the bid, slapping a £500,000 price tag on his head, but a year later they sold Taylor’s team-mate Neal Eardley to Blackpool and the defender was soon playing in the top flight for the Tangerines.

Taylor does not spend too much time reflecting on the past, but admits he would not be human if he had not thought about it when Blackpool reached the top flight.

“A little bit maybe,” he said. “I think it was when Simon Grayson was manager there but the move never happened. “A friend of mine Neal Eardley left Oldham for Blackpool shortly after they were interested in me.

“Obviously he went to the Premier League with them but you can’t really dwell on things and think about what ifs too much. You’ve just got to deal with what it is.

“They were interested but it never happened.”

Taylor has played a starring role in Rovers’ run to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, where they will face Liverpool at Anfield on March 8.

He stresses that Rovers’ focus before then is on closing the gap to the play-offs, but admits it will do their league form no harm if players are also trying to earn starting spots at Anfield.

“Possibly yes,” he said. “Everyone is going to want to impress, everyone is dying to play at Anfield and to do that you’ve got to do well in the games coming up.

“I can’t wait for the Liverpool game, I think all the lads can’t wait, but we’ve got four important games in the league before that and we hope to get closer to the play-off pack.”

Blackpool are bottom of the table but have been 2-0 up against Watford and Nottingham Forest recently – even if they ultimately won neither match.

“Everyone knows in football you don’t just turn up and win a game,” Taylor said. “In the last few weeks they’ve been 2-0 up against teams and not quite managed to hold on so they’ve definitely got a threat going forward.

“We have to be focused.”