GRAEME Souness today warned his players every one of them now lives in fear of the axe because the competition for places at Rovers has become so fierce.

After a summer of fervent transfer activity, Souness believes his current squad is now stronger than at any time in his Ewood reign.

And the Rovers chief says he's facing his most difficult selection poser ever as he contemplates his starting line-up for tomorrow's visit of Liverpool.

"We've come a long way in the last three years and I'm more excited now than at any point in the last three seasons," said Souness.

"I feel as though the current crop is the best group of players I've had since I've been at this club.

"I've got players who have been here a while now and they've done us proud.

"I want to be loyal to them, but everyone is under pressure for their places after the players we've brought in over the summer.

"In the last couple of years that hasn't been the case but everyone's place is under threat now and I expect everyone to respond positively.

"We've got a lot of games coming up and everyone will get a chance to show what they can do.

"But I'll be picking the best 11 as I see it to suit each game."

Souness's skill in the transfer market has been tested to the limit over the last few months.

More than 10 senior players have left Rovers this summer as part of the biggest shake-up in Souness's time at the club, but the manager has more than compensated for the loss by bringing in eight top quality replacements.

The latest two -- Barry Ferguson and Dino Baggio -- could be in line for their debuts against Liverpool.

And Souness is so excited by the potential of his new-look squad that he described his current job as one of the best in the Premiership earlier this week in response to be linked with a move to Chelsea.

He said: "I've convinced these players this club is going in the right direction and I spent most of the summer trying to get them here, so you can't disappear at the first opportunity.

"I'm responsible for them being at this club so let's see if they turn out to be as good as I think they can.

"We've played four games so far and I thought it was a bit unkind on us to lose against Manchester City.

"We could be sitting here with two wins and two draws had things worked out slightly differently."

Souness's hand should be strengthened even further by the return of Brett Emerton tomorrow who is expected to be back after shaking off a calf injury.

Dwight Yorke is also in contention for a recall following a hamstring problem.

However, Steven Reid is missing as he starts a three game ban following his recent sending off at Bolton, while Craig Short is still out with a knee injury.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Neill, Gresko, Babbel, Amoruso, Flitcroft, Tugay, Ferguson, Emerton, Cole, Yorke, Thompson, Baggio, Jansen, Taylor, Grabbi, Johansson, Gallagher, Kelly.