Sunday 8 March 2015 15:36, UK
Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool will approach their FA Cup quarter-final tie with Blackburn exactly the same as they did their Premier League clash with Manchester City last weekend.
Liverpool head into the clash with Blackburn at Anfield on Sunday as favourites to lift the FA Cup after Manchester United and Arsenal were drawn together in the last eight.
But despite 25 league places separating the two sides the Rodgers says he will not be underestimating Gary Bowyer’s Sky Bet Championship side.
"They got their first league win away from home in four months in the week (at Sheffield Wednesday) but we will give them the same respect we would give Manchester City or any other team," said the Liverpool boss.
"It is a big game. We made it clear our intent in this competition was to get to the final and win it and to do that you have to beat different types of teams and Blackburn will come and look to make it difficult for us.
"I think Gary Bowyer has done an outstanding job since he has gone in there.
"He's had a similar pathway to myself in terms of working in youth development so he understands football clubs from the top to the bottom.
"He has gone in there in very difficult circumstances and stabilised the club and got everyone on the same path and has done an outstanding job."
Rodgers is confident his side can achieve their ambitions in the league and the FA Cup but said - if given the choice - he would prefer only the final to be played at Wembley.
"People say getting to Wembley for the semi-final is a big thing but not really. Winning and getting to the final is the big priority," he said.
"In many ways I wish the semi-final wasn't at Wembley because I think it takes a little bit away from it. For me Wembley should be the ultimate game.
"But of course it is a great opportunity if we do go through to play a game at Wembley, which we certainly wouldn't turn down.
"In domestic cup competitions we were unfortunate not to make the final and in the FA Cup we are giving everything we can to win a trophy while trying to fight to get into the top four.
"We want to get as high as we can - not just fourth - and win a trophy and if we can do that it will be a success."
