Blackburn v Liverpool preview: Rovers boss Steve Kean hopes FA Cup distracts Reds

Kean's side desperately need to halt a run of three straight defeats as they fight to survive in the top flight.

With that in mind, Kean is looking forward to facing Liverpool, who themselves have been on an utterly dismal run with just one win in nine.

And with Everton awaiting in Saturday's FA Cup derby clash, Kean believes his side have a chance.

"There is no reason why we can't go out and beat Liverpool. We've done it before last year. We played very well," he said.

"Liverpool will have an eye on the FA Cup so us playing them now is a good time. It will be difficult for them not to think about the semi-final, so we will try to use that to our advantage."

Having seen Rovers thrashed 3-0 at West Brom on Saturday, Kean has urged his troops to rally in a bid to beat the drop and is demanding more.

The Blackburn boss, who is waiting on a late fitness test for stopper Martin Olsson, added: "We have got a very good dressing room with characters in it that want to win and stand up for each other and themselves.

"But we know we can play better than in the first half at West Brom. We need to make sure we analyse the reasons for that poor display and get back on song against Liverpool."

In contrast Liverpool's under-pressure manager Kenny Dalglish is confident his team will be completely focused on their Ewood Park trip and put any thoughts of cup glory to the back of their minds.

Since beating Stoke to book their Wembley appearance the Reds have lost three straight games before stopping the rot with a point against Aston Villa on Saturday.

But Dalglish insists his side will give their all at Blackburn on Tuesday.

"We want to win every game we play in and we try to do that," said the Liverpool manager, whose team have won just twice in 2012 and taken only nine points from 13 matches.

"This is a game we want to go and compete in and we want to go and win, and then Saturday will take care of itself."

Assistant referee Dave Bryan has been stood down from Tuesday's match following his offside blunders in Chelsea's victory over Wigan.

The decision was made by the Professional Game Match Officials Board following his errors at Stamford Bridge, which were later branded as "disgusting" by Latics chief Roberto Martinez.