That, anyway, is the view of Reds defender Jamie Carragher and Liverpool will have the chance to put that theory to the test when they take on Blackburn, managed by former Anfield hero and manager Graeme Souness, a three-times European Cup winner during his playing days on Merseyside.

Liverpool are currently fourth on 46 points, just a point ahead of Newcastle and Birmingham who themselves are only two clear of Aston Villa and Charlton.

Carragher, a member of the England squad that lost 1-0 against Sweden in Gothenburg on Wednesday, is adamant that home form holds the key to getting Liverpool back amongst Europe's elite.

"We have got five home games and three away. In our position, anyone would take that for the run-in," Carragher said ahead of Sunday's game.

"If we win those home games and pick up points away from home that would probably be enough, although we will be going out to win every match," the defender insisted.

Liverpool will hope to have injured striker Michael Owen back from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the England game midweek, but the under-pressure manager has forward alternatives in England's Emile Heskey, the Czech Republic's Milan Baros and Frenchman Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

But Blackburn will be looking to bounce back after a 2-1 defeat last week by Portsmouth sucked them in towards the relegation zone.

Newcastle meanwhile are at home Saturday to Liverpool's city rivals Everton.

With Premier League leaders Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final action against Manchester United, second-placed Chelsea have a chance to close the seven-point gap when they travel to London rivals Tottenham.

Chelsea face Arsenal next week in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final and midfielder Scott Parker insisted they had not given up hope in either competition.

Middlesbrough take on Bolton in a repeat of February's League Cup Final which Boro won 2-1, while bottom of the table Wolves are at home to Southampton.

Aston Villa host Manchester City in Sunday's early kick-off game with the visitors, hovering outside the drop zone, set to be without manager Kevin Keegan.

The former England coach had more treatment on Wednesday after having a cortisone injection to ease pain in nerves in his spine last week and is not expected to return to City's training ground until Tuesday.