Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has warned his players to prepare for an early barrage from Liverpool.

Allardyce is hoping to catch Liverpool weary from playing in Romania on Thursday as Rovers travel to Anfield in the Barclays Premier League.

But he expects it to be deep into the game before Liverpool's Europa League exertions catch up with them and his side will need to bide their time first.

Allardyce said: "A player coming back from international duty or a long journey abroad will suffer a bit of fatigue.

"I experienced that when I was managing Bolton. It was always harder to get a result but Liverpool have been doing it for years and years.

"Their squad's mentality is all about what they need to do after a European game.

"They will obviously try to win it in the first half because if fatigue kicks in later they wouldn't like to be at an even keel.

"We would probably get stronger as they get weaker.

"Hopefully we can give the sort of performance we gave against Liverpool at home when, realistically, we should have won.

"We have got to get to that level again and if a chance comes our way we have to be clinical enough to take it."

Liverpool will be anxious to avoid any more slip-ups in what has been a difficult campaign.

The Reds' form has picked up in 2010 but, after collecting just one point in their last two games, they still face a battle to deliver on manager Rafael Benitez's promise to finish fourth.

Mid-table Blackburn are happy enough with their recent form having pulled further away from the relegation zone with a comfortable win over Bolton last week.

Allardyce said: "Liverpool are playing in a certain way at the moment to dig results out.

"We have got to look at that and pick the right team.

"The mainstay of our season has been in not losing to the bottom nine - winning most of those games.

"When you come across one of the big boys it is a test of how good you are but we are full of confidence at the moment.

"They are also getting their confidence back and it will be a tough game, but one we should not fear too much."

Having reached 34 points, Blackburn's top-flight status is almost secured, but Allardyce still wants his side to smash through the traditional 40-point safety barrier.

He added: "Even though a lot of teams haven't had to get that many to stay up, it is still the magic mark.

"Hopefully we can get that as quickly as we can and look beyond it.

"With the form we are in, who knows how far beyond it we can go - but let's get there first."

Blackburn are without captain Ryan Nelsen, who suffered a knee injury against Bolton and could be sidelined for around four weeks.

Christopher Samba is his likely replacement having served a suspension while Brett Emerton is also available again after an Achilles injury.