Aldridge: His old club Liver-pool awaits in the next round (GaryMPrior/Allsport)

The Tranmere manager resolutely deflected all talk of his former club as he prepared his First Division strugglers for another potential giant killing act against Southampton in their FA Cup replay at Prenton Park tonight.

For most of the time, he did, anyway.

Inevitably, the tantalising prospect of taking on his beloved Liverpool, as reward for eliminating Southampton, breached his defences and provoked a wistful look as he said: 'Ever since I came back from Real Sociedad to join Tranmere in 1991, I have been hoping for the chance to come up against Liverpool.

'We have to remember that we are not playing Liverpool yet, and I'm doing my best not to think about that. But it is a massive incentive.'

Aldridge dissolved into tears when he appeared on television over a decade ago and announced he was being allowed to leave Liverpool for Spain.

Emotions will be running just as high at the end of tonight's fifth round re-match should Tranmere book a home quarter-final date with Gerard Houllier's side.

Aldridge is wary of looking beyond the challenge of Southampton, particularly after a stinging rebuke for the Premiership team's players from manager Glenn Hoddle.

'I'm sure Southampton are favourites, especially after what Glenn had to say,' he said. 'I expect Southampton to come out playing like Brazil after that. And if he really thinks they can't play any worse, then it's a bit frightening what might lie in store for us tomorrow.

'I think it was a bit of psychology, but we have beaten quality teams before, and there is no reason why we can't do it again.

'The only worry for me is our league position. It really hit us when we got back into the dressing room on Saturday and found we had gone bottom of the table.

'But I have had a positive reaction from the players. They have shown it hurt them, and that's good to see.'