Soccer: Aldridge bans the L-word

Tranmere boss John Aldridge has vowed to fine any player who talks about the upcoming FA Cup clash with Premiership neighbours Liverpool as he looks for his side to concentrate on the battle for First Division survival.

Bottom-of-the-table Rovers face three important league games before their home clash with Aldridge’s former club on March 11.

And since the dramatic replay win against Southampton in the last round the club have been inundated with media requests for interviews about the Liverpool game.

But Aldridge said: "Anyone talking about it will get fined a week’s wages. It’s more important that we do well in the league.

"The task we face to avoid relegation is huge now and the lads are under no illusions. We’re not even thinking about the L-word because we’ve got three massive games between now and then.

"We’ve got to emulate our second half performance against Southampton between now and the end of the season to get out of the position we’re in at the moment."