NEIL Danns could get earache for dumping Liverpool out of the FA Cup tomorrow – no kidding!

For while Wanderers’ Toxteth-born midfielder will be going all-out to knock his boyhood club out of the fourth round at Anfield, his family might not be so forgiving if he succeeds.

Danns’ nine-year-old son Jayden plays in the Reds’ academy and will be decked out in full Liverpool regalia watching his dad chase hero Steven Gerrard around the pitch.

“It’ll be interesting to see who they cheer for,” he told The Bolton News.

“When the draw was made I was sat there with my little boy and he was willing the number out.

“He was more excited than I was – jumping around and running to his mum saying ‘dad’s playing against Liverpool!’

“I’ve got two lads and they are both football mad. They’ve got all the kit and they can believe I’ll be playing against the players they adore.

“I mean, I was happy with the draw. I just didn’t mind who we got because I just wanted to progress but it’s a bonus for me and my family.

“Growing up in the city and supporting them – it’s amazing.”

Danns is no stranger to Anfield, having come through their ranks in the late nineties before getting his professional break at Blackburn Rovers.

But he’s willing to risk a few cold shoulders when he takes his son to training next week if it means booking a place in the fifth round draw on Monday.

“I’m still a Koppite,” he said. “I used to watch them and I’m still there three times a week with my little boy training, so I speak to the coaches.

“I’m still a massive fan and I take him to as many games as I can.

“It’s a dream come true for me but when Saturday comes along it’s forgotten about – we just have to try and knock them out of the FA Cup.”

Danns has come to embody the high-tempo, high-effort style of football Neil Lennon brought with him from Celtic, and has been one of the few ever-presents since his arrival.

And the 32-year-old is quite happy to mix it up again in midfield with the likes of Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Phillipe Coutinho if the mood suits.

“The manager wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “The player he was, the way he is now, he’s instilled that into us – we won’t lie down and we’ll fight for every ball.

“I’ll be treating it no differently than Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. If it’s a scrap, it’s a scrap.

“Some might see it as a day out, but I’m going there to give it a right good go and the boys are looking forward to it.”

After a rocky start to the season Liverpool have come into form at just the wrong time for Wanderers – but whether Rodgers chooses to rest key players with a Capital One Cup tie at Chelsea in mind remains to be seen.

“We’re not stupid, we know the quality they possess,” Danns said.

“They can turn it on at the drop of a hat. We can’t look at it like a good time to play them or concern ourselves if they play a weakened team – that team would still be full of quality.”