Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes his old side have had to do things the hard way in recent games
Liverpool great Ian Rush believes his old side have been ‘getting away with it’ in recent weeks but is backing them to claim all three points this weekend.
Just over a week on from edging past Norwich City in the FA Cup at Anfield, the Reds then beat West Ham United on Saturday evening in the Premier League.
But almost a year to the day since their last Anfield defeat, Liverpool lost 1-0 at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Lautaro Martinez was on target for Inter, who were reduced to 10 men just moments after taking the lead when Alexis Sanchez was sent off for a second yellow card.
However, the Reds still booked their place in the last-eight thanks to their 2-0 win in the first leg at the San Siro a couple of weeks ago.
Having scored 109 goals in their previous 43 games, this was a rare occasion Liverpool failed to find the net, and Rush believes they weren’t at the races.
He said: “It was not as comfortable a night as many had expected, with Inter Milan becoming the first team to win at Anfield in just over a year.
“Inter played very well after taking a different approach than they did in the first leg – they worked harder to close Liverpool down all night – and I have to say it paid off, they were worthy of their 1-0 win.
“The goal from Lautaro Martínez was spectacular – I can see why several Premier League clubs have been linked with him.
“Alisson had no chance with that strike and if it wasn’t for the red card moments later Liverpool could have been in for a very nervy night.
“It could quite easily have gone into extra-time or penalties and I was relieved it didn’t because Liverpool weren’t at the races.”
Before he continued to Gambling.com: “Truth be told, Liverpool haven’t played well in their last three games, scraping past Norwich and West Ham and then losing to Inter.
“They’ve been getting away with it and whilst it’s true that the sign of a good team is winning after playing badly, the Inter game was a reminder that you can’t do it every time.”
Liverpool return to Premier League action this weekend when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex at lunch-time on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds currently sit six points behind leaders Manchester City, but they do have a game in hand.
“They have some tough fixtures coming up with Brighton away, a tricky one followed by a trip to Arsenal, who are playing some top stuff at the moment,” Rush said on Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures.
“What concerns me about Brighton away is that it’s an early kick-off. A lot of players aren’t fans of the early kick-offs as the whole routine is different, especially if you travel on the morning of the game which means a very early start.
“It’s something all clubs have to deal with, but I’m just mindful of that with the Brighton game this Saturday being a 12.30pm start. Nonetheless, it’s a game I expect Liverpool to win, but I don’t think it’ll be plain sailing.”
Tags: LIVERPOOL
