Ian Rush: Why we mustn't fall into the Fulham trap

When United played at Craven Cottage recently they got it all wrong, having two men sent off, losing their discipline as a team and ending up on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat.

That result was obviously brilliant news for Liverpool because coupled with their own victory over Aston Villa the following day it brought them to within a point of United.

But now Rafa Benitez and his players must put their finger on exactly what United got wrong at Fulham and make sure they do not fall into the same trap.

As their win over the reigning champions proved, Fulham are a much improved side this season under Roy Hodgson and as Liverpool discovered to their cost at Anfield in November they are organised and difficult to break down.

It will be far from easy for Liverpool to claim all three points, particularly with the game coming on the back of a two week international break, but if they take the game to Fulham then they should be more than capable of getting the win they need.

The timing of the game is significant because with Liverpool playing the day before United do it gives them the chance to take a psychological advantage.

It doesn't matter how often a team has been in this kind of situation, you can still feel pressure, particularly if one of your biggest rivals is breathing right down your neck.

A win for Liverpool would take them back to the top of the league and even though United would then have two games in hand it would still be a bit of a mental blow to them.

Fabio Capello should make most of Steven Gerrard

STEVEN Gerrard's versatility and ability to play fantastically well in a number of positions has always meant that managers have shifted him around throughout his career.

But now that he has found a position with Liverpool which suits his qualities perfectly I would have expected his international manager to give him a similar role with England.

Fabio Capello decided to play Steven on the left against Slovakia on Saturday though and I thought that was a bit of a missed opportunity because the Liverpool skipper has been in his element playing just off a front man for his club.

I know that Steven has always been willing to sacrifice himself for his team but for me he is now playing so well that teams should be built around him, instead of managers asking him to do a job in a problem position.

But as he showed against Slovakia, Steven is top class wherever he plays. That's why managers at club and international level are so grateful to be able to pick him for their teams.

l I heard Sunday's tribute to the late Reds fan Bobby Wilcox turned out to be an incredible night.

Fitting - because Bobby was an incredible guy.

No chance of resting Liverpool FC stars as Euro clash looms

IN recent seasons, Rafa Benitez has been able to rest key players in league games ahead of big European ties but he won't be able to do that this weekend.

The Champions League quarter final clash with Chelsea comes just a few days after Saturday's meeting with Fulham and I'm sure the Liverpool manager would love to be able to give one or two of his stars a bit of a rest at the weekend.

But with a Premier League challenge now well and truly on Benitez will have to pick his best available side for the league game.

The problem is that so many Liverpool players have been away on international duty and the Reds boss will have to factor this into his planning.

Tiredness could be a problem, particularly for the likes of Javier Mascherano who will only return from South America 24 hours before the Fulham game.

There are also likely to be a few players carrying knocks and if they aren't 100% then Benitez will have some big decisions to make.

But there is no doubt that these are exactly the kind of problems that Benitez would have wanted when the season started because they mean that Liverpool have a chance in two of football's biggest competitions.