Ian Rush: Time for Liverpool FC players to stand up

Tomorrow in France the Reds will need all that fighting spirit that was on display against United. Everybody is hurting again but the players have simply got to pick themselves up and find the mental strength you need as a Liverpool player to get through this.

Rafa Benitez and his backroom staff must do everything they can to instill that belief and confidence in the players and they'll be doing that I'm sure. They'll know they should have beaten Lyon at Anfield two weeks ago, never mind lose to them. That game just went a bit flat and Lyon sensed their chance to get back into it. But after that they went and lost 4-1 in their league, so they're no worldbeaters. And we can definitely go and beat them tomorrow.

Yes, it's a very rough run of results right now and it's very painful for the fans too. But I honestly believe things aren't as bad as some would have it. Everyone goes on about Arsenal's youngsters but I thought ours were terrific against them in the Carling Cup and more than a bit unlucky to lose. And against Fulham on Saturday we started very well and had we got the first goal, it would probably have been a very different story. But after equalising we did not go on and dominate, as we should have done.

The team have got to be stronger than this because they are better than this. They've also got to add more concentration to the commitment and sheer self-belief that anyone good enough to wear that Liverpool shirt must display, week in, week out.

It's hard to believe we might not make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League but no one can afford to go into the Lyon match thinking like that.

Because Liverpool players don't buckle under pressure. They're bigger men than that - and they're better players than that.

Stick with the boss

I GUESS it's inevitable nowadays that after such a poor batch of results Rafa Benitez will come in for some heavy flak.

But for all the dismay defeats like these bring, you just don't toss your manager aside.

Rafa will know what needs putting right and he'll be doing everything he can to sort it.

Sticking by people when they are up against it is what makes Liverpool Football Club so special. We don't just change the manager every season or so like so many clubs do.

Of course results can't go on and on like this. But we're different - and can be proud of the fact.

Beating the pain barriers

YOU'VE got to hand it to Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for playing through the pain barrier - or trying their damndest to do so.

Steven toiled for 25 minutes against Lyon before being forced to come off. And Torres is still clearly putting himself through it when injured. With some effect too, judging by his goals against United and Fulham.

They have both set exactly the example Liverpool need right now and which others should try to follow.

I'm not criticising players who clearly just cannot play. But sometimes when you are less than 100 per cent fit, it is easier to stay on the sidelines.

Truth is Rafa Benitez and Liverpool need everyone to play if they possibly can.

Yes it can hurt, particularly the next day. But it's worth it in the long run.