Premiership clash will take precedence - Rush
Ian Rush believes the Premiership clash between Liverpool and Chelsea is more important than the pair’s meeting in the Champions League.
The two sides clash twice in four days at Anfield, first in Group G on Wednesday evening and again in the league on Sunday.
Both teams won their opening matches, against Real Betis and Anderlecht respectively, and are favourites to qualify for the knockout stages.
And Rush believes that will influence Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s thinking for the eagerly anticipated re-run of last season’s Champions League semi-final.
“Chelsea will keep one little eye on the Premiership and think if they lose on Wednesday they will still qualify, and the same applies to Liverpool,” Rush said.
“Sunday is a big game because if Chelsea can beat Liverpool that is another contender out of the way because they will be so far behind it will be tough to catch up.”
Rush’s former team-mate Ronnie Whelan also feels Sunday’s game means a cautious battle is on the cards on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a very tight affair,” Whelan told www.nobok.com. “I would not be at all surprised if it was a draw.
“I think it will be very, very cagey, especially early on and a draw would suit both sides.
“As the home side Liverpool will want to try to win but after the bad experience they had last year Chelsea won’t want to lose.”
Jose Mourinho’s side lost 1-0 at Anfield in the semi-finals in May and Rush believes a repeat performance would be hugely significant against the unbeaten league leaders.
“It’s two games in four days and, from Liverpool’s point of view, if they can win it will give everyone in Europe belief that Chelsea can be beaten.
“I’m not too sure whether Chelsea will play the same team in both games but tactically it will be a great confrontation between Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho.”
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