Red alert from Rush for Yeovil cup clash

IAN RUSH has warned Liverpool’s stars if they are not “up for it” at minnows Yeovil, they will be dumped out of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Liverpool's record goalscorer who won the FA Cup three times during his illustrious Anfield career believes "everyone in the country wants Liverpool to lose at Yeovil".

And Rush maintains if the players' attitude is not right, they will become another victim for the famed giant killers.

Such an outcome for Sunday's televised third-round game in Somerset could have far reaching consequences for a troubled Liverpool, and boss Gerard Houllier could even lose the backing of the club's hugely supportive board before next Monday's annual general meeting.

Rush who these days coaches Liverpool's strikers and the Wales Under-17s has spelt out the dangers which confront the Anfield club in an already erratic season that sees them unsure of what European competition if any at all they will be competing in next season.

"If Liverpool's players are not up for this one, they will lose," maintained the 42-year-old.

"We should go into the match as if we are facing Manchester United at Old Trafford, then we will have no problem.

"The fact that the match is on TV is proof enough that the BBC think there will be a shock. And let's not kid ourselves they want Liverpool to lose.

"They will be really disappointed if we win comfortably, so I hope that we make sure that is what happens.

Rush, in his column for the Liverpool Echo, added: "Everyone in the country wants Liverpool to lose. Apart from our own fans, the nation will be cheering on the plucky underdogs.

"But the fact that everybody wants us to slip up should be all the motivation we need to make sure it does not happen."

Meanwhile Houllier has not given up hope of skipper Steven Gerrard being fit to play in next week's Premiership crunch at Chelsea.

But the Anfield manager has ruled Gerrard out of Sunday's FA Cup tie at Yeovil, although he is clinging to the hope that Michael Owen will be fit to return for in the third round match.

A scan on Gerrard's thigh muscle injury acquired on Sunday in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City has definitely ruled the England midfielder out of Liverpool's FA Cup trip to Somerset.

But despite claims that Gerrard could be out for a fortnight, Houllier will not give up hope until the last minute of playing his star man against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on January 7.

Houllier said: "Stevie is definitely ruled out of the Sunday cup tie, but after that we will see how things go."

There is more hope of Owen's return, back today to full training after thigh and ankle injuries restricted him to just four games since early October.

A scan suggested Owen was fit enough to resume training, but it is too early to say whether he will be risked at Yeovil, even though it appears he will be match-fit for the clash with Chelsea.