Liverpool legend Ian Rush says they cannot afford to lose this weekend's clash with Manchester City.

In his column for the Liverpool Echo, Rush wrote: "Manchester City have been mentioned on several occasions as being the side most capable of breaking into the top four this season and, with Liverpool having had a wobble over the last month, it's very likely many will scent blood.

"Liverpool, though, are never better than when the pressure is on them in a big game but they will need a big performance at Anfield on Saturday if they are going to relieve the pressure that has been building and building during a sequence of one win in nine.

"Put simply, this is a game that Liverpool cannot afford to lose; it's going to be a stiff enough task climbing back into the top four from our current position."