Rush: Patience could reap rewards

If Liverpool want to reaffirm their Champions League credentials this evening, they might be best served 'going continental', writes Kop legend Ian Rush.

Aston Villa have done well so far this season and got some good results but I would be hugely surprised if they try to attack Liverpool from the first whistle; if anything, I'm sure they will be a little bit cautious.

Martin O'Neill favours a direct approach for his team's preferred style of play and he will know that going gung-ho would play into Liverpool's hands, as we have the players to hit them on the counter-attack.

But it could just suit Liverpool to adopt a patient approach at Villa Park, similar to the way they have played when getting outstanding results in the past against Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

The longer we can start to knock the ball around, the more our confidence will grow and the more frustrated Villa will become, particularly as they were soundly beaten by Arsenal on Sunday.

Of course, beating Villa is going to be easier said than done. In the second-half against Wolves, however, I saw real signs that the confidence was starting to return our play and it will have pleased everyone connected with the squad that main aim - to get three points - was achieved.

Should we be able to follow up against Villa, I could easily see us going on a long winning run and that is something I feel gives us the edge over the three sides who are chasing us for fourth place.

Manchester City, Spurs and Villa are all capable sides but, equally, they have shown themselves to be vulnerable on a few occasions; you could say the same about Liverpool but I just feel we are better equipped for the battle that awaits.

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