Ian Rush: 'Liverpool could become title contenders if they beat Manchester United'

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has backed the Reds to push for the Premier League title if they defeat arch rivals Manchester United at Anfield this evening.

Jurgen Klopp's men head into tonight's encounter on the back of four straight victories in the top flight, while United are seventh in the league table, three points behind their fourth-placed opponents.

Rush believes that sealing a Champions League spot is the priority for Liverpool this season, but if they overcome Jose Mourinho's side tonight, they can set their sights on the league crown.

"We've been in this position a few times over the last few years," Rush told talkSPORT. "If we win tonight we'll go joint top and I genuinely believe that if we win tonight we can realistically start looking at [the title].

"At the start of the season Liverpool were probably looking at the top four as a realistic position, but if we can win tonight I think we can start looking up above that."

The Merseyside outfit were beaten 1-0 by United in this fixture last season.