Gerard Houllier's inconsistent side will be favourites ahead of the Premiership clash, but Rush has urged the Reds to be at their best for what he feels he will be a difficult challenge.
Rush said: With all due respect to Boro, a home game against them should be nowhere near as daunting as a visit to Old Trafford.
"But you can be sure it will be just as difficult because the expectation of the team is much higher than it was on Saturday.
"It's starting to look as though nothing less than nine points from nine will do. Everything is pointing towards a last game shoot out at Anfield (against Newcastle) and we'd accept that now.
"When we defeated Chelsea in January, that should have been the springboard for a series of improved results but we struggled against sides nowhere near the class of