LIVERPOOL made a big mistake when they let Craig Bellamy leave in 2007.

But Kop legend Ian Rush believes that the error will not cost the Scousers their Champions League spot, as the race for fourth place intensifies.

Bellamy bounced back to spectacular form with two goals in City's 4-2 demolition of Chelsea on Saturday.

And it upped the stakes in the four-team chase for the final Champions League spot, with Rush hoping that Rafa Benitez's decision to release Bellamy to West Ham does not come back to bite him.

"His form was fantastic at the start of the season and he is a matchwinner," said Rush. "I was sorry to see him leave Liverpool because I could see what he had to offer."

Form

The Stamford Bridge brace left City fans with double encouragement. Not only do they now have the prospect of finishing the season with Carlos Tevez and Bellamy in red-hot form, but it was also the perfect antidote to talk that Bellamy is unhappy at the club.

That was fuelled by reports that Bellamy had a row with boss Roberto Mancini about the best way to manage a long-standing knee injury. The only surprise from seasoned Bellamy-watchers was that it had taken the fiery Welshman two months to have a disagreement with the new boss.

Mancini's predecessor Mark Hughes saw the striker's outbursts as a welcome part of everyday life at Carrington, to be treated with a wry grin rather than any outrage.

Bellamy's famous rant at Robinho after last season's defeat at Portsmouth was secretly approved by Hughes and his management team.

Mancini appears to have quickly adopted the same attitude. He believes that a feisty attitude is "normal."

And Rush says that to get the best from his fellow Wales international, you have to accept the full package.

"A lot of people don't like Craig, but not the supporters of the team he plays for because you can see how much he cares," said Rush.

"He is a winner and that fiery side of his character is part of that. If you take that away from him, you would lose part of his game and the edge that makes him such a problem for the opposition.

Pressure

"The thing about Craig is that he's passionate about his football and wants to play. So when he doesn't, he gets frustrated. But is that a fault? Wouldn't you rather have someone who wants to be out there?"

Bellamy has been winding down his international career. He was not named in the Wales squad which faces Sweden tonight, even though manager John Toshack had not spoken to the player.

Earlier in the season, then assistant manager Mark Bowen said the club would not be putting any pressure to Bellamy to end his international career, and Mancini has adopted the same attitude.

Bellamy and Mancini certainly do not appear to carry any baggage from their disagreement last month, although it has launched speculation that Tottenham are lining up a summer bid for the player.

The Italian had no hesitation in putting the 30-year-old back in the starting line-up for what was one of the biggest games of the season, at Chelsea.

And afterwards, Bellamy was full of smiles and looking forward to the run-in to the end of the season.

Rush feels he may end up disappointed, as Liverpool's surge up the table has now been reinforced by the return of Fernando Torres.

"Liverpool have been there, fighting for a Champions League place, and know what it takes. City do not."

With Tevez and Bellamy in harness, City fans will beg to differ. And Tevez has quickly become the Welshman's No 1 fan.

"Craig Bellamy is the best player at City," Tevez said after the win at Chelsea.

"I'm very happy for him that he scored two goals, and I'm happy for the team and the supporters."