If Basque footballers can play as well as they can talk the game, then Liverpool are in European Cup trouble tonight. As their supporters prepared a reception which they promise Liverpool will make the Kop sound like a village choir, the so-called butchers of Bilbao spoke will the eloquence of bards on the eve of what will be a dramatic battle. "There is no greater experience in life than playing in the stadium of San Mames. It gives us a grand illusion of ourselves. But when they say that my speed will be fundamental to this pantomime, I know I will find myself animated by the atmosphere," said Estanis Argote temperamental forward whose selection is the only change from the Athletic Bilbao team which held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield. "Their 6-0 conquest of Luton serves only to emphasise that of which I am already aware, that everything is consummately well with Liverpool," said manager Javier Clemente. "Their defence is strong and noble but if we can establish a rhythm from which to spring sudden velocity then Liverpool are not unbeatable," said Manuel Sarabia, principal goal scorer. Clearly, we are talking with no ordinary footballers and the delicate balance of the first leg suggests we are about to witness an exceptional conclusion to this second round tie. Yesterday was the holiday of All Saints and as the Basques moved between the churches and the bars in their red berets and old lace, they talked of bringing the three-time champions of Europe to their knees in a stadium they also call The Cathedral. A capacity crowd of some 55,000 will generate revenue and atmosphere in equally staggering amounts, despite live television coverage. With seats priced up to 16 pounds, Athletic will go close to their record receipts of 250,000 pounds. The assembled congregation will then greet the teams with such passion that Andoni Goicoechea, the Maradona Mauler, says: "It may surprise Liverpool to discover that the crowd at Anfield is nothing like as intimidating as that of San Mames. Our fans are far, far more animated."

They talk a lot in Bilbao about animated football but, while he welcomes the inspiration that has kept Athletic Bilbao unbeaten in all but one of their previous 31 home games in European competition, manager Javier Clemente is keeping his team secluded in the hills and preaching patience. Clemente knows how formidably Liverpool can strike back when it seems they have their backs to the wall. He has kept training to a minimum this week to conserve the energies of his players and says: "Liverpool will have a great atmosphere to overcome but we must not go crazy ourselves." The dreaded Andoni Goicoechea - in truth an imposing and intelligent defender - remains more concerned about the damage which Kenny Dalglish may yet prompt Ian Rush and Michael Robinson to inflict at his end: "Everyone in the stadium will be willing us to go for goals but we must remember to contain Rush and Robinson. They are a combination of different characteristics. Ian Rush is very fast with a good left foot whereas Michael Robinson is very strong and good with his head." Athletic Bilbao remember that Liverpool once took a 0-0 draw to Bayern Munich and went through on the away goal scored in a 1-1 draw there. Even with their formidable home record at their backs, that recollection makes them nervous. Javier Clemente said: "We went out in the first round of the UEFA Cup last season not because we lost 2-1 to Ferencvaros but because we let them draw here 1-1. We cannot let that happen again because such a score would be enough for Liverpool." That, however, might well transpire after all the fireworks have exploded and the passion has expired against a Liverpool team in form as profound as Bilbao's observation and anxious only about the fitness level of the five-goal Ian Rush.

Liverpool covered themselves in European glory in the intimidating atmosphere of the San Mames stadium in Bilbao last night. Joe Fagan's side showed yet again why they are Britain's most complete and accomplished side as they kept alive their dream of a fourth European Cup triumph, with a stunning display of controlled football which left the Spaniards baffled, confused and ultimately well beaten. The victory was so over-whelmingly comprehensive that the famous stadium rose to it feet at the final whistle to acclaim the English champions. Faced with one of the most daunting tasks in their long European history, they responded superbly to move sweetly into the quarter finals with considerable ease. Fagan's pre-match prediction that one goal would be enough proved uncannily accurate as Ian Rush capped a magnificent team performance with a 66th minute winner. Despite starting as underdogs Liverpool quickly showed there is no substitute in modern football for experience. Twenty years of European football is a marvellous base on which to build a winning platform. Bilbao, who had performed so heroically at Anfield a fortnight ago to snatch a goalless draw, rarely looked capable of unsettling a side which simply oozed with confidence. In the hours preceding this tie, Fagan's men had made it perfectly clear they had no intention of sitting back and allowing a Bilbao onslaught. Attack is the best form of defence remains the Anfield motto when the going gets tough. With Graeme Souness playing at the very peak of his form, Liverpool swept forward from the outset, a largely unexpected ploy which had the desired effect of totally upsetting the over-anxious Spaniards. The Red's ground work was immaculate. Their defensive cover was authoritative and commanding; their attacking forays telling and accurate. In many ways it was a faultless performance against a side which had been battered into submission long before Rush's deadly strike. After surviving a couple of early scares, which saw both Noriega and Gallego go close, Liverpool imposed a pattern of supremacy, on a largely even-tempered game, which was to prove decisive. Steve Nicol, who justified Fagan's bold decision to play him in place of Craig Johnston, went close after 19 minutes with a fierce 25 yards drive which goalkeeper Zuibizarreta was grateful to clutch to his chest at the second attempt. Kenny Dalglish very nearly rounded off a neat three man move 10 minutes later, but his drive flew fractionally wide of the target.

After softening up their opponents in the first half, Liverpool went for the kill after the break. Michael Robinson was unlucky at 51 minutes when he latched on to a mistake by the now ruffled Bilbao goalkeeper only to see his close range volley fall just wide of the target. The goal that was obviously going to settle the tie was as inevitable as it was long overdue. It finally arrived to reduce one of Europe's most partisan crowds to complete silence after 66 minutes. Alan Kennedy, picking up a short free-kick, left a defender trailing as he whipped over an inch perfect cross and Rush rose beautifully to head powerfully downwards and beyond Zuibizarreta's reach into the far corner. That one incisive move left Bilbao with the impossible task of grabbing two goals to secure victory. They threw caution to the wind but simply ended up handing two more golden chances to the Liverpool strike force. Dalglish was thwarted by a brilliant save after 82 minutes and six minutes later Rush was guilty of a glaring error when he blasted high and wide after a fine run by substitute David Hodgson. All in all, it was an awesome display of power which will send shivers of fear flooding through Europe.

Ian Rush said: "The goalkeeper was surprised. I think it wrong-footed him; it seemed to take an hour to go in. My new nickname in the dressing room is Tosh. I don't score many goals with my head."

A proud Joe Fagan said: "I thought it was a great display and we were well worth our win. The keeper made a desperate effort to get a hand to the ball for Ian Rush's goal. This no goals business was very dicey for them and they knew it. I thought the lads at the back were tremendous. It was a tribute not only to my players but the whole backroom staff. The lads deserved the tremendous reception they got at the end. We quietened the crowd right down and in the second half the banners went down and the home fans knew they were going to be beaten. Our players love that type of atmosphere. They have got big hearts and always relish a challenge."

"I think Liverpool are the number one team in Europe. It was a championship performance by the men from Merseyside," said Atletico Bilbao manager Javier Clemente

Ian Rush silenced the Spanish war drums in style last night, grabbing a superb headed goal to send Liverpool soaring into the quarter finals of the European Cup. The Welsh international, still bubbling from that memorable five-goal blast against Luton Town on Saturday, struck in lethal fashion after 66 minutes to stun the red and white hordes of Athletic Bilbao in the famous San Mames stadium. It was enough to give the English champions a 1-0 aggregate victory - and the partisan Basque fans saluted the men from Merseyside with genuine admiration and respect on the final whistle. Liverpool's vast European experience was to prove the decisive factor, the Reds sticking to a tried and trusted pattern to frustrate their battling rivals. It was a calm, no-nonsense start - the players quietening down the fanatical home support and biding their time for the decisive strike. It came at a crucial time, Bilbao suddenly facing the mountainous task of scoring two goals to claim victory with just 24 minutes left. Rush, the man they feared most of all, moved forward into the box as Alan Kennedy collected a tremendous pass from Alan Hansen wide on the left. Urquiaga thought the full-back was going to hit the goal line and cross with his trusty left foot. But Kennedy pulled inside his marker and picked out the marauding Rush with the sweetest of right foot centres. The Welshman seized his chance, heading the ball down and to the right of Zubizarreta in the Bilbao goal. The ball bounced and almost crossed the line in slow motion - but Rush knew he was on a winner. He was mobbed by his delighted team-mates as the throb of the Bilbao drums was replaced by a buzz of bitter disappointment. It was all in stark contrast to the scene an hour before kick-off when the flag-waving home fans began their intimidating chanting and singing, setting up a wall of noise that reached a crescendo by the time the teams took the stage. The tension and atmosphere were electric but the men from Anfield had seen it all before. Their confidence was epitomised by the magnificent performance of skipper Graeme Souness. He strutted around the field like the classic general, marshalling his troops and leading by example. Souness was the playmaker, picking things up from the back and probing forward to setup countless attacks. This was no smash and grab raid by Liverpool. Unlike their opponents in the first leg, they were prepared to take the initiative; a point emphasised with the first half corner count that saw Liverpool win seven kicks to Bilbao's three.

Steve Nicol might have broken the dead-lock as early as the 20th minute when he showed his commitment to rob Urquiaga before firing in a powerful low shot that was well held by Zubizarreta. Gallego, Sarabia and Noriega had all raised the home fans' hopes in the opening half hour, but none of the efforts were good enough to put Bruce Grobbelaar under serious pressure. The Liverpool back-four always looked in control of the situation, demonstrating their contrasting talents to the appreciative Spanish fans. Alan Hansen had an excellent first half, showing his elegant style and neat touches. Mark Lawrenson, who was as solid as a rock, his tackling and timing emphasised his position as one of the best defenders in Britain. Full-backs Neal and Kennedy gave the Spaniards plenty to think about with their forward runs - a ploy that was to produce the all-important opening goal. Prior to that, Bilbao's mounting frustration at Liverpool's control saw Argote take a dive, looking for a penalty. Noriega was to try the same trick - but East German referee Adolf Prokop was to live up to his impressive reputation. He was not to be fooled and kept a firm grip on proceedings. Both teams made second half substitutions. Miguel Angel Sola coming on for Urquiaga after 73 minutes and David Hodgson replacing Michael Robinson eight minutes from time. The Liverpool man was to give Rush an excellent chance to grab a second goal, but the Welshman hooked his shot over the top. No one was complaining. The 66th minute strike was always going to be a winner. Prior to the first leg at Anfield, all the headlines had been dominated by Andoni Goicoechea following his destruction job on Barcelona's Diego Maradona. The fear was that Liverpool would fall victim to the kind of intimidation and rough-house tactics that so often haunts Spanish football. But both of these matches were played without a hint of serious trouble. Certainly, the partisan Basque fans demonstrated that they can be as sporting as any crowd in Britain. They warmly applauded Liverpool off the field - recognising that their side had been beaten fairly and squarely by one of Europe's premier sides. Conditions: calm, dry evening. Man of the match: Liverpool produced a fine all-round team display to rock the Basque side, but I had no doubts about my man of the match verdict. Skipper Graeme Souness was magnificent in the centre of midfield. He ran the show for the Reds with skill, energy and total commitment, giving a real captain's performance.

Liverpool took 20 years of European football experience to the Basque country last night and won so convincingly that all the pre-match talk of beasts and butchers seemed misplaced. Athletic Bilbao, having forced a goalless draw at Anfield, hardly managed a snarl on their own ground as Liverpool won their Champions Cup tie with a goal from Rush midway through the second half. The Basques can hardly be numbered among European football's most passive supporters and last night the atmosphere in the San Mames stadium refused to countenance anything other than a Bilbao victory, although skilful play by the opposition was applauded generously. Liverpool, needless to say, approached the game with the detachment of tourists visiting the local bullring and pondering the chances of getting a well done steak. With Souness looking his most authoritative, they soon imposed a gentle but persistent rhythm on the match, quickly opening up more space near goal than they had done in the first leg. On that occasion, of course, Bilbao had concentrated almost entirely on defence; now they had to attack and Liverpool countered by getting plenty of players forward at every opportunity. Not that Liverpool looked entirely safe. In the first minute Noriega caught them square with a sharp turn in to the penalty area, only to shoot over the bar.

A little later, Sarabia cleverly sent in Gallego on the right for a shot wide of the near post, and when Sarabia caught Grobbelaar off his line with a smart lob, Liverpool were relieved to see the ball sail into the crowd. Liverpool, tactically superior, enjoyed a lot of possession without getting in many clear shots or headers. Bilbao, once they reached the edge of their opponents' penalty area, looked more like scoring as when Argote met a free-kick from Urquiaga with a sharp header that Grobbelaar did well to see and hold. Liverpool might have scored at the start of the second half when Zubizarreta misjudged a centre from Nicol on the left and palmed the ball out to Robinson, who was off balance, slightly surprised, and shot well wide. As the game entered its last half-hour both defences began to make nervous errors, all too aware that one goal could settle the tie. This duly arrived in the 66th minute when Liverpool went ahead with a movement which represented an accurate reflection of the pattern of their command. Souness and Hansen worked the ball out to Kennedy on the left and Rush met his right-footed centre with a glancing header. He did not make true contact with the ball and this helped to deceive Zubizarreta, who was going the wrong way as the ball bounced in front of him and bobbed gently into the net beyond his right hand.

Athletic Bilbao's supporters went on Wednesday to sing songs of praises in their cathedral, the unofficial title of the San Mames stadium. By nightfall the place had become, in the words of Javier Clemente, a cemetery after Spain's European Cup ambitions had been laid gently to rest in the second round. Some local observers felt that Bilbao, beaten on aggregate by the only goal of the second leg, committed suicide. The view was supported by neither their own players nor the few English spectators present. Liverpool, when they choose to be as composed and as deliberate as they were, have a deadly purpose. It helped that their victim not only reveres them, but also the English defensive system. Bilbao, unlike most continental sides, patrol zones rather than mark men, and do not use a sweeper. So successfully have they adopted such tactics that for more than two and a half hours they held Liverpool at arm's length. But Goicoechea, the more infamous of their two central defenders, conceded that: "Liverpool are so difficult to handle because they never let you rest, not even for a second."

Clemente added that the main strength of the English champions was that they had no weakness. There is little need to question that opinion, although he was embarrassed to discover that Craig Johnston, the player he had picked out for special mention beforehand, had been dropped in favour of Steve Nicol. The progress of another left-sided representative, Ronnie Whelan, gives Liverpool's domestic rivals even more cause for concern. Protected during his recuperation from a pelvic operation in the reserves, he is now on the verge of returning to lend his undoubted talent to an already formidable midfield. Now they can put away European thoughts for four months, Liverpool will turn to the First Division in search of more victims. On Sunday they entertain their neighbours, Everton, who will hope their appetite has been satiated for the time being. Otherwise, they may as well prepare for their own burial at Anfield.