Liverpool, not Barca, started playing high-pressing: Ian Rush

Liverpool legend Ian Rush hung up his boots in 2000 after 356 goals to his name, of which 346 came with the Merseyside club -- making him the all-time highest goal-scorer for The Reds, a record that still stands today. It was at Anfield where he won two Champions Leagues, five Premierships, and three FA Cups. In an interview with Shabab Chowdhury of The Daily Star, the legendary striker discussed all things Merseyside yesterday.

The Daily Star (DS): How did a boyhood Everton fan sign for Merseyside rivals Liverpool?

Ian Rush (IR): I can tell you the reason for that. When I was a kid, when I was 17 and playing for Chester City, Everton manager Gordon Lee came to watch me and I'll never forget because it was in the newspapers; it was on a Monday, he said that Ian Rush wasn't good enough to play for Everton. I was really gutted. So, three months later I signed for Liverpool and my first reaction was that I'm going to make them pay and that's what I did. I've scored so many goals against Everton. If Everton said that they wanted to sign me, I would've signed for Everton but they said no and I signed for their rivals and made them pay.

DS: Who influenced your decisions when it came to moving to different clubs?

IR: I would say it was myself. When I went to Liverpool for a world record fee of 300,000 pounds at the time, it was myself. It wasn't my dad or anyone. Bob Paisley helped but Alan Oakes, the manager of Chester, helped me as well. He said that you can go to Liverpool. He said you'll hate the first year, which I did. He said if you don't like it, you can always come back to Chester. So, that's why I decided to give it a go and he wasn't wrong because the first year, I did hate it, it was difficult. Luckily enough, I just kept on at it.

DS: What defines a modern-day striker?

IR: You have to look in different ways, it depends. Which striker are you looking at? For me, confidence. I would never be scared to miss. They work hard for the team. If you're just an individual striker and there are individuals on that but the difference with a top one is that the top one will work hard for the team. He might not score every game you know and that's what you look at. But I think as long as you work hard for the team and you put your graft in, I think that makes it a normal one because if you don't work hard for the team, you don't want to stay and just tap goals in. Be confident. They'll never be scared to miss. I think the most important part for me with strikers is the mental toughness. You need that mental toughness. If you know that, you won't be scared to miss. You get in there again and again. If you don't get in the positions, you're not going to score.

DS: You've played in great Liverpool teams. Where do you place Klopp's legacy at the club?

IR: But like I said, that for me, he is a modern-day Bill Shankly. As simple as that. He's excited and all that Bob Paisley didn't do that, Joe Fagan didn't do that. But I think, especially in today's world, I think if you just sat back as a manager, the crowd would have a go at you. Even if they don't mean it, they mean it, they still got to do it. The crowd loves Klopp when he goes and punches his arms after a game. He is a humble person but if you don't do what he tells you to, you don't play.

The difference between when we played and now is that we were pressing down from the front in the '80s. We started that. People say Barcelona but we started it. People used to ask, "Who's Liverpool's best defender and Liverpool's midfielders used to say Ian Rush." Everyone's trying to play like that. It's okay if you do that for 45 minutes but with Jurgen, if you don't press for 90 minutes, you will not be playing.

DS: Whose has been your favourite striker in the modern era?

IR: For me, one of the best ones in the Premier League was Aguero but the one I would have to say is Harry Kane. You've got [Erling] Haaland who was the player of the year last season, without a doubt. He was unbelievable but he's got to do it again this season. People would be on the lookout for it. He deserved everything he got; he was absolutely incredible.

I can't say someone from Liverpool because we haven't really got a proper number nine yet. You're looking at [Darwin] Nunez to do that. If he took his chances last year, he could be like Haaland. This year, I'm confident he can do something like that because he's got all the assets. Before we had Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah. None of them was a number nine but they all helped each other.

We've got so many strong contenders for that strike force. Salah, Cody Gakpo, Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diego Jota. I wouldn't be surprised if all five played at once!

DS: Who did you enjoy playing with the most?

IR: It has to be Kenny Dalglish. For me, he is the best player Liverpool have ever had. He could do anything and was perfect for me because I was quick. Kenny never put the ball at my feet and would always put it in front of me. It didn't matter which side of the defender he put it, I knew what I was doing and could kick with both feet.

The first he did that, I didn't run and the face he gave me then, the look in those eyes and I knew that I've got it now.

DS: Who would you love to play with considering the current pool of players?

IR: For me previously, it obviously would've been [Steven] Gerrard. If you look at Mohamed Salah, especially if he plays down the middle, we would've gotten in the way of each other but with him on the wing, definitely him. I'm a more central player, so Mo would have played on the wing.

DS: Can Liverpool make another title bid for the upcoming season?

IR: Hopefully, but I think the main objective would be to get into the top four. Manchester City are favourites to win. They aren't as strong but they've got one hell of a team. We (Liverpool), Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle have improved. Chelsea can't do any worse. I think, if we can get a good cup run, I'd love to see us do well in the Europa League. If you win it, you're in the Champion's League.

DS: Prediction time. According to you, which teams would make the top four?

IR: Man City would have to be there. Arsenal, Liverpool, and then I'd like to say Manchester United.