Liverpool legend Ian Rush was at the Standard Chartered Go Forward clinic at Mahalaxmi’s Western Railway ground on Friday.
The Welshman believes his former club is on its way to redemption since Kenny Dalglish took over the reins.
Rush, who partnered Dalglish up front in the 1980s and also played under him during his first tenure at the Merseyside club, said he was making changes at the club which may not necessarily reflect on the results in the near future but would eventually help Liverpool be competitive for the top spots in the league.
Speaking about Liverpool's run in the Premier League under his former teammate Kenny Dalglish, Rush admitted that though the assembled squad has the right players, the Reds' home form has been a worrying factor. "We've drawn four games at Anfield and if you want to win the League, you have to win home games. We did it back then," he said.
Ask him about Dalglish and Rush thinks his appointment was one of the best things to happen at the Club. "The fans wanted him from Day One. It was great because he brought back the club's philosophy . Kenny is one of the best if not the greatest players of all time and when someone like him says that no one is bigger than the club, everyone respects it. Kenny is trying to bring that old heart back to Anfield."
“What Kenny brings to the club is the thought that no one is bigger than the team. But he does that without hurting any of the players’ sentiments. Players have to realise they win nothing as individuals. Kenny will never criticise players in public, but will make sure he has a word with them in private. In the 80s, we were called a ‘family club’ because of this. Now things may be different and the managers need to speak with the press, but the principles remain the same,” Rush said.
Liverpool are at the sixth position, the same as last season. Rush however sees signs of progress. “They are keeping clean sheets.
At times, you need to grind out results even if it means not playing attractive football. Against Norwich earlier this season, they played great football and yet drew 1-1. But in their last game against Swansea, they kept a clean sheet. Earlier, they would win against the big teams and draw against the mid-table ones. If you look at Manchester United, they have won titles that way.”
He added that the transfer activity at Anfield last year was made with long-term plans in mind. “The club has a lot of young players. They will take time to settle down but I am confident the manager will get it right. Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll are two young kids who, I’m sure, will play a big part.”
English striker Carroll, who Liverpool bought from Newcastle in January this year, has been struggling to find the net to justify his 35million pound transfer fee. Rush, a prolific striker himself during his playing days, said, “It’s all about your confidence and understanding with forwards. Getting that first goal is important, as is how well you play with your partner. Kenny was just the best player at that position. He would blindly put a pass knowing that was the run I would make. And then there was Mark Hughes who I partnered for Wales; he was a different sort. He was strong and took two players on his own at a time. We complemented each other because I was fast and thrived in the space he made.”
