Liverpool and League Cup legend Ian Rush talks trophies, Bob Paisley and happy memories.
Liverpool and League Cup legend Ian Rush talks trophies, Bob Paisley and happy memories
Ahead of Sunday's Carling Cup final between Liverpool and Cardiff, which can be seen live Sky Sports HD1 and 3D, Kop idol Ian Rush, the competition's record five-time winner and joint top goalscorer, chats to Peter Fraser.
Liverpool are strong favourites to win at Wembley. Can you see any other result?
Being a Welshman, I am proud Cardiff are in the final. But, realistically, working for Liverpool, I want Liverpool to win. It is going to be a great final. I am really looking forward to it. Liverpool are going in on the back of a really good win against Brighton. Cardiff have lost the last three or four games, but that won't play on their minds on the day and so I'm sure both teams will be ready for it. That is why cup finals are so special. People would have said exactly the same when Liverpool played Wimbledon in the 1988 FA Cup final. There is a possibility Cardiff can win. If they do not think they can, they will not win.
As a League Cup legend, what does the competition mean to you?
People say it is not the same as in the past, but, believe me, you get to a final and everyone wants to win. Everyone wants a winners' medal. It is a great competition. To be the record goalscorer and have the record of five winners' medals, it is special in my life. If you get to a final, in front of a full house at Wembley, you hate losing. It also guarantees a place in Europe.
Do you have a favourite League Cup moment?
Funnily enough, my second game for Liverpool was the final replay against West Ham in 1980/81 at Villa Park. There were three or four injuries before I got in the team and so it gave me my break. It gave me self-belief and Bob Paisley maybe realised, 'we might have a player here'. It gave me the strength to go on to better things.
How special would it be if Kenny Dalglish was the man to bring silverware back to Liverpool after a six-year wait?
It would be incredible. This is where we are all coming from. We have got the new owners, we have got players who have not won trophies and we have got supporters who have not been to the new Wembley. It is all new to us. Kenny has brought everyone together. Kenny's philosophy is that no-one is bigger than the club.
Were you always confident that Kenny returning would improve things for Liverpool?
I used to sit with him when we were watching Liverpool play. Just sitting there, I learned from Kenny. He knows exactly what to do. People made me laugh when they said he had been out of the game for too long. Kenny had been going to every game for the last year or so before he got the manager's job.
Who are your favourite players in the current Liverpool squad?
Steven Gerrard is the obvious choice. He is now fully fit and is the driving force. Luis Suarez, before he had his ban, was on fire and he is getting sharper with each game. Andy Carroll got his goal against Brighton and you can see, slowly but surely, his confidence is coming back. My unsung hero is Martin Skrtel. He has come of age this year. He has been absolutely fantastic whether it has been with Jamie Carragher or Daniel Agger. When Liverpool keep a clean-sheet, a lot of it is down to Skrtel.
As a fellow Welshman, would you like to see Craig Bellamy start against his hometown club, Cardiff?
It would be nice. He is not guaranteed to start after Liverpool scored six against Brighton. Craig will be fit for the final. I am sure he would give anything to play against Cardiff. He would be a proud man, even if he is on the bench, because he does have Cardiff close to his heart.
It has been said Liverpool are missing a goalscorer. Have you offered to put your boots back on for Kenny?
I have seen Paul Scholes and Thierry Henry come back... so you never know. But maybe I am a bit too old these days! It is all about a team game. It does not matter who scores. Liverpool have been creating the chances, that is the great thing. The time will come when they take the chances. The good win against Brighton will give them confidence and hopefully they do that in the Premier League.
What is your involvement with Carling for 'Final Say' on Sunday?
They are making it a customised final. Fans can go on Facebook and can choose the song they would like to hear when their team lifts the trophy. They can also ask me questions during the game in real-time via Facebook. Fans can also choose messages on the pitch-side boards.
Ian Rush was talking ahead of the Carling Cup final, where for the first time ever Carling have given fans the chance to vote for how they want the final to look. Visit www.carlingcup.com/finalsay
