[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 2 Nov 2004
Rafa's need for striking back-up
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

I'LL BE very surprised, and a bit worried, if Liverpool don't move into the
transfer market in the wake of Djibril Cisse's injury.

Like everyone else, I feel very sorry for Cisse. It looks a terrible injury.

There's no question it's a massive blow to the club.

I know a lot of people questioned the number of goals he'd scored since he
joined, but I thought he was progressing very well, getting better with
each match.

He is also someone with genuine pace. That alone would scare defences and
influence the tactics they'd play against Liverpool.

Benitez has been deprived of a major weapon for the rest of the season and
there's no-one too similar to replace him.

Players such as Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor will have to be on
their toes because they're bound to be needed over the coming months.

It's a lot to ask for Milan Baros to carry the goalscoring burden on his own.

Even before Cisse's injury, Liverpool were strongly linked with a move for
a centre-forward.

Liverpool will always be in the market for reinforcements, and when you
look at the situation now, Benitez has lost Michael Owen and Cisse within
the space of four months and still not bought a striker of his own.

I can't imagine that won't be resolved. The speculation has focused on
Fernando Morientes, who is obviously the calibre of player who would be
perfect in the current predicament, but Liverpool will have to wait until
January no matter who they want.

Until then, everyone has to give their all because there is a clear
shortage of striking options.

Depor draw will do Reds

I'D SETTLE for Liverpool leaving Spain with a point against Deportivo La
Coruna tomorrow.

The home side have got to go all out for victory, so the roles are reversed
from the Anfield fixture a fortnight ago.

A draw would set Liverpool up for the last two games when they know they'll
have Steven Gerrard back in contention.

He'll make a tremendous difference, and I'd fancy Benitez's side to get the
win and draw which would probably be enough to get through.

Liverpool have coped well since losing Gerrard. If they can get a result in
Spain, the damage of his absence will have been kept to a minimum.

Considering how worried we all were when the skipper was injured, that will
be to everyone's credit.

Flattering link, but I had to stay at Chester

IT'S been very flattering for me to be linked with the Welsh job since Mark
Hughes left.

But having just started at Chester, I found myself in a very difficult
position.

That's why I made my decision to stay and try to establish my managerial
credentials at the Deva Stadium.

I was given permission by my club to talk to the Welsh FA, and nothing
would make me prouder than managing my country one day.

At the same time, I feel very passionately about continuing my career at
Chester. Leaving was the last thing on my mind. The recent developments
really did come out of the blue.

The timing of such an opportunity wasn't ideal, but football has a habit of
throwing these kinds of things your way.

I made sure I didn't rush my decision and having a great relationship with
my chairman helped me make the commitment to stay.

My main focus remains helping Chester move towards the play-off places and
I intend to be the manager at the Deva Stadium for a long time to come.


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