[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 8 Mar 2005
Reds stars fighting for future
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

IF A PLACE in the quarter-finals of the European Cup and qualification
for the Champions League isn't enough motivation for Liverpool's players
between now and May, perhaps they should consider another factor.

I believe many of them are playing to secure their Anfield futures. If
that doesn't drive them on, nothing will.

Rafa Benitez will have spent most of the season weighing up the
qualities of the squad he inherited. He may not have known a lot about
some of the players, but he'll have discovered more with every week.

As the season reaches its climax, the performances of many of his stars
will be even more revealing.

Tomorrow's clash in Bayer Leverkusen is a pivotal match in Liverpool's
season.

There's no magic formula for approaching such a fixture. The typical
European performance is needed, with Liverpool trying to silence the
crowd for the first 20 minutes.

With Liverpool 3-1 up, naturally the first goal is crucial.

I felt before the first leg a 0-0 draw would have been a good result for
Benitez's side because one goal in Germany would make life extremely
difficult for the hosts.

Even though Liverpool have a two goal lead, I think the best approach is
to think of the game as still at 0-0.

Relying completely on defence is too dangerous. Liverpool have got to
think about scoring a goal because that will make an already tough task
for the Germans even harder.

Benitez's main problem is his lack of attacking options, so the onus is
very much on Milan Baros to show his best form.

Baros is taking a bit of stick at the moment, but his European pedigree
is beyond dispute. He's done it at the highest level for his country in
Europe, so he should be full of confidence he can cause problems for
what I feel is a vulnerable German defence.

He's not the only one who needs to raise his game, however.

There can be no passengers tomorrow.

For many members of the squad, the prize may not just be a place in the
last eight of Europe, but possibly the faith of the manager as he
considers who he can trust to remain at the club next season.

Lots of support in tough week

LAST week was one of the hardest I've ever endured.

You come to expect ups and downs in football, and I certainly went
through all the emotions within the space of a few days.

Now all of us at Chester want to put everything behind us and look
forward. It's the future which matters most.

It's well documented my chairman and I have had some disagreements, but
that's natural in football. The most important thing now, as far as I'm
concerned, is I hope to remain Chester manager for the foreseeable future.

I've never shirked a challenge in my life and I don't intend to now.

It's the difficult periods which teach you most about your profession,
and I was particularly touched by the messages of goodwill I received
last week.

Rafa Benitez, Rick Parry and Steve Morgan all contacted me to offer
their support. I really appreciated their gesture.

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