[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 19 April 2005
20-goal man is what Benitez really needs
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL hit two more spectacular strikes against Spurs on Saturday,
but I'm sure Rafa Benitez would do anything for a striker who'd get him
20 scruffy goals a year.

Some of the efforts we've seen at Anfield in the last few months are
worthy of their own goal of the season competition.

But you can't always rely on the extraordinary to win games every week,
which is why I expect Benitez will be back in the market for a striker
this summer.

I fear the penalty box goal poacher is becoming a dying breed in English
football.

It's not just a problem for Liverpool, but few clubs possess what you'd
call an out-andout goalscorer these days.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is the closest you'll get to it now. He's someone
who thrives on anything in the box and is as likely to score a tap-in as
anything outside the area.

When I played, I took as much joy from a toe poke from six yards as a
volley outside the box.

And the first thing I used to do was run to the person who made the pass
to me, make them feel appreciated and hopefully ensure they'd make
exactly the same unselfish contribution the next time they were in the
same position.

Liverpool don't have a natural goalscorer available at the moment.

There's been a lot of focus on Fernando Morientes in recent weeks,
particularly because he's only scored twice since January.

That doesn't bother me because you can see his quality. Once he's had a
full pre-season he'll be much fitter and sharper.

But even then, I'm not sure Morientes is the type of player who'll be
prolific. He's more of a target man who others will play off.

Liverpool could have done with better finishing against Spurs after
carving out several great chances.

It's strange they took the most difficult opportunities.

Sometimes, you also have to give the opposition some credit. I thought
Spurs played some good football and showed they're improving as much as
Liverpool.

They have plenty of excellent young players and suggested they could be
a side to watch in the years to come.

Liverpool still did enough to win, but could have done with the kind of
scrappy winner they haven't managed enough.

There aren't many available out there who are masters of the art. Apart,
perhaps, from a certain Michael Owen ...

Midfield duo can be best in Europe

I SAID before the Liverpool-Juventus tie the winner would win the
Champions League.

I'm not going to change my mind now.

For a side to beat Liverpool five times in a season is unheard of.

Chelsea will also be playing a different Liverpool team than the one
they've played in all but 20 minutes this season.

That's how long Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard have spent on the pitch
together against the Londoners.

I know it's early to make such a prediction, but I believe this duo
could become the finest mid-field pairing in Europe, eclipsing an
impressive Chelsea engine room.

Alonso staggered me with the quality of his performance against Spurs.

I thought he'd dip after his comeback in Turin. In fact, he was even better.

If they're fit and available, Alonso and Gerrard would give Liverpool a
chance of beating anyone, which is why I'm confident an unlikely
European Cup win is possible.

Carra disappointment

FRANK LAMPARD deserves the PFA Player of the Year Award for his radical
improvement this season.

When he first joined Chelsea, I thought Lamp-ard was a bit limited. Now
I've changed my mind, not simply because of his goals, but because his
range of passing is much better too.

I'm not surprised Chelsea have so many contenders considering the season
they've had.

From Liverpool's point of view, the big disappointment was no
nomination for Jamie Carragher.

There's nothing between John Terry and Carragher, but the Chelsea man's
goals and his side's greater success in the Premiership has obviously
earned him more votes.

If Liverpool were competing for the title, I'm sure Carragher would have
made the shortlist.

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