[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 10 May 2005
Why Euro rival got Order of My Boot!
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

I'VE an admission to make before Liverpool's Champions League final with
AC Milan.

I seem to have had a positive influence on two of the players who will
be trying to ruin our chances of lifting the European Cup for the fifth
time.

When Andriy Shevchenko was 13, he starred in the annual summer
tournament I organise in Aberystwyth. As one of the best players from
Dynamo Kiev's youth teams, I presented him with a pair of my boots.

I must admit my recollection of the occasion is sketchy, but I was
reminded of this recently and it gives me a lot of pride to think this
was such a memorable moment for a great player.

Shevchenko has spoken publicly about how much it meant to him and it's
very humbling for me to see how he's gone on to become one of the best
strikers in the world.

I also know his team-mate, Jon-Dahl Tomasson, very well.

I was at Newcastle with the Danish striker when his confidence was
shattered by some very unfair criticism.

Kenny Dalglish took him to St James' Park and he asked me to work with
the striker in the reserves. I could tell he was a class player with the
potential to score goals in the Premiership, but unfortunately, he had a
bad start and the Geordie fans never gave him any support or patience.

He's gone on to prove how good he is and you don't sign for AC Milan
unless you're one of the best strikers around.

I'm delighted to see both have established themselves as top players,
but naturally hope they're not smiling on May 25.

Forget what you might have read about Milan not being as good as people
think. This is going to be as tough a test as Liverpool have had in the
competition.

I think it will be easier for Rafa Benitez to prepare his side to play
Milan than it would have been PSV Eindhoven.

For a start, Liverpool are underdogs again, and it has suited them
throughout the tournament.

Secondly, while Milan tend to play the same system, similar to Juventus,
the Dutch employed more variety in their tactics. They would have been
an unknown quantity.

I expect Benitez will approach the game exactly the same way he did
against Juventus. If things go to plan, it will be another tight game
with one goal proving decisive. I can even see potential for penalties
in Istanbul.

With the race for fourth over, there's now an incentive for several
players to force their way into the starting line-up.

Djibril Cisse and Harry Kewell will probably start against Aston Villa.
Benitez needs to get this duo as fit and sharp as possible.

I would also play Milan Baros next week. He's enduring a terrible run,
but he's going to be needed in Turkey.

There's no point destroying his confidence even more.

You were fan-tastic

IN years to come, the youngsters who attended Liverpool's victory over
Chelsea will tell their children: "I was there."

That's how spectacular the night was last Tuesday.

Anfield has built its reputation on games such as that, but for too long
such moments were limited to the past.

Showing a new generation of fans what it can be like should inspire them
to make it an even more regular event.

The Kop does make a difference at Anfield. The supporters can give
themselves a pat on the back for playing a major part in victories over
Chelsea and Juventus.

Gunners' jibe at Reds out of order

ARSENAL are a great side, but they could do with checking their facts
before they accuse Liverpool of being 'lucky' to get to the Champions
League final.

Only one team has remained unbeaten in the knockout stages of Europe.
Even Milan have lost twice on their way to Istanbul.

As for Arsene Wenger comparing Liverpool's success to that of Millwall
in last year's FA Cup, I didn't notice any First, Second or Third
Division teams in the Champions League this season.

If Liverpool win it, they'll have had to beat the champions of Italy and
England to do so. Luck has nothing to do with it.

Besides, it was clubs such as Arsenal who lobbied UEFA so hard to extend
the competition, while England is determined to extend the number of
entrants from the Premier-ship to five.

Yes, it was harder to win years ago, simply because it was so tough to
qualify in the first place. But, having changed the rules, there's no
point complaining if a club takes advantage.

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