[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 23 Aug 2005
Great chance to complete full set
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

I WON just about every medal I could as a Liverpool player, but there
was one title which eluded us - World champions.

At our peak, we always felt we were the best team anywhere, but when we
had the chance to win the World Club Championship, the circumstances
were never in our favour.

The trip to Tokyo always benefited the South Americans. The climate, the
time zone and hard pitches gave us a disadvantage.

I can remember when we played the Argentinian side Independiente in
1984. We arrived a day before the game and had one training session
before the match.

We were all jet-lagged and in no shape to play, while our opponents had
spent a week in Japan preparing to face us.

The competition wasn't our priority and we were all keen to get home and
concentrate on league games. Looking back, had the circumstances been
different I'm sure we'd all like to have won those games.

That's why I'm glad to see Liverpool will be travelling to Japan for the
competition in December and I believe the club will take it seriously.

We've never been that bothered in England, but other European countries
value the trophy.

When I was at Juventus, they took pride in the fact they were the first
European club to have won at least once in every competition they've
entered.

This is a feat Liverpool can match. If they win in Japan, they'll
complete their collection of honours. Most clubs couldn't even dream of
such an opportunity.

I'm sure the Liverpool players are excited by the prospect of facing
teams from a different culture.

Although the competition isn't everyone's cup of tea, you can bet in
years to come the players would look back proudly at a World
Championship winners' medal.

Apart from that, there are enormous financial benefits. Liverpool's name
is already popular around the world, but if they win in December their
popularity is sure to grow.

The Super Cup falls into a similar category. It won't be the end of the
world if Liverpool lose, but there are plenty of benefits in winning.

I've always thought the most important thing about the Super Cup is
being in it more than winning it, because it means you must have enjoyed
a hell of a night the previous May.

CSKA Moscow are not the most attractive opponents, but the winning habit
is a very good one to nurture and I'm sure Rafa Benitez won't be happy
with anything but victory in Monaco.

Opening goal is crucial to avoid Sofia repeat

I KNOW from my own bitter experience that CSKA Sofia shouldn't be
underestimated tonight. I was in the Liverpool side which lost in the
European Cup to tonight's opponents.

Liverpool lead 3-1, but I think the quality of the display in Bulgaria
has made a lot of people believe CSKA aren't as good as they are.

They look a very good technical side and have the capacity to cause a
lot of problems, especially with Steven Gerrard out injured.

I found Bulgarian sides were excellent when you allowed them space to
play, but if you could score first they had a tendency to allow their
heads to drop.

That's what happened in the first leg and that's why the opening goal is
important. Liverpool must start as if it's 0-0 and not give their
opponents the slightest hope.

Otherwise, what should be a comfortable night could become tricky.

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