Ian Rush is backing Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to once again deliver the goods when the Reds visit old rivals Manchester United for a mouthwatering Super Sunday clash.
Gerrard, who netted against Basel in midweek as Liverpool made an early exit from the Champions League, has scored five Premier League goals at Old Trafford – more than any other opposition player.
Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer Rush says Gerrard is the man they always turn to in big games, insisting the 34-year-old has plenty to offer in seasons to come.
“Steven is a massive player for Liverpool,” Rush told Sky Sports News HQ.
“He always has been and always will be, not just for his outfield play, but also from dead-ball situations and for his all-round leadership ability.
“When the pressure is on Stevie always comes through and I’m sure he will do the same again on Sunday.
“He always does something special. You can always rely on Stevie to do that. He’s been incredible for Liverpool and I still think he has got at least two years left in him.”
Fierce rivalry
Liverpool have won just twice in their last six league games in stark contrast to United’s five straight wins.
But Rush says form is not a decisive factor ahead of a game that promises to be a keenly contested affair.
“The form book goes out of the window and anything can happen,” he said. “I never thought Liverpool would go there and win 3-0 last season so you never know really.
“But United will be looking for a home win and if they do that they will be 10 points clear of us, so Liverpool must make sure they get some kind of result and not drift too far away from them.
“It’s a fierce rivalry between the teams and for the supporters it’s up about getting one-up on the other club. That will never change regardless of what position both teams find themselves in the league.
“The rivalry will always be immense and Sunday will be no different. It will be an amazing atmosphere.”
Deafening
Rush was speaking at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cochin where he was working as a summariser for the Indian Super League semi-final first leg clash between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC.
Roared on by more than 60,000 spectators, Kerala ran out 3-0 winners and Rush likened the crowd - the majority of whom were dressed in the team’s yellow colours - to the Kop at Anfield.
“I’ve played in lots of finals but I’ve never experienced anything like that,” he added. “I was pitch-side and the crowd were deafening.
“We say that the Kop end at Liverpool is the 12th man and that crowd was definitely the 12th man out there for Kerala and they gave them a big advantage.”
Watch Liverpool take on Manchester United as part of Super Sunday - coverage from Old Trafford begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 12:30pm.
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