Ian Rush has spent several days in hospital and is hoping to return home in time for Christmas this year
Ian Rush during a preview day for the Liverpool Legends charity match against Bayern Munich at The LFC Academy, Liverpool.
Ian Rush reportedly spent close to 48 hours in intensive care
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Liverpool icon Ian Rush spent 48 hours in intensive care after being rushed to hospital with the suspected 'superflu'. The 64-year-old was taken to the Countess of Chester hospital last week after experiencing breathing difficulties.
Rush was immediately placed in the intensive care unit due to fears over his health. The legendary former Reds striker is now understood to be recovering from the flu which has swept across the UK this month, though he reportedly remains in hospital.
The Welshman is expecting to be home in time for Christmas and reunited with his family, including his partner Carol Anthony, who is 16 years his junior. Rush began dating the Irish singer and model in 2012 after separating from his wife of 25 years, Tracy.
He told WalesOnline in 2022 that he "couldn't be happier" with his new life, with his two sons Jonathan and Daniel thriving, while he had just moved into a new house he had built with his long-term partner Carol.
His relationship was instantly thrown into the spotlight when reports first emerged, with Carol accused of breaking up the football hero’s marriage, while also facing criticism over the pair’s age difference.
However, Carol decided to speak out on behalf of herself after several news outlets wrongly claimed there was a 22-year age difference between her and Rush, revealing the truth about their relationship in the process.
30 March 2018...An Evening Celebrating Ian Rush held at Royal Garden Hotel, 2-24 Kensington High Street, London...Here: Ian Rush and Carol Anthony. (Photo by Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)
There is a 16-year age difference between Ian Rush and his partner Carol Anthony
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"It was in a couple of the papers in the UK, all about the age gap and didn't come up to speed about what I've been doing the past few years," she told the Irish Independent. "They took another six years out of my life. There's 16 years between us, not 22. There's 13 years between my own parents.
"The slant they put on it was wrong, like I was marrying him for money or something. I just felt it was time I spoke up for myself.
"Ian himself said, it's great to support a footballer in the height of their career but when you finish your career, it's a downward spiral and a whole different ballgame.
"I've been so supportive of Ian over the last years and helped him work on getting contracts so it feels a bit like a slap in the face when you read these articles. It was a little bit hurtful.
Ian Rush and his partner Carol
Carol spoke out against 'hurtful' articles in the past
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"Women are strong and we'll always try to take things on the chin but when I saw Ian getting annoyed about it I said, ‘No I'm going to take a stance on this.’"
Since then, the couple have been busy planning their future, with Ian and Carol revealing last year they were eyeing a summer wedding in the south of France. However, they have not yet confirmed whether they have indeed tied the knot.
Speaking about how she coped with the criticism she encountered during the early stages of her romance with Rush, she added: "It was difficult navigating it initially because I didn't realise the level of scrutiny, and I wasn't ready for it, and that makes everyone anxious and nervous.
: Ian Rush of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal during the Barclays League Division One match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on April 26, 1992 in Liverpool, England.
Ian Rush is an Anfield legend
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"It wasn't good for a relationship. I navigated my way out of that and we have an incredible relationship, absolutely wonderful. We love each other to bits. We're together 12 years now.
"But I used to walk behind Ian at every function because I would never want to be photographed with him. I went into a phase where I wanted to be unknown. Then I realised I shouldn't be hiding."
Rush won 18 trophies across his two spells at Anfield, including five First Division titles, five League Cups, three FA Cups and two European Cups. He Is the club’s record goalscorer with 346 goals in 660 appearances.
He also enjoyed spells at Juventus, Leeds, Newcastle and Wrexham across his 22-year career and won 73 caps for Wales, scoring 28 goals before hanging up his boots in 2000.
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