Liverpool legend Ian Rush, speaking at the unveiling of a new exhibition charting his career at Anfield, made an Andoni Iraola prediction and revealed his message to Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah and Ian Rush on the pitch at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah and Ian Rush on the pitch at Anfield.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images For The Premier League)
Ian Rush expects Andoni Iraola to be a success at Liverpool after he replaced Arne Slot at the start of the summer, while Liverpool's all-time top goalscorer has also sent a message to Mohamed Salah after his next destination was confirmed.
Present during the recent US tour, where Liverpool won against Sunderland and Wrexham before losing to Leeds, Rush says he was impressed by what he saw on the training pitch as preparations for the new season got underway. There are now only 17 days left until the Reds kick off at St James' Park against Newcastle.
"I'm looking forward to (the new season)," Rush said. "It's a high pressing game, and slowly but surely it is coming together. I watched a couple of training sessions and the intensity was coming in those seven-vs-sevens, but when you take it to 11-vs-11, it takes time.
"But you could see the signs were coming. Players were getting back to fitness and we can hopefully make a signing or two, and you never know.
"The first four or five games, that will be important. If you start well, that will give everyone the confidence to go on and be more successful.
"You ask me every year for the last 30 years and I say we have to win the league. Iraola has got to be given time, but if you win a trophy, that will be great. I'm sure he will deliver the goods.
"Everyone would like one or two more signings, but there is a time and a place for everything, and we have got people coming back from injury as well. If we get them back, we might be OK. There is still a couple of weeks to go."
In addition to having Iraola at the helm, this is also the first summer in a decade that Liverpool has prepared for a new season without having Salah.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the Egyptian has signed for Trabzonspor in Turkiye, where he was given a rapturous reception upon landing in Istanbul and then undergoing his medical.
Salah and Rush spoke frequently and got to know one another. At one stage, the former was very keen on chasing down the latter's goalscoring record, before he departed with the gap standing at 89.
"I sent him a message," Rush said. "I think it's amazing what he has done for Liverpool for nine years and it makes him very special.
"He will always be welcome at Liverpool FC and it is home as well. We wish him well, and I'm sure he will do well, but at least my record is safe for now!"
The Reds legend was speaking at the unveiling of a new exhibition — 'All You Need Is Rush' — celebrating his achievements at Anfield, which will be open to visitors from August 14.
Opening 30 years on since Rush's final game for Liverpool, the exhibition, which is part of the club museum at Anfield, features items such as his two European Golden Boots, all 16 hat-trick match balls, and his three match-worn FA Cup final-winning jerseys.
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It also brings his legendary career to life through immersive storytelling — including a hologram of Rush himself that welcomes visitors — which was curated alongside club historian Mark Platt.
"It's been absolutely tremendous to go back through and it brings back memories," Rush said. "The shirts, the medals... to put it all together like this, when you look at the comics, it brings back memories of being a kid.
"It's very important (to teach young Liverpool fans about the history of the club). That's why Liverpool FC for me is the best club in the world, because we are all in it together.
"Some of the younger generation hadn't seen Liverpool win the league for so many years before Jurgen Klopp. But we all stick together, and that is what makes this club so special.
"I'm really proud. It was really emotional. When you stop playing, you forget about what you have achieved. To get everything out of the loft and share it with Liverpool FC, it's nice for the younger generation who didn't see me play."