Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes the potential signings of Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane could see the club finally challenge for their first Premier League crown.
Despite being the most successful club in English football, the Reds have yet to open their account in the Premier League era. Their last title came in 1990, under the guidance of Rush’s former strike partner, Kenny Dalglish.
It has been a trying 18 years since, during which Manchester United have supplanted their North West rivals as England’s biggest and best, while London duo Chelsea and Arsenal have also leaped ahead when it comes to domestic affairs.
The catch-cry from Anfield in recent years has been that they are one or two great signings away from reclaiming the trophy they seemed to own during the 1970s and ‘80s. The arrival of Spanish superstar Fernando Torres has taken them one step closer, but gaps remain in certain departments.
Now Rafael Benitez is chasing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, although the players’ respective price tags have prevented the deals from being completed as yet.
Rush is adamant that those two players could complete Liverpool’s puzzle, and has called on the club’s owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, to stump up the ₤40million or so required to secure the pair’s services.
“When you look at what’s happening at other clubs, why shouldn’t Liverpool go close?” Rush said in The Sun. “I just hope Rafa gets the money to sign Barry and Keane – then I could see them giving it a real go.
“The spine of the team is in place with Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Stevie Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
“If they get support, I can see them mounting a genuine push – and not before time.”
After a season that was riddled with boardroom controversy, it has been a relatively peaceful summer so far on Merseyside – certainly compared to the goings on at Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, anyway.
And Rush believes the Reds should capitalise on their rivals’ unrest as they seek to add to their 18 titles – a record that is being threatened by the Red Devils, who clinched their 17th last term.
“It’s no good setting your sights on fourth at a club like this, where expectations are so high,” the Welshman continued.
“And maybe this is the right time. United have lost No 2 Carlos Queiroz and no-one knows what will happen with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Chelsea have a new boss and new players but even great ones need time to gel.
“And Arsenal are losing players too, while nothing has happened at Liverpool, apart from selling Peter Crouch.”
Keane's arrival would effectively nullify Crouch's departure, at any rate, while Barry would replace Xabi Alonso, should the Basque playmaker also leave. But whether that will be enough for Liverpool to clinch their first Premier League crown remains to be seen.
Despite being the most successful club in English football, the Reds have yet to open their account in the Premier League era. Their last title came in 1990, under the guidance of Rush’s former strike partner, Kenny Dalglish.
It has been a trying 18 years since, during which Manchester United have supplanted their North West rivals as England’s biggest and best, while London duo Chelsea and Arsenal have also leaped ahead when it comes to domestic affairs.
The catch-cry from Anfield in recent years has been that they are one or two great signings away from reclaiming the trophy they seemed to own during the 1970s and ‘80s. The arrival of Spanish superstar Fernando Torres has taken them one step closer, but gaps remain in certain departments.
Now Rafael Benitez is chasing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Tottenham striker Robbie Keane, although the players’ respective price tags have prevented the deals from being completed as yet.
Rush is adamant that those two players could complete Liverpool’s puzzle, and has called on the club’s owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, to stump up the ₤40million or so required to secure the pair’s services.
“When you look at what’s happening at other clubs, why shouldn’t Liverpool go close?” Rush said in The Sun. “I just hope Rafa gets the money to sign Barry and Keane – then I could see them giving it a real go.
“The spine of the team is in place with Jose Reina, Jamie Carragher, Stevie Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
“If they get support, I can see them mounting a genuine push – and not before time.”
After a season that was riddled with boardroom controversy, it has been a relatively peaceful summer so far on Merseyside – certainly compared to the goings on at Old Trafford, the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, anyway.
And Rush believes the Reds should capitalise on their rivals’ unrest as they seek to add to their 18 titles – a record that is being threatened by the Red Devils, who clinched their 17th last term.
“It’s no good setting your sights on fourth at a club like this, where expectations are so high,” the Welshman continued.
“And maybe this is the right time. United have lost No 2 Carlos Queiroz and no-one knows what will happen with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Chelsea have a new boss and new players but even great ones need time to gel.
“And Arsenal are losing players too, while nothing has happened at Liverpool, apart from selling Peter Crouch.”
Keane's arrival would effectively nullify Crouch's departure, at any rate, while Barry would replace Xabi Alonso, should the Basque playmaker also leave. But whether that will be enough for Liverpool to clinch their first Premier League crown remains to be seen.
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