Former Liverpool great Ian Rush knows a thing or two about winning the European Cup with the Reds.
The Merseyside club's all-time record goalscorer got his hands on 'big ears' twice during his illustrious playing career, first in 1981 and then in 1984, when he scored in a decisive penalty shoot-out against Roma in their own stadium. And Rush is more than hopeful of Jurgen Klopp's team bringing home the club's seventh triumph in the competition on Saturday, when they face off against Real Madrid in the Champions League in Paris. However, first they must nullify the Spaniards' supply at source, to keep lethal finisher Karim Benzema quiet.
Writing for gambling.com, for whom he is an ambassador, Rush said: "Liverpool need to shut down Madrid’s service to Benzema, who is set for a fascinating battle with Virgil van Dijk. Real have a few avenues they look to go down to get Benzema within striking distance of the goal, and Luka Modric is their primary creator.
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"But Madrid have other creators in their side so it’s important for Liverpool not to focus too much on the little Croatian, or they could leave themselves exposed elsewhere. If the Reds can limit the supply to Benzema and simultaneously play their own attacking game, then I think they’ll win the game.
"They’ll have to take their chances when they come though, because Thibaut Courtois is a top quality goalkeeper who has bags of experience, and he’s no stranger to Liverpool given his past with Chelsea. The same applies to Madrid, though, because Alisson Becker has been fantastic this season – there’s no one I’d prefer to have in goal in a one-on-one situation.
"Will Liverpool win a seventh European Cup? I always expect Liverpool to win, no matter who they’re playing, and Saturday will be no different."
At the age of 34, Benzema has been in the form of his life this season, scoring 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga champions. Those figures have put the Frenchman at the front of the queue when it comes to selecting the next Ballon d’Or winner, but Rush, who won the European Golden Boot in 1984, thinks that he will be challenged by two Liverpool stars and Saturday's final could have an overall baring on the result.
He said: "Having already knocked out Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, I don’t think anyone at Liverpool will be underestimating Real Madrid on Saturday. They won La Liga quite easily this season and they have Karim Benzema who’s hit a remarkable 44 goals in all competitions. That said, I do feel as though their defence is there to be got at by Liverpool, so we could see quite an open game with both teams scoring.
"Even if Liverpool go two or three goals up they can’t afford to switch off, as we’ve seen Madrid punish teams in a split second the moment their opponents let their guard down. However, I’d expect Liverpool to do a better job of defending a lead against them than PSG or City managed. Madrid have quite a few tidy players but there’s no getting away from the obvious – Benzema is the star of the team and he’s the main man to watch out for. He’s really come of age this year and looks set to win the Ballon d’Or, although if Mohamed Salah can upstage him in the biggest club game of the year then it could swing in Mo’s favour.
"Sadio Mane cannot be ruled out either at this stage. He’s scored in a Champions League final for Liverpool against Real Madrid before, and if he does so again – especially if it turns out to be a winner – then he’d have to be firmly in the Ballon d’Or mix having already won the Africa Cup of Nations, FA Cup and League Cup.
"In fact, in 2022, Mane has been Liverpool’s best player, in my opinion. That AFCON triumph has really filled him with confidence and you could argue that he’s Liverpool’s most important player ahead of the final. It’s actually a great opportunity for Mane to show the world that he is Liverpool’s main man."
