Liverpool

Ian Rush backs Mohamed Salah to break scoring record

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 23 March 2018

Rush backs Salah to break scoring record

Liverpool legend Ian Rush is backing Mohamed Salah to break his record of 47 goals in a single campaign, but admits that it will not mean much without silverware.

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has backed Mohamed Salah to break his goalscoring record for a single season at the club.

Rush netted 47 times in 65 appearances across all competitions during the 1983-84 campaign, helping the Reds to win the First Division title, the League Cup and the European Cup under Joe Fagan.

Salah has already broken a number of records en route to his current tally of 36 goals in 43 outings during his debut season on Merseyside, but Rush warned that such individual landmarks do not mean as much if the team misses out on silverware.

"I think it's all down to confidence. I think when you're playing so well like that, you go out knowing you're going to score. When you're on a high, you try everything. You try ridiculous things, with your left foot, your right foot, with your head - everything. If you're not as confident then you're scared to try them things. I think that's the difference when you're in a purple patch like that. You're willing to try everything because you know nine times out of 10 that it will come off," Rush told ESPN FC.

"You just can't wait to get out there because you know you're going to get a chance and if you get a chance you're most probably going to score. That's what happens. Even when I broke Roger Hunt's record, he told me that records are there to be broken. Of course you want to hold on to your records, but being connected with Liverpool Football Club now, you don't mind them being broken because that means they're doing well.

"Maybe a difference is that when I scored 47 goals, we won three trophies. That's what we've got to start doing now. It's great having individual trophies, but in my [47-goal] season we won three trophies. I'm more pleased that we won three trophies than I did scoring 47 goals.

"You keep looking to improve yourself every time. You know next season people will be looking out for you. People will be out there saying: 'If you stop Salah from playing then you stop Liverpool from playing and winning.' You're always looking to improve each season because the opposition will be doing exactly the same. If you can't add one or two things to your makeup then you're not going to do that."

Salah has a minimum of nine matches remaining in which to threaten Rush's record.