Ian Rush: 'It's time for Steven Gerrard to lift Premier League trophy'

Liverpool legend Ian Rush, part of the last Anfield team to take the title 19 years a go, is desperate for Steven Gerrard to lift the Premier League trophy.

That way, fans will have someone else to tell them what being a champion is all about.

The Welshman, now 47, feels it would represent the pinnacle of boss Rafa Benitez's career.

Rush said: "If you finish top of the league you have proved you are the best. I think that's why Liverpool's fans are so desperate to see their team win it.

"Making sure Manchester United don't equal Liverpool's record of 18 titles is one thing, but the reason fans want to see Stevie Gerrard lift that trophy is so that they can say their team is the best.

"Rafa won the title twice with Valencia when he wasn't expected to. Liverpool are expected to win the Premier League so it is a different kind of pressure.

"But if he can bring the title back to Anfield it will be his biggest success.

"I'd be delighted, not just because I want Liverpool to dowell but because it will be nice for the fans to ask Steven and Jamie Carragher what it's like to win the title instead of me."

Rush scored 346 goals for Liverpool - 25 against Everton, a Mersey derby record.

He put a local six-a-side team through their paces last week to mark the launch of the Prostar Leagues, the largest independent six-a-side network in the UK.

And he warned that two derbies - in the Premier League tomorrow and the FA Cup next Sunday - could define the season.

Rush said: "I am sure David Moyes will motivate his players by telling them this is their big chance to bring Liverpool down a peg or two.

"I've got a feeling that if Liverpool can take three points they will be happy regardless of what happens in the cup-tie.

"The key is to get some consistency so that when it comes to the final month, they are in with a shout.

"I genuinely believe this is Liverpool's best chance to win it in the 19 years since we last won it. If they finish above United they are champions."

Register your 6-a-side team today with Prostar Leagues for FREE. With more than 250 leagues and 30,000 players, Prostar Leagues is the biggest network of six-a-side leagues in the UK. Visit www.prostarleagues.com to join.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

LIVERPOOL

Reina

Arbeloa

Carragher

Skrtel

Aurelio

Mascherano

Alonso

Kuyt

Gerrard

Riera

Torres

EVERTON

Howard

Hibbert

Jagielka

Lescott

Baines

Osman

Arteta

Neville

Pienaar

Cahill

Anichebe