http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165000090711-0901.htmKop legend Ian Rush has spoken of his strong belief that Liverpool can land the Barclays Premier League title this season.
The Reds finished the 08-09 campaign just four points behind eventual champions Manchester United, despite losing fewer games and scoring more goals than Alex Ferguson's side.
However, buoyed by what he saw last term, Rush is confident Rafa Benitez's charges can go one better this time around.
"I think every football supporter begins the season hoping his team will do well and I was exactly the same last year," Anfield's all-time record goalscorer told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"But the difference is this year I believe Liverpool will do well, rather than hope they will.
"The hope has been replaced by a genuine belief and I cannot wait for the season to start.
"The way we finished the last campaign was fantastic and Liverpool will know they can beat anyone.
"I'm very optimistic about our Premier League chances."
Although Liverpool went through the entire season without losing a league game at Anfield, the Reds were held to several frustrating stalemates in front of the Kop.
"Home form is vital and it's very important we cut down the number of draws this season," added Rush.
"Although we didn't lose in the league at Anfield last season, too many games were drawn. Picking up three points in just some of those games would have made a big difference.
"Home form is a huge factor in deciding who wins the title and the fact we beat both Manchester United and Chelsea home and away, and drew with Arsenal twice, yet still did not win the league tells its own story."
An excellent run of form at the end of the season saw Liverpool win 10 of their last 11 league games, scoring 34 goals in the process, and take the title race to the wire.
Rush continued: "Teams were coming to Anfield, putting 11 men behind the ball and frustrating us.
"But beating Real Madrid injected real belief into the players and from then on we went out to win games right from the very start.
"If we can beat Real Madrid 4-0, then we can beat any team in the world at Anfield and we embarked on a fantastic run after that.
"It's important we carry the excellent form we showed at the end of last season into the new campaign and if we can turn those draws into wins this year, I think Liverpool will win the league."
