Rushie

In 1986, one of our greatest ever players Ian Rush, was sold to Juventus. Despite the protests that resulted, he joined them the following year. The move arguably ruined his career. He didn't seem that keen to move, his time in Italy was not memorable, and when he returned, he was never the same force he was before he left.

Was it a standard transfer, or was it more an attempt to build bridges with Juventus after the 1985 European Cup Final?

He signed for Juve and then they loaned him straight back to us for a season. Some saw it as a bridge building exercise.

He wasn't the same when he came back because he had serious competition with Aldridge and Beardsley, but it's true, he was never really as prolific, but he still scored goals.

He left because the offer was too good financially to turn down.

Didn't get 'loaned' back either as far as I'm aware, we just resigned him.

Didn't 'ruin' his career either.

He left because the offer was too good financially to turn down.

Didn't get 'loaned' back either as far as I'm aware, we just resigned him.

Didn't 'ruin' his career either.

Yeah. That's correct. I just finished his book recently.

He mentioned how the offer they gave would be very good for his young family and that he thought of life after football. He certainly didn't score as many as he did with Liverpool but he did say he had to create his own chances as the team cut off services to him and they were more individual players.

If I'm not wrong, before he signed, they said he would be loaned to another Italian club but he refused that and instead, suggested being loaned back to Liverpool where both Juventus and him would benefit. It never happened. Didn't enjoy his time in terms of football but loved the environment with Juventus fans, if I remember.

Eventually came back to Liverpool and score enough goals to keep him with the 'Liverpool's top goalscorer' title.

He left because the offer was too good financially to turn down.

Didn't get 'loaned' back either as far as I'm aware, we just resigned him.

Didn't 'ruin' his career either.

Yes he was 'loaned' back. He signed for Juve in 1986.

I think he just wanted to ply his trade somewhere that was 'a bit like a foreign country'.

I think what is meant is that Rush was signed by Juve then loaned back to Liverpool before he officially became a Juve player in 87.

Not by the sound of it.

Juve 'bought' him in the summer of 86.  He stayed at Anfield for that season 'on loan' before travelling to Italy in the summer of 87.

I think he just wanted to ply his trade somewhere that was 'a bit like a foreign country'.

Classic quote that haha.

He reckons he never said it, but I'm not having it!

Career was far from ruined.

He was just another foreign player who didn't fit into the lifestyle of a certain city and club. Seems to happen to 1/3 footballers that integrate.

He said he liked the people in Turin but things weren't as good as  .. if i remember rightly, the man who signed him eventually left or something.

And he stated the fact that that Juventus team consisted of alot of individual players, he lacked the services he got to score goals like in Liverpool. A goal every three games isn't that bad.

Still the greatest striker to ever play for this club.

Still the greatest striker to ever play for this club.

I took a look at his stats and it doesn't look like his league record in terms of goals per game is good but it actually is but his total for the club is really helped by the number of goals he scored in cup competitions.

I wished I got the chance to see him play. Best striker ever to play for this club.

Rushie wasn't quite as good when he came back because he had suffered from a bad Achilles tendon injury that took away a little of his pace and then had a long struggle with illness (think it was glandular fever ?) Certainly the way Liverpool had been set up during his absence didn't help him either.

Still the greatest striker to ever play for this club.

I agree mate.

I thought for a minute this was going to be about bringing him back!

If ever we needed a Rush type of player it is now.
My fav player as a kid.

Classic quote that haha.

He reckons he never said it, but I'm not having it!

Read his book, he claims the King made it up