Ian Rush believes that Michael Owen will smash his Liverpool goalscoring records if the striker stays at the club.

Rush, who is a part-time coach helping with the strikers at Anfield, is adamant that if Owen signs on again, then he will continue to develop - and eventually rip up the record books at the club.

"For me, Michael Owen has learnt so much, and would definitely be No.1 in my eyes of all the strikers in Europe. I would put him up there in front of the likes of Raul and van Nistelrooy," he said.

"He was the European Footballer of the Year, and he has done all that with Liverpool. If he stays here and manages to stay free from injury, then I can't see how he won't surpass every goalscoring record at this club.

"I'm proud of the records I hold, but I'd be even more pleased to see Michael go on and break them. He's already equalled my European record, so no doubt he will smash that this season, and he's already gone through the 100-goal barrier in the league.

"No doubt there are, long term, more waiting to be smashed. The good thing is, he'll have them firmly in his sights and will want to beat them - that's because he is a winner." Rush is miles ahead in the all-time scoring lists at Liverpool. His total stands at an amazing 346 goals, 60 ahead of second-placed Roger Hunt, and 200 in front of Owen. He was also the fastest to 100, and jointly holds the record in Europe, as well as having the best goals-per-game ratio in the history of the club.

However, Rush added: "Michael is still so young, but you can see him breaking all the records here, because he is so hungry and because he's always willing to listen and learn.

"He is frightening. He has progressed so far under the manager here, and I think he will continue to get better if he stays at Anfield. He's always willing to work hard at his game. In training he is so focused.''

RUSH v OWEN

IAN RUSH

Games for Liverpool.........658

Total goals...................... 346

Wales caps........................73

International goals.............26

MICHAEL OWEN

Games for Liverpool.........233

Total goals.........................142

England caps......................50

International goals...............22

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Premier: Stable RMB rate benefits all ( 2003-09-04) +Typhoon kills at least 36 in Guangdong ( 2003-09-04) +Ministry: No SARS recurrence in China ( 2003-09-04) +Free-trade initiative gathers momentum ( 2003-09-04) +Several nuclear-power plants to quench energy thirst ( 2003-09-04)		+Owen to rush ahead in scoring charts ( 2003-09-04) +Rooney and Heskey in race to partner Owen ( 2003-09-04) +Chinese teenager scores in Man Utd reserve match ( 2003-09-03) +Chen Hong wins opener at Malaysian Open badminton ( 2003-09-04) +Real Madrid forecasting big profits boost ( 2003-09-04)