Ian Rush spoke of his pride on the day that a mural was unveiled in his honour.
Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer, who netted 346 times in 660 appearances for the Reds, was present at Anfield for the reveal. The mural is on Anfield Road, facing Liverpool’s stadium and is yards away from the Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henerson murals. The mural was created by street artists MurWalls and features a close-up of Rush’s face along with another image of his iconic celebration, along with detail about his time at the club, including his status as the club’s all-time top scorer. Rush signed the mural to add the finishing touches to a piece that took three days to complete. It pays tribute to one of Liverpool’s finest ever players.
Rush won 20 trophies during 15 years at Anfield, including a famous treble in 1984. His 660 appearances put him sixth on Liverpool’s all-time appearance holders and the former striker was delighted at the artwork which now adorns the surrounding area of Anfield.
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“I’m so proud of it,” Rush told the ECHO. “I think it’s something really special and to be so close to Anfield I just can’t believe it. It’s a great honour for me and I’m so proud. I’d like to thank Liverpool FC, Marc [Silver] from MurWalls and Liverpool Council as they’ve given the permission to do that so today is a special day for me.”
The Rush mural is one of a number of murals of current or former Liverpool figures around the city, including the aforementioned Henderson and Alexander-Arnold artwork, along with others including Jamie Carrager, Jurgen Klopp and Ray Clemence. With the positioning of Rush’s and the exceptional attention to detail, many Liverpool fans believe it is the best one yet.
Rush said: “I’m not going to disagree with that - it’s amazing and it’s a little bit different. To do that just shows how proud I am of my record at the club and being Liverpool Football Club’s top goalscorer. I’m just happy and every time I come here as a supporter and see my face on the wall it’s going to be amazing. I’ll never forget today and it’s a great honour.”
Rush’s former teammate and fellow Liverpool legend John Aldridge paid tribute to the artwork and believes it is just reward for his sensational record. Speaking to the ECHO, he said: “I think it’s classy. It’s brilliant [all the murals] and they’re all very good. But I have to say this one has something a little bit more - I think it’s the black and white and the way it’s outside Anfield - as Liverpudlians would say - it’s boss!
“I can’t say what’s not been said about him. As a teammate and a friend and a hero when I was younger - I’m made up for what he achieved in his life. He’s been brilliant and the career goals he scored for Liverpool will never be beaten. He’s made his own history and this underlines it.”
