SAYS LEGEND KOP STRIKER IAN RUSH

Sergio-Gonzalo battle’s key

IAN RUSH played with some of the best strikers in the game during a glittering career in which he became Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer.

Now, the ex-No.9, who hit

346 goals in 660 games for the Reds, casts his eye over two hitmen who come face-toface in the battle of the big guns at The Etihad today.

In the Manchester

City corner is Sergio Aguero, who Rush rates as one of the best strikers he has ever seen.

And facing him is Gonzalo Higuain, who is finding his feet at Chelsea after initially joining on loan from Juventus.

Aguero is a big hit with Kop hero Rush, who said: “He is just phenomenal. I would put him right up there

as one of the best strikers ever to play in our league. In many ways he is an old-school striker.

“He gets tap-ins and good goals as well. He is something special. He’s been amazing. The only unfortunate thing is he has had a couple of bad injuries. But if he plays all the games he would end up as the league’s top scorer.

“He is a natural finisher and getting into the box as regularly as he does, he is one of a dying breed. Everyone now wants to score wonder goals. “Aguero can score those but he is there to tap them in, too.” Rush salutes Aguero, who will celebrate eight years at City in July, for his loyalty to the club. He has turned a blind eye to any advances from Europe’s big guns on his way to notching

219 goals since his arrival from Atletico Madrid for £35million. Rush (above) said: “I am not surprised he is still at City. They are a great club and he seems happy there. If you’re not happy you can’t produce your best. “Without a doubt he could play for any of Europe’s top sides but he’s staying at City.”

Rush is looking forward to seeing Higuain thrive in the Premier League but says it will take time before he hits the heights with Chelsea.

He said: “The Italian league and the Premier League are not the same. The Premier League is the hardest league in the world. “In Italy it’s stop, stop, quick, quick. In England, it’s 100mph for 90 minutes.

“He obviously has the qualities but it’s all about adapting to the English style. In England it’s just as tough playing against a team near the bottom as it is against a side near the top.

“He will have to learn quickly to be a success here.”

●Rushie was speaking ahead of the legends game between Liverpool and AC Milan at Anfield on March 23, raising money for the LFC Foundation.