Liverpool legend Ian Rush would never have signed for Everton. But on this day in 1989, the forward Reds forward was involved in an April Fools prank that saw him on the cover of Shoot magazine supposedly having done just that.
“Rush Signs For Everton” was the “world exclusive” on the cover with a picture of Liverpool’s prolific striker wearing an Everton shirt. He was posed with fists clenched and a look of satisfaction and glee.
Rush wasn’t the first-choice striker at Anfield after his season at Juventus— fellow legend John Aldridge had assumed the striking role when he was gone — but the Welshman was still only 27. This ‘story’ was a big one.
Now Liverpool’s record goalscorer with an incredible 346 goals, Rush went down as the greatest scorer in the Reds’ storied history. Mohamed Salah is unlikely to get close to his final tally, even if the Egyptian pens a new contract.
Salah actually has a better goals per game ratio, but Rush made more than 600 appearances for the Anfield side. His longevity and consistency was very much a key part of the record.
Despite the slim possibility of his goalscoring record being overtaken by Salah, Rush insisted earlier this season that he wants the Reds’ number 11 to extend his stay on Merseyside. As yet, there is still no news on the 32-year-old’s future.
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“I’m a great believer that records are there to be broken, but you’ve got to be winning trophies,” Rush said on Amazon Prime. “I’m a good friend of Mohamed as well, so if you do it, make sure you’re winning trophies!
“It’ll probably be a three-year [contract needed to break his record]. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. At the moment, he’s enjoying playing, he’s playing the best in the world at the moment, so let’s enjoy him and see what happens at the end of the season.”
Liverpool.com says: Imagine this sort of thing happening now! X/Twitter would go wild. With the way of the world now, nothing like it would happen again, though you can expect a few people to try things on social media…
