Legendary former Inter forward Ian Rush feels that Inter have the quality to seriously have a go at his former team in the Champions League even though the Reds are favourites.
Speaking to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport in an interview published in today’s print edition, the Welshman emphasized that the Nerazzurri’s attacking style of play can make them a match for their round of sixteen opponents.
Inter will have to face one of the most prolific attacks in Europe when they come up against Liverpool, and they will know that the Reds’ playing in the Premier League week in and week out has fashioned them into a very high-tempo and intense team.
However, the Nerazzurri have themselves shown their capacity to play the game at a very quick pace and with great proactiveness, and Rush feels that this is important in giving them a chance against his old side Liverpool.
“The Nerazzurri play like top English teams do, always attacking,” he said. “Their brand of football is really nice to see.”
“The fact is that the Italian champions are stronger going forward than in defense,” he added, “something which also applies to Liverpool, it makes me think this will be a fun and spectacular match.”
“Inter are the top team in Italian football, in the last round of Serie A the Nerazzurri got a good draw in Naples,” he continued.
Rush predicted that “Tomorrow night will be a hard-fought match, even though Liverpool are in a good vein of form it will not be easy for the Reds.”
On the favourites for the match, he said that “Looking at the most recent results, right now I would say Liverpool. 60% to 40% for Klopp’s boys.”
On who he feels could be decisive for Inter, Rush named “Dzeko: he scored against Napoli and is in good form, but Lautaro also knows what he’s doing. And obviously Alexis Sanchez.”
For Liverpool he expects the danger man to be “Salah. Mo will want to show that he is a world-class player once again. He’s fit, we all know what he’s capable of, he will certainly be a danger for the Inter defense.”
Rush went on that “I really appreciate how Inter play. Klopp and Guardiola are examples of managers well-regarded by people for the way they coach their teams, but above all for their style of play. Inzaghi has to be in the same class.”
On whether he considers Inter or his old side Juventus to be stronger in Serie A, Rush analyzed that “Probably the Nerazzurri, but next season it won’t be like this, the Bianconeri will return to compete for the title.”
