John Terry deserves to be sacked, says Ian Rush

Someone, who has guided Reds to three straight titles in the early 1980s and later in 1990s, finds it hard to digest his club’s poor show of late. Anfield legend Ian Rush speaks to DNA on Premier League season, John Terry’s scam and of course, Liverpool’s dismal run…

First of all, what do you make of Sunday night’s match between Chelsea and Arsenal?
Chelsea played very well, didn’t they? The way they attacked shows their class to be there at the top this season. Everyone knew how important it was for Chelsea to win to keep hopes alive and they were too just a little strong for Arsenal.

So does that effectively rule Arsenal out of the title race?
Yes I think it is now between Chelsea and Manchester United. Arsenal have played well so far and they have another big game on Wednesday against Liverpool. But the lead is too big now… it’s not going to be easy for them to come back.

Liverpool were suppose to be the title challengers. But it’s been disastrous for them…
For a club like Liverpool, it’s important that we finish in top four. I don’t know what went wrong but still we can make up. If we beat Arsenal on Wednesday, the team can still finish in the top three. It will be a big, big game for both sides.

Liverpool won plenty of silverware during your time. What do you go through when you watch the Reds passing through such a rough phase?
It’s frustrating to watch them play like that. But there is no point being negative. You’ve to stick with your team and support them through such times. Liverpool have a good set of supporters and they have been backing the team all along. But the team has to respond as well. But as an ex-player, I hope the team returns to their good old days as soon as possible.

How important a role do the owners play in modern day football? The management is partly to be blamed for Liverpool’s fall…
Owners have to play active role in management. Success depends on how you buy players… how your owners want them to be. But that’s not all. Look at Manchester City. They have money and some of the best players. But that doesn’t really make them a good club. They don’t have the tradition and the history… that comes with the winning titles.

Does Liverpool need good set of new players?
If they can get some good lad up front, it would be ideal. We have Ngog but he is still learning. I guess (Alberto) Aquilani is a future star they have got. Just one or two positions need to be looked after.

No more Liverpool now (Rush chuckles). How do you react to the John Terry scandal? Does he deserve this?
I think the manager made the right decision. JT deserved to be sacked! It could have caused harm in the team otherwise. JT is still a main figure in the team. But he will have to work really hard to get his captaincy back.

But do you feel there is just too much scrutiny of players’ private life?
It is difficult for a player to hide what he does. The press will find out anyway. But as a role model, you have to behave yourselves on the pitch as well as off it. It is difficult period for JT as well as Tiger Woods, who finds himself in a bigger trouble, but we have to back them.

Finally, it’s the World Cup year. Who’s your pick?
My money is on Spain. Germany, Brazil also have good sides but I have a feeling that this is going to Spain’s year.