Liverpool legend Ian Rush will be looking to rewrite history this weekend when he comes up against Franco Baresi.

The star striker may have won titles and notched up records galore with the Reds.

But he has one regret left over from his star-studded career - he’s never scored against AC Milan ace Baresi.

Rush spent an unhappy season at Juventus in 1987-88 where up against the tighter Italian defences he scored only eight times in 29 games.

However, while Rush found his time in Turin tough one player for him stood head and shoulders above the rest, Baresi. 

With the dynamic defender lining up for the AC Milan legends team against Rush’s Liverpool outfit the Welshman has an unexpected chance to finally get one over his old nemesis - and it is one he’s determined not to miss.

“He’s one of the most difficult defenders I’ve played against,” Rush told 7DAYS. “He’s not one of them with great pace but his ability to read the game was incredible. I didn’t score against him there so I am looking to get payback against him now!
“When people ask me about the great defenders I’ve played against I think of Paul McGrath of Manchester United and Franco Barasi, because they were such quality players.”

While a lot of the attention has been focused on the awesome AC contingent set to do battle at the Emirates Airline Dubai Football Sevens, Rush is keen to remind fans that the Reds themselves are also intent on doing damage.

Even though five-time European Cup winner Paolo Maldini and classy Croatian Zvonoimir Boban have pulled out the San Siro side still have names like Alessandro Costacurta and Christian Vieri to call on.

But Rush is sure Liverpool will give them a run for their money.

“Milan have got a great side here. They are the team to beat they are favourites to win it,” he added. “The lads are impressed by the quality of the players coming over, they are legends but saying that you’d love nothing more than to beat them. We’d give anything to beat them and that's what it’s all about.

“We’ll give it our best shot and we believe we'll get results as well.”

The cynics among you, and we admit it, there are a fair few of those at 7DAYS, may well think all the old footballers are simply over in Dubai for a jolly weekend in the sun and to meet up with old mates.

But Rush claims nothing is further from the truth for the Liverpool side which includes Paul Walsh, Jason McAteer, Phil Babb and John Wark, who are in it for one thing only - victory.

“Once you put on that red shirt you’re representing the club and you want to do your best. We’ve still got the legs, we’ve got the experience so that’s what it’s all about.

“We play quite a lot, we play a lot of Masters Football and a lot of 11-a-side so we will be organised,” he added.
“We know how to play having played some ten-20 games a year.

The lads will be football fit.”