Liverpool’s new season line-up dazzles rivals

Press, 24 August 1988, Page 72

Liverpool’s new season line-up dazzles rivals

NZPA-Reuter London Kenny Dalglish is pondering a line-up which would have Liverpool’s rivals quaking in their football boots even before the new English season has begun. With a four-man attack featuring both lan Rush and John Aldridge, and England internationals Peter Beardsley and John Barnes bringing the forward line’s total worth to a staggering 5NZ17.19 million, the reigning champion’s hopes of winning its tenth league title in 14 seasons are understandably

high. Mr Dalglish, spoilt for choice and the envy of most of his fellow managers in the first division, had considered dropping Aldridge for the Welshman Rush, who is making a sudden return after a year with the Italian club Juventus. But Aldridge’s two goals in Liverpool’s Charity Shield victory over the F.A. Cup holder, Wimbledon, last Saturday have made him think again. “Rush and Aldridge have played together before and they played well,” Mr Dalglish said.

“There are a lot of people who /would like to try that again.” But the fans on Liverpool’s famous Kop terraces — who beseiged the club’s season ticket offices after the announcement of Rush’s return — may have to wait to see. their hero. Liverpool kicks off the season on Saturday away at the London club, Charlton, and there is no guarantee that Rush, who has been suffering from a virus, will be fit to play for a week or two. “We are still waiting for his international clearance from Italy and we’ve got to take a look

at his fitness,” said Mr Dalglish, whose side will set out to beat last season’s record-equalling start of 29 matches without defeat. But those determined to prevent another Liverpool walkover — the northern club lost only two of its 40 matches last year — have also been out shopping over the summer break. Twenty million pounds (5NZ52.90 million) has been spent, with six players, apart from Rush, changing hands at $NZ2.64 million or more. Tottenham also reported a rush

for season tickets after buying the talented midfielder, Paul ! Gascoigne, from Newcastle for SNZS.B2 million and expects a big crowd for the opening tie at home against Coventry. Everton, disappointed with fourth place last season after winnning the championship in 1985 and 1987, paid SNZ6.6I million for Westham and the England striker, Tony Cottee, in a bid to step up the local feud with Liverpool. The two clubs have kept the league trophy in the city of Liverpool for seven consecutive years.