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Liverpool Speak Out as Ian Rush Spends 48 Hours in Intensive Care
Liverpool and Wales legend Ian Rush, who played for the Merseysiders 654 times during a brilliant career, is reportedly ‘in good spirits’ after being rushed to hospital last week. The 64-year-old became a suspected victim of the ‘superflu’ outbreak, which has been sweeping the nation recently, and he spent 48 hours in intensive care.
Widely regarded – by many – as one of the finest British strikers of all time, Rush played for the Reds between 1980 and 1986 and later returned to Anfield on two separate loan spells.
A hero of the highest order among those of a Liverpool persuasion, thanks to him scoring goals at an alarming rate, many supporters have rallied together to wish the Welshman well, as he looks to be at home by Christmas. “A true legend of the Club. Get well done Rushie,” one member of the Anfield faithful commented after learning the news.
Liverpool Hero Ian Rush Spent 2 Days in Intensive Care After Problems with Breathing
Last week, the former centre-forward was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital after struggling to breathe in his home. Now, Rush is said to be recovering well, but he has not been able to return home at the time of writing. For precautionary reasons, he’ll remain at the facility following a worrying few days, according to a report by The Daily Mail.
Friends of Rush – who also turned out for Leeds United and Juventus during his career – say the alarm was raised in midweek when he fell ill at home. Within minutes, he was rushed to the nearest hospital and placed into an ICU (Intensive Care Unit), where he was given urgent attention.
As mentioned, Rush is said to be ‘in good spirits’ after his health scare and the hope is that he will be able to return home in time for Christmas in a couple of weeks. The former line-leader would have been expected to be in attendance for Liverpool’s home match against Brighton & Hove Albion, reports The Daily Express, but he continues to be monitored at hospital.
The ‘superflu’ has swept across England in recent weeks and there have been a handful of hospitals across Britain to have declared critical incidents. Some schools have also been shut as a result and the return of face mask rules has been raised as a potential way to reduce the risk of the flu spreading.
The University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is one of those to declare a critical incident at four hospitals due to high numbers of patients who have contracted the flu, as has the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. The Royal Stoke Hospital and Stafford County Hospital have also gone on record to say they are experiencing ‘extremely high demand’.
Despite retiring at the turn of the millennium, St. Asaph-born Rush remains connected to the club, and he took up an ambassadorial role in 2010. Wishing him well, a Liverpool spokesperson recently said: “Liverpool Football Club thanks all the staff at the hospital for providing the best care possible for our legend and ambassador. Everyone at Liverpool wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Ian Rush’s Career
Born in Wales, Rush moved to England in the infancy of his career and represented Chester FC at youth level before moving up into the first team. It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of Liverpool, who are doubtlessly one of the biggest clubs in the country – if not the world. A match made in heaven, he scored 346 goals across all competitions during his time with the Reds.
He is also the second-highest scorer in the history of the FA Cup, with 41 goals to his name, and he was a vital cog in Liverpool’s success in the eighties. His first spell, between the years of 1980 and 1986, saw him win the First Division on four occasions and two Champions League crowns to attest to his and his team’s brilliance.
10 Greatest British Liverpool Players in Football History [Ranked]
Liverpool have been blessed to have some of the best British players at the club down the years.
A serial goal-getter on the international stage with Wales, too, Rush (with an impressive tally of 28 goals in 73 outings) was at the summit of The Dragons’ all-time top goalscorer’s chart before Gareth Bale usurped his total seven years ago. He made his international bow in 1980 in a 1-0 loss to Scotland and played his final game for his country in 1996 when they lost 3-0 to Italy.
