Liverpool legend Ian Rush full of praise for Man City star Sergio Aguero

Their affections lie on opposite sides of the title race, but Liverpool hero Ian Rush is grateful to Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero for being the saviour of No 9s around the world.

Rush feared traditional goalscorers were on their way out when stars like Michael Owen retired. But Aguero has proved otherwise.

The Argentine’s 20 goals this season have kept City neck-and-neck with Liverpool going into their game against Chelsea on Sunday, including last weekend’s hat-trick against Arsenal.

‘I’d put him right up there as one of the best ever strikers in our league,’ said Rush, who scored a record 346 goals for Liverpool.

‘Every year people ask me who is going to be top scorer. I always say if he stays fit, Sergio Aguero. In many ways, he is like the old school strikers. He will get the tap-ins and good goals as well. He is something special.

‘The thing that stands out is he’s a natural finisher. He is a dying breed. Everyone now wants to play No 10 and score wonder goals.

‘Aguero is similar to Michael Owen in his heyday. Because they are both small, they have a low centre of gravity.

Aguero, 30, has scored a record 219 goals for City and his manager Pep Guardiola will want him to add more as they chase an unprecedented quadruple. Though Gabriel Jesus will undoubtedly also play a part in City’s crowded fixture list, Aguero remains the player they turn to, as Liverpool do with Mo Salah.

‘You need mental strength as a top striker and Aguero certainly has that,’ said Rush, who will be one of the Reds legends on show against AC Milan at Anfield on March 23.

‘You are always going to miss chances and people will quickly remind you of them. You can miss five but you still have to get in the same position. When you do score, everyone forgets the ones you have missed. For that you need mental strength.’