Ian Rush hopes his presence, and that of other Anfield icons, around the club can be used by manager Brendan Rodgers as an inspiration to the current group of Liverpool stars.

The Welshman, who remains the most prolific goalscorer in Reds history, acts as an ambassador, strengthening the relationship with supporters at every corner of the globe.

His former strike partner, Kenny Dalglish, returned earlier this month too after it was announced that the Scot was to join the Liverpool board as a non-executive director.

Rush believes their respective knowledge and experience can be of benefit to the players now tasked with achieving success for the club - a sentiment clearly shared by Rodgers.

He told Liverpoolfc.com: "We all love the club and we're like supporters now. We have played for the club and we're desperate to see them be successful.

"If we can give experience to players, it's great. One good thing about it is the manager, Brendan, invites us if we want to come to training.

"He wants to see ex-players and icons, which reminds the present day players of what these people won and they have got to try to achieve that with this team.

"It brings excitement to the club. We want to see ex-players come in and give their experience back to these present day players."

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Having lifted 14 major trophies with Liverpool during more than a decade as a revered player, Dalglish took the managerial reins on two separate occasions with further success.

Both Rodgers and the club's principal owner, John W Henry, have hailed the 62-year-old since his new position was confirmed, and Rush was keen to echo their praise.

"Kenny is Liverpool through and through, he has got Liverpool at heart," he continued.

"It's great to see him back and I thought the owners did a great job bringing him back. Kenny loves football and he'll benefit the club because he'll give his advice and experience, both as a player and as a manager.

"I'm sure Brendan will be made up that he's back because if he needs any advice, Kenny will be the first to give it. It's for Liverpool Football Club, not for the individual - and Kenny puts Liverpool Football Club first on the list.

"There's no-one bigger than the club. Players come and go, the club will always be there. I'm sure Kenny would be the first to say that as well.

"It would be great to work with him. Obviously we have different roles; I do a lot of travelling abroad, Kenny probably won't go outside the UK.

"But he'll pass his experience on. It's great sitting by him at the game, talking about the game and football. You listen to what Kenny says and Kenny listens to what I say.

"It's a great thing. If you see Brendan, it's great to chat with him and see what Brendan thinks about the game, and also give your opinion."

Rush was an interested observer when 16-year-old Academy talent Harry Wilson made a remarkable international debut for Wales as a substitute against Belgium on Tuesday night.

The 51-year-old has worked with the young winger at close quarters and shared his excitement regarding the Wrexham native's future potential.

Rush said: "I had him at Wales two years ago and had him at the Academy. He's an exciting talent and hopefully, being Welsh, he'll come through and be very successful.

"If you're looking for someone to coach, he wants to learn everything and will ask you questions.

"When people start doing that, any manager would want him in there because he's prepared to learn. If he wants to know something, he'll ask you - and that's what I like about him.

"He's got his left foot, an incredible left foot. I've had him working on his right foot as well. He's so cool in everything that he does.

"He's got a footballing brain in him and something about him. He's a great finisher and he's always so composed. That's the good thing about him."