Our record goalscorer feels Torres - who agreed a new deal at
Anfield on Thursday - puts the team before personal glory by
working as hard off the ball as he does on it.
This is something that was drummed into Rush by legendary managers
such as Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish.
"What I like about him is he doesn't give defenders time to rest on
the ball," said Rush.
"If you close down the play like that, five times out of 10 the
ball goes out of play and you've won it back. You've done your job.
Of course you don't have to play that way, it depends which club
you're at.
"I believe there are strikers who are happy to score whether they
win, draw or lose. Thierry Henry for example. But I was brought up
at Liverpool knowing the team comes first, goals second.
"My job was to make it harder for the opposition. If I could win
the ball I'd close the defender down, which would make it easier
for the midfield, who'd do the same for the defence. If you do it
right, hopefully the goalkeeper doesn't touch the ball. We worked
as a unit."
Torres has scored 50 in 83 appearances since arriving at Anfield
from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.
His performances for Liverpool and Spain led to a Ballon d'Or
nomination in 2008.
Rush believes such success would have been impossible without an
astute footballing brain.
"A coach can do everything for you, but when you get on the pitch
it can all change," said the Welsh great. "The difference between
winning and losing is adapting, and doing so the quickest way –
that's down to movement.
"The best strikers will adapt and think for themselves a bit
quicker than anybody else. Torres does it at Liverpool now."