Ian Rush: Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane have makings of legendary partnership

But Rush, Liverpool's all-time leading goalscorer, is confident the Irishman can rediscover his form and develop a fruitful partnership with Torres.

"Given time there's no doubt that Keane and Torres could be as good as myself and Dalglish," said Rush.

"When you are at a big club like Liverpool, people are always going to compare you to players from the past, but you can only compare them together when they win the league. And I'd like to see them compared to me and Kenny because for me they are quality players.

"People talk about Keane not playing as well as he was last season but Berbatov isn't for United either, but he gets away with it because of the amount of games he plays in.

"I'm sure Keane will get his chance but the most important thing for him is to keep his confidence."

Keane and Torres haven't played alongside each other since Liverpool's goalless draw against Fulham at Anfield in November.

However, Rush believes that given time the partnership could be the key to the title ambitions of Rafael Benitez's men.

"I think when Torres plays Keane should play, and they should be given time to be allowed to gel together," said the Welshman.

"It takes time, they need to work together in training and get time on the pitch, but it will come because I really do think Robbie Keane is a great player.

"Torres likes to play on the heels of the last defender and I think Keane likes to be busy and play off the frontman were he can come deep and pick-up the ball.

"We seen this work well for him at Tottenham last season when he struck a partnership with Berbatov and I can't see any reason why he can't do the same at Liverpool with Torres for the remainder of the season.

"If they do click I think Liverpool will win the league as it will give the team something extra."

Rush was in the Liverpool side that last lifted the title 19 years ago and believes that this season the Anfield team could end that long wait for their first Premier League crown.

It's Liverpool's best chance since 1990 because United and Chelsea have slipped up in games and it's not like them, but Liverpool need to capitalise on that now," he added.

"Normally when we get to around February/March in the Premier League, Liverpool usually have to beat the likes of Chelsea and United to stay in contention for the title and they haven't done that.

"But I think this season it's the reverse and now Liverpool are the team to beat."

Rush was at Vauxhall Motors' Rivacre Park stadium to the launch the new Prostar six-a-side League and the Welshman - still a keen six-a-side player himself - believes that if Liverpool get to the final month of the season and are still chasing the title then that is were the hard work begins.

"It's the mental toughness that comes into it in that final part of the season," he said. "Every game in the last part of the campaign is like a cup final and that's the way they should be treated and that's where the psychology comes in.

"I was lucky enough to have experienced players around me to help me along, there was Kenny, there was Graeme Souness and that's what it was all about.

"Sir Alex Ferguson was saying that Liverpool haven't got the experience to cope with the pressure, but you can't get the experience until you get into that position.

"So I think if they get into that position then that's were the coaches job will be to get them through that final month of the season and I'm sure the supporters will help."