Liverpool legend and former Juventus striker Ian Rush has reflected sadly on the May 1985 event that shamed football and admitted that it was the one time in his life that he didn’t care whether Liverpool won or lost.
This week’s Champions League quarter-final between Liverpool and Juventus is inevitably evoking painful memories of the Heysel tragedy of 20 years ago, when 39 people – all but one of them Italian football fans – lost their lives before the 1985 European Cup final.

Rush was a player in Liverpool’s dressing room that night as the horror unfolded on the crumbling terraces. He also went on to play one season for Juventus (1987-88) before returning to his beloved Liverpool.

Currently managing Chester City in England’s League 2, Rush has revealed that when Uefa ordered the final to go ahead, he surveyed the wreckage of the terraces and immediately wondered what he was doing there.

"It was the only game, right from being a kid, when I wasn’t bothered whether we won or lost," he said.

"As a professional, I approached every game, even friendlies, with a fierce determination to win. That time, I honestly did not care.

"I just wanted to get it over with and find my family. I had never felt like that before."

There have been one or two suggestions that some Juve fans may seek revenge at some stage during the forthcoming two-legged quarter-final between the clubs – their first meeting since Heysel - but Rush is confident the two games will be peaceful.

And he personally is pleased that the two have been paired together.

"We have been waiting 20 years for this game and it has come at the right time.

"You can’t switch off from what happened two decades ago. It will never be forgotten but what we must do is learn from the mistakes and move on.

"Relationships have been built since that night and the two clubs are closer now than they have ever been.

"I can guarantee the reception the Juventus supporters will receive at Anfield on Tuesday will be second to none and that is one of the reasons why these two games will be so special."

The bookmakers make Juve strong favourites to progress to the semi-finals at the expense of the current Liverpool side, especially since Pavel Nedved is expected to be available again after injury.

And although Rush wants Liverpool to win, he admires Juve, whom he enjoyed playing for, albeit for only a short time.

"I became a better person on and off the pitch because of my time at Juventus," he said.

"The game over there was a bit different but no-one could argue it is not a fantastic club.

"The whole reason I went there was because people told me it was the Liverpool of Italy. It was just unfortunate for me that I was one of seven new players and when you talk about it to people now, they say I went there at just the wrong time.

"My memories of Juventus just make me look forward to Tuesday’s game even more.

"It is going to be a special night and I really believe whoever wins will go on to the final. I just hope it is Liverpool".