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Danny Ings and Christian Benteke give Liverpool options, says Ian Rush

Danny Ings wheels off after scoring for Liverpool
Image: Rush says Danny Ings is sharp and makes clever runs in the box

Danny Ings is just one of a number of quality forward options Liverpool have in their squad, according to club legend Ian Rush.

Ings joined the club over the summer following the expiry of his Burnley contract and made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the 3-0 loss to West Ham before the international break.

"I was very impressed with Danny Ings in pre-season and he is a quality player that can come on," Rush told Sky Sports.

"I think Liverpool have got people on the bench who can come on and win you the game now where maybe a couple of years ago we didn't have that.

"I watched him in pre-season and for me he is very clever with the way that he makes his runs. He plays off the shoulder of the defender and he makes his runs early.

"The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino, who could be playing alongside him, will see those runs and play him in. If you don't get the ball three or four times sometimes you can stop making the runs but Ings looks very sharp to me and I think he is good in the box as well."

Image: Rush is Liverpool's all-time leading scorer with 346 goals

Liverpool also signed striker Christian Benteke in a £32.5m deal from Premier League rivals Aston Villa over the summer and Rush believes the Belgium international offers the Reds variation in attack.

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"I'm really happy that they have signed him. I think they needed someone like that," Rush said.

"Benteke gives Liverpool a different option and I think he's probably a bit better on the ground than people think. Technically, he's very good but he's also a good get out for Simon Mignolet.

"Liverpool like to play at the back but sometimes they overplay and he can be that get out because he is good in the air and it allows Simon Mignolet to kick the ball down the field knowing Benteke is a good outlet.

Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring for Liverpool against Bournemouth
Image: Christian Benteke celebrates after scoring the winner against Bournemouth

"It's good that he has proven Premier League experience but the most important thing is that he is already off the mark. When you move to a new club as a striker the most important thing is getting your first goal and he's done that already.

"For me, he kept Aston Villa in the Premier League last year. When he was fit and firing Aston Villa looked like a quality team who were always capable of scoring.

"I think he improved Aston Villa when he was there but playing for Liverpool is another level. You have to be consistent, not in three games out of six, but five games out of six.

"That is the pressure of playing for Liverpool. I'm sure he now knows what it's like and I'm sure he will do well."

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