"Rushie's the one who's set the standard for anyone who plays for either Liverpool or Everton," said Owen.
"Whoever took the shirt of Ian Rush once he'd left Liverpool had to be great in their own right.
"At Liverpool, it needed someone of the quality of Robbie Fowler to come along to wear the number nine. I don't think there are many who'd have been capable of wearing the jersey after Rushie.
"It shows how good Robbie was to come even close to Rushie.
"Rushie is what you call a true finisher. ple often use the phrase 'natural goalscorer', and when they do Ian Rush's name will forever spring immediately to mind.
"But apart from that, as a fellow striker, I'd say one of his biggest influences on us all is the fact he did so much more outside the box.
"Rushie was one of the most hard-working strikers there's ever been. Not only was he a great goalscorer, defensively he was fantastic too.
"He will always be regarded as one of the greatest strikers there's ever been in world football, so it's a pleasure to work with him now he's joined the Liverpool coaching staff."