Rush said: "If he asks for my advice I shall tell him he is better off staying at Liverpool. They remain one of the biggest names in club football. I can understand Michael's predicament. He has proved himself to be a world class striker and wants to compete against the best.
"Don't forget he is still only 23 and he has plenty of time ahead of him. I sampled life abroad when I spent a year with Juventus before returning to Liverpool for another eight seasons. But I was older than Michael when I moved and if it taught me anything it was that the grass is not always greener on the side."
"I know what the club means to Michael. Believe me, he loves it with the same instensity as Steven Gerrard. He may not be a local boy, like Steven - but he has spent al his career at Anfield and it is close to his heart.
"Nobody is suggesting he will stay forever but at this stage of his career I believe the odds are all in favour of him agreeing a new contract."