With a record five FA Cup Final goals - and 44 in total in the competition - Ian Rush was a natural choice up front.

The Liverpool legend won three FA Cups and scored in each of those victorious Finals to become the most prolific forward in the entire 125 year history of the showpiece event.

Two goals against Everton in both 1986 and 1989 and another strike against Sunderland in 1992 were influential in taking The Cup back to Anfield, although there was disappointment in 1996 when Rush was denied a fourth winner's medal - and even more goals - as Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0.

However, the predatory striker also holds the modern-day record for the most goals by a single player in the FA Cup, netting 39 for Liverpool, four for Chester City and one for Newcastle across his superb career.

But it is his efforts in the Cup Finals that remain most memorable.

The first came in 1986 on an historic day for Merseyside as city rivals Liverpool and Everton came head-to-head for the first time in the big occasion.

Everton were leading 1-0 through Gary Lineker and looked strong, until Rush grabbed an equaliser to turn the tide. Craig Johnston added a second for Liverpool and Rush put the icing on the cake with a famous strike right into the corner of the net that sent a photographer's camera flying.

That double from Rush also secured a Double for the Reds, given the fact they had already captured the old First Division championship that season.

Three years later he broke Everton hearts again with another two goals in the Final. In an emotional match - played just a few weeks after the Hillsborough tragedy - Rush started on the bench, but still ended up making a massive impact with two deft strikes in extra-time to help Liverpool to a 3-2 victory.

His record-breaking fifth goal in the Cup Final came in 1992 when underdogs Sunderland were beaten 2-0. Amazingly, all five of Rush's goals were scored into the same net at Wembley.

Apart from those fantastic five Final strikes, probably the next most important for Rush came against lowly Rochdale in a third round clash in 1996.

His effort was not so vital in the middle of a 7-0 whitewash, but it was his 42nd in the competition and took him past Denis Law's record tally in the FA Cup.

No surprise then that he has been selected as one of the three strikers in our FA Cup Team of Heroes.

Stay with TheFA.com as we continue to reveal our Team of Horoes. Tomorrow - the manager.