Beauty Carol Anthony has spoken of her love for soccer legend Ian Rush – a player she followed when she was a kid, writes Katie Hind in the Sunday People.

Carol, 30, is now the Liverpool FC hero’s steady girlfriend despite a 22-year age gap.

The Irish model and pop star said: “I have always been a Liverpool fan. I watched Ian play on TV when I was younger. My whole family are Liverpool fans.

“But I don’t see an age gap. I did once or twice when we first got together but I don’t any more. I’m trying to stop my ageing process but I think Ian looks better than ever.”

Carol was blamed for the end of Rushie’s 25-year marriage to mum-of-two Tracy in 2012, but insists she’s no wannabe WAG.

“I’m a strong, independent woman who doesn’t need anyone to support me,” said Carol in an exclusive interview with the Sunday People.

“Ian and I have been together for 18 months. But I’m not a little girl, I’m not dazed by what is going on.”

Rush, 52, was one of the most recognisable faces in football in his heyday with his big nose and moustache.

The Welsh international is still Liverpool’s all-time top goal scorer and one of the members of the league title winning team in 1990 alongside John Barnes, Alan Hansen and Bruce Grobbelaar. Now, nearly 25 years after watching her hero play, Carol would far rather be dating him than a man her own age.

The singer, who has a new single out next month, said: “Ian is a gentleman. He holds doors open for me, he has manners and that’s lovely.

“I have been out with men nearer to my age but they are not as polite, they’re not old school.”

And when asked if dating an older man slowed her sex life, Carol laughed: “He’s fitter than me! Mentally, though, we have a good connection. I’m quite grown up for my age.”

Carol, from Cork in the Irish Republic, giggles as she recounts introducing her new boyfriend to her parents.

After years of having a smooth upper lip, Rushie was growing his ’tache back for men’s charity month Movember.

Carol said: “My parents thought it was hilarious because that’s exactly how they remember him playing. Now though, Ian is very much part of our family.”