Liverpool News

CHELSEA V LFC PREVIEW

2008-04-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

SKY Sports 30 April 2008
Chelsea have the opportunity to banish their UEFA Champions League semi-final hoodoo against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Revenge can be an over used verb in football but it cannot be questioned that, in this second leg meeting in the final four of Europe's premier cup competition, the R-word will be bouncing around the home dressing room in West London with a certain degree of frequency.

Having been sent packing by the Reds at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007, it would have to be a kind-hearted Blue who suggests that Liverpool are simply the final obstacle in the battle to secure an all-English meeting with Manchester United in Moscow on 21st May.

Chelsea players admit that the memory of their previous eliminations at the hands of their Merseyside visitors sits painfully in the back seat of the mind, but they now appear well placed to avenge those entrances in the history books following last week's 1-1 first leg draw at Anfield.

Liverpool, though, will be happy to be cast as the underdogs as they aim to rake up painful flashbacks for their hosts, while the five-time European champions will also be twitching at the prospect of setting up an all-red Russian meeting with North West rivals United in three weeks' time.

Boss Rafa Benitez appears to be compensating for the absence of former foe Jose Mourinho in provoking any possible war of words with Grant, but the Spaniard's motives and continental pedigree cannot be doubted as he bids to steer Liverpool to a third Champions League final appearance in four years.

Benitez has made no secret of his feelings towards the, perceived to be, animated antics of Didier Drogba and do not be surprised to see the Liverpool chief prowling his technical area following any foul awarded in favour of the Chelsea striker.

Drogba is expected to spearhead a three-pronged attack alongside wingers Joe Cole and Florent Malouda while, in midfield, Frank Lampard should play after missing Chelsea's Premier League victory over United last weekend through compassionate leave.

Ghanaian powerhouse Michael Essien is also expected to return to add some bite to the Chelsea bark following his suspension-enforced absence in the first leg, but Grant is set to play the midfielder in a right-back role.

After ringing the changes in the domestic outing at Birmingham last Saturday, Benitez will return to his star names as defender Jamie Carragher and captain Steven Gerrard start, while striker Fernando Torres will be charged with the vital task of ending Liverpool's eight-game goal drought at Stamford Bridge.

Defender Fabio Aurelio is out for the season after tearing an adductor muscle eight days ago and that is likely to mean Alvaro Arbeloa is shifted to the left of a back four as Steve Finnan comes in on the right.

John Arne Riise would appear to be the Reds' natural left-footed option, but the Norwegian's infamous injury-time own goal last week is likely to leave Benitez begging to differ.

CL Preview: Liverpool - Chelsea

2008-04-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

Goal.com

The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals is an all-English affair and sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at this stage of the competition for the third time in four years. Can the Blues exact revenge for the previous two defeats?

Chelsea Looking For Revenge

Things are never calm at Chelsea football club and this has been made abundantly clear in the past week.

Monday night at Stamford Bridge – the Blues are 1-0 up and Emile Heskey pops up to net Wigan Athletic a late equaliser. Chelsea are done for, the title is United’s, Grant is a loser and it’s all his fault.

Fast forward to Thursday, where up on Merseyside Michael Essien snatches the all-important goal as Chelsea earn a vital win at Everton. By Saturday, United’s inability to claim all three points at Blackburn means the gap is once again three points. Avram Grant might have grumped his way through the post-match Press conference, but suddenly this is the guy who could lead Chelsea to an historic league and European Cup double.

This is the Blues’ fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals in five years. They have yet to reach the final but it is perhaps fitting that they one again face Liverpool, twice the architects of Chelsea’s European demise at this stage.

With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.

Chelsea, meanwhile, know that they need to score on this trip to Anfield. They’ve failed to do so on any of their previous three Champions League games there, and recent profligacy in front of goal will be a concern. In cagey cup ties you must take what few chances you get.

After Athens Comes Moscow?

Liverpool go into the semi-final as outsiders with the bookmakers and behind Chelsea in the league. Will that worry the Reds? It was exactly the same in 2005 and 2007. Blues fans have often pointed to Liverpool’s fortune in Europe (lucky penalties, goals that never were) but when you’ve reached two finals in three years and dispatched the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus – as well as Chelsea twice – you must be doing something right.

Going into this first leg it’s fair to say that the psychological advantage lies with Liverpool, not only because of what has transpired in years past, but also because of results in Europe this season. The confidence gained from eliminating Inter and Arsenal, where three games were won and one was drawn, will be far greater than that the Blues can yield from overcoming the relative minnows of Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.

After a close call earlier in the campaign, the European mentality at Anfield is alive and well. Belief, tradition and a useful run of form (eleven wins and just one defeat in the last 14 games) give Rafa Benítez’ side every confidence of ruining Abramovich’s dream for a third time.

This Liverpool side is stronger than those fielded on those previous occasions, but this remains the Reds’ toughest task yet thanks to the second leg taking place down in London. The atmosphere at Anfield will still be tremendous, but without knowing their Stamford Bridge fate the Reds will not so easily be able to sit on a 1-0 or 0-0 like in those previous encounters. The search for a healthy home win carries with it the danger of exposure at the back, but that is a risk Liverpool must take: Stamford Bridge has been a miserable away ground for 20 years.

BENITEZ: WE ARE GOING TO ARSENAL TO WIN

2008-04-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Rafa Benitez says Liverpool are going to Arsenal with nothing but thoughts of victory on their minds.

The Reds boss - though fully aware of the quality in the Gunners' ranks - believes his team have the ability to record an away win at the Emirates in tomorrow night's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Having won eight of their last nine games, Liverpool go into the game high on confidence and Benitez is backing his players to deliver on the big European stage yet again.

He said: "We will be looking for a win. We know Arsenal are a very good team but we are playing well at the moment, creating chances and winning games, and we have confidence.

"When you play in games like this you want to win and to do that you have to score at least one goal so we will be looking to do that."

Liverpool have not won at Arsenal since February 2000 when a Titi Camara goal was the difference between the two sides.

But Benitez believes the fact that tomorrow night's clash comes in European competition makes it a very different game.

"It will be different because it is in Europe," he said. "That does not mean it will be easier or harder, just different.

"The away goals rule means teams have to approach games in a different way to the way they approach league games and that is something for us to bear in mind."

INTER MILAN 0-1 LIVERPOOL

2008-03-12T03:51:00.001-07:00

The Times 12 March 2008

Records are records for a reason, so let nobody downplay the achievement of the Barclays Premier League in providing 50 per cent of the field in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Nor of Liverpool in adding an away win against the runaway leaders of Serie A to a remarkable canon of European results under Rafael Benítez.

This was an historic performance on an historic night. The supporters sensed it, too. Parochial songs and declarations of devotion to all things Scouse and red were crowned with a defiant chorus rarely heard from the throats of this nation’s cosmopolitan elite. “England,” the Liverpool fans cried. “England.”

For the second time in a week, the San Siro echoed to applause for what English football had achieved and what is has become. A young Arsenal side passed AC Milan to death last week and now it was Inter’s turn to experience the mighty potential of our domestic game, its uncanny ability to combine the finest elements of technique and fighting spirit.

English passport-holders may be in the minority in the four Premier League teams that will enter Uefa’s draw on Friday, but that does not mean there is no English influence. We have learnt from them, and they from us. Liverpool’s winning goal may have been fashioned in Spain, but the determination that underpinned this victory came from players such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who have pulled the club through on so many occasions and who showed how to come to places such as the San Siro and play without fear.

Liverpool may have led by two goals from the first leg, but this was no procession. Just as jumping off the roof of the garden shed does not look daunting until you get up there, so defending a 2-0 lead is a piece of cake on paper and horribly intimidating when a striker with the class of Julio Cruz is one goal away from turning the next hour into a recreation of Rorke’s Drift.

In the circumstances, Liverpool’s stroke of good fortune came not with Fernando Torres’s goal, which was well deserved and beautifully worked, but with the dismissal of Nicolás Burdisso, the Inter central defender, in the 50th minute. From that moment, the Italian side were scaling a mountain and it was no surprise that they tired of the task soon after.

Liverpool claim to have been undone by a referee here in 1965, when Inter Milan overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit with a 3-0 win in dubious circumstances, but, if so, football’s karmic forces got to work on a handsome payback. If Marco Materazzi’s sending-off at Anfield was deserved for the cynical nature of his early fouls, Burdisso appeared to be at best a victim of overenthusiasm and at worst of Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee, who gave out a ridiculous number of yellow cards — nine in all, including two to Burdisso — in a game that was entirely harmless.

Burdisso was booked for a foul on Dirk Kuyt and sent off for going for a 50-50 ball with Lucas Leiva in what was perceived as reckless fashion. From there, though, Inter appeared to presume that the fates would overwhelm them and so it proved. With Burdisso removed from the heart of the defence, Cristian Chivu stepped in and was promptly turned by Torres for the winner. Thankfully, it was a goal that deserved to settle any tie.

The arrival of Torres in the summer now looks to be Benítez’s masterstroke. The striker has kept Liverpool’s season alive, dragging them back into the battle for a Champions League place next season and striking in Europe to keep them on course for a remarkable third final in four years. His recent goal tally is eight in five games, almost all of them frame- worthy.

Last night’s was no exception. Fabio Aurélio provided a fine cross from the left, but it was what Torres did with it, the way he brought it under control, turned in a tight arc around Chivu and finished with a powerful low shot that left Júlio César with no chance, that defined the night. At that moment, Liverpool were certain to be the fourth Premier League team in the last eight, a first for any European nation. The red multitude behind the Inter goal could relax.

At least part of the night was spent on tenterhooks, however, and it is to Liverpool’s credit that a team needing to score at least two goals to stand a chance of progressing could not manage one. As at Anfield, Inter disappointed, particularly their star striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who sulked and postured like a spoilt child, having been completely upstaged by the brilliant Torres. But that does not mean there were not anxious moments.

Cruz, in particular, was a danger and the warning signal came within eight minutes when he cut inside on the left and, with scarcely any backlift, struck a low shot that José Manuel Reina was forced to tip round.

Cruz was a handful all game, operating in football’s equivalent of the corridor of uncertainty between Jamie Carragher at right back and Martin Skrtel by his side. In the 29th minute, a cunning angled pass from Ibrahimovic put Cruz beyond Liverpool’s back line, his shot beating Reina only to skip agonisingly the wrong side of the left-hand post. In the 42nd minute, Patrick Vieira found Maicon on the right and his cross was met by Cruz, producing a back-heel from an awkward position that Reina stopped on the line.

The red card and the goal, coming within 13 minutes, killed the tie and by the end Inter were tamed. Like the other English teams, Liverpool made their progress from the first knockout round look easy: but don’t be fooled.

LIVERPOOL V NEWCASTLE: MATCH PREVIEW

2008-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

BBC 07 March 2008
Liverpool have hit form and the visit to Anfield for Newcastle is a daunting prospect for a side just three points above the drop zone.

Liverpool are chasing a fifth successive victory in league and cup to set them in the right frame of mind for Tuesday's Champions League visit to Inter Milan, where they lead 2-0 and will be vying to become England's fourth representatives in the quarter-finals.

Wednesday's awesome 4-0 home win over West Ham, when Fernando Torres scored his third hat-trick of the season, saw them leapfrog Merseyside rivals Everton, back into a top four Champions League qualifying spot. It was their third league win on the bounce. Now they're hunting a 300th victory in the Premier League, in Rafa Benitez' 225th match in charge.

It's a daunting prospect for a struggling Newcastle, who are just three points above the drop zone. They have lost their last three, and the last five on the road, and are still seeking a first victory since Kevin Keegan's return.

Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than against any other club (55).

LIVERPOOL:

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Won the last four in all competitions; lost one of seven.

2. Unbeaten in five; won four and drew one since the defeat at West Ham - their only loss in 12.

3. Lost three times; only Arsenal have been beaten less frequently (just once).

4. Drawn 11 - more than any other club.

5. Conceded 20 goals; only Manchester United (15) and Chelsea (17) have shipped fewer. Also, allowed the opposition to score first in six games; only Manchester United can better that (five times).

6. Shown 36 cards (all yellow); only Everton have a better disciplinary record with 32 cards (29 yellow, three red).

7. Registered five goalless draws. Only Portsmouth have also been involved in as many as that.

8. One goal short of conceding 600 all-time in this league.

9. Challenging for a fourth successive home victory, and not lost in six on home soil. Manchester United is the only club to have left Anfield with all three points this season. Indeed, the 0-1 defeat to the Red Devils on December 16 is their only reverse in 18 home matches over a calendar year.

10. The next league game after this is home to Reading, then it's away to Manchester United, home to Everton in what is now a crucial Merseyside derby, and away to Arsenal at the beginning of April.

NEWCASTLE UNITED:

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Registered just one victory in 14 in all competitions; the win being 4-1, home to Stoke in the FA Cup third round replay on January 16.

2. Picked up three points from the 33 available since their last victory; 0-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 15 December.

3. Scored just three goals in six games under Keegan, during which two points have been accrued.

4. Already conceded six more goals than last season (53); only Derby (57) and Reading (55) have leakier defences this season. Let in 10 goals in the last five minutes - two more than any other club.

5. Gone in at half-time all square in 15 games; only Wigan match that.

6. Bottom in the "Last Six Current Form" table with two points from the possible 18.

7. One draw shy of 150 in this league all time.

8. Averaging a point a game this term. The current tally of 28 points after 28 matches is seven points fewer than their previous lowest to this juncture of the campaign. Only 35 points were accrued by this corresponding stage in 1997-98, when they finished 13th (last season they also finished 13th).

9. Only beaten Bolton and Fulham on the road all season. Gained one win from 12 on their travels, and only picked up one point from a last possible 24 against North-west clubs; 0-0, home to Bolton on 19 January.

10. Due to visit Birmingham next, before two fixtures against London clubs, home to Fulham and away to Tottenham.

Fernando Torres is Liverpool's top scorer with 24 goals, and their leading marksman in the Premier League with 18. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) have scored more in the highest league; 21 and 19 respectively.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.

Reina leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets.

Obafemi Martins is Newcastle's top scorer with seven goals.

Martins is also the club's top marksmen in the Premier League with six.

If selected:-

Michael Owen will be facing his former club. The 28-year-old England international striker made 297 appearances (216 in the league) and scored 158 goals (118 league) for Liverpool, from the beginning of his career until his move to Real Madrid in August 2004.

Owen will be making his 250th Premier League appearance (Liverpool and Newcastle).

Head to Head

Newcastle have not claimed maximum points at Anfield since their first Premier League visit on April 16 1994 when Rob Lee and Andy Cole were on target in a 2-0 triumph. They've only claimed two points out of 39 on Liverpool turf.

Liverpool are aiming to complete a fifth Premier League double over the Tyneside club and first since 2005-06.

Home and away

League (inc PL): Liverpool 68 wins, Newcastle 40, Draws 37.

Prem: Liverpool 16 wins, Newcastle 7, Draws 6.

At Liverpool only

League (inc PL): Liverpool 47 wins, Newcastle 11, Draws 14.

Prem: Liverpool 11 wins, Newcastle 1, Draws 2.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United. September 2006.

Liverpool scorers: Kuyt 29, Alonso 79.

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Newcastle United 0-3 Liverpool.

November 24 2007. Liverpool scorers: Gerrard 28, Kuyt 46, Babel 66.

Referee for Liverpool v Newcastle is Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

RAFA: IT'S IN OUR HANDS NOW

2008-03-06T01:14:00.000-08:00

Lee Brown 05 March 2008

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted after Fernando Torres' second hat-trick in consecutive home games helped his side seize the upperhand in the race for fourth place with an emphatic 4-0 win over West Ham at Anfield.
Torres made it 24 for the season with a superb treble, before Steven Gerrard capped a fine win with a superb fourth goal close to the end to take the Reds back above Everton into fourth place.

"We are playing with a lot of confidence now," said Rafa. "We started the season well, but at this crucial stage of the season we are playing really well and you can see the team operating as a team, that is really important.

"It was important to win tonight because we have been talking about this game in hand for a long time, but now when you see the points on the table it is much easier and better for the confidence.

"We have three more points and we are closer now, it depends on us. If we can beat Newcastle we will approach the Inter game with a lot of confidence."

Liverpool's run of form has coincided with Rafa turning to a 4-2-3-1 system that sees Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt and Torres in a four pronged attack, but Rafa thinks there is more to the improvement than the system alone.

"It is more than the system because we have used it in some games before," said Rafa. "We were talking the other day about Ryan Babel and how he needed to settle down, and also Torres is on fire. Some players are playing really well now and that is the difference for the team because everyone has confidence that we will score."

Torres was again the hero, becoming the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in consecutive home games in over 60 years, and Rafa revealed that El Nino almost never made the game and then was almost substituted before completing his treble.

"He had a small problem and our first thought was to rest him, but he was ok," said Rafa. "Just before he scored his third and I had told Crouch to get ready to go on and maybe Torres saw him and pushed himself harder.

"If he continues scoring goals I'm sure he will be a threat for all defenders, but he can give us more than that because the defenders might be thinking about him and give a chance to Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt or another."

look out for extended highlights coming soon online. You can also watch the entire 90 minutes online on LFC TV at 12.15am GMT

TORRES DESTROYS HAMMERS

2008-03-06T01:11:00.000-08:00

Sporting Life 05 March 2008

Fernando Torres did the damage grabbing back-to-back hat-tricks in Premier League games at Anfield and sending the Reds back into fourth spot.

Torres - who bagged a treble against Middlesbrough last month - grabbed the opener for Liverpool with just eight minutes on the clock courtesy of an expert finish from the Spaniard.

Dirk Kuyt whipped in a low ball from the right wing and Torres stole a yard on Anton Ferdinand to crack the ball home on the turn from inside the box for his 22nd goal of the season.

West Ham should have equalised after 13 minutes when Luis Boa Morte was played in on the left and rounded the on-rushing Jose Reina but from a tight angle his shot was hooked over his own crossbar by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Torres had to wait until 61st minute to make it 2-0. The Spain international was on the end of another cross from Kuyt - this time heading beyond Robert Green into the top corner.

Torres almost grabbed his hat-trick minute later but his firm header from Steven Gerrard's cross hit the post and trickled along the line, but he was not to be denied.

Torres made it 3-0 when he flicked the ball past Lucas Neill before sliding the ball into the corner and moments later Gerrard grabbed Liverpool's fourth. The England man was allowed to advance to the edge of the penalty area before rifling the ball into the top corner.

BENITEZ: LET'S TAKE OUR CHANCE

2008-03-05T05:29:00.001-08:00

Rafael Benitez has urged his team to take advantage of their game in hand against West Ham and stake their claim for fourth place.
A Liverpool victory over the Hammers at Anfield on Wednesday night will see Benitez's side overtake Everton on goal difference, and the manager wants his side to start putting the pressure on their rivals in the race for fourth spot.

"It's been really frustrating waiting for this game in hand," said Benitez. "You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

"It's a really important game for us, one of our most important of the season. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

"I have confidence we can stay focused on finishing fourth. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience.

"We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

"It seems like it could be between Liverpool and Everton for fourth place, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home.

"You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.

"The derby later this month could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game."

Back in January the Hammers took all three points against the Reds courtesy of an injury time penalty. It was a tough defeat for Benitez to take.

"I was very disappointed after that game," added the Reds boss. "We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

"The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

"West Ham have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous."

INTERVIEW WITH RAFA

2008-03-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Rice 04 March 2008 (liverpoolfc.tv)

Firstly Rafa, you must have been very happy with the performance on Sunday?

Yes, it was a good game. The team concentrated and, after the first minutes, it was a very good game.

You've had a bit of time to reflect - what pleased you most about the display?

The players knew what they had to do, they knew it was a difficult stadium to go to. So, we needed to fight for every ball, every tackle and every challenge.

You had a bit of luck early on with the goal and Bolton hitting the crossbar – you'd probably say you were due a bit of good fortune, wouldn't you?

Yes, I think it was difficult with that deep free-kick. It hit the crossbar but these things can happen, especially against Bolton. Pepe showed his quality with the save he made, so yes, we were a little bit lucky at the beginning of the game, but after that we started doing to right things and we controlled the game.

The Bolton result lifted you temporarily above Everton but they got another good result against Pompey – did you see any of that game?

I saw part of their game, but not all of it. You know my idea, and that's to concentrate on my own team.

Can you see the race for fourth becoming an all Merseyside affair?

It seems like it now, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home. You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.
How important is the next derby at Anfield on March 30 going to be?

It could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game.

David Moyes keeps insisting Liverpool are favourites – do you think that's just a bit of mind games?

Yes.
In previous seasons Liverpool have maybe become distracted by Europe at this stage. How confident are you your team can stay focused on getting fourth spot?

I have confidence. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience. We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

Looking ahead to West Ham – how frustrating has it been waiting for this game in hand to arrive?

Really frustrating. You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

This is arguably one of the most important games of the season despite the fact it's not a top of the table clash, isn't it?

Yes, it's really important for us. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

These two teams played each other just over a month ago when they scored a last-minute penalty – how hard was that to swallow?

Really difficult. I can promise you I was very disappointed! We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

I suppose there's a lesson there somewhere?

The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

They were thrashed by Chelsea at the weekend – is that a positive or negative for Liverpool going into this game?

It's difficult to say. My idea is for it to be positive, because maybe they will be low on confidence. But maybe they'll say to themselves, 'We need to show character and quality.' I prefer to say it will be positive but really I don't know.

What kind of dangers do they pose as a team?

They have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous.

They're a good counter-attacking side, then?

Yes, because they have pace and energy. It's true they are good on the counter-attack.

What do you make of the job Alan Curbishley is doing at Upton Park?

It's been a difficult season for him because he's had a lot of injuries, but I think he's doing a good job now. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win – but you can see his team is strong enough.

Just a word on Javier Mascherano – it's his first chance to play against his former club. Do you think he'll be eager to prove a point?

I don't think so. Javier is a player who has already shown the quality he has. I think it will be another important game for him, but nothing else.

Any injury news, Rafa?

Steve Finnan is not available yet and Voronin is much better but cannot play. At the moment everyone else in the squad is fit.

Can we expect Carra to fill in again at right-back?

It's an option. I need to think about it. Arbeloa and Carra are options on the right.

RAFA WOWED BY POWER OF BABEL

2008-03-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

Team Talk 03 March 2008
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez could afford a wry smile after Ryan Babel made the most of the wide open spaces at the Reebok Stadium.

The Dutch winger scored his eighth goal of the season in Sunday's 3-1 Premier League victory against Bolton.

Babel was on target with a clinical finish after a bizarre own-goal from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 11th minute.

Steven Gerrard's effort was going wide but the Bolton goalkeeper inexplicably helped it into his own net with his face.

There was no way back for Wanderers after that and Fabio Aurelio added a spectacular third before Tamir Cohen scored a consolation for the struggling home side.

Babel could now have a more prominent role to play in the coming weeks of the season.

Benitez said: "It was a good game for him against Bolton as they were looking out for Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"It meant that Ryan had more freedom and he is the kind of player who can run behind defenders."

MASCHERANO: WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO DEAL

2008-02-28T01:49:00.000-08:00

Paul Eaton 28 February 2008
Javier Mascherano is hoping he will finally be able to put pen to paper on a permanent Anfield deal within the next few days.
The Argentine international insists it's now just a matter of time before the formalities of the contract are finalised and he can sign a lengthy contract with the Reds.

"We are really close," he said. "Maybe this week or next week we will be able to say everything's finished. We can't say it just yet but hopefully in a few days everything will be okay.

"There are no problems with the fee or with the contract, it's just getting the papers finished.

"I have always said I want to stay here and so it hasn't been a difficult time for me. I have wanted it to be finished because I have my family behind me and I want to know what my future is going to be. I am calm and relaxed because I know that everything is almost over.

"I am very happy that in the next week I will be able to say I have signed for Liverpool. It will be the best moment of my career to be able to say I will be playing my football with Liverpool."

Mascherano's immediate focus now is helping the Reds pick up another three league points when they travel to take on Bolton this weekend.

And despite the high profile clash with Inter Milan just a couple of weeks away, he insists it's easy enough to stay concentrate on the important league games which lie ahead.

"We have to finish in the top four because we want to be playing in the Champions League next season," he added.

"We have to win the games we have coming up before we go to Milan and so it's not difficult to stay focused at all.

"We had a good win against Middlesbrough on Saturday and now we have to go and try to win at Bolton. We beat them easily at Anfield earlier in the season but we know it's going to be harder this weekend because they're a difficult side to play on their own pitch."

One player looking for a return to first team duty this weekend will be Xabi Alonso after his goalscoring display for the reserves against Manchester United in midweek.

Despite being out of the side at present, Mascherano is in no doubt that Alonso's quality will be needed over the coming vital weeks.

"Xabi is one of the best midfielders in the world," he said. "He has quality and class and he knows that if he keeps training well then his chance will come again - maybe on Sunday.

"For me he is an example to everybody. He is a player who has won the Champions League with Liverpool, a player with great experience and yet on Tuesday night he had no problems in playing for the reserves."

BENITEZ TO ROTATE LESS

2008-02-28T01:36:00.000-08:00

Sporting Life
Rafael Benitez has revealed he expects to use his rotation policy less in the coming months now Liverpool are fighting on just two fronts.

The Reds boss made only one change in Saturday's win over Middlesbrough from the victory over Inter Milan four days earlier - and that was enforced due to Jamie Carragher's ban.

When asked about his plans Benitez told the club's website: "I think so. It will depend on the players in the end, but we can keep some players playing more games now."

Saturday's 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough saw Liverpool temporarily leapfrog Everton into fourth place until the Toffees' win over Manchester City on Monday allowed them to reclaim the final Champions League spot.

"Everton have a lot of confidence right now and it was a good win for them (on Monday), but it's a long race," said Benitez.

"Portsmouth, Villa, Everton, City and us will all be there. I'm not sure if it will go to the final game but I think a lot will depend on these three games we have in a row."

TORRES: THAT WAS FOR YOU RAFA

2008-02-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

Steve Hunter 25 February 2008
Fernando Torres reflected on his first hat-trick in the Premier League and dedicated his fantastic treble to Rafa Benitez.
The Spanish hit-man took his tally to 21 goals for the season in the 3-2 win over Middlesbrough and was full of praise for the manager that brought him into the Premier League.

"You cannot score three goals in a game without the help of your manager and your team-mates so I would like to thank them," said Torres.

"The manager signed me for Liverpool so I am really grateful for that, and he also works with me all the time trying to improve me and make me a better player.

"I think my game has already improved and will continue to improve under Rafa Benitez. The most important thing is that the team is successful, that is the only thing that matters.

"If I score some goals that help us to win things then I will be very happy, but it is all about the team.

"I came here to win things because I have never won anything as a senior player. I won medals when I was an under-16 and an under-19 player but that was a long time ago.

"Hopefully we will win something this season but if that does not happen then next season.

"I have signed a six-year contract so I am here for a long time and if things go well hopefully I will be here for even longer.

"I have 21 goals this season and that pleases me because it is my best season yet but I am not thinking about scoring 30 because what makes me most happy is when the team wins, not when I score."

The striker also revealed how special the feeling was for him to complete his hat-trick in front of the Kop.

"That made it even more special for me because the Kop is such a special place and it means so much to everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club," added El Nino.

"The fans have been fantastic with me since I first came to the club and I would like to thank them because their support has been a big help.

"Now everyone at the club has to focus on trying to finish in the top four so the win against Middlesbrough was a very important result for us."

LIVERPOOL Vs INTER PREVIEW

2008-02-19T01:21:00.000-08:00

Paul Hassall 19 February 2008

The knockout stage of the Champions League gets underway tonight with the Reds playing host to one of the most feared sides in Europe.
Inter Milan arrive on Merseyside having breezed into the last 16 of Europe's premier competition with five wins from six Group G encounters while continuing to lead the way at the top of Serie A.

In contrast Liverpool have fallen off the pace in the Premier League and only made it into the latter stages in Europe courtesy of a superb 4-0 win in Marseille on Matchday Six.

Add to that Saturday's FA Cup defeat at the hands of Championship side Barnsley and few outside of L4 would be backing the Reds to make it into the last eight of the Champions League.

It's certainly a daunting prospect for Rafa and co and yet you can't help but feel like we've been here before can you?

Cast your mind back to 2005 when Liverpool were faced with a scrap for fourth place in the Premiership with Everton and up against it in Europe with a tie against the Italian heavyweights Juventus.

The Old Lady were much-fancied to see off an injury-ravaged Reds side, who had only made it into the knockout stages following a sensational 3-1 win over Olympiakos.

But yet again, Liverpool would defy the odds and went on to lift the trophy for the fifth time in our history.

Okay, it might not be the same stage of the competition this time around and circumstances are much changed, but the similarities are unmistakable.

Europe's premier competition is where Rafael Benitez is at his tactical best and Roberto Mancini's side will be well aware that form and reputation are of little consequence when matched against Anfield's 12th man.

In fact, Inter were one of the first sides to fall victim to Anfield and one of its famous European nights when they were undone 3-1 by Bill Shankly's side back in 1965.

That day will no doubt be in the thoughts of many a supporter when the game kicks off over 40 years on, and a repeat of that success would not only make the Reds favourite to progress but also see them notch up their 100th win in Europe.

Should Steven Gerrard be a goalscoring contributor to a home win he will also be celebrating a landmark achievement as he will have netted in five consecutive European matches and will also have claimed his 50th Liverpool goal at Anfield.

A Reds triumph would be very much in-keeping with our history against Italian opposition as we have met on six previous occasions at Anfield and won four of them. The two defeats both came in the UEFA Cup, against Genoa in 1992 and Roma in 2001.

But let's not under-estimate Inter who will no doubt provide one of our sternest tests yet.

The visitors will arrive at Anfield in buoyant mood following a 2-0 win over Livorno that stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to 11 points.

As far as team news goes, Mancini will be without the banned Cesar and injured Luis Jimenez, while they must also decide on the fitness of Luis Figo.

Liverpool will also be boosted by the news that Skipper Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Javier Mascherano, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio have all returned to the squad.

In fact, Benitez is only missing defender Daniel Agger and striker Andriy Voronin, both still nursing long-term injuries, as he looks to plot Inter's downfall at Anfield and keep us on course for a sixth European crown.

INTER FEAR 'INCREDIBLE' ANFIELD

2008-02-18T02:53:00.000-08:00

Sporting Life 18 February 2008

Julio Cruz says the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield could be the biggest threat to Inter's European dreams.

The reigning Serie A champions take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout stage tie on Tuesday night.

The Nerazzurri are heading for another domestic title as they lead the table by 11 points this season, while Liverpool are still smarting from that shock home FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.

But Argentine striker Cruz says the atmosphere on a big European night on Merseyside can be a great leveller.

He told the club's official website: "The atmosphere at the stadium will be incredible. And Liverpool have some fantastic players, but Inter start on the same level."

While Liverpool have struggled to recreate the domestic glory days of years gone by, they've still managed to reach two Champions League finals in the last three seasons. A fact not lost on Cruz.

He added: "The Champions League is a strange competition, there are many teams seen as favourites to win it, but then it can happen that Liverpool, for example, reach the final twice in three years. There's definitely a reason why they do much better in the cup than in the championship..."

Inter have been strongly fancied to go all the way in Europe's premier club competition in the last two seasons.

But all they have to show for those runs are painful knockout exits at the hands of Spanish sides Villarreal and Valencia.

Cruz said: "What happened in the past is a lesson for us. We got knocked out against Valencia last year despite drawing both matches. We have realised that we have to play to win and do things well. This is the only way to get through the round."

Inter will play the second leg against Liverpool in their own San Siro stadium, but Cruz says their focus is currently trained on Tuesday night at Anfield.

"We mustn't think that this might be an advantage. We have to try and do things well without thinking about the return leg at home, and try to kill off the match before the game in Milan."

REDS HIT THREE IN ANFIELD WIN

2008-02-04T02:56:00.001-08:00

Setanta 02 February 2008

Liverpool beat Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield on Saturday evening, but were far from their best as they climbed into fifth place in the Premier League.

Despite lighting the scoreboard up three times, the home side will know that there is a lot of work to do before they can get back in the race for fourth spot in the league.

Peter Crouch broke the deadlock on 57 minutes with a fine header, before Fernando Torres doubled the lead and Steven Gerrard finished it all off with a late penalty.

After a dreadful first-half that failed to offer up any major incidents, Liverpool started the second period in quite lively fashion.

Jermaine Pennant and Javier Mascherano both tried to open up gaps in the Sunderland midfield, but there was just no end product attached with their determined charges forward.

However, that end product did arrive on 57 minutes when Jamie Carragher burst up the right wing and supplied the perfect cross for Crouch to head in.

That goal lifted the atmosphere around the stadium and the hosts thrived off it as they buzzed forward in search of another goal.

Torres unleashed a wicked left-footed volley before Crouch had two chances in the space of a minute. The first of which was an eye-catching bicycle kick, and the second was a header that needed to be cleared off the line.

The Black Cats tried to erect a comeback and switched to 4-4-2 with Roy O'Donovan going onto the right wing and Michael Chopra moving up front. There was plenty of movement from the forwards, but hardly any passes arrived in their direction.

Liverpool then caught them offguard as Jonny Evans was sucked out of defence and a Crouch knock-on set Torres away to steam past Phil Bardsley before firing into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Strangely enough Sunderland started to play a lot better after conceding that second goal and should have been awarded a penalty when a handball from Carragher was ignored by referee Rob Styles.

Jonny Evans came close with a header and O'Donovan hooked the rebound wide when he could have scored from three yards out.

Liam Miller had a shot fly over the bar and Darryl Murphy should have done better with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Their slack finishing was to be further punished.

Nyron Nosworthy, who was terrible all game, fouled Pennant inside the box to give away a penalty in the dying minutes that Gerrard tucked away.

It was a deserved win for Liverpool, but one that showed quite a few holes in their play which would be exposed by a better team.

WEST HAM V LIVERPOOL: MATCH PREVIEW

2008-01-30T02:19:00.000-08:00

Paul Hassall 30 January 2008

Liverpool head to Upton Park on Wednesday night still searching for their first league win of 2008.
It is a statistic that has seen them draw their last four matches in the topflight and one that Rafael Benitez admits has all-but ended our hopes of landing the Premier League title.

The elusive league win could so easily have come in the games against Aston Villa and Wigan but a habit of conceding sloppy goals from set-pieces has effectively led to us losing ground on the top three.

And with the likes of Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa all pressing hard for the much-coveted fourth and final Champions League place the Reds need to return to winning ways - sooner rather than later.

In a strange twist of fate, the Reds' search for victory takes them to a venue that saw them clinch a 2-1 success against the Hammers exactly a year ago today.

Dirk Kuyt and birthday boy Peter Crouch were the scorers on that occasion as the Reds notched up their fifth straight league win - and Rafa would no doubt take a similar scoreline this time around.

But West Ham are a different proposition now.

Last year they were a side devoid of belief and battling against relegation, but Alan Curbishley has reinvigorated them since then and they have rediscovered the verve and panache that led them to the FA Cup final in 2006.

The Hammers have already seen off Manchester United on home turf this season and on their day they are a match for anyone.

They are currently lying in 10th place in the table and with the likes of Freddy Ljungberg, Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole and Liverpool old boy Craig Bellamy in their ranks, they will pose a very real threat.

Rafael Benitez Benitez is still without Andriy Voronin, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa but is likely to recall Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher for the Upton Park clash after they were rested for Saturday's 5-2 victory over Havant and Waterlooville.

Reina is still looking to secure his 50th clean sheet for the club and if he can shut-out the Hammers he will have achieved the landmark in record-breaking time.

As for West Ham, they have former Red Craig Bellamy and Nolberto Solano fit again, but they are unlikely to feature from the start as they bid to clinch their first victory over Liverpool since they triumphed 1-0 at Upton Park way back in November 1999.

PICTURES OF OUR NEW STADIUM

2008-01-25T04:01:00.000-08:00

CARRA IS TRUE GREAT

2008-01-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

Liverpool Echo 16 January 2008

Jamie Carragher deserved all the plaudits he received on his 500th appearance for Liverpool – a magnificent achievement, writes Anfield Iron Tommy Smith.

For the sake of the team, I hope he goes to 600 and beyond – and his consistency should easily take him there.

Thank God he is a key member of the side who performs to such a high standard virtually every week.

The best tribute I can pay him is that he is one of the best defenders in the world – and one player who could perform in any Liverpool team in any era. Congratulations Jamie.

RAFA: LIVERPOOL STILL IN TITLE HUNT

2008-01-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

The Telegraph 03 January 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is confident his side can still mount a challenge for the Premier League title, despite losing further ground to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea after last night's 1-1 draw against Wigan.

Liverpool have dropped down to fifth position following yesterday's result and Manchester City's 2-0 victory against Newcastle, and are 12 points adrift of pacesetters Arsenal.

However, Benitez believes it is too early to dismiss his side as title candidates, saying: "The gap is bigger than we would like but I have said many times before that this is a long race.

"We have to try to put that out of our minds because if we think about the points difference every time we go out we will be under more pressure.

"Of course it is more difficult to come from behind, but we are creating enough chances in every game.

"We have to start scoring the second goal to kill off games like this. To only get a draw is very disappointing because again we had plenty of possession.

"We had enough chances to finish them off. But when you don't do that there is always the risk the other team will take their chance, even if they only have one attempt."

KUYT: WE NEED TO KEEP WINNING

2007-12-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

Steve Hunter 24 December 2007

Dirk Kuyt claims Liverpool have to keep on winning during the festive period to stay in the title race.
Rafael Benitez's side face Derby County, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic over Christmas and Kuyt believes the team are capable of taking maximum points from these games.

The Dutch striker said the Reds are capable of challenging the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United in the quest for glory, but acknowledged that the team has to go on a winning run in order to achieve their aims.

"We have to win our next three now at Derby, Manchester City and at home to Wigan and if we can get nine points from those games I think we will get closer to the other teams," said Kuyt.

"We want to go on a run and win a lot of games. Every defeat in the league is big one for us because you just want to win and compete with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea so we can't afford to lose many more.

"We just have to look at the next games and look forward."

The Dutch striker is confident that Liverpool can go on a good run, especially with a certain number nine in Fernando Torres leading the attack.

"Fernando is unbelievably quick and it's what the team needs," added Kuyt. "Quick players and clever players.

"We have got everything in our squad now and we can do something really good so we'll see how far we can go this season."

Champions League 07-08 | Marseille 0-4 Liverpool

2007-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE 0 - 4 LIVERPOOL

2007-12-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

The local paper
The greatest Spanish striker of his generation? A cool £20m. A thrilling young Dutchman? £11.5m. A proven international class centre-forward? That will set you back another £10m. But the joy experienced by 2,800 Liverpool fans in the old French port of Marseille last night, and hundreds of thousands of Liverpool fans worldwide? Priceless. Utterly priceless.
The Echo

The broadsheet
Benitez's men had known how daunting this place could be, how they would have to stick together to survive one of European football's most intimidating arenas. "England Is Our Kingdom" read one banner in the heaving mass of humanity that constitutes the north end of Stade Velodrome. Gerrard was having none of that. Marseille soon became an Englishman's kingdom.
The Daily Telegraph

The tabloid
Not only did they reach the lucrative knock-out stages of the Champions League, not only did they produce their best performance of the season, not only did they take poor Marseille apart, but they also offered a serious statement of intent for the rest of the season. Let's not under-estimate this win. With the incredible pressure Liverpool faced coming into this winner takes-all showdown, this was a display that ranks alongside the great European nights Benitez has enjoyed with the Reds.
The Mirror

The local paper
A magnificent individual performance from the club record signing helped Liverpool secure their passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League at the expense of Marseille and ease the pressure on Benitez. The undoubted highlight was Torres's sensational 11th-minute strike, the striker slaloming through three home challenges before slipping the ball home. A goal that will withstand constant replaying, it epitomised an outstanding team display from Liverpool when Benitez needed it most.
The Daily Post

The boss
I am really proud. It was a fantastic team performance, and that was the key. It was a bad pitch, a windy day but we were compact, worked hard together, were good on the counter-attack and didn't concede. Everything was almost perfect. I say 'almost' because we could have scored more goals. You can never be completely perfect, but the team played really well tonight and I can't have any complaints from them. Rafa Benitez

The opposition boss
It is an extreme shame to have lost this last game. But we have to salute our adversary, who played like they had to here. I have to reckon that our tactics were useless because Liverpool were far too good. I did not say anything to the players - I could have regretted it. Eric Gerets

The player
I always believed we could do it. Even at the time, I said that if there's one team that can win three games in a row, it's Liverpool. This is a club that's proved over the last few years that it can deal with big games. We knew every game would be a final and we won three finals. Yossi Benayoun

The former player
To go over there in a must-win situation, well for Rafa it couldn't have gone any better. We played so well in the first half that we didn't want it to end, but then we made the perfect start again in the second half with the early goal from Kuyt. We were so comfortable then that we could sit back and relax and keep our energy for the Man Utd game. David Johnson

The fan
A challenge marker was put down in front of us: do something no English side had done and win at the Stade Velodrome - or face dropping out of the CL at the first hurdle. What followed was a display straight from the book "Reds in Europe: How to win must-win games".

2007-12-05T06:44:00.000-08:00

Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in the Champions League last month is reportedly under investigation by UEFA on suspicion of match fixing.

RAFA: FANS WERE MAGNIFICENT

2007-11-29T01:21:00.001-08:00

Paul Hassall at Anfield 28 November 2007

Rafael Benitez expressed an emotional message of thanks to the club's supporters after Liverpool stormed to an emphatic 4-1 win over Porto in the Champions League.
The Reds boss was delighted with the performance of his players as they ensured that progress to the latter stages of the competition will be assured if they beat Marseille in two weeks' time.

But it was the impact made by the club's fans that struck the most significant chord with the Reds boss as Anfield once again rose to the occasion in Europe.

"I want to say thank you to our supporters because I think that they were as always magnificent," said Benitez.

"The most important thing is the team so I say thank you for the support. To the players it was important as I said before the game and it was also for me, so I say a thank you, a big thank you."

Fernando Torres hit a double and Steven Gerrard (penalty) and substitute Peter Crouch added other late goals to give the scoreline a more flattering look.

And Benitez was pleased to see the club's record signing back among the goals after his impressive display got the Reds back on track following Lisandro's equaliser.

"For me it doesn't matter the price," said Benitez.

"Sometimes people say you spent this money, but Voronin was a Bosman transfer and he has been really good so it is not important the money.

"Torres is a player who can score goals. He missed three or four chances the other day against Newcastle but today he scored and sometimes this is how it happens."

2007-11-29T01:17:00.000-08:00

19:45 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Voronin and Torres kick off
1 min : Rafa's name is ringing around Anfield
2 mins : Great corner by Stevie is cleared and Porto break �oh, that's a fabulous tackle by Javier
5 mins : Brilliant move by the Reds ends with a penalty shout when a Benayoun cross appeared to be handled. The ref was having none of it
10 mins : Torres bursts through after another fine tackle from Javier...his shot is saved
11 mins : Quaresma is allowed to shoot but it's further away than the sun
13 mins : That's a poor touch from the skipper but he wins it back
14 mins : Chelsea are one up in Rosenborg...Celtic are losing at home to Shaktar
15 mins : Quaresma is rolling around shock horror
16 mins : We're knocking it round quite well at times
19 mins : Great cut through by Yossi to Gerrard into the box...Stevie should have found someone...
19 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: The Spaniard bags his ninth of the season, heading home well from a Gerrard corner
22 mins : Man Utd's assistant is here...I can't spell his name. How he wishes he had a striker as good our number nine
23 mins : The Yosmiester and Babel have swapped flanks, the Dutchman going over to the right
27 mins : Another great interception by Sami
28 mins : Alvaro is megged but Javier comes to the rescue by taking the guy's legs
29 mins : Great bit of skill by Fernando and the Reds have a corner
32 mins : Top move involving Babel, Stevie, Yossi, Fernando and the ponytail...another corner
33 mins : GOAL! Lisandro Lopez: Totally against the run of play...Lopez heads beyond Reina after a good cross from Kazmierczak
37 mins : It should have been 2-1 Porto then but thankfully Lopez hits narrowly wide
38 mins : First Booking: Sami Hyypia:
38 mins : All of a sudden Liverpool are on the ropes
40 mins : Gerrard hits a 35-yard free-kick...so close
42 mins : Besiktas are beating Marseille 1-0 - that's good
44 mins : Our play is starting to get sloppy
20:30 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:45 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Saw Roy Keane and Sam Allardyce in the directors' box at half-time - chatting about Harry Redknapp no doubt
48 mins : First Booking: Paulo Assuncao:
49 mins : Ryan wins a corner
49 mins : Cleared
50 mins : Cracking Javier, cracking
51 mins : Babel is not shy about taking on his man down the right...and he frequently beats him. So far though his crosses haven't cut it
52 mins : Quaresma has a go at Carra - Carra totally blanks him
54 mins : Reina finds Torres with a superb kick...Torres lays it to Yossi who's running into the box...oh that's terrible
58 mins : Three Liverpool players have long sleeves on...can you guess which?
59 mins : Carra, Torres and the ponytail
59 mins : Okay, and Reina
60 mins : Rafa is talking to Harry
61 mins : Harry is stripping...Carra has just shouted RYAN, RYAN louder than an earthquake
61 mins : Corner...
62 mins : And again...
62 mins : Both wasted
63 mins : Babel cuts through �he refuses to shoot on his left foot. The crowd let out a shriek of frustration
63 mins : Substitution: Harry Kewell for Andriy Voronin:
65 mins : This is all a bit dead
65 mins : Substitution: Raul Meireles for Przemysław Kazmierczak:
66 mins : Good play by Ryan and Haryy...to Gerrard...shoots but it's just over. That's more like it
67 mins : Great tackle from Javier
67 mins : As it stands we would go through if Porto beat or draw with Besiktas and we beat Marseille in the last games
68 mins : Attendance: 41,095
69 mins : Big Pete is coming on
69 mins : Javier is brilliant. Fact
70 mins : Marseille have equalised, which means if we beat them at their place we are through regardless of other results
71 mins : Substitution: Peter Crouch for Yossi Benayoun:
74 mins : Blatent handball on the edge of their box but the muppet doesn't see it
74 mins : Just seen the replay...it wasn't handball. Ha
76 mins : Another penalty shout as Crouch goes down but that would have been harsh
76 mins : Kewell on the volley...corner
77 mins : Substitution: Tarik Sektioui for Mariano Gonzalez:
77 mins : The corner reaches Hyypia...his flick is saved
79 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Da da da da da der der deeeer
79 mins : Great play by Kewell to tee up Torres for the goal
81 mins : Substitution: Helder Postiga for Paulo Assuncao:
83 mins : GOAL! Steven Gerrard: Stevie seals it from the penalty spot
85 mins : Substitution: Dirk Kuyt for Ryan Babel:
88 mins : GOAL! Peter Crouch: Close range header from Gerrard corner
21:33 GMT : Match Over

Liverpool 4 - Porto 1 ( 28/11/07 )

2007-11-29T01:13:00.000-08:00

PEPE: LET'S SEE THE REAL LIVERPOOL

2007-11-26T02:03:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Rice 26 November 2007

Pepe Reina is sure he and his teammates have the quality to progress to the second round of the Champions League.
The Reds have to record wins at home to Porto on Wednesday and away in Marseille in two weeks' time.

Reina, though, is confident.

"We are third in the group now and need to register two more wins," said the 25-year-old, who hasn't conceded in four games. "That will not be easy but if we play our real game then we know that will be enough.
"We must win in Marseille, but we must deal with Porto first. There is no point in looking further ahead than that.

"When the team won the trophy back in 2005, in the group stages they managed to get to 10 points, and that was enough. We must aim for that total again, and that will also be enough.

"That run to the final should be a mirror for us. We can look at it as an example of how the situation can be resolved."

Reina was still at Villarreal when Liverpool prevailed in Istanbul, but he was around to share in the disappointment of last season against the same opposition in Athens.

It is an experience he does not want again.

"I have not really looked at that DVD, it is in the past, we lost it and we must forget it and keep going.

"People say we were unlucky in Athens, but in the end Milan won. If we get to the final again we must make sure we do not finish with that same feeling.

"But before we can even think about things like that we must make sure we win these last two group games, we must reach the knock-out rounds before thinking ahead to any more finals."

LIVERPOOL IN DANGER OF MAKING AN EARLY EXIT

2007-10-26T01:52:00.000-07:00

The Telegraph 25 October 2007

In the city that once stirred such hope in their hearts, Liverpool walked into a storm last night.
In the city where they lifted the European Cup in 2005, Liverpool were pushed close to European oblivion by a Turkish side who were better organised in defence, midfield and attack.

"The Kop is History" read one of the many banners held aloft by the all-standing, all-shouting Besiktas fans. Such a statement may be slightly premature, as three wins should guarantee Liverpool safe passage through to the knockout stages, but Rafa Benitez's side were touching the void last night.

In the immediate inquest deep in the basement of the Inonu, far from the crowing Turks above, the quixotic Benitez switched between defying the odds and defying belief. "We knew before the game that it was clear we had to win," the Spaniard said. "Now it's even more clear that we have to win all the games. I'm really pleased with the performance; we had 28 attempts on goal. If we create 28 chances in the next game, we'll score more than one goal."

As in the 2005 final, Steven Gerrard scored with a header, allowing Liverpool fans to dream briefly of another famous comeback, but it was too little, too late. Besiktas were already over the horizon through Sami Hyypia's early own goal and a neat finish by the tireless Brazilian, Bobo.

It was still bizarre that Benitez did not bring Peter Crouch on until after Bobo's 82nd-minute strike. Liverpool were crying out for some variety in attack, for a centre-forward who would disturb Gokhan Zan and Ibrahim Toraman, centre-halves who embodied the intelligence, athleticism and determination contained in Besiktas' defence.

"The strikers Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin] were doing well," countered Benitez. Yossi Benayoun and Lucas Leiva, who arrived before Crouch, hardly resembled the cavalry.

On a night littered with negatives, there were a few positives for Liverpool to cling to. Marseille's draw with Porto means the French have not pulled away in Group A. Ryan Babel's constant raids down the left showed why Benitez paid £11.5 million for the Dutch international.

And there was a wonderful sporting exchange between the rival supporters at the end, with Besiktas chanting Liverpool's name and the small contingent of Kopites repaying the compliment.

Otherwise, Liverpool took only empty hearts and ringing ears back home with them. Benitez's side dropped more than three points here. They lost the chance to inject some belief back in to red veins. And how they need Fernando Torres, their best finisher, fit for the visit of a vibrant Arsenal on Sunday.

How they need Daniel Agger back from his broken metatarsal when they limp back into Europe with home ties next month against Besiktas and Porto. If they win those, Liverpool will have seven points, but are still likely to require victory at Marseille in their final Group A outing. Stade Velodrome may even generate as much noise as the Inonu last night.

Just before kick-off here, a lone bugler arrived to play the Last Post as Besiktas fans paid homage to the Turkish soldiers killed by Kurdish rebels last week. This pre-match moment of solemnity proved the only quiet passage of an astonishing, deafening evening.

The Inonu is proud of its record of football's loudest ever decibel level - 132. After 13 minutes, Besiktas supporters must have been within a strained larynx of setting a new mark.

The fanatical disciples of the Black Eagles religion were racing through the vocal gears as Bobo sped through Liverpool's defence. The danger seemed to have passed when Jamie Carragher put in a marvellous sliding tackle, ending Bobo's 40-yard surge deep into Liverpool's box. Unfortunately for the visitors, misfortune arrived on the scene.

Stranded on the ground, Carragher needed to clear quickly, but his attempt struck Steve Finnan. Mishaps abounded. As the Liverpool fans behind Pepe Reina's goal looked on aghast, the ball fell to the unmarked Serdar Ozkan. With Liverpool's defence in disarray, Ozkan met the ball strongly. It clipped Hyypia and flew into the net, giving the wrong-footed Reina no chance.

The Inonu dissolved into raucous celebration. Not only was this Besiktas' first goal in 192 Group A minutes but Liverpool were patently confused by the Turks' 4-3-2-1 formation, and particularly the swift breaks by Ozkan and the Argentine, Matias Delgado, towards and beyond Bobo.

Besiktas were able to exploit vast acres of space in midfield because Liverpool needed to attack. After only one point against Porto and Marseille, they had to take risks. Sometimes they fanned out in a 2-4-4 configuration with the full-backs, Finnan and John Arne Riise, pushed up, leaving Carragher and Hyypia exposed.

Staring into European oblivion after Besiktas' goal, Liverpool sought to rally. Hakan Arikan, Besiktas' excellent keeper, tipped over a typically meaty Riise drive. Then Gerrard sparked into life, working a good move with Andrei Voronin and Dirk Kuyt, making promising ground into Besiktas' box. This was more like the Gerrard of 2005, charging across Turkish soil. He connected well enough with the ball but Arikan advanced rapidly to block the shot.

Jermaine Pennant, Gerrard twice and Babel all went close, but Besiktas were happy to soak up the pressure and then hit on the break, devastatingly through Bobo late on when he calmly slid the ball between Reina's legs.

Gerrard's header gave brief hope but Liverpool discovered to their cost that lightning does not strike twice in Istanbul.

GERRARD: TRUST US, WE'LL GET THINGS RIGHT

2007-10-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

Paul Eaton 08 October 2007

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool fans not to panic after two more Barclays Premier League points slipped away at Anfield yesterday.

The Reds' skipper is aware of the mood of disappointment among supporters after the Reds dropped points at home for the third time this season, but he insists there's no reason to feel despondent with the team still unbeaten in the league and sitting in the top four of the table.

"We haven't been ourselves of late, that's true," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv at the opening of Jamie Carragher's Cafe Sports England in the city centre last night. "The results haven't been good and the performances could have been better.

"We're going through a dip in form which all top teams do at some stage and we just have to make sure we play our way through it. We're not performing to the standards we can do but that will change.

"I'm asking the fans to trust me when I say there's no crisis here. We have fantastic players and a world class manager and we will get things right again, there's no doubt about that.

"We've got an international break now which will give Rafa the chance to look at things and work with the players who are staying behind. For those of us going away, we have to get the jobs done with our countries and then come back ready for a massive match at Everton.

"If we can turn in a performance in the derby and win the game then things will be looking better again. That's what we'll be aiming for."

RAFA: TIME TO SHOW OUR QUALITY

2007-10-05T01:28:00.001-07:00

Paul Hassall 04 October 2007
Rafael Benitez has called upon his players to stand up and be counted following last night's Champions League defeat to Marseille.

The Reds boss was disappointed with his side's performance throughout the Group A contest and now wants to see his team give a positive response in the forthcoming fixtures against Tottenham, Everton and Besiktas.

"We must improve, we must show our character now," said Benitez.

"We know we have to do better. We showed character to get a draw against Porto when we did not play well, and we showed character to win at Wigan last weekend in a hard match.

"Now we must show character against Tottenham. That is our first priority after the Marseille result."

The Spaniard was questioned over his team selection following the Reds' first defeat of the season but refused to blame individual players for a disappointing display.

"It is not the changes, it is big players not playing well," insisted Rafa.

"I chose Leto because he had been training well and he had played well in the Carling Cup on the left with Fabio Aurelio.

"I wanted to give him his chance because he had shown he was a player who could beat opponents with pace.

"But for me it is not right to talk about only one player, the whole team played badly.

"It is difficult to explain how a team of talented players like ours could give the ball away so much.

"Marseille played well, they pressed us hard and worked well. But we should have been able to create chances behind teams who attack and press like that.

"But we did not create any clear chances. We did have the options, but just failed to take advantage and you do not win if you do not create openings."

With just one point from their opening two Group A fixtures the Reds boss admits his side face an uphill task to qualify for the Knockout stages of the Champions League and believes a win on their travels is now a necessity if they are to maintain any hope of reaching a third European final in just four seasons.

"We are now going to have to win an away game, certainly the next away game with Besiktas," continued Benitez.

"We need points quickly. There has been talk of us needing 10 or 12 points to qualify. Forget all this, we must concentrate first on winning the next group match.

"That is the situation, not what may happen later in the group."

FINNAN: WE OWE THE FANS A PERFORMANCE

2007-10-05T01:27:00.001-07:00

Steve Finnan today insisted the Liverpool players are determined to put a smile back on the faces of their fans this weekend following Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Marseille.

RAFA: IT WAS BAD, EVERYTHING WAS WRONG

2007-10-05T01:25:00.000-07:00

RAFA BENITEZ accepted that last night's dire 1-0 Champions League defeat to Marseille was the worst home European performance of his managerial reign.

MATCH PREVIEW: REDS V MARSEILLE

2007-10-03T07:15:00.001-07:00

Paul Hassall 03 October 2007

When Liverpool face French opposition in Europe it inevitably conjures up images of the epic triumph that was St Etienne.
It was a pivotal 90 minutes of football that set us on the road to becoming European champions for the very first time and is the game that immortalised David Fairclough in Reds folklore.

Since then we have endured mixed fortunes against our Gallic counterparts with wins over Monaco and Auxerre countered by defeats against Strasbourg and Paris St Germain.

This season we have already come up against a side from across The Channel, in Toulouse, but Benitez will be expecting much more of a test when his team take on Olympique Marseille in Match Day Two of Group A.

The French side recently replaced coach Albert Emon with Belgian Eric Gerets after they endured a miserable start to Ligue 1.

A run of one win in nine league matches led the Stade Velodrome outfit to move for the former Galatasaray coach, who arrives with a proven track record having led the Istanbul side to the Turkish championship last season.

It may have been a frustrating start on the domestic scene but in the Champions League it has been a different story and they got their Group A campaign underway in superb style as they secured a 2-0 win at home to Besiktas.

Former Reds striker Djibril Cisse got on the scoresheet and will no doubt be relishing the opportunity to play at Anfield once again, as will veteran Dutch star Bolo Zenden.

In fact the link does not end there as the visitors also boast midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, brother of one-time Reds player Bruno.

The last and only time the two sides met was in the 2003/04 campaign when a Didier Drogba inspired Marseille knocked Gerard Houllier's side out of the UEFA Cup.

A 1-1 draw at Anfield was followed by a 2-1 defeat in France, when the Reds let a 1-0 lead slip after Igor Biscan was sent-off for a professional foul.

RAFA DELIGHTED WITH TORRES TREBLE

2007-09-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

Steve Hunter 25 September 2007

Rafa Benitez hailed the display of Fernando Torres after his three-goal blast saw off Reading in the Carling Cup.
The Reds boss was full of praise for his side after seeing goals from Yossi Benayoun and Torres book Liverpool's place in the fourth round of the competition.

"It was a great night for Fernando," said Benitez.

"He had a lot of space and he killed their defenders with his pace and movement.

"The understanding between him and Crouch was very good and I thought it was a fantastic team performance.

"It was a difficult game because Reading tried to play football and they play with a great passion."

Reading 2-4 Liverpool

2007-09-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

LIVERPOOL LOSE THEIR CUTTING EDGE

2007-09-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

The Times 23 September 2007

The most lethal attack in the Premier League, responsible for 11 goals in the opening four games, was frustrated for the second successive game and suddenly some familiar anxieties are beginning to afflict Liverpool.

Vastly superior to their brave opponents for almost the entire game, Rafa Benitez's team failed to secure the win their control merited through their failure to manufacture more clear-cut opportunities and flagrant profligacy when they did.

Johan Djourou, the 19-year-old on loan from Arsenal, was the epitome of Birmingham's splendid defiance but Benitez could have expected a more emphatic response to the questions raised during a chastening week.

His decision to leave Fernando Torres on the bench yesterday will add to the questions over Liverpool's ability to end their 18-year wait for another league title.

With Peter Crouch also a substitute, the partnership of Andriy Voronin and Dirk Kuyt lacked the necessary cutting edge, for the truth is that Birmingham should have been put to the sword. But Benitez, apparently, is encouraged by his side's start to the season.

Liverpool made an assertive start. John Arne Riise, on the overlap, played a smart one-two with Ryan Babel on the edge of the Birmingham penalty area, which opened a gap almost immediately and the Norwegian might have done better with a low, powerfully-struck shot that went across the face of goal.

Steven Gerrard was ruthless in breaking up potential Birmingham counterattacks, putting in two particularly hard challenges on Mehdi Nafti and Sebastian Larsson early on and Liverpool’s passing was crisp.

But the promise of some high-tempo fireworks quickly evaporated, giving way to a tepid, disappointing first half.

Having made 38 changes to his team in eight matches previously this season, Benitez, the Liverpool manager, made several more.

His hand was forced over defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Xabi Alonso, who were both ruled out with broken metatarsals.

Whether the constant tinkering is a factor or not, the fluidity of their dominating display against Derby three weeks ago was conspicuously lacking as the team remained in second gear.

Birmingham's cause was not helped by an injury sustained by Borja Oubina in the 12th minute. His role was to sit just in front of the back four, but he had to be stretchered off and Blues reverted to four in midfield when Gary McSheffrey was introduced.

Starved of possession in attacking areas and closed down fast any moment they threatened, neither McSheffrey on the left nor Sebastian Larsson on the right could make any inroads and Birmingham's only shot on target in the opening half was an optimistic effort from 40 yards by Wilson Palacios, which Jose Reina gathered comfortably.

Maik Taylor in goal was on a higher state of alert. Liverpool struggled to produce sufficient incisive movement among their attacking players but, from a corner rolled along the deck by Babel, Riise made a sweet connection from 30 yards with the inside of his left boot and his shot narrowly cleared the Birmingham crossbar.

Franck Queudrue made a strong challenge on Kuyt to block the striker's shot at the expense of another corner but from set pieces Liverpool remained largely impotent. Kuyt headed wide from a dangerous cross by Gerrard, then shot wide from outside the area as frustration grew.

The closest the home side came to a breakthrough was just before half-time when Gerrard played a short free kick to Jermaine Pennant, whose 25-yard shot had to be tipped over by Taylor.

Liverpool's play lacked the invention, pace and penetration to break down Birmingham’s dogged defending. The Anfield crowd could barely await the introduction of Torres, who was finally unleashed by Benitez just beyond the hour.

Liverpool at last started to ask serious questions of the Birmingham defence but still they held firm. Gerrard and Pennant were combining on the right side of their penalty area with greater effect, stretching Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell. Jamie Carragher's shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Djourou and yielded a corner, which Pennant steered towards the near post and Gerrard met with a low shot that Nafti, reacting sharply on the line, managed to block and clear. Voronin, who struggled to bring authority to his striking role, almost capitalised on a stray pass by Djourou, holding off the defender and his teammate Ridgewell, to force a fine save from Taylor from the edge of the area.

Birmingham often had 10 men behind the ball, with only Cameron Jerome up front, but the constant pressure was taking its toll. Pennant managed to move in behind the defence from a superb ball by Gerrard and the winger's low cross had to be booted away by Ridgewell just ahead of Kuyt at the near post. Crouch was added to the attack and increased the stress for Birmingham as his aerial threat was put to use.

But it was the class of Torres that almost made the difference. Pennant was increasingly finding space on the right in behind Birmingham's beleaguered defence and a cross into Torres in the centre yielded an opportunity. The Spanish striker produced a stunning overhead kick that just cleared the crossbar, much to the relief of Taylor.

As Liverpool maintained their momentum, Torres intervened again with a clever backheel which Crouch and Gerrard ran onto, and only a perfectly-timed tackle by Stephen Kelly saved Birmingham on the edge of the box. Crouch squandered a final opportunity with a wayward header and Birmingham’s bravery and resilience proved enough to deny Liverpool victory.

Two points lost, which Benitez and his team may come to rue.

AURELIO BACK BUT RIISE RULED OUT

2007-09-17T02:36:00.000-07:00

Fabio Aurelio will make a return to the Liverpool squad for tomorrow night's clash against Porto, but John Arne Riise has been ruled out with a groin injury.

Portsmouth vs. Liverpool - Penalty Incident

2007-09-17T02:31:00.000-07:00

UEFA Champions League Draw

2007-08-31T01:59:00.000-07:00

A LETTER FROM LUIS GARCIA

2007-08-22T03:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Reds,

First of all I'd like to apologise for not having been back in touch sooner, but I needed to take some time to take on board all the recent changes and then to put down these words for you.

I'm sure you will understand.

I would rather this be a letter of thanks and gratitude, not simply a goodbye.

Yes, that's right, gratitude, because that is the word that best sums up my feelings for you all.

Taking the decision to change clubs hasn't been easy. Not easy at all.

I've experienced three fantastic years at the club and in the city. Three years in which together, the fans and the team, we have accomplished some fantastic achievements, and I'm sure that these successes will continue to be repeated in the near future.

You know that I like a challenge and that I don't just settle for second best.

Back then Liverpool Football Club gave me the opportunity to be part of an ambitious plan to put the Reds back at the summit of the game.

I think that together we managed to achieve that.

As I said, I do like challenges and in spite of the fact that at that time I was playing for my home town club, one of the biggest in the world, I wanted to be a part of that project that was being presented to me by Liverpool, and so I accepted the challenge.

Now, after three seasons in the Premier League and having won some major trophies, the chance came up for me to return to La Liga and be part of a new project at a club I already knew.

The idea of enjoying things in a Spanish club like we experienced together at Liverpool over these last three years appealed to me, and that's why I accepted the offer.

I want to thank everyone working at Liverpool Football Club for how well they have treated both my family and I, making us feel at home from the very first day to the last.

I also want to thank the management, coaching staff and directors for the opportunity they gave me back then to be part of such an important and well-loved club as Liverpool. A club which has helped me to grow as a footballer and where to date I have enjoyed the biggest success of my career.

Without a doubt, this success has been possible thanks to the outstanding group of players with whom I've been able to share a dressing room over the last three seasons.

I'm not going to mention anyone specifically, because I think that the secret of this team's success has been exactly that: nobody wanted to stand out above the rest and there has always been a great togetherness in the squad, which made it into something more than a group of players, it was a group of friends.

Thanks to all of you for your help and your friendship.

I've left until last the thank you which for me is the most important: Thank you to the supporters.

Your support allowed me to settle quickly at both the club and in the city, and you made me feel really at ease with you all right from the word go; that's the kind of help that you notice most of all during the difficult times, of which there have been a few during my time here.

I'd like to especially thank you for making up a song for me and you should know that every time I heard you singing it, it was like an extra injection of strength and motivation, even helping me to overcome pain occasionally during a game.

Your unconditional support is the thing that ensures that this team manages to pull through in the most difficult circumstances; and I can assure you that the whole squad is aware of this and thanks you for it.

A football club isn't just made up of players, coaches and directors. More than anything else it's the supporters who make a club, and that perhaps is the ingredient which best distinguishes Liverpool Football Club from every other team. The supporters.

Because if one thing has remained obvious to me after these few years, it's that with supporters like you, Liverpool Football Club will never walk alone.

I really hope that the club wins lots of major trophies in the future; I'll be following it all from a distance, with the pride that you can only get from having been a Red and played for the home team at Anfield – a ground that every football fan must visit at least once in their life.

Thank you for everything. Yours most sincerely,

Your friend, Luís García

STYLES APOLOGISES BUT IS SENT ON LEAVE

2007-08-22T03:24:00.000-07:00

The Independent 21 August २००७

Referee Rob Styles has apologised for denying Liverpool a valuable victory over Chelsea and been placed on temporary gardening leave for his mishandling of Sunday's fractious affair at Anfield।

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the body responsible for the country's leading referees, reacted to a weekend of controversy yesterday when it announced that Styles and Ian Gosling had been punished for their performances at Anfield and Craven Cottage respectively.

Styles fell victim to the PGMOL's strict self-regulation policy for the penalty award that enabled Frank Lampard to equalise Fernando Torres' opener for Liverpool on Sunday. The referee penalised Steve Finnan for a foul on Florent Malouda when the French international had clearly leapt into the Republic of Ireland defender but, refreshingly, he last night admitted his mistake and offered a public apology to the Anfield club. It is believed he also offered a personal apology to Rafael Benitez, who had described Styles' initial decision as "absolutely unbelievable".

The Hampshire official, who was accused of cracking under pressure from Chelsea players by the Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, stated: "All referees enter into matches hoping not to make any mistakes but understanding that they may happen, what none of us want is for any mistake to potentially affect the result of the match. Yesterday, in mistakenly awarding a penalty, I accept that I may have affected the result of the match and for that I apologise."

Styles' contrition followed an announcement by PGMOL general manager Keith Hackett that the referee would not have been involved in any matches this weekend, with the organisation keen to demonstrate to Premier League clubs that officials will be held accountable for mistakes.

Hackett explained: "Accountability exists and we, the PGMOL, do expect referees to get big decisions correct. On this occasion it was wrong and therefore Rob will not be officiating next weekend.

"I spoke to Rob this morning and obviously he is extremely disappointed with the decision and admitted he got it wrong. I have left a message with Rafael Benitez to apologise."

There was further confusion at Anfield on Sunday when Styles appeared to book Michael Essien for a second time but did not show the Chelsea midfielder a red card. At the time Styles confirmed to fourth official Phil Dowd that the booking was for Chelsea captain John Terry, but Hackett admitted it was another aspect of Styles' performance at Anfield that needed to be improved.

Assistant referee Gosling has also been removed from the match list for this weekend for failing to award a goal to Fulham on Saturday when a shot from striker David Healy clearly crossed the Middlesbrough goal-line.

BRITISH CLUBS GET TOUGH EURO DRAW

2007-08-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

BBC 03 August 2007
Liverpool face a tough tie in the third qualifying round of the Champions League as they have to overcome Toulouse to book a group stage spot.

Arsenal have been drawn against Sparta Prague over the two legs. Scottish champions Celtic have a tricky match against Spartak Moscow.

Rangers hold a 2-0 first-leg lead over FK Zeta in their second qualifying round tie and, if they win, will play Crvena Zvezda or Levadia Tallinn.

The winners will go through to the group stages, when English duo Manchester United and Chelsea will enter the tournament.

Crvena Zvezda, formerly known as Red Star Belgrade, hold a 1-0 lead over Estonian side Levadia Tallinn after the first leg in Serbia.

If Rangers come through their second leg game against Zeta next Tuesday they will travel away from home for the first leg.

Celtic's opponents Spartak Moscow play on an artificial pitch and are midway through their domestic season.

Arsenal were one of the last teams out of the draw and will face a team with plenty of Champions League experience in Sparta Prague.

Club spokesman David Miles said: "We have played them four times in six years and so we're very much looking to visiting Prague again.

"It could have been worse and we have a good working relationship with them.

"But we won't take anything for granted. It is very important for the club both financially and for our supporters to play in the group stages."

Liverpool, who lost out in the final of the competition last season, face a trip into the unknown when they take on French club Toulouse.

Club secretary Bryce Morrison said: "It will not be easy. This qualifying round of the competition seems to be getting harder each year.

"The French league is strong. They are a rugby town and it is a new ground for us. They will be really up for it.

"Rafael Benitez has brought in some new players and everyone in the club feels we are stronger and there is no reason why we can't go all the way again."

The lucrative group stages of the competition run from 18 September to 12 December and the final will be played in Moscow on 21 May 2008.

Toulouse test

2007-08-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Liverpool club secretary Bryce Morrison admits the Reds are pleased after drawing Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round.

werder 2-3 Liverpool

2007-07-18T03:35:00.000-07:00

2007-07-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

18:17 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Werder get the game under way
2 mins : Pennant wins free kick after run down right
2 mins : Gerrard free kick nodded back by Crouch to Hobbs who skies from close range
3 mins : GOAL! Andriy Voronin: Voronin uses pace to punish slapdash defending before rounding keeper and tucking the ball away
5 mins : El Zhar loses possession on edge of Werder box after good work from Crouch and Voronin
6 mins : GOAL! Kevin Schindler: Schindler tucks home after Paletta loses his man
7 mins : Crouch fires wide from 20 yards
9 mins : Pennant gives away free-kick midway in Reds half
9 mins : Gerrard charges down free kick
11 mins : Hobbs scuffs shot from 20 yards after El Zhar knock down
12 mins : Lively Pennant wins free kick in promising position
13 mins : GOAL! John Arne Riise: Riise rockets ball into roof of the net from 30 yards after Pennant lay off from free kick
20 mins : Voronin, Gerrard, El Zhar and Pennant combine well but move breaks down on edge of the box
21 mins : Carlos Albertos spoons shot from 25 yards
25 mins : Voronin shoots wide from distance after terrific link up play with El Zhar and Crouch
26 mins : Andreasen shot is well held by Carson
30 mins : Pennant and Gerrard combine but no one is there to meet the skipper's backheel in the box
31 mins : Reds knocking the ball around nicely
32 mins : El Zhar and Pennant switch flanks
35 mins : Gerrard storms through the middle before threading a fine ball to Voronin - but the Ukrainian is offside
36 mins : Tidy play by El Zhar in Werder half but pass lets him down
39 mins : Brilliant approach play by Carlos Alberto to sidestep both Gerrard and Carson - but he spoons it from eight yards
41 mins : Inviting cross by Riise down the left but Crouch just can't reach it
43 mins : Riise pings whopper of a ball 70 yards to turn defence into attack but Voronin runs out of ideas
44 mins : Pennant gets round of applause for keeping ball in play before pulling out a few tricks
19:04 GMT : Half Time Reached
46 mins : Substitution: Jamie Carragher for Sami Hyypia:
46 mins : Substitution: Daniel Agger for Gabriel Paletta:
46 mins : Substitution: Dirk Kuyt for Peter Crouch:
46 mins : Substitution: Momo Sissoko for Steven Gerrard MBE:
46 mins : Substitution: Xabi Alonso for Jack Hobbs:
19:18 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : Substitution: Yossi Benayoun for Jermaine Pennant:
46 mins : Reds get second half under way
47 mins : Voronin shoots over after good footwork inside the box
46 mins : Substitution: Alvaro Arbeloa for John Arne Riise:
46 mins : Substitution: Stephen Darby for Steve Finnan:
48 mins : Brilliant vision by Benayoun to find Kuyt in the box. The Dutchman nets but not before the linesman raises his flag
46 mins : Substitution: Pierre Wome for Clemens Fritz:
53 mins : First Booking: Jamie Carragher: Carragher booked for late challenge in Reds half
46 mins : Substitution: Jurica Vranjes for Markus Rosenberg:
46 mins : Substitution: Hugo Almelda for Torsten Frings:
46 mins : Substitution: Daniel Jensen for Tim Borowski:
56 mins : Voronin beats two men but can't find a ball through
57 mins : Torres and Babel start to warm up
58 mins : Substitution: Amaury Bischoff for Carlos Alberto:
60 mins : Ace pass from Alonso puts Benayoun clean through but the Israeli unselfishly lays it off for Kuyt who forces fine save from Wiese from 10 yards
60 mins : GOAL! Andriy Voronin: Ukrainian bags his second with fine lob over keeper after Alonso throughball
63 mins : Substitution: Fernando Torres for Andriy Voronin: Torres makes Reds debut
65 mins : Torres wins free kick on edge of Werder box - but Alonso hits a tame effort straight at the keeper
73 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Nabil El Zhar: Babel makes his Reds debut
73 mins : Werder think they've scored after Carra mistake but ref disallows it minutes later after lengthy talks with fourth official
76 mins : Carson nearly caught off guard as long Werder punt takes wicked deflection. He manages to put it out for corner, which comes to nothing
77 mins : Torres shows great skill to get through Werder defence before squaring for Babel - unfortunately a German is back to intercept
80 mins : Substitution: Frank Loning for Kevin Schindler:
82 mins : Alonso seemingly has the ball on a piece of string
84 mins : Own Goal! Stephen Darby: Darby knocks ball into own net after dangerous cross
87 mins : Brilliant turn by Kuyt before finding Torres who links up well with Benayoun. Unfortunatley the move then chokes
88 mins : Torres misses two glorious chances to mark his debut with a goal
90 mins : Remarkable skill from Babel to beat three men but his shot is too easy for the keeper
20:05 GMT : Match Over

TORRES IN LINE FOR DEBUT

2007-07-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres is expected to make his Liverpool debut tonight when Rafael Benítez's side face the German club Werder Bremen in Switzerland.

The club-record £26m signing has been receiving treatment for a slight ankle problem but Benítez is set to include him in the first of two friendly matches during Liverpool's week-long training camp.

"He had a problem with his ankle in the last two weeks he was playing with Atlético Madrid," said the manager. "But he's been training with the physio over the last two weeks and I think will be available to play in Switzerland."

Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, who cost a combined fee of £16.5m from Ajax and West Ham United respectively, are also likely to make their first appearances during the trip, which concludes on Friday with a game against Auxerre.

Liverpool have announced a shake-up of their backroom staff, with Xavi Valero succeeding José Ochotorena as goalkeeping coach. Ochotorena has returned to Spain to work at Valencia. Valero began his professional career as a goalkeeper with Castellón in 1992 and played for a number of Spanish clubs before spending a short time at the end of his playing career with Wrexham, where he put into practice the English he had studied at university.

BABEL PASSES MEDICAL AND SIGNS TODAY

2007-07-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

RYAN BABEL will today become the third most expensive player in Liverpool’s history by completing an £11.5million move from Ajax.

And Rafael Benitez’s summer rebuilding plans took another step forward last night when Yossi Benayoun signed from West Ham United on a four-year deal.

Babel has passed a medical and will put pen to paper on a five-year deal after the two sides finally reached an agree-ment over a fee for the 20-year-old.

A Liverpool spokesperson said: “Liverpool have agreed terms with Ajax and Ryan Babel himself and the player will sign a five-year-deal on Friday.”

Highly-rated Babel, who can play on the wing and up front, has scored four goals in 14 appearances for the full Holland national team and starred for his country in their recent European Under-21 Championship success on home soil.

Babel said of joining Liverpool: “I listened to what they had to say and I got a great feeling about the club. I have made a choice with my heart. The coach has big plans for me.”

Babel, speaking in Amsterdam last night, added: “I am at Ajax to say goodbye to everyone, and I must say that’s quite difficult. I think I will miss the fans, the ones that have always supported me, the guys (Ajax team-mates) of course and the coach.

“I certainly leave Ajax with pain in my heart.”

Liverpool have fought off interest from a number of leading clubs including Arsenal for the player, with Benitez having trained his sights on Babel after losing out to Chelsea for the signature of Lyon’s Florent Malouda.

Babel will be unveiled at Melwood today along with Benayoun, who has joined in a deal understood to be worth around £5m.

The 27-year-old midfielder has signed a contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2011, and becomes the third Israeli on Liverpool’s books following Avi Cohen and Ronnie Rosenthal.

Meanwhile, Southampton have taken Liverpool winger Adam Hammill on a season-long loan.

The England U19 player, who had a spell at Dunfermline last season, had also been a target for Scottish Premier League giants Celtic.

Southampton manager George Burley said: “He is a young player who did very well on loan at Dunfermline last season.

“He can play right or left and is a quick player who takes people on, he has bags of potential and I am very pleased to have got him because there was a lot of interest from other clubs.

“Adam is coming to a club with good facilities and good, young players and this is another step for him in his career.”

LIVERPOOL CLOSE ON HEINZE

2007-07-03T01:44:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Heinze could become the first player to move between Manchester United and Liverpool in over 40 years.

Heinze is available for around £5million, although United are keen to offload the Argentine to Real Madrid rather than a domestic rival.

But Heinze is keen to remain in the Premier League and is keen on a switch to Anfield, according to the Daily Mail.

And the left-back could even scupper any resistance from United by buying out the last two years of his United contract for £4.5million, a fee he would recoup in a signing-on fee from Liverpool.

If Heinze does make the move, he'll become the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to swap Old Trafford for Anfield.

Torres Expected In Liverpool Today

2007-07-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres has already cut short his vacation and returned to Madrid, and is expected in Liverpool today...

After a €32m plus Luis Garcia deal was sealed between the to clubs, the Spanish international needs only to complete a medical at Anfield before penning what will be a rather lucrative €135,000 a week deal.

While it is possible that the medical actually takes place tomorrow morning before the official presentation, the deal will be confirmed today itself.

That will bring to an end a saga that has run for around ten days, ever since Goal.com had exclusively confirmed that Liverpool officials had travelled to Madrid to discuss a move for Fernando Torres.

It has taken a while for the financial details to be sorted out, but all parties seem to be happy now.

Torres will take the number of strikers at Rafa Benitez's disposal up to five, with Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Craig Bellamy and Andriy Voronin already on the Reds' books. That, assuming they offload Djibril Cisse, who is also a Liverpool player as of now.

It is unclear whether one more striker will be allowed to leave. Surely Rafa cannot keep five front men happy!

ENGLAND

2007-06-07T05:45:00.001-07:00

Liverpool, Man Utd urged to bid for Trezeguet
Chelsea, Barcelona sound out Del Piero
Chelsea's Obi Mikel courts more Nigeria controversy
Bosingwa unsure of Spurs interest
Portsmouth turn to Bolton striker Anelka
Agent insists Benayoun wants West Ham stay
Four Premiership clubs battle for Diarra
Liverpool, AC Milan move for Mudingayi
Portsmouth, Newcastle eyeing Bordeaux's Faubert
Derby keeper Grant on way to Sheffield Wednesday
Juventus target Lampard rejects £140,000-a-week Chelsea deal
Juventus move for Man Utd striker Rossi
Chelsea to bid for Brazilian whizkid Pato
Chelsea, Spurs keep tabs on Newcastle's Dyer
West Ham boss Curbishley determined to land Bent
Benitez wants new Liverpool deal for Valencia target Macia
Sheffield Wednesday waiting for Fulham, Wigan offers for Brunt
Middlesbrough eyeing CSKA striker Vagner Love
Portsmouth to offer £3M for Wigan's Camara
Portsmouth rival Fulham for Villa's Davis
Middlesbrough must beat Spurs, Sevilla for Bosingwa
Shepherd can stay as chairman at Ashley's Newcastle
Birmingham in Arsenal talks for Djourou
Arsenal to send Merida to Atletico Madrid
Spurs to bid £8M for Atletico Madrid's Petrov
Middlesbrough step up bid for Villa's Moore
West Ham eyeing Reading's Hunt
Wigan signing Sibierski: Allardyce wanted me to stay
Sunderland boss wants Man Utd's Simpson
Routledge ready for Spurs move
No Derby deal for Currie
Portsmouth chasing Kenya star Mariga
Derby boss Davies determined to be competitive

RAFA AND RICK DELIGHTED BY DOUBLE DEAL

2007-06-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Rafael Benitez and Rick Parry today spoke of their delight after seeing Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher commit their long-term futures to Liverpool Football Club.
The club captain and vice-captain returned from England duty on Monday afternoon to sign new contracts that will keep them at Anfield until 2011.

For Benitez, working tirelessly to bring new players into the club, it sends out a clear message about where Liverpool Football Club are heading.

"These are two very important deals," Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv, "because they are about safeguarding the future of this football club. Stevie and Jamie both wanted to stay at the club. They have a passion for this club and you can see that in the way they play. They are 100% committed to Liverpool and now they can be 100% focussed on their futures at Anfield.

"I think these deals send out a key message as we enter a crucial period. Other players will look at Stevie and Carra committing their future to Liverpool and understand that this means we are determined to progress on the pitch.

"When we talk to players we'd like to sign for this club, we can point to the fact that they will be playing alongside the likes of Stevie and Carra. Now these two deals are complete, we need to continue working on bringing in new players and keeping the ones we already have."

One man key to helping Benitez bring in those players is Rick Parry, who was equally pleased to see the club's two longest-serving players extend their stay at Anfield.

"It was a priority for us to get two of our most important players - and two local players - signed up to new contracts. It's a very positive statement we feel and sends out an important message.

"There's a lot of work - an awful lot of work - going on in the background. It's important we get the right players and there will be a lot of activity at the club to come but we're delighted to see Steven and Jamie sign these contracts today."

GERRARD DEFENDS REDS FANS

2007-06-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

Steven Gerrard has sprung to the defence of Liverpool supporters after Uefa spokesman William Gaillard labelled them the worst in Europe after problems marred the Champions League final.
The Reds captain, speaking while on duty with England, claimed he couldn't understand how the Liverpool fans – his friends and family included - could be blamed for the chaos in Athens.

"What Uefa have said really upsets me," revealed the midfielder. "We've travelled everywhere together for the six or seven years I've been in the first team and from what I've seen, their behaviour has been fantastic.

"I had friends and family at the final. Their opinion was that the organisation wasn't good enough. I'm sure when it all gets broken down, they will conclude the organisation wasn't good enough and maybe a minority of Liverpool fans let themselves down but as far as I'm concerned the European Cup Final has to be in a bigger stadium with better organisation."

Probable teams

2007-05-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

Milan: Dida; Massimo Oddo, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Massimo Ambrosini; Kaká, Clarence Seedorf; Filippo Inzaghi.

Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Boudewijn Zenden/Harry Kewell; Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt.

PRESS conference - LIVERPOOL

2007-05-23T07:12:00.001-07:00

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez wants his side calm and confident for tomorrow. Jermaine Pennant sees Athens as a great honour and John Riise is optimistic

Rafael Benitez had this to say from the pre-match press conference in Athens: ‘We are here because we have been doing the right things and we deserve to be here. Zenden has some problems, while Kewell is ready to play the entire 90 minutes. Our players are focused and motivated. It’s not easy to play two finals in three years and we should be proud. The secret of my great success in European competitions? My staff are the key. We have good people, good workers. When you have a good staff then you can be successful. Of course we have good players as well. Everything is good. Our motivations are the same as Milan. I don’t know if Bellamy will play or if Crouch will play. I still have to think about it. We have two or three different options, I will decide later on after training. It’s going to be a tough match. The final two years ago was incredible, the best final of all-time. But I don't want to go through that kind of match again because I think I'd need a doctor this time! I don’t know if I will give a watch to my wife at the end of the match, that depends on what the players do. My players are more or less on a similar level as that of two years ago. We are preparing all the details like two years ago. Ancelotti? He is an excellent coach. As for me, I have excellent assistants and I am trying to analyse every aspect. Gerrard and Carragher are very important players, but for me the key is the team spirit, not just one player. I am sorry that there aren’t tickets for all of our fans. I think the team who scores first might have a slightly better chance.’

Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant also spoke at the pre-match press conference: ‘It's a great honour to be involved. Many players would love to play in a game of this level and just being here is already a great success. This is my first year at Liverpool, I have gotten used to the coach’s tactics and have come to understand my team-mates. I will try to do better next year. Hopefully I can repay Liverpool’s faith in me if I’m picked tomorrow. I will give 110%. Milan are in excellent physical form, they showed that against Manchester United.’

Liverpool defender John Riise was there beside coach Benitez and team-mate Pennant to speak in the pre-match press conference: ‘We have a lot of confidence in ourselves and we have confidence in our winning the final. Our qualification over Barcelona during this Champions League journey reinforced our conviction. We are stronger and more experienced than we were two years ago. We have better players and we will demonstrate that. Milan want revenge and we will respect them just like we know that they respect us, but tomorrow night we will be thinking only about ourselves. What happened two years ago in Istanbul doesn’t give us any psychological advantages. Kakà is the top goalscorer in the Champions League, but Milan are more than just Kakà. As for me, I play for the team not for the goals. We trained in the heat in Spain, but it’s a bit colder here.’

PRESS conference - MILAN

2007-05-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

Speaking at the pre-game press conference, Carlo Ancelotti has put Istanbul behind him. Paolo Maldini is proud to be captain for such a side and Ricky Kakà hope to write another page in the history books

ATHENS - CARLO ANCELOTTI - It will not be easy, but I have no doubts we will give everything. All my decisions have been made. On a purely technical level perhaps Milan were stronger two years ago and for that side it was almost ‘normal’ to reach the Final. For today’s team it is extraordinary and we want to end this year on a high. We deserved this final more than any other side because we suffered like nobody else. We had points penalties and had to rush our pre-season training to prepare for the preliminary round. If we have the fortune to lift the trophy, then it will be absolutely and totally deserved. This has been the most difficult season in my time at Milan. We ran into problems we had never encountered before, but the great unity between myself, the team and club proved decisive. Steven Gerrard is charismatic, but you cannot base your match on one player. Liverpool, like Milan, have many other qualities. Our opponents are Liverpool, not Gerrard. I don’t see myself as the leader of the group, but rather a part of the group. We all come together to answer questions and solve problems. We have worked well and I hope it will be considered even better tomorrow. We never sought alibis or scapegoats, we just tried to resolve our problems together, so what we have been through makes us stronger for this final. We feel very strong in these days leading up to the match. It was here in Athens against AEK that we suffered three injuries, it was the most delicate moment. Being compared to Sacchi and Capello by Doctor Galliani is pleasing. We have all done well. Milan’s presence in this final shows the strength of Italian football and we do feel ourselves a very Italian side.

PAOLO MALDINI - I have never been crazy about looking at history, it difficult to find the comparison with Athens now and in 1994, there are great players, Kakà today, Savicevic then. The Golden Ball is not as important as the final in general. If I can say, no one deserves the Golden Ball more than Kakà. It will be an emotional final even if you manage it differently from when you were 18 or 19. The best image is fitting the cup in Manchester with the whole team behind me. The important thing to get there rather than not. Crouch can be difficult in the air but I want to get out there once again and experience the shiver of excitement you only get in games like this. To be doing this again at this level is something fantastic and I am proud to be captain of a team that is always at these levels.

RICARDO KAKA' - No team plays man-marking at this level. I think that it will be like this tomorrow. I had the chance to win the Champions League two years ago, hopefully I have a great game tomorrow and write my name in the history books. If we can repeat what we did in the first half against Manchester United then it will be difficult to face Milan. Thanks to the example of Maldini and Costacurta, there is always the desire to win. I requested not to play in the Copa America in the interests of the Brazilian national team as I have played every summer for the last three years.

SAME STORY DIFFERENT PLACE

2007-05-22T07:28:00.001-07:00

Two years on from the drama of Istanbul, AC Milan and Liverpool FC will meet again in the UEFA Champions League final with revenge on Milanese minds. Carlo Ancelotti's side may be considered slight favourites but with Liverpool aiming to prove lightning can strike twice there is no danger of the Rossoneri taking anything for granted given the unforgettable circumstances of their opponents' 2005 triumph in Turkey. As if anyone needed reminding, Milan surrendered a 3-0 half-time lead as Rafael Benítez's team fought back to claim a 3-3 draw before winning on penalties.

• The Athens Olympic Stadium - otherwise known as the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium - is the setting for this showdown between two of the continent's most successful clubs and for a Milan team plotting revenge, the choice of venue may be considered a lucky one. It was here, after all, that the Rossoneri beat FC Barcelona 4-0 in the 1994 UEFA Champions League final.

• Between them, Milan and Liverpool have won eleven of the 51 previous editions of the European Champion Clubs' Cup. For Milan victory would bring their seventh European crown while Liverpool can make it six. Only nine-times winners Real Madrid CF have enjoyed more success in the competition than this pair.

• Milan are contesting their eleventh final and previously lifted the European Cup in 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. The Rossoneri were runners-up in 1958, 1993, 1995 and 2005. Only Madrid have appeared in more finals (12).

• This is Liverpool's seventh European Cup final and their five successes were in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005. Their sole losing final appearance came in 1985.

• Every time Liverpool have lifted the cup they have worn their home colours and beaten opponents wearing white. Although Milan were in white in Istanbul, they still regard the colour as lucky after five previous triumphs wearing their change strip in 1963, 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003.

• On an individual level, Milan's Paolo Maldini could claim his fifth winners' medal following victories with the Rossoneri in 1989, 1990, 1994 and 2003. He will equal Paco Gento's record of eight final appearances in Athens and Gento is one of only three players in history to have enjoyed more success in the competition: the Real Madrid CF legend has six wins to his name while former colleagues Alfredo di Stéfano and José María Zárraga have five each.

• If Maldini has followed his father Cesare in winning the European Cup with Milan, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is aiming to go one better than his own father, Miguel, who finished on the losing side with Club Atlético de Madrid in their 1974 final against FC Bayern München.

• Both Ancelotti and Benítez have led their teams to this trophy once before, Ancelotti in 2003 and Benítez in 2005. In the Milan coach's case he is one of only five men to have lifted the European Cup as both a player and manager, following three triumphs with Milan in his playing days.

• Another of Milan's European Cup history-makers is Clarence Seedorf, who is the only player to have won the competition with three different clubs: AFC Ajax (1995), Real Madrid (1998) and Milan (2003).

• This is the two clubs' first meeting since their remarkable first encounter in the Istanbul final on 25 May 2005. Milan took a first-minute lead that night through Maldini, the quickest goal in a final, and they struck twice more before the break through Hernán Crespo (39, 44). Liverpool responded with three goals in a stunning spell from Steven Gerrard (54), Vladimír Šmicer (56) and Xabi Alonso (60) and the English team won the ensuing shoot-out 3-2, with Jerzy Dudek the hero after saving Andriy Shevchenko's spot-kick.

• The full details of the shoot-out were:Serginho, missed; Hamann, 0-1; Pirlo, saved; Cissé, 0-2; Tomasson, 1-2; Riise, saved; Kaká, 2-2; Šmicer, 2-3; Shevchenko, saved.

• The teams in Istanbul were: Milan: Dida; Cafu, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini; Gennaro Gattuso (Rui Costa, 112), Andrea Pirlo, Kaká, Clarence Seedorf (Serginho, 86); Andriy Shevchenko, Hernán Crespo (Jon Dahl Tomasson, 85).

• Liverpool: Jerzy Dudek; Steve Finnan (Dietmar Hamann, 46), Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypiä, Djimi Traoré; Luis García, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise; Harry Kewell (Vladimír Šmicer, 23), Milan Baroš (Djibril Cissé, 85).

• Milan advanced to Athens thanks to a 5-3 aggregate victory over Manchester United FC in the semi-finals. After succumbing to a 3-2 first-leg loss at Old Trafford, Milan found the perfect response at San Siro as they won through goals from Kaká (11), Clarence Seedorf (30) and Alberto Gilardino (78).

• For Milan the road to the final began in the third qualifying round where they beat FK Crvena Zvezda both at home (1-0) and away (2-1). After finishing top of Group H - recording three wins, one draw and two defeats – the Italian side overcame Celtic FC in the first knockout round, following up a 0-0 away draw with a 1-0 home success. They then got the better of FC Bayern München in the quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 at home before winning 2-0 away.

• Liverpool's semi-final victims were the same Chelsea FC team they overcame two years earlier en route to Istanbul. After losing the first leg in London 1-0, Daniel Agger's 22nd-minute strike gave Benítez's side an identical victory at Anfield before they completed the victory with a 4-1 shoot-out success.

• Boudewijn Zenden, Alonso, Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt all converted their spot-kicks while goalkeeper Reina stopped kicks from Chelsea's Arjen Robben and Geremi. That success means the Merseyside club have lost just one of eleven penalty shoot-outs they have contested in all competitions.

• Liverpool's campaign began in the group stage where they topped Group C with four wins, one draw and one defeat. In the first knockout round they achieved the feat of eliminating holders FC Barcelona, winning on away goals after a 2-1 first-leg victory in Spain and 1-0 loss in the return. The quarter-finals brought a more comfortable passage as they beat PSV Eindhoven 3-0 away and 1-0 at home.

• Greece has proved a happy hunting ground for Milan in the two previous finals they have contested here. It was in Thessaloniki that the Rossoneri defeated another English side, Leeds United AFC, in the 1972/73 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, Luciano Chiarugi scoing the only goal after four minutes.

• The OACA Spyro Louis Stadium, meanwhile was the setting for their 4-0 UEFA Champions League final triumph on 18 May 1994 against a Barcelona 'Dream Team' stunned by goals from Daniele Massaro (2), Dejan Savićević and Marcel Desailly. However, it was at this same stadium earlier this season that Milan suffered their first defeat on Greek soil, going down 1-0 to AEK Athens FC in the group stage.

• Liverpool, for their part, have positive memories of their previous two visits to the final venue, winning 1-0 at Panathinaikos FC to secure a 5-0 aggregate success in the 1984/85 European Cup semi-final and then drawing 2-2 against Olympiacos CFP en route to a third-round success in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup – a competition they went on to win.

• The Reds' most recent visit to Greece ended in defeat as they went down 1-0 to Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League group stage.

• Milan's record against English teams reads nine wins, seven draws and eight defeats from 24 matches, with the 2005 final counted as a Rossoneri reverse. They have played two previous UEFA finals against opposition from England, defeating Leeds to win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1973 but losing to Liverpool in Istanbul.

• Liverpool have won seven and lost seven of their 16 previous encounters with Italian opposition - with the final shoot-out victories of 1984 and 2005 counted as two of those successes.

• They have contested three previous UEFA finals against Serie A sides and won two of them. Besides beating Milan in Istanbul, they defeated AS Roma 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the 1983/84 European Cup final in Rome. However, they lost 1-0 to Juventus in the final in Brussels the following season.

• Overall there have been five Anglo-Italian UEFA competition finals and the score reads 3-2 in favour of England.

• This is the fifth time that two former final opponents have met again and for Milan the third time they have faced such a rematch.

• Milan got the better of SL Benfica twice in the final, beating the Portuguese side 2-1 in 1963 and 1-0 in 1990. Against Ajax, meanwhile, they recorded a 4-1 victory in 1969 but lost 1-0 when the sides squared off for a second time in the 1995 final.

• The other two final rematches were: Real Madrid CF v Stade de Reims Champagne – 4-3 in 1956; 2-0 in 1959. Ajax v Juventus - 1-0 in 1973; 1-1 (2-4 pens) in 1996.

• The Athens Olympic Stadium has a proud sporting history. Originally constructed for the 1982 European Athletics Championship, the OACA Spyro Louis Stadium was named after the winner of the first Olympic marathon in the Greek capital in 1896 and is located in the north of the city in the municipality of Maroussi. Construction begun in 1980, and it was opened on 8 September 1982, the arena dominated by four leaning pillars at each corner.

• In 2002 the old stadium was closed and, after a major revamp, was re-opened on 30 July 2004 for the Olympic Games. The new Athens Olympic Stadium was noticeable for the twin 304m arches supporting the polycarbonate roof designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and designed to withstand winds of up to 120km/h.

• UEFA President Michel Platini will present the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the winning captain, with UEFA Champions League final ambassador Theodoros Zagorakis assisting in the ceremony. The victorious Greece captain at UEFA EURO 2004™ will first help Mr Platini present medals to the match officials and the losing team, before the winning team step up to claim their medals and the trophy.

Ac Milan - Liverpool FC Road to 2007 Athens Final

2007-05-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

SMICER: AWESOME FANS CAN BE THE KEY

2007-05-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

Istanbul hero Vladimir Smicer believes Liverpool's 'awesome' supporters can help inspire the Reds to more European glory in Athens.

RIISE: WE'RE MILAN'S NIGHTMARE

2007-05-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

John Arne Riise believes Liverpool are AC Milan's worst nightmare because they hate playing against physical sides.

And the Norwegian full-back believes Liverpool will never allow the Italians the freedom to attack they had in the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.

Riise prepares for his second final showdown with Milan next Wednesday in Athens convinced Liverpool can repeat their success of 2005.

Riise and his colleagues are increasingly aware that Milan believe them to be inferior to Manchester United, who the Italians eliminated in the semi-finals.

Their coach Carlo Ancelotti claims Liverpool are the poorest of the four semi-finalists and even United chief Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool have no hope of success.

But Riise said: "We don't really care what people say, we deserve to be in the final. And we know Milan don't like playing against teams like us."

He added: "I heard some things earlier that they think they are the more tactical and we are the more physical side. But we can play football too.

"And they know we are strong and physical and we will use that to our advantage. They hate playing against those sort of teams.

"They looked like they struggled against the physical aspect when they played Bayern Munich earlier in the competition, even though they got through. But it is not something they enjoy facing.

"And we will play our own style of football that has been successful for us, we know that some teams hate to play against us because we play a physical compact type of game. We don't listen to other people because we know what we can do."

And Riise made it clear that Liverpool believe they can blunt the Milan style that caused Manchester United so much trouble in their calamitous second-leg mauling in Milan.

He said: "When they played against United their full-backs were almost like strikers or wingers. That is because United made room for them and gave them space.

"The way we play is quite compact and it will be hard work for their full-backs and wingers to get through.

"If they still attack us that way we will find space to hurt them. We have got the next few days to find their weaknesses and exploit them."

And Riise has faith in boss Rafael Benitez to produce the game plan to win Liverpool's second Champions League crown in three seasons.

"When he picks his team, and he knows who he wants to play, he will talk to every player to say what he expects from them and what the opposition player is going to do.

"Our manager is a tactical genius and he knows how to get his players ready."

But Riise accepts that this final must not start the way the Istanbul match did, when Liverpool were 3-0 down at the break. He said: "We cannot afford a three goal head start this time.

"It was called a miracle because of the comeback, but it can't happen again. This time we will approach the game perfectly and hopefully get a good start."

And Riise recalls Benitez's calmness in the face of that dreadful deficit in 2005. He said: "When you are losing 3-0 at half-time in a game like that you expect to get shouted at by the manager. All our heads were down.

"But the manager was very quiet and calm and explained what we were going to do. He wanted us to lift our heads, which we did. He said if we got a goal anything can happen. That is what we did and in the end, everything turned out okay.

"Once Steven Gerrard scored with the header, you could see the change in the faces of the players. We all seemed to get extra energy and the fans were lifted as well. We knew we had a chance. We just had to keep going."

REINA FIT FOR ATHENS SHOWPIECE

2007-05-18T04:31:00.000-07:00

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that goalkeeper Jose Reina is fit for next week's Champions League final against AC Milan.

However Benitez has a dilemma over who to play on each flank in Athens.

Reina injured a shoulder at Fulham and was left out of the final home league game against Charlton as a precaution.

But the Spanish star has trained normally all week in La Manga to dispel fears he would struggle to face Milan on Wednesday.

But Benitez, who returns from Spain with his squad on Saturday, accepts his key problems involve the wings.

He said: "We certainly have options on both wings, these are the areas I am having to consider carefully. This involves Bolo (Zenden), Harry (Kewell) and Jermaine (Pennant) and I have not yet made my decision."

Kewell's recent return to fitness after a season out recovering from groin operations, has placed him in Benitez's thoughts for the key left-wing role.

Kewell is believed to have trained well in Spain this week, but Benitez must decide whether he will have enough match fitness to oust Zenden, who played in both semi-final legs against Chelsea.

Zenden is out of contract this summer, and whether he has a longer-term future with the club will depend on Benitez's decision over the European final.

Benitez must also decide whether Pennant plays on the right, but he has no intention of giving any indication on that because it would instantly confirm that Steven Gerrard will play in his favoured central midfield role.

The manager could also use John Arne Riise on the left of midfield with Alvaro Arbeloa at full-back.

Benitez has only Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio on the injured list, although Mohamed Sissoko's chances of playing have been handicapped by injury.

Benitez told Liverpoolfctv: "Jerzy Dudek is also fit after a groin problem, so both my goalkeepers will be okay. Sissoko has started training and we will see, but I think all are okay."

Benitez added: "We looked at all the players in the training camp and in every training session people were talking about Harry Kewell.

"He played well for half an hour against Charlton but we needed to see whether he is fit and then decide if he can play from the start or not. There's a lot for me to decide yet.

"What I know at the moment is that we are focused and we will be ready. The players are really thinking about this game and you could see in previous matches that as much as you tried to push them, their minds were already on the final.

"The only thing we can do now is to prepare properly for the game and approach it with confidence because it's easy to become nervous or stressed."
Team Talk 18 May 2007

KUYT: I'LL ACCEPT RAF JUSTICE

2007-05-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Dirk Kuyt knows Rafa Benitez will break a few hearts in Athens next week - and one of them could be his.

But even if he finds himself left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League Final, the Dutchman insists his trust in the Liverpool manager will remain intact.

He believes he won't be alone in accepting without complaint Benitez's selection for the rematch with AC Milan, because the Spaniard has created the collective will for success that is more important than any individual.

Benitez, of course, is famous for his rotation philosophy - having once changed his team 99 times in a row before sticking with the same side.

But Kuyt, who scored the decisive penalty in the semi-final shoot-out with Chelsea, declares that his manager's record is now so impressive that it cannot be questioned.

He said: "So far, I've played in most of the big games and I am very happy about that. But that doesn't mean anything. We are in the Final and the manager will have his ideas.

"Like everybody, I would love to play in the Final, but it's the choice of the boss and you can never tell what is going to happen with him.

"Look at Xabi Alonso. He was not in the starting lineup for the second leg with Chelsea and I am sure he was not very happy, because he might have expected to play.

"But you have to accept these things and I believe everybody does."

That mentality, stresses Kuyt, is why Liverpool were able to overcome not only Chelsea but Barcelona to get to the Final.

He added: "Look at what we did against Chelsea. Maybe they have some better players than us and maybe individually they are better in a technical way.

"But as a team we showed we are the best and that is what must now happen in Athens.

"The most important factor about Rafa is that he is a winner. The technical staff are the same and they have got through to us that we have to be winners too.

"So I do not think there is one player who does not agree with what he does. We have come to understand that sometimes players have to be left out, but that is the strength of the squad now.

"The manager has made us strong, because we know how strong he is and what is important to him.

"He is certainly the best I've ever had, because he is not only technically strong, but is a real team manager.

"He tries to manage the team as one whole thing, not dealing with individuals as others might do. So we know that when he makes a decision it is for the whole team, for all of us, because he wants the team to win. And that means all of us.

"Xabi didn't start against Chelsea at Anfield, but maybe he will play in the Final and I will not.

"But that is the way it is, the way it has to be. And because it is someone like Benitez who has proved he is such a very good manager, then we accept it. It is because everybody believes in him.

"Sometimes the decisions he makes for games are not good for you, because it means you are not playing. But in the end, if you want to win the trophies, we know that is the way it has to be."

DUDEK: RAFA WILL WIN TITLE

2007-05-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

Departing Liverpool hero Jerzy Dudek is confident Rafael Benitez will one day win the Premiership title with the Reds.

With Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina nursing a shoulder injury and unlikely to be risked ahead of the Champions League final this month, Dudek could well deputise against relegated Charlton on Sunday.

Whether this will also be Robbie Fowler's final goodbye to the club - his contract is unlikely to be renewed - is still not clear, but the final Premier League game of the season could well be an emotional affair.

Dudek has already decided to leave when his contract runs out in the summer, and the man who became a hero in Istanbul with his penalty shoot-out performance will probably now play the last of 187 appearances for the club he joined in 2002.

And the 34 year-old said: "We are all happy with the way we have played in the Premiership in the second-half of the season and I feel we are not too far away from winning it.

"Rafa knows what he has to do to take the club across the finishing line. If he is able to bring in quality players in the summer in one or two key positions, then we will be very close next season.

"If it doesn't happen next year, then the Premiership will be at Liverpool soon."

He added: "It makes me a little sad that I won't be here on the pitch to enjoy a title success but I will be watching from wherever I am. I will be as happy as any supporter from the Kop."

Benitez is likely to field a much stronger side that the one that lost 1-0 at Fulham last weekend, effectively gifting the west-Londoners three points that have kept them in the division.

Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt were all rested from that match, allowing Harry Kewell to make his first appearance of the season.

All are likely to face Charlton, particularly Kewell who is now trying desperately to prove his fitness ahead of the Athens final against AC Milan on May 23.

But Benitez will again want to give run-outs to some of his younger players, and reserve defender Jack Hobbs - substitute in the Portsmouth and Fulham matches - could well make his debut.

Riise: Agger Our Best Player This Year

2007-05-10T07:03:00.001-07:00

John Arne Riise believes that Daniel Agger has been Liverpool's stand-out player this season.

zoom - galleria The young Danish international has come on in leaps and bounds this season, forming one of Europe's meanest centre-half partnerships with Jamie Carragher.

The latter has been voted as the Reds' best player by fans on the club's official site, but Riise has lavished praise on the young Scandinavian instead.

"I think Dan has been brilliant for us this year," he said on the club's website. "He's come in, found a place for himself in the team and played well enough to stay there.

"Pepe Reina has also had a great season and been absolutely brilliant for us but if I had to pick our Player of the Year then it would be Daniel.

"I can't believe he got some stick after the first Chelsea match, because I thought he had a good game, but then he proved at Anfield what a quality player he is.

"He's still young and he's going to be a big player for us for many years to come."

His biggest challenge of the season, however, is yet to come. If he can come good again in Athens, he could well be a part of Liverpool's magical European history.

Reds complain over ticket share

2007-05-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have complained to UEFA over their ticket allocation for the Champions League final but have been told they will not receive an increase.

The Premiership club have been awarded 17,000 seats for the clash with AC Milan at the 63,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Athens on May 23 - a figure that nowhere near appeases enormous demand - and a huge black market for tickets has already developed.

Liverpool have been criticised by their own fans for their methods of distribution, with some having made arrangements to travel only to be told they will not qualify for a ticket, but a statement from Liverpool given to to BBC Radio Five Live read: "The bottom line is UEFA have not supplied anywhere near enough tickets for the Champions League Final."

It continued: "Liverpool have expressed their disappointment and frustration to UEFA - but have been told categorically no more tickets will be allocated to the club, not even the returned tickets from Milan - they will go into a UEFA ballot.

"Liverpool Football Club understands and shares the disappointment of their fans in what is a very frustrating situation. Our policy on tickets was available right from the start of the season and has not changed.

"The ballot for Liverpool fans was drawn up to be as fair as possible to fans, but the bottom line is UEFA have not supplied enough tickets for the match."

RAFA: PLAYERS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING

2007-05-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

RAFA: PLAYERS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING
Paul Eaton 09 May 2007
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool's midfield stars will accept the increased competition for places next season.
Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano were selected in the centre of the field against Chelsea last week, with Xabi Alonso among the substitutes and Momo Sissoko not in the squad.

The Liverpool boss knows more selection headaches will face him during the next campaign but he has confidence the players understand his way of thinking.

"The players know me," said Benitez. "They know I can change one or two players but that doesn't mean I am disappointed with them.

"I was talking with Sissoko. The last two or three weeks he has had more problems because Mascherano was playing well and Gerrard was in the middle.

"I said to him it was not a problem because we will play 60 games next season and we need a lot of good players. We have injuries also."

Benitez also revealed Spanish star Xabi Alonso accepted the decision to start the crucial Champions League clash with Chelsea on the bench.

"All the players must be a little bit disappointed if they don't play, but they need to have respect for their team-mates. Xabi is a good professional and it is not a problem," he added.

GONZALEZ ON CLOUD NINE

2007-05-08T03:14:00.000-07:00

Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez insists he is the happiest he has ever been in his career.

FINNAN: KEWELL COULD STAR IN ATHENS

2007-05-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

Steve Finnan believes Harry Kewell could play "a big part" for Liverpool in the Champions League final.

Fulham - Liverpool

2007-05-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

rafa - hitman

2007-05-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

I WANT REVENGE FOR 2005 - KAKA

2007-05-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

AC MILAN midfielder Kaka is relishing the opportunity to avenge the 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool after progressing to the final at the expense of Manchester United.

Milan's 3-0 second leg victory in the semi-final at the San Siro set up a rematch with the Reds, their conquerors two years ago.

United came to Milan with a 3-2 lead from the first leg but were quickly put on the backfoot by the Rossoneri, who scored through Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.

An out-of-sorts United were unable to turn things around and Alberto Gilardino killed the tie in the second half.

"We have played a perfect game," admitted Kaka, who scored three of Milan's five goals in the tie.

"We knew against a team like Manchester United that we needed to do something special and we have achieved it with the help of our fans.

"I am extremely happy with the way the team has played, we were the best side on the pitch and we deserved to go through.

"The final against Liverpool will be a unique game. I sincerely hope it will be different from that of 2005."

Kaka, who is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with 10 goals, brushed aside his heroics and believes team-work was the key to his side's achievement.

"I reiterate that I am not playing at my top level," said the 25-year-old. "I still have a lot to improve on. We have worked really hard this week and we have been rewarded."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "The first half was intense and our performance allowed us to go on and win.

"We have reached the final three times in five editions.

"We are very happy to be playing in the final and equally happy to face Liverpool. What happened two years ago has no weight on the upcoming final. We want to win it."

GERRARD: I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER

2007-05-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

Paul Eaton 04 May 2007

Steven Gerrard speaks exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv about our brilliant victory over Chelsea, the Athens showdown with AC Milan and about the glorious prospect of lifting European football's most glittering trophy for the second time in three seasons.

Liverpoolfc.tv: So, Steven, it's AC Milan yet again in a European final.....

Obviously I'm really looking forward to it and I'm confident we can go there and bring the Cup back home. They're a fantastic team and we know it's going to be really difficult so we need to be right at the top of our game.

What did you make of Milan's display against Manchester United?

I was really surprised actually because I had confidence that United would go there and get the result they required. I thought it was going to be a Liverpool-Man United final but credit to Milan because they were excellent on the night and deserved to win the game.

Did you get the feeling the way they went about the game that they're desperate to win this competition this year to make amends for Istanbul?

I'm sure they do want to make amends because I'm sure Istanbul hurt them. They have a chance for revenge now but me and the boys are going to be ready for that and we're looking forward to it. They have some quality players like Gattuso who work really hard for the team but we'll be ready for them on the night. I'm confident we can beat them.

How excited are you at the prospect of leading Liverpool into another major final?

Obviously I'm very excited. I don't think it's sunk in yet and probably won't until we set off for Athens. We've got a couple of domestic games first before we start our preparations for the big final. We've got nothing to fear, we've been there and done it before, we've got a fantastic team spirit, the team is playing really well in Europe and we've got one of the best managers in the world so we have every confidence that we can do it.

How good was the performance to beat Chelsea and book your place in Athens?

It was a very good and a very mature performance. We didn't rush to score early, we were very careful and patient and eventually the goal came. You have to give this team a lot of credit for beating Chelsea over two legs because they are a superb team full of world class players. It's not just the Chelsea games either, you look back at the Barcelona performances and the games in the group stages and I have to give my teammates a lot of credit.

What have the celebrations been like since the final whistle?

We were relieved and the celebrations began straightaway. The dressing room was a great place to be that night because all the boys were really happy. A lot of hard work has gone into these Champions League performances and so when you're sitting there with a final to look forward to it makes all the extra runs, the tackles, the kicks and the bumps all worthwhile.

The ticket requests haven't started yet but I'm sure they will do really soon. That's part and parcel of reaching the European Cup final and I'm sure all the players will be looking after their family and friends and making sure they get to Greece okay.

How pleased are you for the fans who now have another massive occasion to look forward to?

They deserve it just as much as the players because they have followed us all over Europe again and given us fantastic support. They are there week in and week out backing the team. I don't have to talk about the atmosphere on Tuesday night because it was special and was up there alongside the last time we played Chelsea. They certainly helped us get over the line.

If it's anything like 2005 then you'll definitely have the majority of the support inside the Olympic Stadium...

I'd imagine so. I've seen what the ticket allocations are but somehow Liverpool fans always end up with more. Hopefully they'll give us the same support again and we can go on and win it for them.

How important is it to go on and win the competition again now?

We celebrated after the Chelsea game but we have to forget about that now. We've got two league games to play to make sure we finish third in the league and then we can try and get over that final hurdle in Athens.

How proud are you of all the players who have played a part in reaching Athens this season?

It's not about the people who've scored or about individuals, we've achieved what we have so far because we're all together. The subs who have come on, the players who played in the earlier rounds, they've all played their part.

What about a word for the manager who is proving himself to be something of a genius in Europe?

Rafa's CV speaks for itself and I don't have to tell you how good he is. There's no getting away from it, he's one of the best managers out there. We're just lucky and grateful that he's here and that he's our manager.

How reassuring is to have a manager who you know will put together a tactical plan to try and nullify the Milan threats?

We're aware of Milan's strengths and weaknesses and we'll watch a lot of tapes before the game to make sure our preparations are spot on. We'll go there and try to be really strong defensively like we have been in Europe. They've got top players but then so have we so there's every chance we can go there and win.

How pleased are you also for the new owners who have joined this amazing journey at just the right time?

It's great that the club is moving in the right direction and the future is certainly looking bright under the new owners, but I think David Moores also deserves a mention as well. We're all in it together, the chairman, the directors, the players and the supporters and we all deserve to be in the final. We just all have to pull together again and win this last game.

Did you speak to them after the Chelsea game?

They came in and got involved in the celebrations. They congratulated us which was great. It's important to have a connection between the players and the owners.

Tom Hicks has said he can never imagine Steven Gerrard playing for another club - is he right?

Of course. I'm in talks to extend my contract at Liverpool and I've never been happier with my football. I'd love nothing better than to get this contract sorted and signed, so I can understand where he's coming from. We need to keep all of our big players here so it's very important we get the contracts sorted out so they can be here for a long time.

In less than three weeks time you could be lifting the European Cup again. How does that sound?

To be honest I have thought about it but I know I need to concentrate on my game and on the job I need to do in the final. I need to help my teammates as well so I don't want to think too much about lifting the Cup because it might distract my preparations. Of course, though, it would be a great achievement.

LIVERPOOL V MILAN AGAIN IN FINAL

2007-05-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Liverpool and AC Milan will meet in the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons after the Italians knocked Manchester United out of the competition at the San Siro.

PICTURES FROM A GREAT NIGHT

2007-05-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

MOURINHO FALLS TO NEMESIS AGAIN

2007-05-02T06:02:00.001-07:00

Another special night at Anfield; another European Cup final. Two in three years under Rafael Benitez and the manager had the extra, rich satisfaction of a victory scored, both on the field and the tactics board, over Jose Mourinho.

Liverpool - Chelsea (1 - 0) RT - Semifinal Ch. League 2007

2007-05-02T06:00:00.001-07:00

Liverpool vs Chelsea 01/05/07 CL Penalties

2007-05-02T05:58:00.000-07:00

LIVERPOOL 1-0 CHELSEA

2007-05-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

Daily Post 02 May 2007

NOW that's what people call history. Another memorable Anfield night, another semi-final win over Chelsea, and another Champions League final for Liverpool.
Like in 2005, the Stamford Bridge outfit felt the power of the famous old stadium as Rafael Benitez continued to cast his spell over Jose Mourinho in Europe. The Portuguese had belittled Liverpool during the build-up to the tie. Bad move. Fired up by those comments, the Liverpool players – backed by a raucous Anfield crowd – made Mourinho regret his outburst with a courageous performance to secure a seventh European Cup final appearance. But while the magnificent support from the stands played its part, this was a victory earned on the pitch. Liverpool levelled the tie through Daniel Agger's well-worked 22nd-minute strike before defending resolutely to keep Chelsea scoreless for 120 minutes to force a penalty shoot-out. Indeed, they had the chances to win the game before the penalties with an erroneous offside decision denying Dirk Kuyt a possible winner during extra time. Mourinho thought otherwise, but he was fooling only himself. Liverpool thoroughly deserve a second Champions League final in three seasons, where AC Milan or Manchester United lie in wait in Athens on May 23. Chelsea could well have been out of sight after a first leg last week in which only a fine performance from goalkeeper Pepe Reina kept Liverpool in with a chance. So it was apt the goalkeeper should assume the mantle of hero last night, saving from both Arjen Robben and Geremi in front of the Anfield Road End to allow Kuyt the poetic justice of stroking home the winning penalty and send the Liverpool players racing towards the Kop. Now Reina is poised to follow in the footsteps of his father, who appeared for Atletico Madrid in their European Cup final against Bayern Munich in 1974. For Liverpool's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, this was the kind of evening for which they’d paid their millions. Both were in attendance, Gillett even coming down to the front of the directors' box before kick-off to shake hands with fans, sign autographs and have pictures taken. He ended the evening by being drenched with champagne after joining Liverpool's jubilant players in the dressing room. Gillett, like Hicks, has been well and truly bitten by the Anfield bug. Mourinho reckoned he was worthy of a round of applause from the Anfield crowd for his belatedly flattering comments on Liverpool. There was, however, about as much chance of that happening as the street vendor outside the ground shifting many of his puzzling Liverpool/Chelsea scarf combinations. Not for the first time, Benitez's tactics and line-up were spot on while Chelsea floundered with depressing long-ball tactics towards the increasingly ineffective Didier Drogba. While the Premiership remains Mourinho's domain, the Portuguese has been continually outsmarted by Benitez in Europe. The Liverpool manager had raised eyebrows by naming Bolo Zenden in midfield at the expense of Alonso who, having missed the corresponding fixture in 2005 through suspension, began on the bench. Zenden will have won a whole army of new admirers after a fine display against his former team. Alonso emerged in the second half to complement a midfield in which Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano dominated Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele and John Obi Mikel. Steve Finnan returned at right-back after missing the last four games with a neck injury, while Peter Crouch partnered Kuyt in attack – the same pairing that tormented Chelsea during Liverpool's 2-0 Premiership win here in January. Like the rest of Benitez's men, the pair ran themselves into the ground with a heroic effort. The Kop was in full voice long before kick-off, and the teams were greeted with a deafening wall of noise akin to that of 2005. While Luis Garcia netted in the fifth minute that evening, the home team had to wait until the 22nd minute to go ahead on the night and level the tie. At least there was no debate about whether it had crossed the line this time. Joe Cole netted the only goal last Wednesday to capitalise on Liverpool's sluggish start, but he was partially responsible for his team going behind after upending Steven Gerrard on the left for a free-kick. In a move straight from the training ground, Gerrard rolled the ball across for the approaching Agger to sidefoot through a group of players from the edge of the area into the bottom corner. Given Agger was heavily criticised being given the runaround by Drogba last week, it was small wonder the Danish centre-back celebrated with such gusto. It was a lead Liverpool merited for a vibrant, high-tempo opening as Chelsea stuck men behind the ball and booted long for Drogba, a defensive tactic Mourinho persisted with all night. Drogba then demonstrated both sides to his game as Chelsea finally began to build some momentum. First, the Ivorian embarrassingly writhed on the turf after being breathed on by Agger, and then solicited a fine block from Reina after Mascherano had given the ball away to Mikel. Chelsea came close again five minutes before half-time when Essien couldn't turn the ball home at the far post after Drogba had headed on a Frank Lampard corner, the effort striking the shoulder of the makeshift centre-back. Liverpool had the next opening on 56 minutes when neat trickery by Jermaine Pennant – the winger an outstanding performer before succumbing to injury – created space for a cross to the far post for Crouch, whose header was blocked by Petr Cech's legs before the ball was hacked away by John Terry. And they were closer moments later when John Arne Riise's left-wing cross was headed on to the crossbar by Kuyt with the Czech international keeper beaten. Drogba then succeeded in earning Agger a caution with some more simulation shenanigans before Liverpool carved out another opening, Terry misjudging a long pass but the ball wouldn't come down quick enough for Pennant, allowing Essien to race over and block his shot. The tension was tangible, especially when, on a rare Chelsea sortie, Ashley Cole found space behind the Liverpool defence and his low cross was turned over by Jamie Carragher inside the six-yard box with Drogba loitering. Zenden struck a 20-yard drive Cech clutched at the second attempt, but no more scoring meant Liverpool chartered new territory at Anfield in this competition with an extra-time period. If Chelsea were tiring from their efforts chasing the quadruple, it didn't show. Liverpool were then deprived of a perfectly good goal on 100 minutes when Alonso's piledriver was parried out to Kuyt, who rattled home. The assistant referee ruled the Dutchman was in an offside position when the initial shot came in; television replays showed otherwise. Benitez's side almost won it with two minutes remaining when Robbie Fowler, on for the exhausted Javier Mascherano, laid the ball off for Kuyt only for Cech to beat out the Dutchman's shot. The finale was so nerve-wracking that Benitez's wife Montse was praying in her seat in the directors' box and looking at the Kop instead of the spot-kicks as the players prepared for the decisive shoot-out. Then came the penalties. Athens need now prepare for a Scouse invasion. LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise; Pennant (Alonso 78), Gerrard, Mascherano (Fowler 118), Zenden; Crouch (Bellamy 106), Kuyt. Subs: Padelli, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Gonzalez. BOOKINGS: Agger and Zenden (both fouls). CHELSEA (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ferreira, Essien, Terry, A Cole; Makelele (Geremi 118); J Cole (Robben 98), Obi Mikel, Lampard, Kalou; Drogba (Wright-Phillips 107). Subs: Cudicini, Bridge, Boulahrouz, Diarra. BOOKING: A Cole (foul). REFEREE: Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).

REINA PUTS REDS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

2007-05-02T02:51:00.000-07:00

The Guardian 02 May 2007

Penalties are supposed to be fickle but they have turned into Liverpool's steadfast ally.

Liverpool won the 2005 Champions League in that fashion and go to Athens on May 23 by the same method. The sturdy victors will not go to Greece bearing gifts in their seventh final. Manchester United or Milan beware. It would be misleading to refer to the luck of a shoot-out.

Only four were needed by Rafael Benitez's men here, with Dirk Kuyt converting the decisive kick after Arjen Robben and Geremi had been thwarted by Pepe Reina as Chelsea nerves succumbed to the animosity of Anfield in this second leg. With the Premiership slipping from them, Jose Mourinho's players have only an FA Cup final to raise their spirits.

Such an occasion, with a Carling Cup already in the trophy room, would once have made for a heady campaign at Chelsea. That is no longer the case and as the dejection lingers there will be renewed questions about Roman Abramovich's commitment to retaining his manager.

All that Liverpool need reflect upon, with joy, is the way in which they thrive in this form of football. It looked as if there could be nothing problematic about a takeover by Americans when George Gillett, the co-owner, was shaking hands with fans in front of the directors' box at full-time.

It cannot be said with complete conviction that either club deserved to edge the semi-final. Chelsea could have settled the tie in London but were restricted to a 1-0 win. Considering that Benitez has not enjoyed such investment in his squad as Mourinho, there is good cause to respect Liverpool for the way in which they have denied Chelsea, just as they did two years ago in the Champions League last four.

Mourinho may almost suspect that an adversary has his measure in one competition at least. Liverpool levelled the tie on aggregate with Daniel Agger's goal in the 22nd minute. Outstanding as the back four marshalled by Jamie Carragher were against the visitors, there was a shortfall in creativity for a side with Chelsea's aspirations.

They had no outstanding chance and Liverpool came the closer to devising the second goal of the night when Kuyt hit the bar. The two sides resemble each other, but Benitez has little option but to be pragmatic. This outcome, on the other hand, showed Chelsea that flair is not some kind of decadent luxury. Creativity was essential if Chelsea were to ward off the shoot-out and they displayed too little of it.

At least their resolve is never to be doubted. These sides grappled with each other so fiercely that it was as if neither would ever let the other go to the final. Agger's goal was the first composed piece of play and even then it had required the pause of a free-kick for thoughts to be gathered.

Joe Cole, a booking short of suspension, may have been relieved when the referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez did not wag a yellow card for his foul on Steven Gerrard, but the clemency ceased there. Liverpool's punishment was draconian. With Chelsea, in the absence of the injured Ricardo Carvalho, steeling themselves for a high ball to the head of Peter Crouch, Liverpool's sucker punch caught them flush on the chin.

Gerrard pulled the free-kick back low and the onrushing Agger swept a shot low into the net at the near post with a sweet swing of his left foot. The centre-half had suffered at Stamford Bridge and this was an ideal reprisal. His anxieties, all the same, were not at an immediate end.
Didier Drogba was around once more to keep him anxious. After 32 minutes, a pass from Mikel John Obi slipped the Ivorian striker in behind Agger but his drive was hit from an angle and, strong as it was, there was no hope of getting it past Reina.

Andriy Shevchenko sat watching from the stands, the conjecture still swirling about the seriousness of the groin injury that had kept him out of the game. It would be glib, none the less, to say that Chelsea missed their Ukraine striker. The Premiership champions never quite mustered the slickness to provide the service all forwards crave.

Benitez's players, in the opening phase of the second half, were conscious that it was by attacking that they could best disrupt Chelsea. Jermaine Pennant, up against a resourceful left-back in Ashley Cole, did get a deep, testing cross over after 56 minutes and Crouch leapt above Paulo Ferreira for a header which was blocked by the legs of Petr Cech.

With 59 minutes gone, John Arne Riise delivered from the left and a Kuyt header smacked the crossbar. Chelsea's alarm was great and that sort of incident gnawed at them. In the 71st minute, John Terry misjudged a long ball which skidded off his head and Pennant's drive ricocheted from the makeshift centre-back Michael Essien for a corner.

Carragher had to come up with the means of putting an Ashley Cole cut-back over his own crossbar after 76 minutes. Liverpool always produced whatever was needed to survive and, ultimately, to prevail.

How the penalties played out:

Zenden Scored. He sends Cech the wrong way. (Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea)

Robben Missed. Reina saves, diving to his left. (Liverpool 1 - 0 Chelsea)

Alonso Scored. Cech guesses correctly, but can't quite reach the low shot. (Liverpool 2 - 0 Chelsea)

Lampard Scored. He smashes it down the middle. (Liverpool 2 - 1 Chelsea)

Gerrard Scored. He coolly slots it to Cech's left. (Liverpool 3 - 1 Chelsea)

Geremi Missed. Reina saves to his right. (Liverpool 3 - 1 Chelsea)

Kuyt Scored. He drills it low to Cech's right. (Liverpool 4 - 1 Chelsea)

BENITEZ: ONE MORE WIN NEEDED

2007-04-19T03:24:00.000-07:00

Paul Eaton 19 April 2007

Rafael Benitez is hoping Liverpool will be able to focus on Champions League football next week with qualification for next season's tournament already secured.

Victory over Middlesbrough last night means a win over Wigan on Saturday will guarantee a top four finish and ensure the Reds can look forward to the semi-final games with Chelsea free of pressure in the Premiership.

"We need to play the game and if we can win we will be in the top four and we can then think about the semi-final of the Champions League," he said.

"It's important to get that sorted as soon as possible. Bolton and Everton now need to win four games and that's not easy, but if we concentrate on ourselves and beat Wigan then it won't matter what the others do."

Benitez was pleased with his side's performance against 'Boro, as second half strikes from Steven Gerrard secured three well deserved points.

"I had confidence we would win because in these kind of games you need to do the job," added Benitez. "If you cannot win because the other team is good in defence then that's okay, but we were creating chance after chance. They played very deep, but as soon as we scored the first goal they came forward and that gave us more space and we created more chances.

"Zenden and Pennant were doing their job on the wing, Mascherano in the middle and Crouch and then Kuyt when he came on, and that kept their defenders wide and gave us more space."

Liverpool 2 - 0 Middlesbrough [2007.04.18]

2007-04-19T03:23:00.000-07:00

CROUCH: JOB DONE, NOW BRING ON CHELSEA

2007-04-12T02:17:00.000-07:00

Paul Eaton 12 April 2007

Peter Crouch reflected on Liverpool's quarter-final success over PSV Eindhoven and admitted: "It'd be a dream to beat Chelsea and reach the final."

Liverpool will now face Jose Mourinho's side over two legs with a place in the Athens final at stake for the winners against either Manchester United or AC Milan.

Crouch's winning strike last night was his seventh in the competition so far and the Reds' striker admits it was pleasing to maintain his recent excellent form.

He said: "It was a case of getting the job done on the night and that's what we did. It was never a spectacular game but we needed to be professional and we did the right things.

"All the lads were up for it before the game so there was no problem on that score. I think if it had stayed 0-0 then we would have shown more urgency to try and make sure we got a winner.

"I'm really pleased to have scored the goal. I've done well in this competition this season and I think my form of late has been good.

"Now we can look forward to the games with Chelsea. They're a tough team so we know it's going to be difficult, but we're all desperate to get back into another final and for me it would be a dream come true if we could do it."

Liverpool V PSV 1 - 0 (11.04.2007)

2007-04-12T01:37:00.000-07:00

Liverpool V PSV SSN Match report
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PSV vs Liverpool 0-3 Quarter-Finals

2007-04-04T01:09:00.001-07:00

LIVERPOOL 4 - 1 ARSENAL

2007-04-02T04:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday 31 March 2007 12:45 , Barclays Premiership

LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL: THE FINAL WORD
Peter Crouch scored a fabulous hat-trick as Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-1 at Anfield on Saturday. Here's the best of the post-match reaction.

The Liverpool manager "It was a really good team performance and we wanted to give our supporters something special today. Crouch hadn't played for 20 days because of his nose operation and he was desperate to play and score goals. All of his goals were fantastic and I really liked the move between Pennant and Arbeloa for his first goal. To score four goals against a top side is really good and we are fighting hard for that third place. I still think we have played better games this season but I am really pleased with the team today. Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano controlled the midfield and it has set us up nicely for the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday." Rafael Benitez

The opposition manager "Crouch was superb. We couldn't handle him. He was intelligent, worked hard and showed clinical finishing. What he did for the first goal was outstanding. Fortunately it's not every day we meet someone of a basketball player's size. We did look short of height. I don't mean that to be disrespectful, because he has the size of a basketball player but the skill of a real footballer. If it had merely been a basketball player Kolo and Gallas would have had no problem handling him." Arsene Wenger

The Liverpool player "It was a special moment, obviously. But getting the win was the most important thing because this was a massive game for us. I don't care how they come really but, yes, it was a nice hat-trick and I'm delighted with it. To get the match ball and the three points is very pleasing. The service I received from the wide positions was fantastic. It can be hard sometimes when you're on your own up front, you can be a bit isolated, that wasn't the case at all and my job was made easier by my team-mates. After drawing nil-nil with Villa people were saying we're not scoring enough so it was good for us to get four and beat a class side in the process. The manager let us know beforehand that we'd had some disappointing results against Arsenal this season. We all wanted to make amends for that and hopefully we have." Peter Crouch

The local newspaper "The surgery certainly hasn't affected Crouch's nose for goal as he showed England what they'd been missing by netting the first hat-trick of his club career. Remarkably, that's 16 goals in 24 starts this season for Liverpool, and a timely treble against a renowned defence given Benitez will shake up his striking resources in the summer. It was a perfect hat-trick, too. The first, with his right foot, set Liverpool on their way in the fourth minute. A clever back-heeled one-two between Alvaro Arbeloa and Jermaine Pennant bypassed both Gael Clichy and Abou Diaby and allowed Arbeloa time to whip in a low cross from the right that Crouch, arriving at the near post ahead of Kolo Toure, slipped home. Ten minutes before the break came the kind of goal that would make Crouch a world beater if he could them score more often. Having won a free-kick quickly taken by Xabi Alonso to Fabio Aurelio, the striker made his way into the box before extending his 6ft 7ins frame to head home the Brazilian's superb cross from the left. Crouch's third, nine minutes from time, was another gem. Pennant was found in space on the right from Javier Mascherano's chipped pass and, after the winger's cross missed out substitute Kuyt, Crouch transferred the ball from right foot to left, losing the attentions of Toure in the process before finishing clinically beyond Jens Lehmann. Crouch, though, admits his goals will be no guarantee of a starting place in Eindhoven. Unplayable, says Wenger, but undroppable?" Ian Doyle, Daily Post

The tabloid newspaper "Crouch must wonder what he has to do to convince his manager. As Wenger said, his display was near perfect. His movement in the penalty area destroyed the Arsenal defence, and helped his side to three crucial points. His first, five minutes in, was a real striker's finish, Crouch sneaking in front of Kolo Toure to steer home a cross created by the accomplished Alvaro Arbeloa and Jermaine Pennant. The second was even more impressive, given that the towering striker displayed a prowess with his head that he isn't normally associated with as he rose above Abou Diaby to steer his effort from Fabio Aurelio's wicked cross past Jens Lehmann. As Wenger said, Crouch's unique talents proved too destructive for his side. "He has the size of a basketball player, but I don't mean that critically because he has the skills of a real footballer. His movement is very good, he has real intelligence, and it was too much for us," the Arsenal manager admitted. What Arsenal lack is a physical presence in midfield. Diaby looks to have the necessary attributes, but he was terribly ineffective, pushed out on the left, and neither Denilson nor Cesc Fabregs could compete with the excellence of Xabi Alonso and Javier Masherano in midifeld. But while the debate over Gerrard's favoured position lumbers on, it is the form of Mascherano that occupied Benitez. The Spanish coach explained that it was his control in the middle that allowed Crouch the service that saw him complete a hat-trick 10 minutes from time with a fine left-foot finish from Pennant's cross. What Javier gave us was a platform to get our wingers forward and get the crosses in for Crouch. He is getting better and better, and he has shown today that he has real quality," the manager purred."

liverpool 4-1 arsenal highlights epl 03/31/2007

2007-04-02T04:30:00.000-07:00

liverpool fc new stadium

2007-03-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

BOSS PLEDGES COMPLETE COMMITMENT TO LFC

2007-03-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

Mark Platt 22 March 2007

Rafael Benitez today dismissed rumours linking him to Real Madrid and re-affirmed his commitment to Liverpool.

The Reds boss said: "I think it's important the fans know I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere.
"I know there's been a lot of speculation in the Spanish media linking me with Real Madrid.
"Any manager would be honoured to be associated with such a famous club, especially as Madrid is my home city and also my former club. However, I want to make it clear I am very happy at Anfield and very happy in England and I'm genuinely excited by what the future holds for Liverpool.
"I've had some extremely positive discussions with the new owners and share their enthusiasm and determination to take this club back to the very top.
"I will be sitting down shortly with both Mr Gillett and Mr Hicks to discuss things face to face, but an enormous amount of work is already underway in preparation for the way forward."

WE WANT TO WIN RACE FOR THIRD

2007-03-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Paul Eaton 19 March 2007

Jamie Carragher has insisted Liverpool are determined to win the race for third place in the Premiership this season.
Champions League glory may be at the top of the Reds' agenda over the remaining weeks of the season, but Carragher has revealed there's also a burning desire within the squad to beat Arsenal to third place in the table. "We want to go as far as we can in this season's Champions League but we also still have to ensure we're in it next season," he said. "I'm sure the battle for third will go right down to the wire and we want to claim that third place. "We didn't make a great start to the season and we know we're a bit behind Chelsea and Man United over a nine-month campaign. The league is a long hard slog and we need to improve. "We are a level behind the top two and there's a gap that we need to bridge. "How we go about that is up to the coaching staff and the manager as to which direction they want to go in. "As players we have got to do as much as we can between now and the end of the season to prove we deserve to still be here next season. "Whether the squad needs strengthening is nothing to do with me. It's for the manager to decide what happens and, as a player, all you can do is just look at yourself." Carragher, meanwhile, was frustrated with Liverpool's performance at Villa Park yesterday but pleased they at least came away with something to show for their efforts. "We didn't play as well as we can and I don't think they did, either. It wasn't a great game," he added. "They had a game against Arsenal in midweek which probably took a bit out of them and we hadn't played for 10 days, so we possibly lacked a bit of sharpness. "I can't remember a decent chance in the whole game and it was one of those games where neither side deserved to win. "It's disappointing but if you can't win it, you have to make sure you don't lose and that's what we did."

Reds owners suspend stadium work

2007-03-15T02:54:00.000-07:00

By Phil McNulty

Liverpool's new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have suspended work on their proposed new stadium and ordered a review of the plans.

BBC Sport understands the pair want to examine ways of increasing the 60,000 capacity of the arena in Stanley Park.
Liverpool have targeted 2009 as an opening date for the stadium, but if major changes are made, there would need to be a new planning application.
This could result in a delay, although the original date may yet be met.
Liverpool have yet to confirm the decision to suspend preparatory work on the £215m project, but have revealed a review will be undertaken.
A Liverpool spokesman said: "There is a total commitment to a new stadium but the new owners are conducting a thorough review of the current proposals, to see if there is any way they can be improved."
BBC Sport believes the club's hierarchy regards the move to commission a review of the plans as a sign of the huge ambition of Gillett and Hicks rather than any move to back away from the original scheme.
Gillett and Hicks are fully behind the project as part of their takeover plan, and it is understood the review will take ''weeks rather than months'', allowing work on any alterations to the original design to get under way as soon as possible.
An increased capacity will be one of the plans under discussion during the review, but this is not a guarantee that this will happen.
Work on the new ground needs to start in the spring because public money has been allocated to the regeneration element of the plan, and it has to be spent by the end of 2008.
Gillett said in early February: "The shovel needs to be in the ground in the next 60 days.
"We are fully supportive of the Stanley Park development and of building a facility that we hope will be the greatest facility in this sport.
"We do work hard on design and development and making sure the quality of the fan experience is unparalleled.
"We want to make sure the newest technology is incorporated in it. It is about the comfort of fans."
And Hicks added: "We have our own people lined up to see if, within the confines of the plans, there are any other ideas that would be good for the fans."

BENITEZ: WE WON'T UNDERESTIMATE PSV

2007-03-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

Mark Platt 09 March 2007

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool's players and supporters not to underestimate PSV Eindhoven when the two clubs clash in the Champions League quarter-final next month.
Having already beaten the reigning Dutch Champions in the group phase of this season's competition the Reds will no doubt be installed as favourites to progress to the semi-final. But Benitez was quick to play down such talk and insisted they won't be taking Ronald Koeman's men lightly. "At this stage of the competition every team is going to be difficult. We know all about PSV, having already played them twice this season, but that doesn't mean it will be easy," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "Sometimes knowing your opponents well can be an advantage but sometimes it can be a disadvantage because they'll also know all about us. We must be cautious. "I'm sure the supporters will be happy with the draw but we don't want to make the same mistake as last year when went out against Benfica. Then, everyone was saying we'd go through but, of course, Benfica beat us home and away. "PSV are a very good team. We may have beaten them at home but they held us to a goalless draw at their ground. They have improved since we last met and showed their quality by beating Arsenal in the last round. There are no favourites in this tie. "Playing away from home first can be good as it means there'll be another special atmosphere at Anfield for the second leg. We are really close to the semi-final and need the support of everyone to help us make this next step. This is the most important game we'll play in the next month and I'm looking forward to it."

RAFA: I'M VERY PROUD OF MY PLAYERS

2007-03-07T01:09:00.000-08:00

Steve Hunter 06 March 2007

Rafael Benitez couldn't hide his delight at seeing Liverpool go through to the last eight of the Champions League and said he was immensely proud of his team.
The Liverpool manager felt his side deserved to go through despite the 1-0 second leg defeat and also praised the supporters for being the twelfth man. "I am very proud of my players and our supporters," enthused Benitez. The atmosphere was amazing and that's why I always say we have the best supporters in the world. "I am disappointed we conceded a goal and lost the match on the night but we deserved to go through. "We deserved to score a lot of goals in the first half and even in the second when Barcelona had more possession we had chances on the break. "We weren't finishing the opportunities we were creating but we worked so hard. We managed to hang on and and made sure we qualified."

2007-03-07T00:39:00.001-08:00

Liverpool 0 - barcelona 1 06-03-2007
Uploaded by CatrachoMillonario

STEVIE: LET'S HAVE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

2007-03-06T05:46:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Rice 05 March 2007

Steven Gerrard has challenged the Liverpool players and fans alike to make the Champions League clash against Barcelona one of the most memorable European nights Anfield has ever witnessed.
The skipper believes Barca will be dreading the prospect of playing in front of a rammed Kop on Tuesday night. "Liverpool versus Barcelona in front of a packed Anfield – it doesn't get much bigger than that. I've experienced many special nights here and I'm hoping there is another one just around the corner," Gerrard told a press conference on Monday. "Teams in the past have come here and not enjoyed playing in this stadium – when it's full there is a lot of noise. The fans make it really difficult for the opposition. "It gives us a real boost knowing they're behind us trying to push a goal in for us. I'm sure they'll be there well before kick-off making the atmosphere really intense for Barcelona. That's what we want from them." Gerrard admits he is already getting butterflies in his stomach at the prospect of facing the holders on home turf. He said: "I'm excited personally and I know all the boys are as well. Preparations have gone really well and the boys are just looking forward to kick-off now. "Being round the city and seeing how many people have turned up today, it proves how big a game this is. These are the games we want to play in. The whole world will be watching – we can't wait. "You have all your butterflies, your nerves and your excitement, but now we just want to go out there and get the job done." Meanwhile, the Liverpool number eight believes the possibility of a trophyless season will help spur on his teammates. "Ideally we'd love to be involved in the other cups and the title race, but that's not to be. Now us players have got to give everything we've got to make sure we keep this season going. "At Liverpool Football Club every season we try to put another trophy in the cabinet – this is the only one left. We have to make sure we give that extra 10 to 15 per cent to ensure we're in the last eight."

2007-03-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

RAFA: WE WANT TO WIN BOTH GAMES

2007-03-02T06:29:00.000-08:00

Paul Eaton 02 March 2007

Rafael Benitez has insisted his team selection for tomorrow's clash against Manchester United won't be influenced by his plans for next week's Champions League showdown with Barcelona.
Liverpool play two of the biggest games of their season over the next five days, but the manager insists he will maintain his usual policy of taking one game at a time. "This could be the biggest week of our season," he said. "We are playing against two of the best sides in Manchester United and Barcelona. "If we can beat United it will be good for our confidence for the Barcelona game. We will try to win the first game and then think about the next one. "Sometimes you want to use the same players for two games but it's not always possible. After the United game we will see if we have any injuries or other problems for the next match. "As far as I'm concerned both games are important. They are in different competitions but we still want to win them both - and I'm sure our fans feel the same. "We know it will be difficult against United because they are a very good team who are winning a lot of games. They know if they can beat us then it will take them closer to the title. I still don't think it would be over because there are games left, but they would be closer. "They know this will be a difficult game for them because we are playing well, especially at home. We haven't beaten them in the league since I've been here but I'm confident that will change tomorrow."

Rafa plots Eto'o raid - Reports

2007-02-28T04:08:00.000-08:00

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly plotting a summer move for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

The Spaniard tried to sign Cameroon striker Eto'o two years ago when he left Real Mallorca but couldn't match Barca's spending power.
However the arrival at Anfield of American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks has given Benitez money to spend, and has coincided with reports Eto'o will leave the Nou Camp in the summer.
The 25-year-old has fallen out with Barca coach Frank Rijkaard and team-mate Ronaldinho in recent weeks after claims he refused to come on as a substitute against Racing Santander.
That has led to him being linked with a move to both Chelsea and Arsenal, but it appears former Valencia manager Benitez's contacts in Spain have sprung Liverpool to the front of the queue in the race for Eto'o, who has been rated at anywhere between £20million and £50million by the media.
If Eto'o does move to Anfield, he will join Andriy Voronin there, with the Ukraine striker moving to Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer.

[2007.02.24] Liverpool 4 - 0 Sheffield United Goals

2007-02-26T06:49:00.001-08:00

RAFA PLEASED WITH SPIRIT IN CAMP

2007-02-22T00:58:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Rice 21 February 2007

Rafa Benitez was delighted with his players' response following a difficult build-up to their Nou Camp showdown. Goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise saw the Reds claim a superb 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. "I said before in the press conference that the atmosphere between the players was really good and you could see today them all working very hard for the team, for the club and for the supporters," said Benitez. "For me I am really pleased with Bellamy and John scoring these goals and also pleased for the team too. "The players have done a very good job, we were training and working very hard to prepare for this game and to play Barcelona is not easy. I think that the team was very good at playing counter-attack. "At the end of the day we need to play another game, I don't want to say that everything is done. We need to be careful and think about the next game also."

Barcelona vs Liverpool Goals

2007-02-22T00:56:00.000-08:00

Barcelona vs Liverpool Goals
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