Liverpool fans broke the record for the world’s loudest fans yesterday when Cardiff City Council measured a maximum of 130.7 decibels coming from the fans in Red yesterday at the Millennium Stadium.

Despite losing the Carling Cup final to Chelsea, Liverpool fans didn’t stop chanting and official readings meant they beat the Denver Broncos fans record set in October 2000 which measured 128.74 decibels.

Throughout the afternoon officials took readings in decibels of how loud each sets of fans were chanting. The chanting of Steven Gerrard’s name made the loudest roar for any single player whilst the record was broken when John Arne Riise scored Liverpool’s first minute goal.

Sam Ward, the Carling Cup sponsorship manager was pleased with the record being broken. He said, "The Carling Cup is all about the fans and what a performance from both sets of supporters. This year's competition has attracted more fans than any before and smashing the world record is a great way to top it off."

This list is put together from Setanta (some Canadian Bars deal direct) & Eurosport Event Management (the exclusive rights holder in Canada). The locations listed below are the only Canadian establishments legally licensed to screen this event.

If you know of other Legal venues, please post to the Forum.

Toronto:

Scallywags - Home of the Toronto Branch
11 St Clair Ave West
Toronto, ON M4V 1K6
416-922-3737
www.scallwags.net

Alberta

Calgary

Peanuts Sports Pub (Located in the Carriage House Inn) - Home of the Calgary Branch
9030 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, Alberta
T2H 0M4
(403) 670-5434

Edmonton

The Elephant & Castle
10314 Whyte Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 1Z8
(780) 439-4545

St. Albert

O'Maillies Irish Pub
104-398 St. Albert Road
St. Albert, Alberta
T8N 5J9
(780) 458-5700

British Columbia

North Vancouver

Sailor Hagar's Brew Pub
86 Semisch Avenue
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7M 3H8
(604) 984-3087

Port Moody

Barnet Hotel
2025 St. Johns Street
Port Moody, British Columbia
V3H 2A3
(604) 936-4922

Vancouver

British Ex-Servicemen's Association - Home of the Vancouver Branch
1143 Kingsway
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5V 3C9
(604) 874-6510

Ontario

Brampton

Frigate & Firkin
378 Queen Street East
Brampton, Ontario
L6V 1C3
(905) 456-8060

The Oul' Triangle
180 Sandalwood Parkway East
Brampton, Ontario
L6Z 1Y4
(905) 846-3334

Burlington

The Queen's Head
400 Brant Street
Burlington, Ontario
L7R 2G2
(905) 632-1300

Guelph

Shakespeare Arms
35 Harvard Road
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 3A2
(519) 767-6003

Mississauga

Rampant & Rose Pub
9-3200 Erin Mills Parkway
Mississauga, Ontario
L5L 1W8
(905) 608-9603

The Cock & Pheasant
#12-63 Queen Street South
Mississauga, Ontario
L5M 3S9
(905) 542-8741

The Mad Hatter
4646 Heritage Hills Boulevard
Mississauga, Ontario
L5R 1Y3
(905) 501-9048

Oakville

The Queen's Head
118 Dunn Street
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 3E1
(905) 842-3070

Ottawa

The Fergus Inn - Home of the Ottawa Branch
1159 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 3X7
(613) 731-9191

Scarborough

Victoria & Albert Pub
1601 Birchmount Road
Scarborough, Ontario
M1P 2H5
(416) 285-5967

Quebec

Pointe-Claire

Brasserie Hymus
177 Boulevard Hymus
Pointe-Claire, Quebec
H9R 1E9
(514) 426-5000

Kelly's Pub
88 Donegani Avenue
Pointe-Claire, Quebec
H9R 2V4
(514) 694-6438

Along with being able to purchase the game pay-per-view for private home viewing.

Always support the team, no matter how bad they are playing.
If the team is doing badly, cheer even louder as they need your support more.

If a player is struggling, sing his name louder and more often as he needs it.

If the opposition are the better side and perform well, appreciate it and give them the credit they are due.

Feb 24 2005
Exclusive By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo



CHELSEA may head to Cardiff as favourites this weekend, but Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has devised a plan to ensure his players feel like winners before a ball is kicked.

Benitez's final preparations will include a timely reminder to his squad about the joy of success.

The Spanish manager ordered the production of a video highlighting the best moments of the season so far, as well as scenes of jubilation enjoyed by some of the greatest sides.

The video is being played to the Liverpool squad to give them a taste of what could be this Sunday.

"We have prepared videos showing a number of scenes of teams with trophies, celebrating with their fans. These things can motivate players," said Benitez.

"I first used this with the Real Madrid youth teams. We reached some cup finals and it made the players motivated because they could see how good it feels when you win trophies.

"I use images of many teams, including some which have won the World Cup. Since I've been here we've prepared videos of the celebrations after the Arsenal and Olympia-kos victories. The team was celebrating together, and we want all the players to think of themselves as a team in this way.

"I want them to remember how they felt when they won those games so they'll do everything they can to feel that way again.

I'm sure other managers do the same.

"We also use images of Liverpool fans celebrating these moments so the play-ers can see how important it is to the supporters for their side to play their best football."

For Benitez, the 'winning mentality' can be as important as talent on a cup final day. He is a manager who won't tolerate defeatism, so it comes as no surprise he's admitted to having a quiet word with his skipper after the Reds' Champions League hopes were played down.

An interview Gerrard conducted with BBC radio a week ago was mischievously held back until the eve of the Leverkusen match for maximum impact.

Benitez said: "I spoke with Steven Gerrard and he told me his words weren't presented in the right way. But I said to him, in future it's better to think we can win the Champions League. Why not? We need winners here and everyone thinking only of winning.

"I always want to win. If I lose, all I think about is why we lost. When we lose, I only think about solutions. If you only think about winning the next game, you don't know what the draw will be.

"If we can win the next game, maybe we will get a side which isn't so strong, or a side which has injuries or suspensions. This is football, not mathematics. We have a new manager and new players and we are still learning about each other.

Eventually we must all have the same ideas.

"At Valencia, after three years we all said the same thing, but I remember the first January I was at the club. We were eight points behind Real Madrid but I insisted we could win the league. People said I was crazy. In the end, we won the league.

"By the third year when I said we could win the league, everyone agreed. That was because by then everyone had confidence in our work."

Benitez, of course, is no stranger to cup finals or silverware. He led Valencia to the UEFA Cup last May and his two La Liga titles earned him recognition as one of Europe's finest coaches.

He says a similar success on Sunday will be as satisfying as those more prestigious honours.

"If we win now it will feel the same to me as winning the UEFA Cup and Spanish League because it would be my first trophy in another country. That's more difficult," he says.

"To work in a new country is hard. It needs adaptation and more responsibility. In Spain, it's easier for me. I know all the players and language. Here, I need my staff even more.

"My challenge is to win even more trophies, and more important trophies than the League Cup, but I see this as a first step.

"Our idea is to make this competition the first stone of a new building. We want to be in more finals in future.

"As a manager it's always a challenge to win trophies. I'm delighted I have the chance to do so in my first year. If we ever win the Premiership or Champions League, obviously it will be better. But it's a long process trying to have that kind of success.

"You can't do everything in your first year, so to have a chance to win any competition shows we're heading in the right direction."

So what will be the final message to the players before they face Chelsea?

For all the pep talks, tactical demonstrations and videos, Benitez is sure his side won't let the club down in the Millennium stadium.

"It's easier preparing a team for a cup final," he said.

"There's no need to motivate the players. All of them want to play. Those who didn't play against Bayer Leverkusen are passionate about playing. I can see in their faces in training how well they want to play."

Feb 23 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

HARRY KEWELL believes Liverpool proved there's more to their squad than one key man by securing a 3-1 first leg win without skipper Steven Gerrard last night.

The Aussie winger made his first start for two months against Bayer Leverkusen, but later revived fears over his fitness by refusing to rule out the possibility of groin surgery.

Kewell's treatment sparked controversy in the build-up to the Champions League clash and the midfielder admits he's still not 100 per cent fit.

But, after playing his part in a thrilling victory at Anfield, Kewell believes the Reds have shown they can produce good football without relying too much on their talismanic skipper.

"People have their opinions on Liverpool and the focus is always on Stevie because he's a great player, but whether he's playing or not the team has to go out to do a job," said Kewell.

"It's not just Stevie, but lots of other world class players who were missing last night.

"There's Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes, Xabi Alonso and Chris Kirkland, too. This performance shows we have some depth in our squad. The gaffer has brought in some great players of his own and we all know what we can do as a team.

"Sometimes you go out there and everything comes off and sometimes not, but I can promise we always give 100 per cent. We are always together as a team.

People may knock us but we all stick together. "Last night we put in a good performance against a great team.

"It was disappointing to lose a goal at the end but if you would have asked us if we'd like a 3-1 win before the game, we would have taken it."

Kewell looks to have played his way into immediate contention for Sunday's Carling Cup Final with Chelsea. However, the saga of his groin injury clearly isn't over.

Yesterday, Benitez accused Australian boss Frank Farina of interfering by making outspoken remarks about Kewell's treatment.

Kewell says the club is doing everything it can to aid his recovery.

"The problem hasn't gone away. I'm going to have to sit down with the manager and talk about it," admitted Kewell.

"I still feel my groin, but everyone's doing their best to help me.

"It's up to the manager what happens on Sunday and whether I play.

"I was glad to be back but there are things I can improve on."

Scallywags - top floor!
(11 St. Clair Ave. W, phone: 922-3737 - www.scallywags.net) )

Sunday, 27th February 2005, 10am - LIVE
Carling Cup Final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool

Since this game is being broadcast via Setanta, a $15 cover charge will be collected.

Link: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N147865050218-1053.htm

Feb 16 2005
By Rob Brady, Liverpool Echo

KOP hero John Aldridge is relishing playing alongside the Liverpool stars he used to worship as a young fan.

Aldo is among five of the club's greatest goalscorers returning to Anfield to take part in a charity game.

Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler will also pull on the famous red shirt once again to raise money for survivors of the Asian tsunami.

Aldridge said: "There are some great ex- Liverpool players involved. It is always a privilege to meet them, but especially to play alongside them.

"Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan are two heroes of mine. And it will be great to play at Anfield. I never thought I would get the chance again."

Alan Hansen, Bruce Grobbelaar, John Barnes and Terry McDermott have also signed up to the 22-man squad.

The March 27 match (kick-off 4pm) will see the Liverpool legends pitted against a team of celebrities including singer Brian McFadden, Westlife ' s Nicky Byrne, Eastenders star Shane Richie and Leicester rockers Kasabian.

The teams will be managed by former Red Roy Evans and Southampton boss Harry Redknapp.

The tsunami soccer aid event has been organised by Tranmere's ex-Liverpool star Jason McAteer, who has promised more big names are in the pipeline.

He said: "We have had celebrities calling us wanting to play in this game."

Tickets go on sale from February 28, the day after the Reds' Carling Cup final clash with Chelsea.

They will be available from the Liverpool FC ticket office, by telephone on 0870 220 0056 or at www.liverpoolfc.tv. They will also be on sale from Tranmere Rovers.

Ticket prices are £15 for adults, £10 for over 65s and disabled fans, and £5 for under 16s.

"Football for Hope" Match Barcelona, Nou Camp 15 February 2005

The world's star players will come together at the Camp Nou tonight as football does its bit to help those stricken by the tsunami disaster in Asia.

Raise funds
Organised by FIFA and UEFA, the Football for Hope match will kick off at 21.00CET and will raise funds for the relief effort following the natural disaster that struck parts of south and Southeast Asia in late December.

Tue Feb 15 05:30PM Pacific
Tue Feb 15 06:30PM Mountain
Tue Feb 15 07:30PM Central
Tue Feb 15 08:30PM Eastern
Tue Feb 15 09:30PM Atlantic
Tue Feb 15 10:00PM Newfoundland
Length: 2 hr
TLN - TeleLatino Network - Canada
Shevchenko XI vs Ronaldinho XI
Barcelona, Spain



Shevchenko XI

Coaches:
LIPPI Marcello - ITA - National Team
WENGER Arsène - FRA - Arsenal FC

Goalkeepers:
BUFFON Gianluigi - ITA - Juventus
CASILLAS Iker - ESP - Real Madrid

Defenders:
KALADZE Kakhaber - GEO - AC Milan
KAREMBEU Christian - FRA - FC Servette
KOMPANY Vincent - BEL - Anderlecht
MALDINI Paolo - ITA - AC Milan
PUYOL Carles - ESP - FC Barcelona
STAM Jaap - NED - AC Milan
THURAM Lilian - FRA - Juventus


Midfielders/ Attackers:
BAGGIO Roberto - ITA
BALLACK Michael - GER - Bayern Munich
BECKHAM David - ENG - Real Madrid
DECO - POR - FC Barcelona
DEL PIERO Alessandro - ITA Juventus
GERRARD Steven - ENG - Liverpool FC
HENRY Thierry - FRA - Arsenal FC
NEDVED Pavel - CZE - Juventus
RAÚL González - ESP - Real Madrid
SEMAK Sergei - RUS - CSKA Moscow
SHEVCHENKO Andriy - UKR - AC Milan
TOTTI Francesco - ITA - AS Roma
VIEIRA Patrick - FRA - Arsenal FC
VOGEL Johann - SUI - PSV Eindhoven
ZIDANE Zinedine - FRA - Real Madrid

Ronaldinho XI

Coaches:
PARREIRA Carlos Alberto - BRA - National Team
RIJKAARD Frank - NED - FC Barcelona

Goalkeepers:
DIDA - BRA - AC Milan
KAMENI Idriss - CMR - RCD Espanyol

Defenders:
CAFÚ - BRA - AC Milan
CÓRDOBA Iván - COL - Inter Milan
CRIS - BRA - Ol. Lyonnais
HEINZE Gabriel - ARG - Manchester United FC
JAIDI Radhi - TUN - Bolton Wanderers FC
KUFFOUR Samuel - GHA - Bayern Munich
LUCIO - BRA - Bayern Munich
MÁRQUEZ ÁLVAREZ Rafael - MEX - FC Barcelona
RADEBE Lucas - RSA - Leeds United FC
ZANETTI Javier - ARG - Inter Milan

Midfielders/ Attackers:
ADRIANO - BRA - Inter Milan
BUCKLEY Delron - RSA - Arminia Bielefeld
CAMBIASSO Esteban - ARG - Inter Milan
CHA Doo-Ri - KOR - Eintracht Frankfurt
DROGBA Didier - CIV - Chelsea FC
EMERTON Brett - AUS - Blackburn Rovers FC
ESSIEN Michael - GHA - Ol. Lyonnais
ETO'O Samuel - CMR - FC Barcelona
JUNINHO - BRA - Ol. Lyonnais
KAKÁ - BRA - AC Milan
LI Tie - CHN - Everton FC
MAHDAVIKIA Mehdi - IRN - Hamburger SV
MARTINS Obafemi - NIG - Inter Milan
NAKATA Hidetoshi - JPN - AC Fiorentina
RONALDO - BRA - Real Madrid
RONALDINHO - BRA - FC Barcelona

The most successful manager in the English game, Bob Paisley, died nine years ago today, aged 77. He led us to six League titles, three European Cups, one UEFA Cup, one European Super Cup, three League Cups and five Charity Shields in his nine years in charge.

R.I.P. Bob











Click here for a funny story from Alan Edge (author of 'Faith Of Our Fathers' ) - www.bobpaisley.com/itsonly.htm

Rafael Benitez claims Jamie Carragher is the best central defender in England.

The Liverpool manager has experienced some painful moments of late - notably when the Reds lost three matches in a week which threatened to derail his entire campaign.

But Benitez has seized on Carragher's excellent performance at the heart of England's defence in midweek for inspiration in his team's battle with Everton for a Champions League place.

He also sees new forward Fernando Morientes as one of the best strikers he has ever worked with.

Benitez - who predicts injured midfielder Xabi Alonso may be back in action for the last month of the campaign - is hoping for a third successive Barclays Premiership victory tomorrow, away to Birmingham.

"Jamie is playing very well and has been all season," said the manager.

"He is a very important player for us and I believe he is the best central defender in England at the moment.

"You will have to ask the England manager about his future in the team but as his club manager I believe he is a very good player with the strength and character every manager would want.

"He has all the right qualities you need for playing in central defence. He is improving all the time; he is learning tactical work and can play right across the back line at both full-back positions and both central defensive positions because he can use both feet equally as well."

At the other end of the field, Benitez is putting all his faith in Morientes who has scored in his last two matches.

"Morientes is one of the best strikers I have seen or worked with," he said.

"He has the right mentality, is good in the air and can use both feet; he has quality and can work for the team all the time."

A few weeks back, Benitez was not talking with such confidence but he has much more reason to smile now - more so at the prospect of a return for Alonso who broke his ankle on January 1 and was then ruled out for the rest of the season.

"He is a lot better now and he could be back for the last month," said Benitez.

"He has been away working and recovering in Spain but he is back with us now and I am pleased with his progress."

Djibril Cisse, out with a broken leg, is expected to start running in a month while Harry Kewell could play a reserve match next week as he battles back from an Achilles problem.

Benitez is therefore increasingly optimistic his team can bridge the five-point deficit they have conceded to Everton at this stage.

"If we want to reduce the gap we need to win matches and to just think about our games," the Liverpool boss said.

"We want to be in the top four, to win the Carling Cup, to progress in the Champions League but you cannot only think about the future, and what might happen. It is best to concentrate only on what is in front of you.

"All the players want the Champions League - and we know that if we do that we will win more money and be able to sign new players or say to the ones that we have 'stay here, because we will be playing big games in the future'."

Benitez knows, though, that Liverpool simply cannot afford to let any points slip away.

"Each week, if we win closing the gap is possible but we must win our match to make it happen," he said.

Benitez has had to contend with bad runs at times this season but has always retained faith that they will not last.

"In Spain we say 'After the storm there is always the sun' - and you must hold on to that," he said.

"I try to be happy all the time and I enjoy my job. I'm at a fantastic club with great fans - and even the weather is okay."

Even the perennial questions about club captain Steven Gerrard's future are not bothering Benitez too much at present.

"Steven is our player and will be our player for a lot of years," he predicted.

Robbie doesn't forget!

Feb 11 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

XABI ALONSO is winning his battle to make a surprise return to the Liverpool line-up before the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez admits he'd virtually written off the play-maker's chances of playing again during this campaign.

But Alonso has made good progress after returning to Spain for treatment on the broken ankle he suffered on January 1.

Now the youngster is back at Liverpool and Benitez is cautiously hopeful the 22-year-old could return by April.

"Xabi has been working hard in Spain and he came back to Liverpool this week," said Benitez.

"I said recently I wasn't waiting for Xabi this season, but that was because I don't want to rush him back. I'm always optimistic, but I preferred not to think too much about him because I didn't want to be disappointed. If you put too much hope in him returning, you can get frustrated.

"Now, it looks better for him. He may be able to play for the last month. He's working with our physiotherapists and making progress."

Alonso is not the only Liverpool player who's over the worst of his troubles.

Djibril Cisse could be running again in just a month's time as he continues his fightback from an horrendous broken leg.

There were some fears Cisse's injury was career threatening, but he's eased those concerns with his rehabilitation.

"Cisse has been in the gym here and will be running again in a month. When you have a problem like his you need a timescale and he's on schedule," said Benitez.

Harry Kewell, however, is still a few weeks away from a comeback according to the latest medical bulletin.

The Aussie has recovered from a groin operation but now has an Achilles problem.

Benitez added: "We must wait longer for Harry because he has an Achilles tendon injury. It's not a big problem but he can't work properly. Sometimes it takes a week, other times it can be 15 days, so I don't know when he'll be back.

"Tomorrow Luis Garcia is suspended so we will see how fit Smicer and Nunez are. Smicer may need more time, but I think he could play for 60 minutes. If he's really ready to play, he can."

One Birmingham striker has already suffered at the hands of Liverpool this season.

On loan Deportivo La Coruna striker Walter Pandiani played against the Reds in the Champions League.

"He's a good striker who is very good in the air. He will be well suited to the English style. He scored many goals in La Liga," said Benitez.

By Oliver Kay - Times Online
February 09, 2005

MYSTERY surrounds the future ownership of Liverpool after Rick Parry, the chief executive, insisted yesterday that the club are still exploring the “exciting proposal” that was made before the annual meeting in December.

The proposal that Parry mentioned in December is understood to have come, via the self-styled L4 Group, from the billionaire Kraft family, owners of the New England Patriots American football franchise, which won its third Super Bowl in four years on Sunday. It is understood that the Kraft family have since withdrawn their interest, but Parry said that the investors to whom he referred are still in the picture.

“The new interest appeared just prior to the AGM and it was of such potential magnitude, and that potential is so exciting, that we felt we had to evaluate it,” Parry said. “We are still evaluating it and still pursuing that. It hasn’t come to fruition yet, but if it comes off, it will be very exciting.”

Parry also said that the potential investors have “degrees of expertise and experience in building stadia”, perhaps a reference to the Krafts’ role in the Patriots’ move to the stunning 68,000-seat Gillette Stadium, but City sources maintain that the family are no longer interested in Liverpool.

Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is considering another Spanish import, having sent his scouts to monitor Juanito, the Málaga defender, recently.

Lee Hendrie, the Aston Villa midfield player, has signed a two-year extension to his contract, which will end in 2007.

David Dein, the Arsenal vice-chairman, has called for Fifa and Uefa to bring in worldwide regulations to control players’ agents. “It was agreed that a working party be set up to look at the rules governing agents,” Dein said. “I believe some agents should be included on the working party.”

Paul Eaton 08 February 2005

Rick Parry today revealed chairman David Moores remains as determined as ever to secure the investment deal to give the Reds more financial muscle in the transfer market.

Parry admits to a sense of frustration that a deal hasn't yet been struck to bring more cash into the club, but he is keen to stress it has nothing to do with Moores' desire to keep hold of his stake in the Reds.

"It is a frustration that we have not come up with the investment, but life is not like that," said Parry. "We have got through this season tolerably - we've invested £43 million in the team, so we've not tightened the purse strings too much.

"Apart from maybe Chelsea, by anyone else's standards that's a reasonable investment.

"The chairman is quite positive at the moment because he's quite pleased with how Rafa's been performing.

"2004 was a difficult year from his point of view but there is no better chairman in the world of football. No manager could have greater backing.

"It was particularly difficult in the summer with Gerard going and the uncertainty over Stevie. But having got Rafa on board and seeing some signs of progress he's happier, but still extremely keen to find the right investment.

"He will do whatever it takes to move it forward, even if it affects his own interests. He cares more about this club than about himself."

Liverpool's chief executive also admitted the club are desperate to prove ex-Red Alan Hansen wrong after he predicted the Reds are still three years away from a serious title challenge.

He added: "How do we prove him wrong? By doing what we're doing. I'm sure we have got the right manager and don't feel his long term plans and goals are not achievable."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N147767050208-0903.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4236777.stm#

Click: WATCH AND LISTEN

Mon Feb 7, 2005 05:34 PM GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Steven Gerrard will not be sold against his will even if Liverpool are offered 50 million pounds for him, the Premier League club's chief executive Rick Parry says.

Chelsea and Real Madrid, the two biggest spending clubs in world football, have been linked with bids for the inspirational England midfielder but Parry said Liverpool were still hoping to build a team around him.

"Steven is above money," Parry told BBC radio on Monday. "He is the future of Liverpool.

"It doesn't matter if it's 30, 40 or 50 million pounds, we will not accept offers. But we are also realistic enough to know we can't keep Steven against his will."

Parry said Liverpool had told Chelsea Gerrard was not for sale last year and also turned down a Real Madrid request for an option on the 24-year-old during negotiations for the purchase of striker Fernando Morientes last month.

"They were looking for ways of saying they got more out of the deal for Fernando Morientes, but the response to Real Madrid was the same -- Steven is not for sale," Parry added.

A product of the Liverpool youth system, Gerrard signed his current four-year contract in November 2003. He has, however, expressed dissatisfaction at the lack of success at the club and said last month he would consider his future at the end of the season.

Liverpool lie fifth in the Premier League, 22 points behind leaders Chelsea.

CRAVING SUCCESS

"We have re-affirmed recently to Steven that we are trying to build a team around him," said Parry. "We crave success as much as he does. We know he's ambitious and nobody can argue with that.

"I think Steven would dearly love to win things with Liverpool more than he'd like to do anything else.

"We all want to see progress by next season. He's not alone in that. There are a lot of other players who feel the same, so we all have a common aim.

"Our position is we want Steven to stay, but we are also realistic enough and have enough respect for Steven -- and he has enough respect for us -- to know that it is his decision that will be crucial.

"You are not going to keep a player like Steven against his will. That just doesn't work, but any idea we are going to accept offers for Steven and then tell him 'by the way we've decided to sell you' is not on the agenda. You can forget that."

Parry dismissed reports that Gerrard's departure to Roman Abramovich-funded Chelsea was already agreed, but said the clubs had discussed the player.

"There have been a lot of open secrets about Steven, most of which have been complete myths," he said. "It is suggested we had a deal tied up last summer. We didn't have an offer last summer.

"We had told Chelsea that as far as we were concerned he was not for sale and we didn't want to sell him. In reality it didn't go beyond that.

"Maybe there will be an offer in the summer. Maybe there won't."

by Graeme Bailey - created on 3 Feb 2005

Uefa have confirmed a rule change which means all clubs playing in Europe from 2006 will have to include at least four 'homegrown' players in their squads.

The proposals were announced as the Uefa executive committee met the national associations in Nyon and is seen as the best way to develop young talent in Europe.
Uefa define a homegrown player as somebody aged from 15 to 21, and developed either by that club or a team from the same country.

Uefa have also asked all their members to adopt the policy for their own leagues and this is likely to be implemented later this year.

Europe's governing body are looking to increase the numbers in 2007 and again in 2008 by which point there will be strict rules stating that four of the 25 must actually be trained by the club they are with, and another four must at least be from the same association.

Uefa define 'club trained' player as a somebody who has been with his team for three seasons, likewise a player who has been registered in an association for three seasons can be classified from within that region.

"We think [the proposal] is a reasonable compromise based on all the consultations we have had," said Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson.

"Although we have had negative responses from some leagues and some bigger clubs in those leagues, all the others involved have been very supportive of this idea.
"We also think the proposal is legal, because it is a sporting rule, not as a restriction, to develop and promote young players.

"Compared to 1995/6 when the Bosman ruling on freedom of movement was introduced, there are now 30 percent less players coming from one country now playing for their clubs in that country in the top division.

"The trend is very clear and European football has realised that it must be addressed and reversed."

Steve Hunter 02 February 2005

Liverpool legend Ray Clemence will undergo treatment later this week in his fight to overcome prostrate cancer.

The news has come as a big shock to the football world but the former Liverpool Number One remains upbeat and positive in his battle to make a full recovery after speaking with doctors.

The 56-year-old England goalkeeping coach won three European Cups with Liverpool and five league championships.

Clemence said: "The news I have had from the doctors so far has been very positive and encouraging.

"I'm looking forward to getting the treatment out of the way and returning to work as soon as possible."