Anfield
Saturday, 30 April
Kick-off: 1500 BST

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Liverpool team news to follow later.
Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate, who needed seven stitches in a head wound in midweek, faces a fitness test before playing his 400th Premiership game.

George Boateng has a foot injury, while goalkeeper Brad Jones will again deputise for Mark Schwarzer.

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Middlesbrough (from): Jones, Davies, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Boateng, Zenden, Downing, Nemeth, Hasselbaink, Graham, Knight, Wheater, Reiziger, Parnaby, McMahon, Morrison.


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BIG-MATCH FACTS


LIVERPOOL and Middlesbrough meet for the third time this season, and both have European ambitions. The Reds lie outside a top four automatic qualifying spot for next season's Champions League, one place and four points below Merseyside rivals Everton, having played one more match. It could be that the best chance Rafael Benitez' side have of qualifying is by winning this year's competition. They stand goalless with Chelsea going into Tuesday's Anfield leg of the semi-final. But even if they should lift the Champions trophy, it will be at the discretion of the FA whether the team finishing fourth or the Cup holders gain the qualifying spot.

Liverpool have seldom faired well in the Premiership contest following a Champions League game. Of the 12 occasions this has happened, the Anfield club have won two, drawn three and lost seven. But they face Middlesbrough, looking to extend their run of unbeaten home games in all competitions to eight. Their last home reverse was a 0-1 Premiership defeat by Manchester United on 15 January.

The Merseysisders are defending an unbeaten home Premiership record against Boro. Indeed they've won 11 and drawn five of their last 16 League matches against the Teessiders at Anfield, and have not been beaten since a 0-2 top flight reverse on 6 March 1976.

MIDDLESBROUGH were involved in a dour goalless Tyne-Tees derby at Newcastle on Wednesday night, but the point, together with the three from last Saturday's 4-0 eclipse of West Brom at the Riverside puts them in seventh place and in pole position for a Uefa Cup spot. They lead rivals Spurs by two points and Aston Villa by three.

Boro have never finished higher than ninth in the Premiership, but maximum points here would keep them on course to improve on that, and put a smile on the face of manager Steve McClaren, who sends out a Middlesbrough side for the 150th time in this League, three days before his 44th birthday.

Honours are even between these clubs this season. Liverpool won a fourth round Carling Cup tie at Anfield 2-0 when Neil Mellor scored both, but it was the club from the north east that won this season's reverse Premiership fixture by the same margin. Chris Riggott and Boudewijn Zenden netted in a deserved victory, that gives the Riverside club the chance of a fourth 'double' over Liverpool and first since the home and away maximum in the old Second Division in 1958/59.

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Referee:

Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent)

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SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM

LIVERPOOL


Club stats
Fixtures
5th 54 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 5th
Lowest could fall: 6th

Won one of the last six in all competitions.
Completed six Premiership draws this season - no club has finished level less often.
Won three and drawn one of the 11 games in which they were behind at half time.
Conceded twice in the first 15 minutes of top flight encounters. Arsenal have leaked just one goal in the opening quarter hour.
Failed to score in 13 top League clashes. Only Blackburn (16) have fired blanks more frequently.
Lost 12 of the 13 League matches, in which failed to score.
Won more top tier games from a losing position than any other club (four).
Fourth in the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with 10 points, trailing Arsenal (16), Chelsea (14) and Bolton (11).

Unbeaten in seven at home in all competitions.
Won five and drawn two at Anfield since losing 0-1 to Manchester United in the Premiership on 15 January.
Not lost in five home Premiership matches, picking up 11 points from the possible 15.
Won 11 home Premiership games this season. Only Chelsea (13) and Manchester United (12) have claimed maximum points in front of the home faithful more often.
Drawn three times in the League at Anfield. Everton are the only club with just two home draws to their name in the top table.
Conceded 13 League goals on home turf. Just Chelsea (six) and Manchester United (eight) have tighter home defences in the Premiership.
Picked up 36 points at home and 18 away - the difference of 18 points is the widest such margin in the Premiership.
MIDDLESBROUGH


Club stats
Fixtures
7th 50 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 7th

Not lost in three - all Premiership.
Won one and drawn two, since losing 1-0 at home to Arsenal on 9 April.
Lost one of the last five League outings.
Not conceded in two, or 188 minutes (three hours eight minutes) of Premiership football.
Scored 50 Premiership goals. Only Arsenal (74) and Chelsea (65) have netted more.
Scored only once in the first 15 minutes of Premiership games this season, but netted more than any other club (14) in the first quarter-hour of the second half.

Won one of the last nine League and Cup matches away from home.
Won one of the last 10 Premiership matches on the road.
The 0-1 victory at Crystal Palace on 2 February is their only away League triumph, since a 1-2 victory at West Brom on 14 November.
Scored 22 goals on their Premiership travels. Only Chelsea (31), Arsenal (30) and Bolton (23) can top that.

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KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES

LIVERPOOL


Squad profiles

If on the field from the outset, Igor BISCAN will be making his 50th Premiership start for Liverpool.
If he plays from the commencement, Harry KEWELL will be making his 50th Premiership start for Liverpool.
Should he figure, John Arne RIISE will be making his 200th appearance for the Reds.
MIDDLESBROUGH


Squad profiles

If he plays, DORIVA will be making his 50th Premiership appearance for Middlesbrough.
If on the field for the opening whistle, Stuart PARNABY will be making his 50th career League start.

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LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME:
Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
2 May 2005 - Ref: Andy D'Urso
Liverpool scorers: Murphy 50 pen, Heskey 53

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THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE:
Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool
20 November 2004 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Middlesbrough scorers: Riggott 36, Zenden 62

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HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
League: Liverpool 53 wins, Middlesbrough 37, Draws 35
Prem: Liverpool 9 wins, Middlesbrough 5, Draws 5


HEAD TO HEAD at Liverpool
League: Liverpool 33 wins, Middlesbrough 13, Draws 16
Prem: Liverpool 6 wins, Middlesbrough 0, Draws 3

A testimonial match for Bill Shankly was played at Anfield thirty years ago today. Emlyn Hughes and Jimmy Case both bagged braces, with Alan Waddle and Tommy Smith also on target as the reds beat a Don Revie Select side 6-2.



Link: http://www.ynwa.tv/news/index.php?newsid=1303

Apr 28 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

A DISTRAUGHT Xabi Alonso begged French referee Alain Sars to reconsider the booking which rules him out of Liverpool's match of the season against Chelsea.

But the heartbroken midfielder is resigned to sitting out next week's second leg at Anfield.

Alonso's 88th minute caution followed a challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen, which TV replays showed involved no contact from the Spaniard.

Liverpool officials are furious today amid claims Gud-johnsen taunted Alonso after he toppled without being touched - and told the Spaniard he knew was on a yellow card already and would now miss the return.

Liverpool have no avenue of appeal, although a change of heart by the official could have offered hope to the Reds playmaker.

The club have been informed the decision will stand and Alonso can't play in the return leg, which stands tantalisingly at 0-0 following another heroic European display by Benitez's side.

For Alonso, however, the evening was bittersweet.

"You can see on the replay I didn't touch the player," said Alonso today.

"When I saw the yellow card I couldn't believe it because I knew what it meant. I feel so sad to be missing the second leg.

"I hoped after seeing the tackle again, maybe the referee could change his mind, but we've been told it's not possible to appeal.

"It's a big disappointment for me to miss the game at Anfield, because it will be a special night. Now I just hope we can get through to the final so I have another chance to play in the competition."

Chelsea striker Gudjohnsen said he sympathised with Alonso, but refused to criticise the unjust booking.

"It's disappointing for him to get the yellow card, but it's not my decision it's the referee's decision," said Gudjohnsen.

"I would never try to get a fellow professional booked. The referee just gave the foul and got the book out. I understand his disappointment and it's a shame for him to miss the next game.

"But I'm a Chelsea player so there's nothing I can do to stop it. It's one of those things. I didn't agree with Joe Cole's booking either."

A UEFA spokesman confirmed there is no process of appeal available.

"The only way a decision can be changed is if there is a case of mis-taken identity and the referee has taken down the wrong number of a player," he said..

"A referee cannot change his decision once he has booked an individual player."

Alonso's booking may mean an earlier than expected recall for Didi Hamann, who has been out for over a month with knee ligament damage.

Last week Benitez ruled the German out of both legs. But he is back in training, improving quicker than expected and is now close to fitness.

Even if he is less than 100 per cent the Reds boss may well decide he has no option but to risk him for the return.

Benitez said: "Didi is training normally and I think he will be fit for the second leg."

Apr 26 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

IT'S one of the dangers of Champions League football that the further you go, the greater your chances of being deprived of key players.

The UEFA disciplinary system penalises the competitive stars who have been cautioned en route to the later stages, ensuring they are walking a tightrope when the stakes are highest.

European football chiefs are considering changing the policy to ensure top players don't miss the final, but any decision won't come soon enough to save those currently sweating on a ban.

Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Steve Finnan and Steve Warnock must tread carefully over both legs against Chelsea, having all received two yellow cards.

They will be hoping French referee Alain Sars will take into account the peculiarities of a European encounter sure to be more fiery than usual.

Liverpool versus Chelsea is more Premiership than Champions League, which could be bad news for the most vulnerable players, particularly if the referee doesn't allow a typically physical encounter to flourish.

Liverpool defender Carragher admits he'll be anxious to avoid the caution which would rule him out of Anfield's biggest fixture for 20 years - but he won't shirk his responsibility.

"If it's going to happen, it's got to be for something unavoidable like a tackle you knew you had to make, but mistimed," he said.

"I'm sure if Chelsea have a couple of players in the same situation they'll still be playing their normal game, and we'll be the same."

Chelsea's William Gallas, Ricardo Carvalho and Glenn Johnson are in the same boat, vulnerable to missing the return leg at Anfield.

Carragher has experienced a similar situation before when a cup final place was at risk, although on that occasion a joke with the officials beforehand served him well.

He's not likely to have the luxury of using a similar ploy with a foreign referee.

He added: "I remember we were playing away to Birmingham just before we played Manchester United in the Carling Cup in 2003. I was one booking away from a suspension then.

"At the time, I just had a quiet word with the referee before the game and asked him to make sure he gave me a chance and didn't just get the book out after one bad tackle. I was joking real-ly, but hoped by putting it in the back of his mind it would help me.

"I don't think I'll be able to do the same this time because the referee will be speaking a different language."

Carragher, typically, is more focused on ensuring his team reaches the final, regardless of the cost to his own chances of featuring.

"In these situations, there's no point worrying," he said.

"I remember what happened to Roy Keane a few years ago when he put himself on the line for his team and missed the final.

"We've all got to think that way. The most important thing is winning the games and reaching the final.

"If that happens and one of us is unlucky, there's nothing we can do about it."

The Liverpool side head to London today with Rafa Benitez receiving an unexpected boost with the return of Harry Kewell, who has suffered a series of problems but joined training yesterday and is in contention. The Aussie is expected to join the travelling party, although he's only likely to be fit for bench duty.

However, Luis Garcia missed training yesterday and Milan Baros is still undergoing treatment on a knee injury.

They remain the biggest concerns for Benitez and both will require fitness tests before the game.

Meanwhile, the FA is preparing a formal request to have five English teams in next season's Champions League should Liverpool lift the European Cup next month. Current UEFA rules only allow England to enter four sides.

It means that should Everton claim the fourth qualifying spot by the end of the Premiership season while the Reds go on to triumph in Istanbul on May 25, one of the Merseyside clubs would have to settle for a UEFA Cup place next term.

The choice would rest with the FA, which feels the current system punishes English clubs for being successful and is lobbying UEFA for a change in the ruling.

An FA spokesman said today: "We will write to UEFA this week to try and resolve this problem."

However, UEFA are adamant that only four English sides can take part in the Champions League each season. England is one of just three countries, along with Spain and Italy, granted four participants based on past success in the competition.

Other nations are allowed fewer teams, but are allocated an extra slot if a club wins the European Cup but finishes outside the normal qualifying places in their domestic league.

Section 1.03 of this season's Champions League regulations states: "At the request of the national association concerned, the UEFA Champions League title holders may be entered for this competition as an additional representative of that association if they have not qualified via the domestic league championship."

It goes on to say: "If the title holders come from an association entitled to enter four teams, the fourth placed team in the domestic championship has to be entered for the UEFA Cup."

Paul Eaton 22 April 2005

Rafael Benitez has promised Liverpool will be "a lot closer" to the top of the table next season - as he admitted looking to the Reds' bootroom legends for inspiration to help him achieve his Anfield dream.

The Reds are currently in a tense battle for fourth place as they bid to claim the final Champions League spot for next season, but the boss is already planning for the future and admits the prospect of following in the footsteps of Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Evans, Moran and Dalglish serves as a great motivation.

He said: "I hope we can have the same success because they made history and we have yet to achieve that.

"Those people are spoken about a lot here, they are institutions and for that reason they are the mirror in which we look at ourselves.

"If one day we are remembered like them, it will a great sign. For that reason speaking about them is another motivation to do things well.

"Every game we go to the bootroom and invite the rival manager to come in and have a drink with us.

"It's a corner with lots of history, just like this team and this stadium are legends in football."

He added: "We are working now, not just in the summer thinking about new players and possibilities in the future. We are confident in the future.

"I believe that next season we will be a lot closer to the top. Very, very close."

As for the remainder of this season, Benitez admits his team face a tough task to finish fourth.

"We can only keep winning our next match and hope Everton make a mistake," he said.

"They didn't against United, so we must move onto the next game and keep hoping. But we know we can't afford to lose anymore.

"It is still a three-horse race for fourth and the final game is Bolton against Everton, and that might be good for us.

"We do not know whether we need to win all four of our final games."

Apr 22 2005
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

STATISTICS don't tell lies - do they?

Well, if not, they can certainly be manipulated to discredit an argument.

For example, who is Liverpool's pass master?

Anybody who witnessed Xabi Alonso's stunning array of passes against Tottenham last Saturday would immediately nominate the Spanish midfielder. And they would be 100 per cent wrong - statistically speaking.

Alonso isn't the second most accurate passer of a ball in the Reds' squad, either, or even third. In fact, he doesn't figure in the top 10!

According to official Barclays Premiership statistics, the Anfield honour of best passer goes to Igor Biscan, who registers a successful pass completion rate of 67 per cent.

Second is, wait for it, Neil Mellor with 65 per cent, then Stephen Warnock with 63 per cent, followed by Fernando Morientes and Vladimir Smicer (both 61), Florent Sinama-Pongolle (60), Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse (59), then Djimi Traore and Dietmar Hamann (both 55).

Alonso finally limps in with a 54 per cent pass completion rate.

So who would you rather have at the heart of your midfield?

One hundred per cent of Kopites questioned say Alonso - and the same percentage say statistics are meaningless when it comes to assessing a footballer's worth.

Paul Rogers 21 April 2005

While Liverpool, Everton and Bolton fight it out for fourth place, no fewer than nine other sides will play a huge role in deciding who grabs the final Premiership ticket into the Champions League.
Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Chelsea, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Arsenal could all influence the outcome of the race for fourth. Here we look at the 12 matches and 12 teams who could make and break a league season for three clubs...

23 April 2005

ASTON VILLA V BOLTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Aston Villa?
Just two points off 7th position and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Aston Villa's last five home results
Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Brom
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Charlton
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 1 - 2 Everton
Aston Villa 1 - 3 Arsenal

CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL, 15:00

What's at stake for Crystal Palace?
Battling for their Premiership future, Palace are just two points away from the safety of 17th place.

Crystal Place's last five home games
Crystal Palace 3 - 3 Norwich
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Middlesbrough
Crystal Palace 0 - 0 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Birmingham
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Bolton

EVERTON V BIRMINGHAM, 12:30

What's at stake for Birmingham?
Only personal pride after losing 3-nil away to Manchester City on Wednesday. With a ten-point cushion above the relegation zone and 10 points behind the final UEFA Cup place, Birmingham's season is effectively over.

Birmingham's last five away games
Manchester City 3 - 0 Birmingham
Chelsea 1 - 1 Birmingham
West Brom 2 - 0 Birmingham
Crystal Palace 2 - 0 Birmingham
Manchester United 2 - 0 Birmingham

30 April 2005

BOLTON V CHELSEA, 17:15

What's at stake for Chelsea?
If Chelsea beat Fulham on Saturday and Arsenal fail to beat Tottenham on Monday, Chelsea will already be crowned Champions and this match may prove meaningless for them. With the title possibly already in the bag, Chelsea could rest all their key players ahead of the return leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool.

Chelsea's last five away games
Southampton 1 - 3 Chelsea
Norwich 1 - 3 Chelsea
Newcastle 1 - 0 Chelsea
Everton 0 - 1 Chelsea
Blackburn 0 - 1 Chelsea

FULHAM V EVERTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Fulham?
Although they appear safe from relegation at the time of writing, if results change dramatically Fulham could be dragged back into the dogfight to avoid the drop.

Fulham's last five home games
Fulham 1 - 1 Manchester City
Fulham 3 - 1 Portsmouth
Fulham 0 - 0 Charlton
Fulham 1 - 1 Aston Villa
Fulham 1 - 0 West Brom

LIVERPOOL V MIDDLESBROUGH, 15:00

What's at stake for Middlesbrough?
At the time of writing, Steve McClaren's side are just two points off the final UEFA Cup place and will not give up the battle for another crack at Europe next season until it's mathematically impossible to clinch at least 7th place.

Middlesbrough's last five away games
Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 2 - 0 Middlesbrough
Bolton 0 - 0 Middlesbrough
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesbrough
Norwich 4 - 4 Middlesbrough

07 May 2005

EVERTON V NEWCASTLE, 15:00

What's at stake for Newcastle?
Only personal pride after losing 2-1 away to Norwich on Wednesday. With a ten-point cushion above the relegation zone and 10 points behind the final UEFA Cup place, Newcastle's season is effectively over.

Newcastle's last five away games
Norwich 2 - 1 Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 Newcastle
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Newcastle
Manchester City 1 - 1 Newcastle
Arsenal 1 - 0 Newcastle

PORTSMOUTH V BOLTON, 15:00

What's at stake for Portsmouth?
Could well be safe from the drop by the time this game takes place. However, their seven-point cushion over Southampton could easily crumble and they may still be fighting for their Premiership future.

Portsmouth's last five home games
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Liverpool
Portsmouth 4 - 2 Charlton
Portsmouth 1 - 1 Newcastle
Portsmouth 1 - 2 Aston Villa
Portsmouth 2 - 1 Middlesbrough

08 May 2005

ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL, 16:05

What's at stake for Arsenal?
Possibly very little. Automatic qualification for the Champions League might have already been secured with second place in the bag. If Manchester United get their act together, the race for second could still be all to play for with both sides hoping to avoid having to enter the Champions League at the qualifying stage.

Arsenal's last five home games
Arsenal 4 - 1 Norwich
Arsenal 3 - 0 Portsmouth
Arsenal 5 - 1 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2 - 4 Manchester United
Arsenal 2 - 0 Fulham

11 May 2005

ARSENAL V EVERTON, 20:00

What's at stake for Arsenal?
See above.

15 May 2005

BOLTON V EVERTON, 15:00

LIVERPOOL V ASTON VILLA, 15:00

Link:http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148573050421-1458.htm

Apr 19 2005
By Ian Rush, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL hit two more spectacular strikes against Spurs on Saturday, but I'm sure Rafa Benitez would do anything for a striker who'd get him 20 scruffy goals a year.

Some of the efforts we've seen at Anfield in the last few months are worthy of their own goal of the season competition.

But you can't always rely on the extraordinary to win games every week, which is why I expect Benitez will be back in the market for a striker this summer.

I fear the penalty box goal poacher is becoming a dying breed in English football.

It's not just a problem for Liverpool, but few clubs possess what you'd call an out-andout goalscorer these days.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy is the closest you'll get to it now. He's someone who thrives on anything in the box and is as likely to score a tap-in as anything outside the area.

When I played, I took as much joy from a toe poke from six yards as a volley outside the box.

And the first thing I used to do was run to the person who made the pass to me, make them feel appreciated and hopefully ensure they'd make exactly the same unselfish contribution the next time they were in the same position.

Liverpool don't have a natural goalscorer available at the moment.

There's been a lot of focus on Fernando Morientes in recent weeks, particularly because he's only scored twice since January.

That doesn't bother me because you can see his quality. Once he's had a full pre-season he'll be much fitter and sharper.

But even then, I'm not sure Morientes is the type of player who'll be prolific. He's more of a target man who others will play off.

Liverpool could have done with better finishing against Spurs after carving out several great chances.

It's strange they took the most difficult opportunities.

Sometimes, you also have to give the opposition some credit. I thought Spurs played some good football and showed they're improving as much as Liverpool.

They have plenty of excellent young players and suggested they could be a side to watch in the years to come.

Liverpool still did enough to win, but could have done with the kind of scrappy winner they haven't managed enough.

There aren't many available out there who are masters of the art. Apart, perhaps, from a certain Michael Owen ...

Midfield duo can be best in Europe

I SAID before the Liverpool-Juventus tie the winner would win the Champions League.

I'm not going to change my mind now.

For a side to beat Liverpool five times in a season is unheard of.

Chelsea will also be playing a different Liverpool team than the one they've played in all but 20 minutes this season.

That's how long Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard have spent on the pitch together against the Londoners.

I know it's early to make such a prediction, but I believe this duo could become the finest mid-field pairing in Europe, eclipsing an impressive Chelsea engine room.

Alonso staggered me with the quality of his performance against Spurs.

I thought he'd dip after his comeback in Turin. In fact, he was even better.

If they're fit and available, Alonso and Gerrard would give Liverpool a chance of beating anyone, which is why I'm confident an unlikely European Cup win is possible.

Carra disappointment

FRANK LAMPARD deserves the PFA Player of the Year Award for his radical improvement this season.

When he first joined Chelsea, I thought Lamp-ard was a bit limited. Now I've changed my mind, not simply because of his goals, but because his range of passing is much better too.

I'm not surprised Chelsea have so many contenders considering the season they've had.

From Liverpool's point of view, the big disappointment was no nomination for Jamie Carragher.

There's nothing between John Terry and Carragher, but the Chelsea man's goals and his side's greater success in the Premiership has obviously earned him more votes.

If Liverpool were competing for the title, I'm sure Carragher would have made the shortlist.

Apr 18 2005
By Claire Burke, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL supporters braved the driving rain this morning to get their hands on Champions League semi-final tickets.

The Reds face Chelsea in the second leg of the semi-finals clash at Anfield on May 3, with the first leg to be played at Stamford Bridge on April 27.

While fans faced a two-hour wait at Anfield, those buying on the phone fared no better - lines were jammed as soon as they opened.

Wayne Davies, 51, from Chester, was among scores of fans queuing outside the stadium.

He said: "We are going bring Chelsea back down to earth. With all our injured players back in the team, Liverpool are going to be feeling confident."

Chris Bailey, 26, from Rhyl, said: "It should be like the Juventus game. The fact Chelsea have beaten us three times before will give us added incentive - we owe them one."

Story by Rich Middleton

Times change. Players have come, players have gone and opinions have altered, but there's one thing that I doubt will ever be forgiven on Merseyside. The Hillsborough coverage by the Sun newspaper. And the boycott should continue and the word should be spread.


The Sun's coverage was dispicable. Lies, lies and more lies were spread out on front pages for all to see, compounding the misery which Merseyside, and the football world, was feeling following the traumatic events of the previous day.

Tabloid journalism was at its worst as the paper ran sickening coverage of the events and lost all their humanity for the sake of selling papers.

And despite changing times and changing people, most places in Liverpool still refuse to stock the Sun, and few Merseysiders buy it. And this fan, for one, thinks that the boycott should continue. A front page apology would, I presume, be little comfort for the families of the dead, but the fact that 16 years have now passed without any real apology reflects the true nature of this so-called 'news' paper.

And so as we remember the 96 who died, turn your back on the Sun, support the Hillsborough Families Support Group, and campaign for justice for those fans who died in the stands at the Leppings Lane End.

Link: http://www.liverpool-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=217204

Newsletter%2060.htm

By Alan Hansen
BBC Sport football expert

Liverpool's brilliant defensive display against Juventus in Turin set up an all-Premiership Champions League semi-final against Chelsea - and the once unlikely possibility that my old club could claim the trophy for a fifth time.
You gauge the health of your domestic league not by how many teams you get to European semi-finals but by how many you get to finals

And the simple fact that the Premiership is guaranteed one representative in European football's elite club competition is a sign that all is well at the top end of the table in England.
If there is a downside in Liverpool's season, it is the maddening inconsistency that means they can lose miserably at Manchester City on a Saturday and play like heroes against Juventus on a Wednesday.

Rafael Benitez will know this must be cured and outstanding European displays must be integrated into Premiership performances next season.

But, in the expertise he has shown tactically in Europe and the brilliant displays of his team, Benitez has not only given Liverpool fans hope, but massive optimism.

Juventus were incredibly inept in Turin but take nothing away from Liverpool - and my growing feeling that they could actually win the Champions League comes from the way they coped with the two distinct faces of European football in this quarter-final.

They rolled over the top of Juventus at Anfield, then defended with great organisation and resilience away from home.

I recall a backs-to-the-wall performance against Bayern Munich in Germany in the European Cup semi-final in 1981, when we were without key defenders and lost Kenny Dalglish after seven minutes.

Liverpool's performance, without Steven Gerrard and a host of others, reminded me of that in Turin.

Chelsea will be favourites for the semi-final, while AC Milan will be favourites to claim the trophy, particularly when looking such a magnificent side in beating a Manchester United team that was flying when they met in the last 16.

But Liverpool have shown that, on a given day, they can beat anyone - and that's why I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that they could win the whole thing.
No-one, myself including, would have given Liverpool a prayer of doing that, not least when they turned in abject displays against the likes of Birmingham and Southampton earlier this season.

But in Europe they are a team transformed and have shown that they can threaten anyone.

Chelsea may be 30 points ahead of Liverpool in the Premiership and have three wins under their belt against them this season but, in a strange way, Benitez can take heart from those games.

I recall when I played for a dominant Liverpool, Chelsea had an Indian sign over us in the cup competitions and I remember coming a cropper on a couple of occasions.

And over two legs of a European semi-final there can be many twists and turns. Liverpool will be underdogs but they will have faith in themselves after the way they dispatched Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus.

Liverpool played badly at Stamford Bridge and lost but in the narrow 1-0 defeat at Anfield and in the loss in the Carling Cup final, they more than matched Chelsea for long periods.

And this will not be like some cagey European affair.

The semi-final will be a typical Premiership collision, with tackles flying in and no room for the faint-hearted.

Chelsea's confidence will be high and they have some real thoroughbreds in their team, but Liverpool will know they are three games away from the big prize.

Liverpool's fans have had some terrible lows in recent times and just to reach the Champions League semi-final will give them a massive high.

But there may just be a growing feeling inside Anfield, both from players and supporters, that this unlikely adventure could go all the way to the final destination in Istanbul on 25 May.


Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/europe/4445453.stm

Juventus 0, Liverpool 0 (D,Post) Apr 14 2005
Liverpool win 2-1 on aggregate
By Any Hunter at Stadio Delle Alpi

FROM Gazza's tears to the yellow card that ruled Roy Keane out of the 1999 European Cup final, the Stadio Delle Alpi has long been home to heroic disappointment abroad. Liverpool, against all the odds, are now the notable exception.

Last night they defied a crippling injury list, the so-called might of Juventus and their own patchy Premiership form to conjure up one of the most remarkable results in even Liverpool's rich European history and take their place in the first all-English semi-final with Chelsea, their furthest march for 20 years.

The celebrations were felt across the Alps and nowhere as wild as in front of Steven Gerrard's television set. Amid the despair of his cruel Carling Cup final display the Liverpool captain made one wish: to face Jose Mourinho again in the Champions League.

He will relish that confrontation like never before, and no doubt it will be billed as the match to decide who wins his signature, but for now Gerrard will simply savour the magnificence of his team-mates in his absence.

Such was the measure of this achievement that even the usually reserved pitchside manners of Rafael Benitez were forgotten as he embraced every one of his backroom staff and substitutes on the bench before saluting his shattered heroes out on the pitch.

As in the previous round against Bayer Leverkusen, the ramifications of a goalkeeping error at Anfield were made redundant as Liverpool held firm against Juventus, grinding them into a subdued admission that their Champions League hopes were over long before the final whistle.

There was no repeat of the stirring attack that delivered the ultimately crucial two-goal cushion in the first leg from Liverpool. There was never going to be.

This was a night for Liverpool's defenders to take the accolades and their spirit to rise to the fore. Jamie Carragher, heralded as the best centre-half in England by his manager, led from the back, Xabi Alonso was outstanding in his first 90-minute display since breaking his ankle while Djibril Cisse completed his own personal triumph by playing a part in a famous victory.



"People only remember the winners," said Benitez beforehand, but no-one associated with Liverpool will forget what he has achieved after only nine months at the helm.

The prize at stake and the poignancy of the occasion brought the highest European crowd of the season to the Stadio Delle Alpi. After less than 7,000 fans watched the group games against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax, the Italians were out in force to give Liverpool a hostile reception.

From the eloquent "From the heart - no more deaths" and "39 angels looking down with pride on we the black and white people" that was draped across the face of the west stand to the more blunt banner of "You are uglier than Camilla", the home fans were determined to match the colour and intensity of Anfield last week.

But, as the sickening "15-4-89 Sheffield - God exists" illustrated, there were darker reasons behind the attendance of many and, encouraged by the curious absence of police from the Liverpool section, they started an exchange of missiles with the away support 10 minutes before kick-off.

Order was restored the second the teams stepped into the arena, while the order of the second half at Anfield reasserted itself once the game began.

Juventus dominated in terms of possession, patiently working the ball out wide as Liverpool's two banks of four sat comfortably tight in front of the recalled Jerzy Dudek.

Yet once again they struggled to create clear-cut chances, bar a glaring miss by Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 11th minute, and despite Liverpool's over-riding defensive work the visitors still had enough openings to punish Juventus on the counter.

Antonio Nunez should have prospered from the first real opportunity of the night when Liverpool broke through Milan Baros in the ninth minute. But the Czech Republic striker failed to release his pass in time for the Spaniard's overlap and Fabio Cannavaro smothered the danger.

That was a moment of promise for Liverpool. The next sight on goal was a bona fide gift that should have brought Juventus the early breakthrough they craved. Gianluca Zambrotta broke clear of Steve Finnan on the left, the home side's most threatening outlet all game, and delivered a superb cross in behind the Liverpool defence that fell perfectly for Ibrahimovic.

The Swedish international had been the Bianconeri's brightest star early on, but side-footed high over Dudek's goal from only six yards when it seemed easier to score.

It was a crucial miss, increasing the tension on Juve and the anxiety among the crowd. Ideal for Liverpool, who were never troubled again until the 76th minute.

Carragher was imperious as Benitez's side answered every question asked of them, throwing himself in front of Emerson's shot, Ibrahimovic's turn and magnetically getting his head on the end of almost every cross. He was helped in no small measure by his colleagues, with Djimi Traore intercepting several raids, Igor Biscan a tireless worker in midfield and Baros a willing outlet.

Luis Garcia was just denied by Gianluigi Buffon as he almost continued his outstanding Champions League run of goals when released by Finnan's fine chip as Juventus's lauded rearguard appeared vulnerable in comparison to Liverpool's.

For all the disruption caused by their constant injury problems, it was Liverpool who displayed the virtues more readily associated with Italian football.

And they nearly confirmed their semi-final place as early as the 50th minute when Baros was inches away from converting the pass of the game.

The provider would probably not have been on the pitch but for the absence of Gerrard, yet Alonso justified his inclusion with an exquisite 30-yard ball that released the striker goal-side of Lilian Thuram. Baros then held off Paolo Montero and beat Buffon with a low shot that appeared destined for the far corner, only for his hard work to count for nothing as the ball rolled agonisingly wide.

Buoyed by the chance, Liverpool produced their most sustained spell of pressure thereafter and found the route to goal much easier than their opponents, although Dudek had to be alert when Emerson headed Mauro Camoranesi's free-kick goalwards.

The fact the first save of the game arrived in the 65th minute was testament to Liverpool's assured resilience.

No matter where the Juventus threat came from a red shirt would invariably block its path and, just to add to the feeling Liverpool could defy the odds, Cisse stepped off the bench 15 minutes from time to complete his astonishing recovery from a double fracture of the leg.

Moments later they survived their second major scare of the night when Cannavaro, just as he had done in the first leg, climbed highest at the back post but headed Alessandro Del Piero's free-kick against the post. If that was a fortunate reprieve, Liverpool had earned it.

From the misery of Manchester City to the joy of Juventus within five days.

Benitez is probably beyond understanding the peaks and troughs of his rollercoaster side. Once again, however, they were flawless in Europe and can genuinely begin to dream of a place in the Istanbul final next month.

Chelsea may have beaten them three times already this season but as the Stamford Bridge side showed against Arsenal last term, the sequence cannot stretch to five. Surely?

With Juventus deservedly despatched, Liverpool will not fear anyone now.

Forget Michael Caine in the Italian Job, it is the men from Anfield who have now pulled off the most audacious heist Turin has ever known.

JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Buffon; Thuram, Montero (Pessotto 83), Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi (Appiah 84), Olivera (Zalayeta 46), Emerson, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Del Piero. Subs: Chimenti, Birindelli, Blasi, Masiello.
BOOKINGS: Ibrahimovic, Zambrotta (fouls).

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Nunez (Smicer 58), Alonso, Biscan, Riise; Garcia (Le Tallec 85), Baros (Cisse 75). Subs: Carson, Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
BOOKINGS: Alonso (dissent), Garcia, Finnan (fouls).

REFEREE: Nikolai Ivanov (Russia)

ATT: 59,400

RADIO.BLOG

Paul Rogers 11 April 2005

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Juventus on Wednesday night after failing to recover from a groin strain at the weekend.

The Liverpool captain suffered an adductor strain in the final minutes of Liverpool's 1-nil defeat to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday and was today ruled out of the trip to Turin by medical staff at the club's Melwood training complex.

A spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club confirmed Gerrard would not travel with the squad to Turin on Tuesday but will stay at Melwood for further treatment. Club doctors are hopeful Gerrard may be able to recover in time to be involved in Liverpool's game against Tottenham at Anfield on Saturday.

Link: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148441050411-1308.htm

Owen delighted by Bernabeu ovation - Michael Owen insisted his future lies with Real Madrid after he received a standing ovation from the fans for his display in the 4-2 win over Barcelona.

Paul Eaton 07 April 2005

Fernando Morientes has described Xabi Alonso's return to fitness as "the best possible news" for Liverpool fans.

Alonso successfully came through a 45 minute run-out for the reserves last night after recovering from a broken ankle and could be in line for a place in the squad at Manchester City this weekend.

Morientes insists the Spanish midfielders's return couldn't be better timed as the Reds look to leapfrog Everton into fourth and continue their adventure in the Champions League.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Xabi is a great player, one of the best midfielders in the game and so to have him back to fitness is the best possible news any Liverpool fan could hope for.

"We have so many big games left to play this season and we're going to need our top players. He has recovered well from his injury and I know all the lads are glad to have him back again."

Morientes admits confidence in the camp is high following the victory over Juventus but he insists that result must be put to one side for now as the Reds look forward to Saturday's Premiership clash at Manchester City.

"Everyone is on a high at the moment because of the Juventus result but we know the job isn't finished yet," he said. "We are going to have to play very well defensively over there to get through the tie, but I believe we can do it. But before that we need to win at the weekend.

"The whole occasion against Juventus was magnificent. I can't even find the words to talk about the supporters on the night. They were incredible. All I can say is that fans from other clubs should look at the Liverpool supporters and learn from them. They are amazing.

"I know all the players want to reward the fans for their backing this season. It was always going to be a transitional season with it being the manager's first year here, but I think we're now seeing signs of what the future holds."

Morientes admits he's gutted at not being able to play a part in Liverpool's Champions League campaign this season, but he's now fully fit after injury and preparing to lead the line at Manchester City on Saturday.

He said: "I've been training properly this week and feel good now. Of course I'm disappointed I can't play in the Champions League, but I knew the situation before I came to the club. It does bug me, but there's nothing I can do.

"It just means I want to do even better in the Premier League games. I'm happy with the way I've started at Liverpool and I want to make sure I end the season having scored some more goals for the club."

Link: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148411050407-1353.htm

Our top secret Anfield source states: "PAUL McCartney told me PERSONALLY that he was a red. I challenged him on the matter in front of Heather, Lillian McManus (Elvis’s Mum) and Elton John (I kid you not). Paul had always shown sympathies towards the Reds, but his ‘road to Damascus’ was a night at the Liverpool Empire and the 1978 European Cup winning team. Well it would have won ME over!”

No concrete evidence of Starr and Lennon, but rumours Lennon was a fan.

Harrison allegedly went to some Liverpool games and may well have been that way inclined…but it is sadly an area around which some mystery exists.

PS: Nowt to do with Football, but in an unreleased track from Spring 1967 by Ringo and John, there is a great spoken ‘nightclub’ voice–over saying: “Welcome to Edge Hill Social Club…” Nice little local reference.

Liverpool legend and former Juventus striker Ian Rush has reflected sadly on the May 1985 event that shamed football and admitted that it was the one time in his life that he didn’t care whether Liverpool won or lost.
This week’s Champions League quarter-final between Liverpool and Juventus is inevitably evoking painful memories of the Heysel tragedy of 20 years ago, when 39 people – all but one of them Italian football fans – lost their lives before the 1985 European Cup final.

Rush was a player in Liverpool’s dressing room that night as the horror unfolded on the crumbling terraces. He also went on to play one season for Juventus (1987-88) before returning to his beloved Liverpool.

Currently managing Chester City in England’s League 2, Rush has revealed that when Uefa ordered the final to go ahead, he surveyed the wreckage of the terraces and immediately wondered what he was doing there.

"It was the only game, right from being a kid, when I wasn’t bothered whether we won or lost," he said.

"As a professional, I approached every game, even friendlies, with a fierce determination to win. That time, I honestly did not care.

"I just wanted to get it over with and find my family. I had never felt like that before."

There have been one or two suggestions that some Juve fans may seek revenge at some stage during the forthcoming two-legged quarter-final between the clubs – their first meeting since Heysel - but Rush is confident the two games will be peaceful.

And he personally is pleased that the two have been paired together.

"We have been waiting 20 years for this game and it has come at the right time.

"You can’t switch off from what happened two decades ago. It will never be forgotten but what we must do is learn from the mistakes and move on.

"Relationships have been built since that night and the two clubs are closer now than they have ever been.

"I can guarantee the reception the Juventus supporters will receive at Anfield on Tuesday will be second to none and that is one of the reasons why these two games will be so special."

The bookmakers make Juve strong favourites to progress to the semi-finals at the expense of the current Liverpool side, especially since Pavel Nedved is expected to be available again after injury.

And although Rush wants Liverpool to win, he admires Juve, whom he enjoyed playing for, albeit for only a short time.

"I became a better person on and off the pitch because of my time at Juventus," he said.

"The game over there was a bit different but no-one could argue it is not a fantastic club.

"The whole reason I went there was because people told me it was the Liverpool of Italy. It was just unfortunate for me that I was one of seven new players and when you talk about it to people now, they say I went there at just the wrong time.

"My memories of Juventus just make me look forward to Tuesday’s game even more.

"It is going to be a special night and I really believe whoever wins will go on to the final. I just hope it is Liverpool".

BISCAN TAKES REDS ONE POINT BEHIND BLUES
Paul Eaton 02 April 2005

Liverpool are just one point behind Everton in the race for fourth following a late Igor Biscan header against Bolton at Anfield.
The Croatian struck just five minutes from time from Djimi Traore's deep cross to send Anfield into ecstacy.

It had looked for so long as though the breakthrough was never going to come as Liverpool struggled to break down a stubborn Bolton back line but Biscan, so often criticised during his Reds' career, was in the right place at the right time at the back post to give the Reds a vital win in the race for Champions League football next season.

The result means Liverpool now lie just one point behind Everton ahead of the Blues' visit to the Midlands on Sunday to face West Bromwich Albion.

Liverpool struggled to cope with Bolton's direct style of play in the early stages and almost conceded an opening goal after just five minutes when Steve Finnan somehow headed Stelios' goalbound shot off his own line.

It was the visitors' making all the running early on as the Reds tried to become accustomed to their new team set-up, which saw John Welsh and Igor Biscan in the centre of midfield and Steven Gerrard playing just behind Luis Garcia in attack.

It was Gerrard who went closest to scoring for the home side in the first half when his low drive from a 25 yard free kick was well kept out by Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

Antonio Nunez came close to giving the Reds a dream start to the second half when his well struck shot on the volley from John Arne Riise's deep cross forced the Bolton 'keeper into a smart save at his near post.

Liverpool went even closer after 56 minutes when Riise got on the end of Nunez's cross and saw his low shot from a tight angle scrambled off the line by Bolton defender Ben Haim.

Benitez used all three substitutes during the second half, introducing Anthony Le Tallec, Vladimir Smicer and Fernando Morientes in a bid to find a goal, but as the minutes ticked by it looked like it wasn't going to be the Reds' day.

Then, with the clock showing 85 minutes, Traore dribbled along the goal line before chipping to the far post for Biscan to head home.

Full time: Liverpool 1-0 Bolton

LINK: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148343050402-1654.htm