Friday, May 25, 2007

Xabi desires Reds stay

Xabi wants to stay at Liverpool.

The midfield schemer has proved his class in his three seasons at Anfield, with his assured displays in the engine room winning him many fans.

A number of teams in Spain have been monitoring Alonso's situation and the likes of Barcelona were placed on alert when reports suggested The Reds were ready to offload the 25-year-old.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez dismissed suggestions he was looking to sell Alonso and the former Real Sociedad man has confirmed his intention to remain on Merseyside.

'It's great to be a part of Liverpool,' Alonso told the Daily Mirror. 'I like it here.'

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:13 AM 0 comments

Rafa moving for Owen?

Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have vowed to back boss Rafa Benitez in the summer transfer market.

And American Gillett has not discounted a move for former Reds striker Michael Owen, whose future at Newcastle has been the topic of intense speculation.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:10 AM 0 comments

Pennant looking to be a Red Next Season

Jermaine Pennant's Liverpool future could have been cemented after earning rave reviews for his performance in the Champions League final.

The winger started Wednesday night's game against AC Milan as something of shock selection, but ended his night in Athens believing he was firmly part of manager Rafael Benitez's plans.

The former Arsenal winger has taken time to settle at Anfield, and would have been on many pundits' lists of players who could easily have been moved on in the summer. His lively play during the final -- one of few bright spots -- may have ensured his place in Rafa's overhauled side.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:08 AM 0 comments

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Carra: "Reds must do better"

Jamie Carragher's cold assessment of Liverpool's failure in Athens was brutally clear: "We were just not good enough."

Anfield's lion-hearted defender saw AC Milan grab their opener from a free-kick deflected past Jose Reina by Filippo Inzaghi's arm, before a late break through the Reds' defence by the same striker as Liverpool were pressing desperately for an equaliser.

Dirk Kuyt's late effort was not enough to haul the final into extra-time, and Carragher said: "The honest truth is that we were not good enough.

"There's no point making excuses, Milan just about deserved it. But nobody remembers the runners-up, we know we did not do enough.

"I am not going to moan about things that went against us. We did not do enough and we must pick ourselves up and have another go next season."

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 1:55 PM 0 comments

Rafa: "We must spend big"

Rafa has vowed to start rebuilding his side immediately after the Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in Athens.

Out-of-contract players Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler are leaving and Benitez revealed Mark Gonzalez and Boudewijn Zenden may follow them out of the club.

'We have a deal nearly completed for Gonzalez and I have told Bolo that he can talk to other clubs,' said Benitez.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 1:55 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Liverpool Champions League 2007 Teamsheet

posted by LFC in Toronto at 2:30 PM 0 comments

Gerrard: We won't let you down

Steven Gerrard heads into the Olympic Stadium tonight with a pledge to the Liverpool fans dreaming of a sixth European Cup: 'You know we won’t let you down.'

Whatever the result against AC Milan in Athens, Gerrard says the players have shown enough times in the past they'll give everything for the red shirt.

And although the skipper would prefer a more orthodox route to success than that which saw him inspire Liverpool to victory from a 3-0 deficit in 2005, he says the same spirit will be on show tonight.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 12:10 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Rafa: '"We deserve to be here -- now let's win it!"

Rafa has told his players not to waste their opportunity to seize more Champions League glory inside the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night.

At a light-hearted and occasionally jovial pre-match press conference deep in the bowels of the Athens stadium, the Liverpool manager spoke passionately about his determination to bring European football's most important trophy back to Anfield once again.

Benitez fielded numerous questions from journalists from many countries during his half hour in front of the cameras - but his message throughout to his players remained the same: 'Make yourselves heroes'.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 3:03 PM 0 comments

Liverpool and AC Milan greatest teams of Europe?

When Liverpool face AC Milan in Athens tomorrow night, they will be taking part in their seventh final European Final. That is five more than Celtic, United and England's only other multiple winners, Nottingham Forest.

In fact, only Real Madrid (12), Milan (11 tomorrow) and Bayern Munich (8) have appeared in more.

It has hardly been just a matter of making up the numbers, either. Liverpool have carried off the trophy with big ears, as some like to call it, no fewer than five times. That puts them level with Bayern and one behind Milan. Only Real, masters of this tournament from its inception in 1956, are way ahead with nine.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 3:01 PM 1 comments

Benitez to revamp squad

Rafa is preparing to make wholesale changes to the Reds squad - even if they win the Champions League final tomorrow.

'The final has to be just a stopping point on the way,' said Benitez.

'We can improve and the team must be pro-active. We can improve by bringing in players with character and quality. We need to keep going forward.'

posted by LFC in Toronto at 2:57 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 18, 2007

Milan Scared -- Riise

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.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:58 AM 0 comments

AC Milan v Liverpool

Rafa Benitez has confirmed goalkeeper Jose Reina is fit for Wednesday's Champions League final against AC Milan 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 Spaniard has trained normally all week in La Manga and is available - as is back-up keeper Jerzy Dudek.

Milan defender Paolo Maldini has been bothered by a knee injury, but is set to start his eighth European Cup final.

Liverpool go into the game definitely without injured duo Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio, while Benitez is hopeful Mohamed Sissoko will be available.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:53 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Rafa considering Kewell?

Harry Kewell has given Rafa Benitez a Champions League final selection headache.

Liverpool will do battle with AC Milan in Athens next Wednesday in a repeat of their epic 2005 showdown.

And Aussie winger Kewell is now in the running to figure against the Rossoneri after impressing against Charlton on Sunday.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:26 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Gerrard set to sign new deal

Steven Gerrard is set to sign a new four-year contract with Liverpool.

The 26-year-old has two years left on his current deal but the Reds are keen to tie him down to a new one.

'Talks are progressing and I am ready to sign a new contract any time now. As soon as the contract is put in front of me I will sign it,' he said.

New owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are also willing to agree a £120,000 weekly wage for the England midfielder, who is also captain at Anfield.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 3:00 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Reds given measly 17,000 seats

Liverpool have "done well" to get 17,000 tickets for the Champions League final in Athens, according to UEFA.

Anger is high on Merseyside that less than half of the number of Reds in Istanbul two years ago will be able to see the final re-match with AC Milan.

Liverpool and AC Milan have both been given 17,000 tickets, while 20,000 will go to the 'UEFA family' of corporate guests and officials. A further 9,000 were sold in February to 'neutral fans'.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:39 AM 0 comments

Ferguson chimes in

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Liverpool have no chance of beating AC Milan in the Champions League final on 23 May.

Milan beat United in the semi-finals to set up a repeat of the 2005 final, which Liverpool won on penalties.

Ferguson told the Sun: 'I'd bet for sure that Milan will win the Champions League. I'm absolutely certain of it.'

Ferguson plans to raise a glass (and the rest of the bottle) in salute.

- Hope you choke on it Sir.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:34 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

FA charges Brown after headbutt

Fulham midfielder Michael Brown has been charged with violent conduct after headbutting Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.

Brown clashed with Alonso in the first-half of Fulham's 1-0 win on Saturday, leaving the Spaniard with a bloody nose.

Brown has until 1800 GMT on Wednesday to answer the charge and his case will be heard by the FA's disciplinary commission on Thursday.

The charge carries an automatic three-match ban.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 2:45 PM 0 comments

Finnan fingers Kewell to start

Steve Finnan believes Harry Kewell could exorcise the ghosts of Istanbul and play 'a big part' in the Champions League final.

It could be a case of deja vu for Liverpool winger Kewell, who was a surprise selection for the 2005 showpiece against AC Milan after a long injury lay-off.

If selected against the same opponents in Athens on May 23, Kewell will face almost exactly the same scenario as two years ago after missing the whole of this season.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:08 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 07, 2007

FA to probe Brown headbutt

The FA is going to look into disciplinary action for Michael Brown. Rafa has been very critical of the officials for missing the headbutt that took Alonso out of the weekend match with a bleeding nose.

An FA spokesman said: 'We will ask the officials what action they would have taken had they seen the incidents - and any charges will be based on that.'

If any charges are announced on Tuesday, the players would have until Wednesday to respond and, under the fast-track system, a disciplinary hearing would take place on Thursday.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:33 AM 0 comments

Dudek saying goodbye to Kop

Jerzy Dudek admits he will be a wreck on Sunday when he says goodbye to Anfield.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who helped Liverpool defeat AC Milan in the Champions League final in a penalty shoot-out two years ago, is moving on.

No sooner had the applause died down for his heroic display in Istanbul than he found himself as back-up to new recruit Jose Reina. Dudek will be out of contract at the end of the season.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:28 AM 0 comments

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Fulham 1 - Liverpool 0

Clint Dempsey's first goal for Fulham secured a narrow win over Liverpool to ease their relegation worries.

Liverpool should have been ahead by the time substitute Dempsey sidefooted the ball past Jose Reina on 68 minutes.

With the Champions League final looming, Liverpool's side, with nine changes, was unrecognisable from the one that got the better of Chelsea in midweek.

Along with Jermaine Pennant, goalkeeper Jose Reina was the other player not be rested and the Spaniard, who saved two penalties in Tuesday's shootout, kept Fulham at bay until Dempsey's goal.

Xabi Alonso had to go off for a treatment for a bloody nose after he appeared to be headbutted by Michael Brown, an infringement that went unpunished as referee Steve Bennett was looking the other way.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:59 PM 0 comments

Friday, May 04, 2007

Liverpool v Chelsea -
You'll Never Walk Alone


Liverpool v Chelsea -- May 1, 2007 -- Supporters sing "You'll Never Watch Alone" at Anfield.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:16 AM 0 comments

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Rafa wary of Milan

Rafa has warned his players to be wary of a 'dangerous' AC Milan team in the Champions League final later this month.

The Italians swept aside Manchester United in the semi-final second leg at the San Siro on Wednesday to set up a rematch of their 2005 encounter when, from 3-0 up at half-time, they eventually lost on penalties to the Merseysiders.

Benitez believes Milan will be driven by revenge for that shock defeat and has urged his team not to underestimate the task ahead.

'It's clear we are going to play a team with players with a great attitude and quality,' said the Spaniard, whose own side saw off the challenge of Chelsea on penalties to reach the Athens final.

'You could see by how hard they worked last night. They are desperate to win the Champions League and after what happened two years ago we must be very careful.

'They are a very dangerous opponent for us.'

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 1:20 PM 0 comments

Gillett on the astounding atmosphere of Anfield

George Gillett believes nothing in world sport compares to what he experienced at Anfield on Tuesday night.

And while the American knew he was buying something special when he arrived on Merseyside earlier this year, he admits it has only this week dawned on him what it means to be part of Liverpool Football Club.

"What can I say after Tuesday night? It was magical," said Gillett.
"It was like attending the greatest sports event you ever go to on steroids. Nothing can compare to it.

"I couldn't have imagined when we bought the club the kinds of experiences we've already had. David Moores told me I had to understand what it was like and I would nod and say, 'Yes, we understand'.

"Really, neither I, Foster or the Hicks family could say we did. This is so much bigger and so much more important to so many people than we could ever have imagined.

"We walked around town on Tuesday to see some of the sights. There was a lot of singing going on, and I know this may shock a few people, but there was quite a lot of beer drinking. And I'm sure there was a lot after the game, too!"

posted by LFC in Toronto at 1:16 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

It's AC Milan once again.

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.

First half strikes from Kaka and Clarence Seedorf quickly turned the tie around after United's 3-2 first leg victory while Gilardino added a third late on to seal an emphatic 5-3 aggregate victory for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

And so just two years after the two clubs played out the greatest ever Champions League final in Istanbul, they will meet again in Athens on May 23 in a bid to land European football's top prize.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 4:56 PM 0 comments

Gillett blown away by Rafa

[from LFC.tv] George Gillett basked in the euphoria of watching Liverpool book their place in the Champions League final and then paid a glowing tribute to manager Rafael Benitez.

Gillett watched proudly from the Director's Box last night as Benitez led the Reds to the seventh European Cup final in the club's history.

A date in Athens now beckons on May 23 when Liverpool will take on AC Milan ... for the biggest prize in European football.

"Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe," said Gillett.

"We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach.

"Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. He knows what he wants and how to get it.

"The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become. We have talked money but that is not the main point. We have discovered that the way people operate privately is not always the same as in public.

Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe.

We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach.

"We will be supporting him during the summer but it is not about money, it is about giving people opportunities."

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 4:53 PM 0 comments

Parry's Athens Security Concerns

Rick Parry has expressed security concerns should the Champions League final be an all-English affair.

Manchester United will set up just such a scenario if they manage to overcome AC Milan in the second leg of their semi-final.

'There will be concerns from a security point of view if it's two English teams, sadly,' Parry told BBC Radio Five Live the morning after his side booked their place in the Athens showpiece.

'There will be issues we'll have to address. There will be a lot of supporters from both teams travelling without tickets, which the authorities will have to deal with.

'A lot of careful thought and planning would definitely be required.'

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:15 AM 0 comments

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea (Agg: 1-1)

Liverpool have booked their place in the Champions League final with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in the semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Dirk Kuyt scored the crucial spot-kick to clinch a 4-1 win after Arjen Robben and Geremi had missed for the Blues.

Daniel Agger cancelled out Chelsea's first-leg lead in the first half with a crisp finish from Steven Gerrard's superbly disguised left-wing free-kick.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:13 AM 0 comments

Parry mocks Mourinho

Rick Parry has belittled Chelsea's achievements this season following their Champions League exit at the hands of the Reds.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho was reported to have described Liverpool as a small club and a cup team before the game.

'I don't care what he says, I don't listen,' Parry told Radio Five Live.

'I guess when you've invested £500m it's a fantastic season to win the League Cup. He's welcome to his opinions, we care about Liverpool.'

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:11 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Alonso Confident

Xabi Alonso believes that if Liverpool can score tonight at Anfield, they will reach the Champions League final.

Liverpool trail 1-0 from the first leg at Stanford Bridge so it's imperative that they do not concede an away goal.

The Spaniard claims that Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina is now better than Petr Cech and backs his compatriot to keep a clean sheet against the Premiership champions.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:38 AM 0 comments