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SATURDAY 21 |
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Eriksson warns of Crespo threat
Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned Liverpool to guard against
the threat of Chelsea flop Hernan Crespo when they bid for
Champions League glory against AC Milan in Istanbul on
Wednesday.
Eriksson knows at first hand of the qualities of Crespo from
his time in charge of Lazio - but he admits Milan coach
Carlos Ancelotti has always brought the best out of the
striker.
And the England coach, who will fly out on Tuesday with his
squad for the two-match tour of the United States, has told
the Reds to pay little heed to Crespo's unsuccessful time at
Stamford Bridge.
Crespo is currently on loan from Chelsea to Milan with the
possibility of a permanent deal being struck during the
summer.
"I get asked if Crespo has something to prove to English
football but he has always been a very good player - even if
he was maybe not that successful with Chelsea," he said.
"He has always scored goals but the best of Crespo has
always come with Ancelotti. He was desperate to have him
back with Milan, having had him at Parma before that where
he scored a lot of goals.
"Ancelotti always talks lyrically about Crespo so it's a
good team between them. Liverpool have to concentrate on a
lot of players and Andriy Shevchenko's pace is, of course,
incredible.
"But Crespo is very clever in the box with the right runs
and the right timing. There are a lot of good strikers in
Italy but he's one of the top ones. Every year in Italy he
has been among the three or four best goalscorers."
(Sporting Life)
Barnes hails masterful Reds
Anfield legend John Barnes is backing Liverpool to conquer
Europe for a record fifth time because they have "mastered
the art of playing Champions League football".
"Of course they can beat AC Milan in a one-off game," said
Barnes.
"Reaching the final is a marvellous achievement. In the
Champions League they have been the best team. They have
transcended from playing league football to European
football better than anybody else.
"If you look at all the teams, from the Italian teams, to
the French teams to the Spanish, they play quite similarly
in their leagues to the European Cup whereas Liverpool this
year have mastered the art of playing Champions League
football."
(TEAMtalk)
Baros responds to Anfield exit talk
Liverpool striker Milan Baros has responded to the
speculation that he's set to be off-loaded in the summer.
It is widely accepted that the Czech international is facing
the bullet following a below-par season and for displaying a
poor attitude in training. Rafa is looking for a replacement
and will sell if a buyer can be found.
Baros was expected to be a big hit this season following his
form at Euro 2004 but he never delivered. It would seem that
he's not happy, as to why we don't know but his agent has
been touting him around Europe for ages and Liverpool know
this.
When asked about his future, Baros said: "I'm still
committed to Liverpool and I still have a contract here.
"We can sort out what's happening with me after the final,
but all I want to focus on for now is the Champions League
and we'll be discussing my position later."
(Kop Talk)
Hargreaves hints at Anfield move
Owen Hargreaves has revealed he would be interested in a
move to Liverpool after they were linked with a £2.5m deal
for the England midfield man.
The 24-year-old is expected to leave Bayern Munich at the
end of the season.
And he said: "Liverpool are a very interesting club. They
are a very strong team and it is clear they have a bright
future under Rafael Benitez.
"But really I don't want to say more until the German cup
final against Schalke 04 is out of the way."
Spurs and Blackburn have also been linked with Hargreaves,
but reports suggest Liverpool are now favourites to complete
a summer deal.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is understood to have told
Hargreaves his chances of making the squad for the 2006
World Cup in Germany would be improved by a move to the
Premiership.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez ignores Milan taunts
Rafael Benitez has told his Liverpool stars to close their
ears to criticism coming out of the AC Milan camp.
The Italian giants have been quick this week to decry the
Reds as boring and defensive.
But the Anfield chief insists he is not listening, and he
wants the same reaction from his players as they prepare for
Wednesday's Champions League final in Istanbul.
He said: "I'm not interested in what people say about us,
certainly not before the game. Afterwards, maybe. I'm only
concerned with preparation and winning, and it's not
important what people say, and I don't need any more
motivation.
"You shouldn't lose your concentration talking or worrying
about things that are said. It's 90 minutes against a good
team, they have weak points, we have weak points, we need to
be strong and to profit from their weak points."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool close in on Hargreaves
Rafael Benítez will continue to reshape his Liverpool squad
by moving to sign the England international Owen Hargreaves
from Bayern Munich this summer, reviving the midfielder's
hopes of featuring in next year's World Cup finals in the
process.
(The Guardian)
Benitez warned off o'Neil
Champions League finalists Liverpool have been told by
Portsmouth that a move for England under-21 skipper Gary
o'Neil will be blocked by Milan Mandaric.
The Pompey chief sees o'Neil as one of the key players for
the club to build its future team around. His quick
dismissal of the player's availability should make that very
clear to Rafael Benitez, if he was interested in signing the
player at all.
(talklfc.com)
Belgian chance for Le Tallec
Liverpool are reportedly ready to offer Anderlecht the
chance to sign Anthony Le Tallec on loan.
The French starlet has struggled to make an impact at
Anfield under Rafa Benitez and may be shipped out again next
term.
(Sky Sports)
Juventus handed title as Milan's finest
are rested for Liverpool
Juventus claimed their 28th Serie A title last night after
their rivals Milan were held to a 3-3 draw at home by
Palermo. The result leaves Juventus, who have two games
remaining, four points clear of Milan who have just one more
match to play.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, fielded a virtual reserve
side against Palermo, giving a big clue to his starting
line-up for Wednesday's Champions' League final with
Liverpool in Istanbul.
Ancelotti's decision to play with his second string in
effect handed the Serie A title to Juventus. A victory for
Milan would have kept them in the hunt, mathematically at
least.
Of the 11 players who started the match at the San Siro,
only Hernan Crespo might be expected to feature in the
starting XI on Wednesday in Turkey. Crespo was substituted
after 63 minutes by Filippo Inzaghi in an indication that he
might start on Wednesday alongside the European footballer
of the year Andrei Shevchenko.
(The Independent) |
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FRIDAY 20 |
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Fans to miss Euro parade
Liverpool will hold their Champions League victory parade
less than 24 hours after the final.
The homecoming procession, to be staged only if Liverpool
win, would go ahead when thousands of fans were still in
Turkey.
A route has already been finalised after meetings with
council officials and police chiefs with the tour likely to
begin shortly after the team arrives back from Istanbul.
A senior council official today told the ECHO plans were at
an advanced stage to hold a parade on the Sunday after the
match - until Liverpool intervened and brought it forward to
the Thursday.
Steven Kelly, editor of Liverpool fanzine Through The Wind
And Rain, is one of many fans who will still be travelling
back from Istanbul.
He said: "I would rather be at the match and miss the
parade, but it shouldn't come to this.
"If the players and the club want to go around the city with
half the fans still in Turkey, that's up to them.
"Things like this undermine people's loyalty to the club."
(Liverpool Echo)
'I think about the final 24/7 - I even
dream about it'
Steven Gerrard stands just one game away from becoming
immortalised in Liverpool's rich tapestry of European glory.
Those famous photographs of former captains Emlyn Hughes,
Phil Thompson and Graeme Souness lifting the European Cup
are revered as sacred art by Reds fans.
Victory in Istanbul next Wednesday would see Gerrard join
that elite band of leaders.
The 24- year- old admits he dreams of emulating his
predecessors.
"I think about it 24/7," he said. "Ever since we beat
Chelsea I have been dreaming about it. I would love nothing
better than to score in the final, but the most important
thing is we play well, get the win and I lift the trophy."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds announce summer tour of Japan
Liverpool will return to the Land of the Rising Sun for the
first time in 21 years as part of their preparations for the
2005/06 season.
The club today announced that they will play two friendly
fixtures against major J-League club's in Japan at the end
of July and Liverpoolfc.tv will be with them every step of
the way.
Rafael Benitez's men will open their mini tour against
Shimizu S Pulse on the July 27 at the Nihondaira Sports
Stadium (capacity 20,339) before taking on Kashima Antlers
three days later at the Kashima Soccer Stadium (capacity
39,026).
The Reds last visited Japan in 1984, when they lost the
World Club Championship to Independiente in Tokyo. They also
played in the Japanese capital three years previous against
Flamengo, a game they also lost.
(LFC Official Website)
Riise heaps praise on Benitez
John Arne Riise reported back for pre-season training with
Liverpool wondering what the immediate future held for him.
The arrival of Rafael Benitez as successor to Gerard
Houllier led to that traditional feeling of uncertainty in
the dressing room when a new boss checks in.
Riise, 24, need not have worried. All it took was a couple
of warm-up matches and the Spanish coach was won over.
Going into the Champions League final, the Norway
international has played more matches than any other
Liverpool player in the current campaign - 56, 37
Premiership matches and all 14 in their march to the
showdown against AC Milan.
Riise puts his remarkable run of good form down to one man.
"My consistency is because Rafael Benitez has given me the
confidence I need,"
he said.
(Sporting Life)
Dudek not worried
Jerzy Dudek says he will not be worried if the European Cup
final goes to penalties.
AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he expects
Wednesday's game to go to a shoot-out, but if he is correct
it will not worry Jerzy Dudek.
"I haven't necessarily practised penalties because as a
goalkeeper you just watch and try to judge what the taker is
going to do." said the Pole.
"But I think the most pressure is on the player to score
anyway and not so much
on the keeper."
(LFC Online)
City let McManaman go
Manchester City are releasing former England midfielder
Steve McManaman, the club said on Friday. The 33-year-old,
who began his career at Liverpool and won the European Cup
twice with Real Madrid, will leave at the end of his
contract next month, City said on their website.
(Eurosport)
Seedorf convinced that Rossoneri can
triumph
There's a very good reason why AC Milan should listen to the
advice of Clarence Seedorf if they are to be crowned
European champions for the seventh time.
The experienced midfielder is the only player to have won
the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax, Real
Madrid and current club Milan.
Seedorf is now looking to add another title to his
outstanding curriculum by helping the Italians beat
Liverpool in Wednesday's European final in Istanbul.
"We know it's going to a very difficult game against
Liverpool but we are ready,"
said Seedorf.
(Daily Post)
Kewell set for summer surgery
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Harry
Kewell will be facing surgery on his troublesome groin this
summer.
Australian coach Frank Farina said that it was doubtful that
Kewell would be available for the Confederations Cup, as he
has been told the winger is to undergo an operation after
the Champions League final on Wednesday against AC Milan.
Farina said, "It's not 100 per cent certain at this stage,
I'm still waiting to speak to Harry myself, but I got a
message that's he going in for the operation, so it doesn't
look good."
Farina is disappointed but understanding of Kewell's
situation: "After the season he's had, I can understand why
he's doing it. I would have loved him to come to Germany
but, as I've always said, it's what happens at the end of
the year which counts." Australia have World Cup play-offs
at the end of the year.
(Anfield Road.com)
Liverpool join chase for £5million Saints
star
England new boy Peter Crouch is a target for the Reds after
Southampton's relegation from the Premiership
Crouch's displays this season have earned him a host of new
admirers as well as a call-up to the England squad and
although Southampton are keen to keep him, Liverpool's
interest will tempt the player.
(Fans FC)
No penalty practise for Reds
Rafael Benitez has revealed he won't be asking his Liverpool
players to practise penalties in training as part of their
preparations for the Champions League final.
The final will be decided on a shoot-out if the scores are
level after 120 minutes of action, but the Liverpool boss
feels practising penalties in training is a pointless
exercise.
"I don't believe in practising penalties," he said. "In my
opinion, the most important factor is how you feel on the
day, not if you look good taking a penalty in training.
"You can look the best in practise, but then when you're in
front of all the people inside the stadium, you may get
afraid.
"I don't go into a game like this thinking it's going to go
to penalties. I only think about winning the match. Maybe if
we get to extra time, then I'll consider who takes
penalties."
(LFC Official Website)
Istanbul catches Champions League fever
Istanbul, where two English soccer fans were stabbed to
death five years ago, will have 10,000 police and security
personnel on duty when Liverpool meet AC Milan in the
Champions League final on Wednesday.
The city is bracing itself for one of the biggest sporting
events it has held and Istanbul governor Muammer Guler
believes the tight security will prevent any trouble.
"Security headquarters are working with English and Italian
police. They will give us information on any hooligans that
may come and will take measures accordingly. We don't think
there will be any problems in this area," he told Reuters.
(Reuters)
Neal tips Reds for Euro joy
Four-time European Cup winner Phil Neal feels Liverpool will
reach the end of their learning curve and emerge victorious
from their Champions League final with AC Milan.
"Liverpool have earned their spurs," Neal said. "I don't
think they believed they could do it at the start of the
season but they started off magnificently with a win over
Monaco.
"They have gained experience certainly over the last three
or four games. It's been magnificent to see them being put
under pressure when it came to the cut-throat games over two
legs."
(TEAMtalk)
Traore ignores Toffees talk
Liverpool defender Djimi Traore is ignoring transfer talk
linking him with a move to Everton.
Reports have linked Everton with a new move for Traore in
the summer after they tried to sign him last year.
Everton boss David Moyes is a big fan of Traore and believes
he would be a valuable addition to his squad as he can play
at full back and central defence.
The player’s agent Willie McKay knows of Moyes’ interest in
Traore, but insists the player is only concentrating on the
forthcoming UEFA Champions League final with Milan.
“I know David Moyes is a big fan of Djimi,” McKay told
skysports.com.
“He was keen to sign him last summer and he nearly joined
Everton, but Liverpool decided to keep him.
“Obviously the last thing on Djimi’s mind at the minute is a
transfer as he is focusing on playing in the Champions
League final next week.”
(Sky Sports)
I want to join Anfield legends, says
Benitez
Rafael Benitez has admitted he is driven by the thought of
joining Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley in the pantheon of
Liverpool managerial legends.
But he insists he will have only taken a small step towards
that target even if he leads the Anfield club to a fifth
European Cup in Istanbul next week.
Benitez has immersed himself in Liverpool's rich history
since arriving from Valencia last summer, reading several
biographies of Shankly and watching hours of footage from
the club's illustrious past.
And even though he is one victory from ending his first year
in English football with Europe's greatest prize the
Liverpool manager will not be satisfied until he has built a
dynasty to rival the success of his legendary predecessors.
"I want to be at this club for many years and to win a lot
of trophies here. If people talk about me like Shankly and
Paisley then that would be fantastic, but I need a lot more
time to achieve what those two managers achieved."
(Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 19 |
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Gerrard's warning to Italian giants
Steven Gerrard has promised AC Milan a "real fight" in the
Champions League final and warned the Italian favourites not
to under-estimate his Liverpool side.
The Anfield skipper accepts that Liverpool will be the
underdogs in the Istanbul final next Wednesday, and is not
concerned by claims from the Milan camp that the
Merseysiders are defensive.
Gerrard says: "We have always been the underdogs and we will
be the underdogs on the 25th in Istanbul, everyone thinks
Milan will just have to turn up to beat us. But they will be
in for a really big fight, we are up for it and we are
confident that we will be able to surprise everyone again."
He added: "The Champions League has brought out the best
from this side, there is great belief and confidence amongst
us all.
"We have gone all the way to the final and beaten some
fantastic teams and we now are really confident.
"There's a tough task ahead but we are not going to Istanbul
just to enjoy the experience, we are going there to win it."
(Football 365)
I’ve chosen Final XI, reveals Ancelotti
Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has already decided on his
starting line-up for the Champions’ League Final against
Liverpool.
The Rossoneri face the Premiership giants in Turkey on
Wednesday and the tactician has no selection doubts ahead of
the tie.
"I’ve already decided who will play in Istanbul," he said.
"I just need to evaluate the condition of certain players
who haven’t featured too regularly recently."
Milan probable for Champions’ League Final: Dida; Cafu,
Nesta, Stam, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka;
Shevchenko, Crespo
(Channel 4 Sport)
Benitez aims to be Liverpool's best manager
Rafael Benitez wants to take his first step to becoming
Liverpool's greatest manager by beating AC Milan and lifting
the Champions League trophy next Wednesday.
The Spaniard has a lot to live up to with predecessors such
as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan taking Liverpool
to glory.
"In all the clubs I have worked at people talk to me about
statistics, but I would like to leave them to the end of my
time there," Benitez told reporters on Thursday.
"Normally, I have very good statistics. I was at Extremadura
then Tenerife and then Valencia; and I have the best
statistics in the history of each club when I was there.
"I have done it at three clubs. Now I will try and do the
same here. It will be very, very difficult, I know, because
the history of this club is so big.
"But I have 20 years of my life as a manager yet, and I have
four more years left on my contract and that is a lot of
time."
(Reuters)
Final is ‘only’ a game, says Shev
Andriy Shevchenko says Milan must treat the Champions’
League Final against Liverpool like just any other game.
The two teams clash in Istanbul on May 25 and the European
Footballer of the Year believes he has the recipe for
success.
"The most important thing is to remain calm and serene in
the days leading up to the match," he told the Gazzetta
dello Sport.
"The European Cup Final obviously creates pressure as it is
the most important game in the European football calendar.
"But it is important to also remember that it is ‘only’ a
game and you have more of a chance of winning if you don’t
forget that."
(Channel 4 Sport)
We'll work like lions and fight like
tigers
John Arne Riise has warned Champions League favourites AC
Milan that Liverpool will "work like lions and fight like
tigers" in next week's final in Istanbul.
The Norwegian international has been one of Liverpool's
stand-out performers in a dramatic season which has seen
them knock out Italian champions-elect Juventus and
Premiership champions Chelsea. It will climax with the sixth
European Cup final in their history at the Ataturk Stadium.
"You always want to be able to write history at the club you
are playing for, and the whole team is now just one game
away from doing that here at Liverpool," said the
24--year-old left-side player.
"I have always wanted to be in the final of the Champions
League and win it with Liverpool, because that is where this
club belongs."
(Daily Post)
Kaka wants win to keep team-mates quiet
Kaka is determined to win the Champions League final against
Liverpool, not just to write himself into AC Milan's history
books but also to stop his team-mates talking about Milan's
success against Juventus in the 2003 final.
The Brazilian playmaker is one of the few Rossoneri players
who was not part of the side that lifted the trophy at Old
Trafford two years ago having only signed for Milan a few
months later.
Kaka's colleagues still talk about their victory over Juve,
which they clinched in a penalty shoot-out, and that has
only made Kaka eager to get a taste of it himself when Milan
meet Rafael Benitez's outfit in Istanbul on Wednesday.
(Daily Post)
Ruddock's vision of Carra glory
Neil Ruddock believes the Champions League final will finish
goalless but has tipped his old Liverpool team-mate Jamie
Carragher to score the winning spot-kick in a penalty
shoot-out against AC Milan.
Ruddock, the former Reds defender who spent five years at
Anfield in the 1990s, has been pleasantly shocked by his old
club's progress to the final in Istanbul next week.
"Defensively, in Europe, Liverpool have been the best team
there. If you can keep Chelsea out for 180 minutes, they can
keep Milan out for 90, that's for sure.
(Sporting Life)
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Thor Zakariassen
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