Eto'o tips up Liverpool triumph
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o believes Liverpool can defeat AC Milan in Athens on Wednesday and claim their sixth European Cup.
However, the Cameroonian striker said he anticipated a tight game between the English and Italian sides.
"Liverpool can win. They have a lot of qualities, but I believe that none of that will matter in the final," said Eto'o.
"It all depends on how the team perform on the day and it is impossible to tell until they are on the pitch. In such an evenly-balanced game, the team which plays best on the day will win," he added.
(TEAMtalk)

Pennant & Zenden tipped to start
Wingers Jermaine Pennant and Bolo Zenden are being tipped to start the Champions League Final against AC Milan on Wednesday night in Athens - with Steven Gerrard moving into an advanced position behind Dirk Kuyt up front.
Zenden has been struggling with a slight knock but has been passed fit and is now thought to be Rafa Benitez’s choice to start on the left of midfield, ahead of Harry Kewell. The reasoning for this widely being that Zenden offers more tactical discipline after playing in both the Chelsea semi final matches and therefore knowing the systems of play Benitez will employ.
(This is Anfield) 
 
Champions winner could pocket extra money
The winner of Wednesday's Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool could earn as much as 100 million euros (68 million pounds) in rising sponsorship and TV deals, increased players' values and higher ticket sales, an international survey showed on Tuesday.
The survey, commissioned by MasterCard, one of the sponsors of the Champions League, also showed the victorious club's home city could expect a significant cash injection.
The city of Liverpool made an estimated 70 million euros following the club's 2005 win against AC Milan, while Portugal's Porto enjoyed an estimated 12 million boost after the team's 2004 victory.
"The experts found that the winning club is likely to enjoy increased sponsorship, TV revenue, gate receipts and player value - although the estimated reward of up to 100 million (euros) is less than many of Europe's top clubs have spent on transfers and wages in the past few seasons," the company said in a statement.
The study conducted by KRC Research polled 12 leading European football and business experts including economists, academics and football commentators.
(Reuters)

Aldridge: Rafa must get it right
Benitez is believed to be considering whether he can do without midfielder Xabi Alonso against AC Milan on Wednesday to allow him to use skipper Steven Gerrard in his favoured central midfield role.
But the former Anfield striker believes that Gerrard must play on the right against the Italians.
That view will not meet with universal support from the travelling red army descending on the Greek capital but Aldridge - a former Tranmere boss - thinks otherwise.
Aldridge, speaking at a soccer fun day organised by Vodaphone in Athens, said: "I expect Liverpool will play Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt up front, or maybe just one striker.
"And I feel Benitez will play Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in midfield.
"You need your best players on the pitch for such a final, and these three are the best. It means Stevie will have to play on the right again, he can be very dangerous there.
(TEAMtalk)

Smith: Milan should have been banned
Liverpool legend Tommy Smith reckons AC Milan should not even be in the Champions League, never mind Wednesday night's final in Athens.
The former Reds defender, who won the European Cup with the Merseysiders 30 years ago, was renowned for pulling no punches during a glittering, if bruising 17-year career.
And ahead of the face-off between his former club and Milan, Smith has lived up to that fearsome reputation by claiming the Italians should have been banned for their part in last year's Serie A corruption scandal.
"How on earth are they in it?" he said. "They were one of the teams that got caught.
"What are they doing in the European Cup final?"
(TEAMtalk)

Hamann backs Reds for glory
Dietmar Hamann has backed Liverpool to win the Champions League - and then break the domestic dominance of Manchester United and Chelsea.
Liverpool will be chasing a sixth European crown when they tackle AC Milan in Athens on Wednesday night, a rematch of the dramatic 2005 Champions League final.
He said: "I can certainly see Liverpool beating AC Milan. Both teams are better than they were two years ago but Liverpool have improved more.
Hamann is in Athens this week working as Mastercard's Champions League ambassador and, fortunately, never tires of recounting the events of May 25, 2005.
He was brought off the bench at half-time to replace the injured Steve Finnan with Liverpool already 3-0 down. Some fans had left the stadium in despair.
But three goals in five minutes before the hour was up changed everything and Liverpool went on to triumph in the penalty shoot-out.
(TEAMtalk)

Lippi salutes Rafa
Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has hailed Rafael Benitez ahead of Liverpool's Champions League final against AC Milan.
"Benitez has the rare characteristics of a great tactician," said Lippi.
"He gets the best out of his players, especially at a crucial time in a competition, even if his team's quality may be inferior to that of their opponents. He is practical and precise."
(TEAMtalk)

Michael Shields in Liverpool team’s thoughts
Jamie Carragher’s thoughts today are with Michael Shields and his family.
The Liverpool star told the ECHO the whole squad was very much aware of Michael's plight as the Edge Hill man is set to begin his third year in jail for a crime he maintains he did not commit.
Carragher said: "Ever since Michael was first arrested we've paid a lot of attention to the case, like everyone else in Liverpool.
“His family have had a lot of disappointments and setbacks since then and they deserve all the credit in the world for keeping up their campaign.
“I just want them to know that our thoughts are with them, especially with tomorrow night being another European cup final.”
(Liverpool Echo)

Kaka pays tribute to Gerrard
Milan talisman Kaka has paid a glowing tribute to Steven Gerrard, ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.
Kaka believes Gerrard is the epitome of the 'modern player' and the graceful Brazilian accepts he could cause Milan problems, if his forays are not stilted.
"An excellent player," said Kaka.
"In my opinion, he is a modern player because he is a player who runs, marks, knows how to pass, cross, score goals, and he is a leader in the field for Liverpool.
"So he is a player that I’d like to have in my team."
(Sky Sports)

Fowler joy at final chance
Robbie Fowler is thankful he has a second chance to play in a UEFA Champions League final after missing out on their triumph two years ago.
"Two years ago I sat in the stands at the Ataturk Stadium watching with increasing disbelief as Liverpool produced a miracle against Milan," Fowler told the Daily Mirror.
"There's no sentiment in football, and I know he might not pick me for the Athens squad, especially because I'll be at another club next season.
"But my Liverpool career isn't over yet ... and I can dream a little."
(Sky Sports)

Benitez to revamp Liverpool squad
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is preparing to make wholesale changes to the Reds squad - even if they win the Champions League final on Wednesday.
Benitez is targeting a second European Cup in three seasons with victory over AC Milan in Athens' Olympic Stadium.
"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."
(BBC Sport Online)  

Ancelotti slams Gerrard
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has launched a scathing attack on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, for his comments about his side.
Gerrard suggested that Milan were celebrating at half-time in 2005, when they were 3-0 up against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final - before the Reds came from behind to clinch the title.
However, Ancelotti says Gerrard was talking 'b******s' about his side.
"There's only one word to describe what Gerrard says about our so-called celebrations - b******s!" Ancelotti told the Sun.
(Sky Sports)

Zenden hopes of being fit for final increasing
Dutch star Bolo Zenden arrived in Athens yesterday with an increasing chance of being fit for the Champions League final.
Midfielder Zenden damaged an ankle last week at Liverpool’s La Manga training camp and left Spain for Saturday’s flight home on crutches.
But Zenden, 30, whose contract expires at Anfield this summer, could still make his final appearance for the Reds when they take on AC Milan in the Olympic Stadium tomorrow.
(Liverpool Daily Post)

Hundred of fans miss final because of air strike
Hundreds of Liverpool fans look set miss the Champions League final because of an air strike.
An eight-hour stoppage by staff in Italy has caused chaos for supporters who planned to reach Athens by ferry via the Italian port of Ancona.
Ryanair warned passengers of the last-minute strike by text message yesterday evening, and began moving them onto a direct service for Athens tomorrow morning.
But scores more were left with plans in jeopardy after flights to Ancona, Treviso and Pisa were cancelled.
Some fans were being given places on the Athens flight, but many others were told they could not board the service.
Up to 40 fans demanded answers from Ryanair staff.
(Liverpool Echo)

Benfica keen on Liverpool's Cisse for Simao
Benfica are ready to discuss a potential swap with Liverpool involving Djibril Cisse and Simao Sabrosa.
Benfica are keen on the deal, with strikers Nuno Gomes, Derlei and Fabrizio Miccoli all leaving this summer. Simao earlier this season penned a deal through to 2012, but is prepared to leave Benfica should the right offer arrive.
(TribalFootball) 

Hicks: Glazer paved way
Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks has credited fellow American Malcolm Glazer's takeover at Manchester United for paving the way for a similar deal at Anfield.
Glazer, owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, encountered fierce opposition from United supporters concerned about the level debt involved in his £800million buy-out at Old Trafford.
However, Hicks, who owns the Dallas Stars ice hockey team and baseball's Texas Rangers, believes Glazer's move into the Premiership made it more acceptable when he and George Gillett bought Liverpool for £470million.
Hicks told The Guardian that the Glazer's takeover was a "blueprint of what not to do", although he accepted it had helped their own move into English football when it became apparent United would not collapse under the weight of the debt incurred.
"They were the first," he said.
"There were fans who honestly believed that, if an American owner came in and borrowed some of the purchase price, it could be the end of the club's success.
"I think things changed when people saw that the Glazers didn't necessarily turn out to be the end of Manchester football."
(Sporting Life)

Benitez's £50m transfer bonus
Whatever the result in tomorrow's Champions League final, Liverpool's American owners have signalled a summer of big spending.
Tom Hicks, the club's co-owner, while delighted to be travelling to Greece to watch Liverpool attempt to overcome AC Milan twice in three years, is aware there needs to be greater consistency at Anfield next season to regain the title last won under Kenny Dalglish.
To that end, he and co-owner George Gillett will release funds - up to £50 million - to give manager Rafael Benitez the resources to take Chelsea and Manchester United head on.
"I know we will make changes," Hicks said yesterday. "Rafa has already announced one signing in Lucas Leiva [who captains the Brazil under-20 side from midfield] and he will be a busy man after Wednesday.
(Daily Telegraph)  

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