Reds celebrating a new Champions League Final.
(Photo: Reuters)
MAY 2
Reds
won't let stars depart
By Andrew Scurr - Sky Sports
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is adamant there are no
plans to let any of the club's star players leave.
Following The Reds reaching the UEFA Champions League final,
the new owners want to build on their success.
That means not letting the likes of captain Steven Gerrard
and defender Jamie Carragher depart Anfield at any price.
Hicks, fellow co-owner George Gillett and Rafa Benitez have
already discussed players' futures, with Gerrard high on the
agenda.
"As far as keeping our players, that is on-going. We have
sat down with Rafa a few times now and know what he wants,"
Hicks said.
"But I cannot imagine Steven Gerrard playing for anybody
else but Liverpool.
"He will be here for a long time - we have already been
speaking to his agent and those of our best players."
Meanwhile, Hicks also updated the situation surrounding the
club's new Stanley Park stadium, which is due to be
completed in time for the 2009/10 campaign.
He added: "On the new stadium, we will honour the plans
already in place but things are being changed. We have
talked to people and we do not want to start over with the
plans again.
"So far we have worked on its insides, the outside is next,
but we are near to being able to announce our new plans.
"We have to compete with Manchester United who can get over
70,000 in their stadium, while Arsenal's new ground has
60,000, and with London prices.
"Liverpool has a unique market. We have a huge waiting list
of fans wanting to buy tickets so we want a bigger stadium
than the one previously envisaged."
MAY 2
Benitez the master of Europe
By Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online
Rafael Benitez may struggle to return the Premiership to
what Liverpool regards as its spiritual home - but a journey
to the Champions League final on a regular basis more than
makes up for that gap in his collection.
Benitez was quizzed about his lack of a title in the
after-glow of yet another semi-final triumph over his
arch-rival Jose Mourinho.
He admitted it was tough with Manchester United and Chelsea
winning almost every week, but he can more than handle the
demands of the Champions League.
And so it proved again as Anfield celebrated another wild
European night in front of The Kop.
Benitez knew his team had got it wrong at Stamford Bridge -
but he scented blood once Chelsea only established a
one-goal lead.
He spoke with an open confidence he rarely demonstrates, and
his team backed his words once the slipshod and nervous
early exchanges were over.
Benitez is not always the amiable nice guy seen by the
cameras. He is ruthless and does not take kindly to being
crossed, which is clearly what he felt he had been by
Mourinho.
This was no footballing classic. It was never going to be.
But Benitez once again confounded those of us who looked at
his team-sheet and questioned his approach.
No Xabi Alonso. Two wingers in the inconsistent shape of
Jermaine Pennant and the largley ineffective Bolo Zenden.
And yet it all became clear very quickly.
Steven Gerrard was restored to a marauding midfield role
after spending time on the margins, while Javier Mascherano
was biting and snapping in around Chelsea's heels.
The pairing of Alonso and Mascherano was too similar at
Chelsea, too deep. Benitez remedied the problem and was
rewarded with a bristling display from the Argentine.
Mascherano's distribution is not perfect, but he loves a
tackle, as several Chelsea players discovered.
It was impossible to recognise him from the dispirited
figure witnessed at West Ham earlier this season.
Benitez regards himself as an arch-strategist, and the
two-leg format suits him and Liverpool perfectly.
They proved it against Juventus and Chelsea in 2005 and this
year favourites Barcelona and Chelsea again have perished on
Benitez's drawing board.
Liverpool were the team creating the clearer chances,
despite Mourinho's claim that Chelsea were the better side.
As for the final, Benitez will have to make some tough
tactical choices whether they play AC Milan or Manchester
United.
But he can usually be relied upon to fashion a result when
an occasion demands it - and is occasionally followed by the
odd stroke of good fortune every successful manager needs.
Manchester United would provide a sterner attacking test
than Chelsea did, and Benitez's choice in midfield and
attack will be key against either them or the Italians.
But after winning the Uefa Cup in his final season with
Valencia and already claiming one Champions League for
Liverpool, don't bet against another winning strategy in
Athens.
MAY 2
Reds chiefs
blown away by Benitez
TEAMtalk
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett admits he and Tom Hicks
had no idea just how good a manager Rafael Benitez was when
they bought the club.
The American sports mogul, together with Hicks, watched
Liverpool's incredible Champions League semi-final triumph
over Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday night and then hailed the
Spanish coach who has taken the club to their second
European Cup final in three seasons.
After the penalty shoot-out victory Gillett was seen hugging
and kissing fans who besieged the directors' box.
He even walked into the crowd, shaking hands and embracing
everyone in sight as he was mobbed by delirious fans, who
are now eagerly awaiting Liverpool's seventh European Cup
final as they bid to win the trophy for an amazing sixth
time in Athens on May 23.
But when the uproar had died down, Gillett revealed his
dedication to the Benitez cause, saying: "We knew he was
good - but not this good!"
Gillett revealed he and his co-chairman have been blown away
by the quality of the manager they have inherited.
"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.
"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.
"We will be supporting him during the summer but it is not
about money, it is about athletes and giving people
opportunities."
Gillett, revealed his reaction on Tuesday was prompted by
the warmth of support he had received from fans since the
takeover and that he would definitely be at the Champions
League final later this month.
"You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous
games already in Europe and that will be another," he said.
"I have worked in the States for many years but football in
Europe is like any other sport I have seen but on steroids!"
He added: "I am hugely impressed by the way myself and my
family have been received here, it is truly wonderful, that
is why I wanted to share the moment with the fans.
"They are amazing. Everywhere Tom and I go it is the same,
people are pleased and so welcoming. I wanted to shake their
hands, to embrace them at the end because they had been
magnificent for their team.
"It is all about them, it is not about us. The success since
we have been here has been marvellous, I just wanted to
thank them. I suppose chairmen don't do that sort of thing
usually but it is just how I feel about them."
And while Gillett was gleefully enjoying the moment, Hicks
was making it very clear the new stadium plans are close to
being unveiled and that he has no intention of allowing any
of the club's star names - particularly Steven Gerrard - to
leave.
"And as far as keeping our players, that is on-going too. We
have sat down with Rafa a few times now and know what he
wants," he said.
"But I cannot imagine Steven Gerrard playing for anybody
else but Liverpool. He will be here for a long time - we
have already been speaking to his agent and those of our
best players."
He added: "On the new stadium, we will honour the plans
already in place but things are being changed. We have
talked to people and we do not want to start over with the
plans again.
"So far we have worked on its insides, the outside is next,
but we are near to being able to announce our new plans.
"We have to compete with Manchester United who can get over
70,000 in their stadium, while Arsenal's new ground has
60,000, and with London prices.
"Liverpool has a unique market. We have a huge waiting list
of fans wanting to buy tickets so we want a bigger stadium
than the one previously envisaged.
MAY 2
Parry reveals final 'concerns'
By Ben Rumsby - PA Sport
Liverpool chief executive 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."
Parry also taunted Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho following
Tuesday night's dramatic penalty shoot-out win at Anfield.
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 said.
"I guess when you've invested £500million, it's a fantastic
season to win the League Cup. He's welcome to his opinions,
we care about Liverpool."
Parry described the atmosphere at Tuesday night's game as
the equal of any he has witnessed at Anfield, including the
2005 semi-final against the same opponents.
"It was another fabulous Anfield night," he said.
"I thought we'd never see anything to beat the atmosphere in
2005, but I think this equalled it.
"It was very, very special and I think you only get these
nights in Anfield.
"The supporters were fantastic and the players and manager
have done a fantastic job and done us proud. It was
magnificent to be there."
But Parry admitted that despite the club reaching their
second Champions League final in three years, the club's
ultimate ambition was to win the Barclays Premiership title.
"For us, the big prize is the Premier League, we've made no
secret of that," said Parry, whose side have not been league
champions since 1990.
"Every one of us wants to be a Premier League contender.
We're not quite there, but we'll do everything in our power
to make sure we get there."
MAY 2
An
unbelievable night
for
this incredible club
By Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo
Nothing can compare with a European night at Anfield.
It was a privilege to be a part of the atmosphere generated
by the best fans in the world for an occasion to rank with
the Inter Milan semi-final, the St Etienne tie, the 2005 win
over Chelsea and the heroic night in Istanbul.
Now, it can be repeated all over again in another Champions
League final this month in Athens.
The fans were absolutely unbelievable last night in what was
a pulsating, absorbing game that kept you on edge
throughout.
The football at times might not have been the best, but this
was blood and thunder, no-holds barred stuff, where the
stakes were high and everyone knew one mistake could spell
the end of their European dreams.
In fact, there were occasions when neither side seemed to
have a midfield as long balls were pumped up the middle but,
irrespective of what Jose Mourinho thought, the Reds battled
together as a team and deserved their night of glory.
Chelsea, I thought, relied too much on Didier Drogba, the
star of the first game. But the combination of Jamie
Carragher and Daniel Agger reduced his threat considerably
as they produced excellent displays.
It was a case of the unexpected when Rafa Benitez’s side
went ahead. Instead of the curled free kick from Steven
Gerrard, the skipper worked a neat pass across the edge of
the box and Agger clipped a low left footer into the corner.
It was just reward as the Reds dominated for long periods,
without creating too many chances.
Drogba had one sight of goal, but his terrific shot was well
saved by Pepe Reina, whose moments of pure theatre were to
come later.
Another fine show came from Dirk Kuyt, who worked tirelessly
all night, saw one header smack the crossbar, was unlucky to
be ruled offside when he followed up Alonso’s drive to
score, but his reward came with the penalty clincher in the
shootout.
For Benitez, this was another triumph for tactical
brilliance. He sprang a surprise by leaving out Xabi Alonso
until late in the game, but there is no doubt he is the best
European manager I have seen in the modern era.
He understands the European game inside out and to take the
team to a second final within two years is magnificent. A
top four finish will do this year, but the fans will be
looking for a big improvement in the Premier next time
around.
What of Mourinho? Well, he’s just an idiot. His team suffers
through his rantings because of the hatred he has built up
through his arrogance and egotism. He tried to play mind
games with Benitez like he has done at Manchester United,
but it doesn’t work at Liverpool.
Anfield on nights like this is just outstanding. The crowd
is undoubtedly an important “twelfth man”. It was noticeable
how some Chelsea players just didn’t raise their game.
I just sat in the stands thinking how glad I was to be a
Liverpool fan. I would not take a million pounds to be a
Chelsea fan, that’s for sure.
Next up? Who cares? Bring ‘em on. Liverpool and Euro finals
are made for each other.
MAY 2
Chelsea pay
the penalty for caution
TEAMtalk
Liverpool have beaten Chelsea for the second time in
three years in the Champions League semi-finals. TEAMtalk
reflects on the Anfield clash.
So the proud red shirts of Liverpool once more will contest
the final of Europe's most prestigious cup competition.
For the seventh time. Quite possibly against their greatest
football rivals Manchester United. What a mouthwatering
prospect for English football fans.
And even a serial moaner like Jose Mourinho could surely not
contest the justice of that.
Great sporting prizes are won by daring deeds and a sense of
adventure. And not for the first time this season Mourinho's
Chelsea side displayed too little of each as Liverpool
earned their right to a Champions League final date in
Athens later this month.
True, it was won via the lottery of a dramatic penalty
shoot-out when Liverpool scored four in a row while their
goalkeeper Jose Reina saved from Arjen Robben and Geremi.
But for too long on a nerve-shredding evening Chelsea sought
to contain rather than add to their 1-0 first-leg advantage,
while Liverpool always were the more positive.
In the end that lack of swagger on the pitch might yet cost
Mourinho his job. Owner Roman Abramovich did not invest
£500million not to deposit the European Cup in the Stamford
Bridge trophy cabinet.
It was not a pretty match. Anyone expecting to witness the
beautiful game in all its technical splendour would have
been disappointed.
It was more akin to a slugfest. Two heavyweights swinging
away. Hugely competitive. Full of brawn but not always too
much brain. Too many long balls. Too much hit and hope.
Not the greatest advert for the Premiership, but then the
pre-match sparring had also left much to be desired.
The feuding between Mourinho and Benitez had descended to
the level of the playground, the Chelsea boss intimating
that Liverpool were no longer a big club while Benitez
suggested Mourinho's tinkering had cost Chelsea the title.
Mind games or just a simple dislike for each other? Take
your pick. Once the players passed the famous 'This is
Anfield' sign, however, none of that verbal jousting
mattered.
More important was what effect virtually surrendering the
Premiership title on Saturday might have had on Chelsea,
plus the pressure of knowing that the Champions League
trophy was the priority of owner Roman Abramovich.
Not surprisingly, Chelsea were slow to get started. There
was more drive and determination about Liverpool. Red shirts
invariably were quicker to the ball with the 'Kop factor'
supplying that extra fix of adrenalin as it has so often in
Liverpool's proud past.
Steven Gerrard, playing in his favoured central role, and
Javier Mascherano formed a crucial partnership in the
Liverpool engine room.
Gerrard, as always, was as close to indispensable as it gets
in football with his crunching tackles his surging runs and
his ability to make things happen.
When the Liverpool goal came it was a brilliantly-worked
free-kick, rolled by Gerrard into the path of defender
Daniel Agger who clipped it home precisely. A reward for
invention even if it was aided and abetted by a Dirk Kuyt
foul on Salomon Kalou.
With the scores level Mourinho had no choice. No longer
would his famed pragmatism get the job done.
And slowly, with John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard prominent,
they began to wrest a foothold in the game.
But there was always more width and zip about Liverpool.
Kuyt rattled the crossbar, then went and put the ball in the
net in the first phase of extra-time only for the 'goal' to
be ruled out for a marginal offside.
The tension lurched towards the unbearable but at times the
feeling was that Chelsea, in particular, were playing for
penalties, ironic that considering Mourinho recently
facetiously insisted his team were forbidden from winning
them.
To penalties it went. A dreadful way to settle a match of
such importance but what drama.
And Mourinho must wonder what might have been if only he had
been a shade more daring.
MAY 2
'Special ones' take centre stage
Comment by Nick Smith - Liverpool Daily Post
Rafael Benitez, like the rest of us in Anfield last
night, couldn’t help but hear the stirring songs and
shuddering screams of the his newly-christened ‘special
ones’.
But thankfully for them, as the team news started
circulating, it was clear he had already been listening to
them intently. They had influenced one important outcome
long before they helped their heroes into a seventh European
Cup final.
Because Steven Gerrard was back where everyone wanted him.
Where he wanted to be. Where he should have been in the
first leg when Liverpool’s midfield withered without him
along with hopes of an away goal, given the subsequent lack
of natural width.
You wouldn’t dare ignore fans of the type of ferocity that
created the swarming, swirling sounds that swept the players
up in another tidal wave of Anfield European euphoria last
night – and even the single-minded Spanish manager was ready
to bow to their do-or-die demands.
It was a red-tinted campaign that Tony Blair’s would-be
successors will do well to match for lack of subtlety when
the Prime Minister steps aside next week.
So picking Gerrard in the centre was a defiant message not
just to Chelsea but to the red masses: “I’ve done my bit now
you do yours.”
Benitez remains king of all he surveys and, like everything
he asked on the night, his subjects delivered. They and
Gerrard did everything right and repaid his faith in their
raw Scouse inspiration.
In truth, crowds don’t pick teams, decide tactics or even,
despite Bill Shankly’s efforts to convince us otherwise,
suck the ball into the net.
What they can do – and what only Liverpool fans can do – is
create the pressure, the terror, the wall of noise that can
torment the coolest mind when the nerve-crushing penalty
shoot-out takes hold.
It’s why Chelsea fatally missed two-thirds of their
spot-kicks. Arjen Robben and Geremi had simply never heard
anything like it and this ultimately proved their downfall.
But penalties are just the crowd-pleasing freak show that
underlines the main event.
It’s how that dramatic conclusion is reached, how Liverpool
repelled the Chelsea away goal most assumed was inevitable
for a full two hours while holding on to Daniel Agger’s
wonderfully-guided strike.
And it was that tactical switch, that allowed Gerrard to
flourish in his more familiar surroundings, that laid those
foundations.
Benitez has always maintained that the complete midfielder
can play anywhere across the middle but surely few more
talented than Gerrard are wasted in the practising of this
theory.
Like a schoolboy being dragged to the dentist’s, Gerrard
will trudge over to the right and give his all there any
time he’s asked to, but there’s always that sense he’s
shuffling impatiently in the wings for a bigger stage.
The fact is he has the ability to play the complete game
wherever he is, but the closer you get to the whitewash the
further you are from the places you can truly influence.
This was apparent from the start last night. Within six
minutes Gerrard was stood centrally and in the ideal
position to have the first shot of the game, although he
dragged it well wide.
The difficulty Gerrard has often had, however, is convincing
his manager that he can be disciplined enough to resist
those surges into goal-scoring areas, leaving those behind
him prone to counter attack.
But Benitez’s message had clearly got through, even if it
was with mixed results.
Like when a loose ball dropped inside the box and the home
fans immediately had flashbacks to Olympiakos 2004 as they
pictured an action replay of their captain storming in to
unleash another first-time thunderbolt.
But there was just one small detail missing – Gerrard,
holding his position tentatively 20 yards further back.
Not that this defence-minded attitude was having a
detrimental effect.
Liverpool knew that conceding one would mean them having to
get three so keeping the Chelsea midfield in check was a
priority throughout the initial 90 minutes.
And one achieved so convincingly that even Peter Crouch
stood on stilts would have had to crane his neck to judge
the trajectory of the balls Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou
were having to make do with.
Long punts upfield were masquerading as service as Joe Cole,
John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard struggled to get on the
ball – but everyone knew why Gerrard was really restored to
the middle.
You just have to know when your moment will come and this
instinct paid off to the full when Liverpool launched their
comeback with a Daniel Agger strike from a square free-kick
that his captain both won then delivered to perfection.
The second leg was not yet halfway through the first half
and Gerrard’s knack of driving the team when they need it
most it most had already come to the fore. Selection
decision justified. But an early goal to bring the tie dead
level meant Gerrard couldn’t then dominate – an individual
called ‘fear’ was the only one this situation was reserving
that distinction for.
Even Benitez caved in. No amount of trickery followed by
delivery could keep Pennant’s flame flickering and Xabi
Alonso stepped into the fire to signal the end of Gerrard’s
central starring role.
And his first action on the right kind of hammered home the
original point as he won a good tackle but then conceded a
throw-in courtesy of some wobbly-legged distribution.
Those precious few chances to win it did come and go for
both sides but even those who feel the Kop is worth a goal
on its own still had to steel themselves for another
half-hour.
It doesn’t change the fact, however, that Liverpool got the
one scoreline that could inflict that unwanted extra
workload on those already over-burdened with a quadruple
assault.
And achieving that alone means Benitez’s utilising of
Gerrard in the face of public demand as overwhelming as last
night’s atmosphere – and thus staking his entire season’s
hopes on it – turned the master tactician into the master
gambler.
And the ultimate jackpot is poised to drop again...
MAY 2
Mourinho the deluded one
By Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online
Jose Mourinho was stripped of his self-appointed status
as the special one and became the deluded one as Liverpool
visited another Champions League nightmare upon Chelsea.
Mourinho's disappointment was understandable, as he had to
swallow a second semi-final defeat in front of an Anfield
gallery that has taken particular exception to his unique,
outspoken personality.
But it took all of Mourinho's brass neck and some very thick
blue-tinted spectacles to sit and declare - without any sign
of his tongue drilling a hole in his cheek - that the best
team lost and that Chelsea were truly deserving of a place
in the Athens final.
Nonsense. Every word of it.
If Mourinho truly believed Chelsea were the stronger team,
the team pressing inexorably for victory, the team throwing
men forward at set pieces to secure the goal that would have
made a final place certain, he kids no-one but himself.
Mourinho's self-belief is iron-clad, but in this instance he
simply used it as a shield against what was a grim reality
for Chelsea.
"Chelsea tried to win it in 90 minutes. Chelsea tried to win
it in extra time. The best team was the team in blue," he
said.
And on it went in an assessment that was nothing short of
bemusing.
Liverpool were the side that deserved the win, even if it
came in the awful lottery of penalties.
Rafael Benitez's side showed the greater verve and variety -
just look at the work-sheet of the two goalkeepers if you
want proof.
Pepe Reina, before his penalty heroics, made a fine save
from Didier Drogba and endured the odd skirmish around the
six-yard area.
Chelsea counterpart Petr Cech was beaten by Daniel Agger's
first-half strike, saved brilliantly from Peter Crouch and
watched Dirk Kuyt's header hit a post.
Dutch striker Kuyt also saw a goal ruled out by a marginal
offside and brought a fine save from Cech in the final
seconds after he was played in by Robbie Fowler.
Chelsea, in the real world away from the place Mourinho
appeared to be occupying, were brave, resilient, and only
the hardest heart would not feel a tinge of sympathy for men
like John Terry and Claude Makelele.
But they were pedestrian, unambitious, and seemed to have a
simple plan A aimed at securing a goalless draw.
Once that went west, plan B was a horribly basic approach of
hoofing the ball in the general direction of Didier Drogba
and crossing fingers that these scraps would lead to a
feast.
It did not work and never looked like working, hence general
astonishment at Mourinho's swiftly drawn up attempt to
re-write history.
Chelsea ultimately paid the price for failing to kill
Liverpool off in the first match at Stamford Bridge, a game
Mourinho was well within his rights to say his team
dominated.
This game was Liverpool's and Benitez's. They will not care
one jot for the somewhat bizarre analysis offered up by
Mourinho.
Liverpool, fuelled by another firecracker of an Anfield
atmosphere, deserved their place in the final.
And after the miracle of Istanbul in 2005, who would bet
against Benitez making it a remarkable two Champions League
wins in three seasons at Liverpool?
MAY 2
Kuyt wants Man
Utd in Euro final
By Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online
Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt has set his sights on a
"historic" Champions League final meeting with rivals
Manchester United in Athens.
Dutch striker Kuyt scored the decisive spot-kick as
Liverpool beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties in their semi-final.
He told BBC Sport: "AC Milan and Manchester United are two
great teams and clubs.
"But a meeting between two big clubs from the Premiership in
the Champions League final would be historic."
Liverpool won their semi-final second leg clash at Anfield
1-0 thanks to Daniel Agger's first-half strike.
With the tie finishing 1-1 on aggregate after extra-time it
went down to penalties.
Kuyt scored the decisive spot-kick to put Liverpool through
to a second Champions League final in three years.
The forward added: "It is fantastic for us to reach the
Champions League final. There is no bigger game in European
club football and to do it in my first season here is an
amazing feeling.
"We felt we deserved to win after the 90 minutes and extra
time. We were very strong and to see that last penalty go in
was a great feeling.
"It is just fantastic for us. We had chances. I hit the post
and had a goal disallowed, but we got there in the end and
Pepe Reina was sensational for us in the penalty shoot-out.
"You come to clubs like Liverpool for nights like this.
"We wanted to do it for our fans as well because they were
fantastic in the way they supported us.
"We have beaten some very strong teams to get to the final,
like Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven and now Chelsea.
"It is not up to us who we play, Manchester United and AC
Milan have to fight for their place, but certainly two
English clubs playing each other would be history.
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"Now we have to get ready for the final because we want to
win it now. We have come this far so we want to win it and
we think we can.
"We have shown we can win over two legs against the best
sides, now it is down to one match."
MAY 1
Gerrard hails brilliant Reds
By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website
Steven Gerrard tonight hailed his team-mates after the
Reds booked their place in the Champions League final.
Daniel Agger's goal in normal time was enough to cancel out
Joe Cole's first leg opener and then Pepe Reina proved to be
the hero from the penalty spot as he kept out efforts from
Arjen Robben and Geremi to leave Dirk Kuyt to net the
winning kick and take the Reds to another final.
"The first time round was special but to do it again after
being a goal down to a magnificent team like Chelsea. It is
unbelievable - together we achieved it," said Gerrard.
"The atmosphere helped, the managers' tactics, everything
was spot on. But we crossed the line and we stuck together.
Gerrard also admitted the pre-match comments from Jose
Mourinho helped spur the Reds on.
"That's Jose for you - he's been a credit to English
football, he makes us laugh now and then," he added.
"I think he was a bit disrespectful calling us a little
club. Two finals in three years - not bad for a little
club."
Kuyt added: "It was very special for me - it will be my
first final in my first year at Liverpool.
"We just believed in it. Pepe was fabulous."
MAY 1
Carra: I
don't care
who we
meet in Athens
By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website
Jamie Carragher reflected on Liverpool's semi-final
success over Chelsea and declared: "I don't care who we play
in Athens."
Liverpool will meet the winners of Wednesday night's clash
between AC Milan and Manchester United following their
dramatic shoot-out success over Jose Mourinho's men at
Anfield.
It's the second time in three seasons the Reds will be
contesting European football's biggest match and Carragher
insists Rafael Benitez's side deserve their place in the
final.
He said: "It's a great achievement to beat a team like
Chelsea over two legs. We thought there weren't going to be
a lot of chances in the game and that's the way it turned
out.
"Fortunately for us Daniel scored a great goal and then when
it went to penalties we knew we had one of the best
goalkeepers in the world and so we always had a chance.
"Of course we had the fans on our side and they again rose
to the occasion. They were brilliant from start to finish
and once again proved what a difference they can make.
"To reach the final again is brilliant and we're going to
enjoy the fact that we're there again. That's the third year
running we've beaten Chelsea in a semi-final.
"It doesn't matter who we play. We can relax now and all
watch the game on Wednesday night."
MAY 1
Mourinho: We were better
By Graeme Bailey - Sky Sports
Jose Mourinho insisted Chelsea were the best side during
their UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat to Liverpool.
The Reds came through 4-1 on penalties with Dirk Kuyt firing
home the winner, after Liverpool had won the game 1-0 with
Dan Agger pouncing in the first half.
Chelsea rarely threatened at Anfield, but Mourinho was
adamant that his men should have progressed.
"I respected Liverpool always in my words. I don't need to
say more and today I think the best team was Chelsea," he
told ITV.
"It is a moment when everybody has to be strong.
"They (the Chelsea players) have a lot of reasons to be
proud. They did a great run in the Champions League.
"We were the best team today, even against a team only
playing for the Champions League.
"In extra-time we were the only team who tried to win, but
football is like that and the penalty shoot-out is part of
the game."
MAY 1
Rafa pays
tribute to Anfield factor
ITV Football
Rafa Benitez praised the Anfield crowd as Liverpool
defeated Chelsea, but Jose Mourinho claims his side were
better on
the night.
"We had confidence because we had players who practice in
every training session - they like to do it."
Of hero goalkeeper Jose Reina, he added: "He is a player
that's always good with penalties."
The Spaniard also hailed the workrate of his team - and the
Anfield crowd.
"Every player and every supporter (deserves the win) - the
atmosphere was amazing today."
MAY 1
Kuyt
fires Reds to Athens
By Graeme Bailey - Sky Sports
Liverpool booked their place in the UEFA Champions League
final after defeating Chelsea on 4-1 on penalties at
Anfield, after they won 1-0 on the night.
The Reds went into their second leg semi-final tie 1-0 down,
but after just 22 minutes they had levelled when Steven
Gerrard's clever free-kick found an unmarked Dan Agger on
the edge of the box, and he fired home.
After a frantic and entertaining opening, the game became a
glum contest at best and from the first-half a long evening
was always on the cards as both sides showed little in the
way of invention - albeit the odd sporadic venture forward.
It was though Liverpool who showed much of what little
ingenuity was on show and they deserved to book their second
final in three years - following their success in 2005, with
Chelsea's search for the quadruple well and truly ended.
Liverpool began the game with their backs to the Kop and the
footballing landmark was seemingly pushing their team on
from the first whistle.
Indeed the home side dominated and created early openings
with Steven Gerrard flashing a shot wide, and Peter Crouch
just failing to make contact with a dangerous cross from his
skipper.
Liverpool pressure continued to build and the deadlock was
broken with a delightful set-piece. The Reds won a free-kick
on Chelsea's right and Gerrard line-up to curl the ball into
the box, but instead he squared the ball into the path of
Agger and he finished with great aplomb with a low shot
which curled just inside Petr Cech's post.
With the game level Chelsea finally woke from their malaise
- although they did not have sight of goal until after the
half-hour mark, but they should have levelled as John Obi
Mikel dinked a precious ball into Didier Drogba's path but
the Ivorian could only fire his shot straight at Jose Reina
- making the Spaniard's save all the more easy.
Chelsea were now in charge of the ball - but they could not
break through and created little. One chance which did come
their way before the break was a Frank Lampard free-kick,
but his in-swinging effort from wide on the right was
punched clear by Reina under pressure from Drogba.
Joe Cole was doing his best to inspire early in the second
half with one good run which was soon followed by a shot
from range which was always going wide - but that was all
the visitors could muster.
Indeed Liverpool broke to the other end and almost snatched
the lead in the tie. Jermaine Pennant found room to cross
and this time he found Peter Crouch at the back post who
beat Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien with ease, but
fortunately for Chelsea he could not find a way pas Cech -
who saves excellently with his feet.
Moments later and Cech was beaten, but the woodwork came to
Chelsea's rescue as Dirk Kuyt's header from John Arne
Riise's cross slammed against the crossbar.
All the real chances were coming Liverpool's way and Pennant
had the next sight of goal and only a brilliant saving
tackle from Michael Essien denied the former Arsenal man.
Chelsea lack of width was prevalent throughout and it was
not until 75 minutes that Ashley Cole got into the last
third with any meaning and his attack almost paid dividends
as he broke into the box and lashed a cross into the
six-yard box - but somehow Jamie Carragher did enough to put
Drogba off.
Liverpool were still the most likely to score again and Cech
was again needed to produce a good stop low-down to his
right, this time from a testing Bolo Zenden effort - but
with more than ten minutes to go, it was clear both sides
were happy to go to extra-time and indeed their wish was
granted.
Into extra time and Liverpool were still the only side
appearing to be willing to ask any questions - but neither
team lucky duly concerned about wasted energy or possession.
The Reds finally had the opening salvo on 99 minutes and it
seemed they had claimed a crucial second as Kuyt pounced on
a rebound as Cech spilled Xabi Alonso's long-range effort -
but as Anfield celebrated, they finally noticed the
assistant linesman's raised flag.
Half-time added time saw speed merchants Shaun
Wright-Phillips and Craig Bellamy duly introduced.
And it was Wright-Phillips with five-minutes left who almost
opened the home side up as he broke down the right, he
crossed into the six-yard box for Drogba - but again he run
was well checked by Carragher and the chance was gone.
With minutes left, both sides had penalties on their minds
and the two Iberian tactitians brought on specialists in the
guise of Geremi and Robbie Fowler.
Although Fowler almost helped create a winner as he played
in Kuyt, the Dutchman came back inside and unleashed a
stinging effort - but Cech was able to push clear and that
was it, the game - as it looked from the moment Liverpool
scored - was to be decided by penalties.
Chelsea had won the toss before kick-off and the Anfield
Road end, opposed to the Kop had unsurprisingly been chosen
by The Blues. The Reds opened up with Zenden scoring with
ease - but Arjen Robben could not follow suit as his effort
was well saved by Reina diving to his left.
Alonso, Lampard and Gerrard all converted - before Geremi
saw his tame effort parried, which allowed Kuyt the chance
to send Liverpool to Athens and he duly obliged as he tucked
his penalty into the corner of the net.
Liverpool will now wait 24 hours to see if they will meet
Premiership rivals Manchester United for the first ever
all-England European Final - or if they will have a re-run
of their Istanbul success by facing Milan.
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