Liverpool For Champions League Glory Again !

[scousemouse]

keep on resting the first team Rafa , we dont give 2 ***** who gets relegated anyway , its not our job to give yer's a lifeline so get on with it !!!!

[muckypups]

I thought that's what squads were for.. rotation. Benitez is the manager and in my book entitled to pick any team he wants..

On to your big Euro date.. I think you have a real chance of beating Milan.. and I hope you do..English clubs and all that..Good Luck!

(Oh, and in my opinion it's a scandal that the two finalists only get 17,000 tickets each.. the rest going to corporate dead heads... )

[scousemouse]

Alex Ferguson :

"A.C Milan will beat Liverpool comfortably and I'll celebrate with a bottle of red wine". Radio 1.

You can take that bottle and shove it up your hoop !!! .

Wish you were here .

[muckypups]

Yeh, I saw that in the paper..Good old Fergie.. he can't resist a wind up..

[kopite]

sour grapes from whiskey nose again. we all know its the one trophy he wants to win again.

reds go to athens and slay like achilles

mancs stay at home and play with their willies

[muckypups]

reds go to athens and slay like achilles

mancs stay at home and play with their willies..Medals..

Beware.. a win is not guaranteed..

[scousemouse]

sour grapes from whiskey nose again. we all know its the one trophy he wants to win again.

reds go to athens and slay like achilles

mancs stay at home and play with their willies

Lets save the singing untill AFTER we win Kopite !!! .

Love the song and optimism though !!!! .

[scousemouse]

Just had to stick this one in , especially love Rick Parry's quote .

Quotes of the Week Gerrard wasn't that bothered about beating Chelsea

"Two finals in three years - not bad for a little club.''

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard twists the knife after his side, branded a "little club" by Jose Mourinho, reach the Champions League final at Chelsea's expense. "I guess when you've invested £500m it's a fantastic season to win the League Cup."

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry sticks the boot in.

[muckypups]

That's funny...

[scousemouse]

That's funny...

Here's another one !!!!!.

He who dares, Jose - he who dares..."Mourinho is the funniest thing to come out of London since Del Boy and Rodney."

Liverpool's centre-half Jamie Carragher in the Echo prior to the Champions League win over Chelsea.

[scousemouse]

1 more then I'm off to bed , school/work in the morning for the first time in over a month

"For those of you watching in blue and white: this is what the European Cup looks like."

On a banner with the picture of the Champions League trophy at Liverpool v Chelsea. (scousemouse, Bangkok)

[scousemouse]

Chelsea 0-0 Man U

Well that was a crap game .

Anything to add anyone about showing other teams disrespect by not playing their first teams ?????

Good job both got beat in the semi's .

[muckypups]

Utterly predictable scousemouse.. keeping their powder dry for the Final I guess..

Anyway, there used to be a dedicated Liverpool thread but it must have been hosted in the Bermuda Triangle 'cos it's disappeared. So, I thought I'd post these musings from The Times on the possible comings and goings at Anfield over the close season here:

Where the big four will look to spend

New owners expected to lead way in close-season buying boom

Liverpool

What they want

Quality, quality, quality. Three years into a five-year plan, Rafael BenÍtez has led his team to two Champions League finals, but they lack the quality to challenge for the Barclays Premiership title (Oliver Kay writes). A top-class centre forward (or two) is the most obvious of the Spaniard’s requirements, which is why he is considering players such David Villa (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid) and, less realistically, Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona).

What they need

A top-level striker or two would make a big difference to a team that has not scored enough goals, but there is also a need for greater quality on both wings. Morten Gamst Pedersen, the skilful left winger at Blackburn Rovers, is a potential target.

Targets

Two arrivals are already confirmed, Andriy Voronin, the Ukraine forward, on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, and Sebastián Leto, a young Argentine winger, from Club Atlético Lanús for £1.85 million. Eto’o, Torres and Villa may prove too expensive, leaving BenÍtez to look at the likes of Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe, Michael Owen or Carlos Tévez.

Budget

Hard to tell. BenÍtez has been promised “every support” in the transfer market by George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the new owners, but that is unlikely to mean investing Chelsea-like sums. A net outlay of about £30 million has been mooted, but, with new contracts for Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, José Manuel Reina, Steve Finnan, Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso in the pipeline, money may be a little tighter than imagined.

Departures

Jerzy Dudek will leave when his contract expires, with Boudewijn Zenden and Robbie Fowler likely to follow. Florent Sinama Pongolle last week made his loan move at Recreativo Huelva permanent, while Antony Le Tallec is expected to do the same at Sochaux. Djibril Cissé, on loan to Marseilles, and Harry Kewell will be urged to find new clubs. Sami Hyypia may depart, while Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch will be deemed surplus to requirements if BenÍtez can find better players to replace them.

[muckypups]

Good article by Tim Rich in The Telegraph suggesting that Michael Owen should be re-united with Liverpool..:

Anfield calls for boy who never wanted to leave

The question was put to me by the host of an Irish football talkshow but it really should be asked by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. "Why on earth should a club pay £16 million for a player and then insert a clause in his contract that he can leave for £9 million?" Because they were desperate. Because they were Newcastle United.

Like Ian Rush: Michael Owen looks out of place in black-and-white

The buy-out clause in Michael Owen's contract is exhibit A for the argument that he never really wanted to go to Newcastle. Although his chairman, Freddy Shepherd, might make a desperate plea for the player to show some loyalty to the club for whom he has played 13 games in two seasons, he ought not to feel betrayed. Owen never really wanted to play for Real Madrid either. Like Ian Rush, Owen looks out of place in a black-and-white shirt, let alone an all-white strip. All he has ever wanted to do is play for Liverpool and England.

Given that almost his first act as Liverpool manager was to sell him, it is strange to think that, initially, Owen was far more positive about Rafael Benitez's appointment than Steven Gerrard, who had a deep bond with Gerard Houllier and was for a time suspicious that an influx of Spanish players would make Anfield a Valencia on the Mersey.

Had Houllier stayed, Liverpool would not have reached two European Cup finals but Owen might have remained. As a manager, the Frenchman was inferior to Benitez in every respect bar one. He was far better at dealing with players. Owen needed an arm round his shoulder, to be reminded of what he was to Liverpool and what Liverpool were and could be again. Benitez gave him no reassurances and Real Madrid stood glittering on the horizon. So Owen went and although he could talk about the lifestyle, the fact that in terms of goals per minute played he was a success at the Bernabeu, he was never at the heart of the club as he had been at Liverpool, he was never a galactico.

On the afternoon of Liverpool's European Cup final in Istanbul, Owen was in Madrid conducting a photo-shoot for Esquire magazine. "How was I meant to know?" he remarked. "If Steven Gerrard hadn't scored that goal against Olympiakos, they would have been out in the first round of the Champions League and the third round of the FA Cup. They finished fifth in the league, it would have been their worst season in 20 years." But Gerrard did score, they did win and when Owen, who had made little secret of his desire to return to Anfield, left the Bernabeu after a single trophyless season, neither Liverpool nor Benitez would sanction paying £16 million for someone they had sold for £8 million the summer before.

Newcastle is a kind of Real Madrid Lite. If in Danny Blanchflower's words, football is all about the getting of glory, then Newcastle can offer plenty of the synthetic variety. At Bilbao, they call the San Mames Stadium, the "Cathedral" but compared to St James' Park, whose stands dominate the skyline of Tyneside, it is very low church.

The crowds are vast, the salaries huge - Owen was paid nearly £6 million a year - the interest all consuming. There were 15,000 there to watch him sign while Alan Shearer told him how the Gallowgate End reveres its strikers. And they were desperate - hence the suicidally-low buy-out clause.

When Gerrard and Owen discussed moves to hypothetical clubs away from Liverpool they always stipulated that wherever they went should be in the Champions League. Whatever Sam Allardyce is promising it is not an immediate return to Europe's top table but a root-and-branch reform of an institution who have somehow managed to spend more than £236 million in 15 years without winning anything more than the Intertoto Cup.

Owen is 27; he has not played properly since December 2005, he would be a risk for any manager but with American money about to flood through Anfield, Benitez has room to gamble and, as he proved with Peter Crouch and Robbie Fowler, he likes a wild card. It is time to bring the boy home.

[John_Rambo]

Strange article, and fairly innaccurate.

In his final year at Liverpool Owen stalled on signing a new contract despite the clubs best efforts to get him to put pen to paper, and his reassurances that he would definately sign. He had his agent sounding out the likes of Real Madrid, and when they finally made an approach just as he was entering the final year of his contract, he wanted to go, leaving Liverpool having to accept a paltry sum for a player of his standing in the game. Madrid had Liverpool over a barrell.

Benitez wanted him to stay, but Owen had always stated from his earliest days at the club that he would not see out his career at Liverpool and that he wanted to play abroad one day, a statement that would ensure that he was never really taken to the hearts of the fans in the same way that Fowler had been before him. At the time it was clear from interviews that he gave that he was not convinced that he could achieve his career goals with Liverpool.

It's rather sad for him how it's all turned out. Even when given the chance two summers ago to refuse a move to Newcastle and leave Madrid having to contemplate accepting Liverpools lesser offer, he took the move because he was more concerned about Madrid leaving him languishing in their reserves and Sven's warnings that players not playing first team football would not be guaranteed their place in England's world cup side, than he was about getting the chance to return to Liverpool.

Imagine how crushing it must be to leave Liverpool because you don't believe they can satisfy your career aspirations, and then wind up a year later at Newcastle, who haven't won a trophy in two Michael Owen lifetimes. But he chose to do it. In the event he only had a brief participation in the World Cup.

He had the chance to stay, he had the chance to return, i can't see it happening now. Liverpool have moved on without him.

[muckypups]

Good post and thanks for the clarification John Rambo. Looking back I do recall all manner of shenanigans going on regarding his contract negotiations, and his apparent reluctance to sign. (It's worth remembering too that Beckham had also signed for Madrid and they were good mates..whether that influenced his decision is hard to say..)

I agree as well that it is rather sad the way things have turned out for Owen, the injuries are a blow that can strike any player but you do get the feeling that he's made some very poor decisions on the way.

[Jared]

Liverpool have won the race for Brazilian midfielder Lucas, according to his club Gremio.

The 20-year-old has long been linked with a move for Europe, as his impressive displays as the holding midfielder for Gremio have caught the eye of watching scouts.

Gremio have claimed a host of teams came calling, but stated Liverpool acted quickly to wrap up the transfer.

"We did business very fast with Liverpool because there was a lot of interest," Gremio secretary Alfredo Oliveira told Radio Bandeirantes.

"Lucas travelled to England to present himself and although there are a few little details to be resolved, I can say that the transfer has been arranged and that Lucas will join his new team once Gremio's participation in the Copa Libertadores ends."

It is believed that Liverpool have paid in the region of £8million for the Brazil international.

Gremio are in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, but Lucas should link-up with The Reds for pre-season in order to put pressure on the likes of Mohamed Sissoko, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.

By Patricio Figueroa - Created on 11 May 2007 Skysports.com

Could this be the end of either Alonso or Sissokos career at Anfield? Providing the Mascherano deal becomes permenant I can see Rafa forking out 8Million for a 5th choice CM. Maybe either of these players could be going to Barca with Etoo coming the other way.

[John_Rambo]

Yes, it would appear almost certain that Benitez doesn't expect one of Mascherano or Alonso to stay.

[scousemouse]

Yes, it would appear almost certain that Benitez doesn't expect one of Mascherano or Alonso to stay.

I would hope it would be sissoko leaving rather than Alonso.

I think the boy mascherano is truely world class and in a diffrent league to sissoko and is a must to stay , probably Rafa's best signing for Liverpool.

We all know Rafa has a tendancy to play gerrard on the right and I hope Alonso would want to stay , on his day he is one of the best passers of the ball in world football.

Word on the street was he was absolutely gutted when he found out he had been dropped for the first time in his Liverpool career in the game against chelsea. Its sink or swim time for Xavi , lets hope he swims .

[scousemouse]

King Robbie Fowler will leave Liverpool at the end of the season .

A hero forever , a true scouser and fans favourite.

All the best GOD.

I hope he scores the winner against Milan.

Fowler rejoined the club in January 2006Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has confirmed his contract will not be extended at the end of this season.

The popular striker's deal runs out in the summer and he has been told by Reds manager Rafael Benitez he is free to leave Anfield.

"I have not even thought about my future beyond Liverpool," the 32-year-old told the Liverpool Echo.

"The manager explained the situation to me this week and I wasn't a bit surprised to be honest."

Fowler will play against Charlton on Sunday in his last match at Anfield in a red shirt and could feature in the Champions League final on 23 May.

He said: "Obviously it will be an emotional day for me but I want everyone to know I am still completely focused on what I see as two very important games ahead for the club.

I just hope I can finish with a few goals and a Champions League final win

Robbie Fowler

"Firstly I want to play well and win against Charlton to help us finish third, and then there is the preparation for and hopefully playing a part in the Champions League final.

"I will think about everything else after that because I don't want anything to interfere with such an important match.

"But everyone knows I've treated every game back at Liverpool in exactly the same way and given all I could for the team, and that's going to be the case in the last two matches as well."

Fowler is in his second spell at the club, having first left Anfield under a cloud to join Leeds when Gerard Houllier was Reds manager.

He made his debut for the Reds as an 18-year-old in 1993, scoring 171 goals in 330 games before joining Leeds for £11m in 2001 and then Man City for £6m in 2003.

He rejoined Liverpool in January 2006 and has netted seven goals this season.

He added: "At least this time I will get a chance to say goodbye properly because I was gutted the way it happened last time.

"Since I've been back the support I have had from the fans has been tremendous, it's been even better than it was first time around.

"Maybe you appreciate it even more when you've been away and missed it so much, but I'll never forget the reception they gave me and will always be thankful for it. "I just hope I can finish with a few goals and a Champions League final win. That will be the perfect way to end the season for me."

[kopite]

ALL THOSE WHO HAVE A RED HEART CAN REJOICE, FOR THEY HAVE SEEN GOD

[scousemouse]

So king Robbie will finally play his last game in front of the KOP tomorrow

All the best GOD , we will all love you forever and I will always be thankin you for that photo we've got together .

[scousemouse]

Nice one !!!!!!! ,

I was gutted at first when I found out that espn would be showing the Man U v West Ham game and star sports would be showing the Sheff U v Wigan game as that would mean I would miss my first Liverpool game of the season because there all on at the same time but I've just found out that +sport ch 63 are showing the Liverpool game live .

So now all we need is Robbie Fowler to score a hat-trick at the Kop end !!!! .

[scousemouse]

Nice one !!!!!!! ,

I was gutted at first when I found out that espn would be showing the Man U v West Ham game and star sports would be showing the Sheff U v Wigan game as that would mean I would miss my first Liverpool game of the season because there all on at the same time but I've just found out that +sport ch 63 are showing the Liverpool game live .

So now all we need is Robbie Fowler to score a hat-trick at the Kop end !!!! .

C'mon Robbie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scousemouse]

sod's law !!!!! , 2 minutes after we take Robbie off we get a penalty .

Never mind , your still a legend Rob and this time you got to say good-bye to the kop properly.

Mr. Robert Bernard Fowler................Liverpool F.C Legend

GOD .

[kopite]

sod's law !!!!! , 2 minutes after we take Robbie off we get a penalty .

Never mind , your still a legend Rob and this time you got to say good-bye to the kop properly.

Mr. Robert Bernard Fowler................Liverpool F.C Legend

GOD .

exactly mate, sods law indeed. he was a true red. five fingers salute to the mancs when playing for city etc...

still one game to go though, come on robbie lad, batter the mafia B*******. if he gets on, he'll score.

legend

[scousemouse]

So after clinching 3rd place and king Robbie's Anfield swansong , the Liverpool squad are of to a Spanish training camp tomorrow to get ready for the big one in Athens.

Just hope Bellamy stays of the juice , away from the karoke bar and away from Riise .

[scousemouse]

So apparantley there is a game going on tomorrow at Wembley ??...... !!.

Hope there's 7 red cards and the game gets abandoned , only joking !!!!. I do hope the mancs and chelski serve up a good appetizer ahead of the big game on wednesday .

The latest news from the Liverpool camp ahead of the game in the words of John Arne Riise :

Riise flew with the squad to Spain on Tuesday for a training camp to acclimatise to the conditions the Reds will face in Athens.

And the 26-year-old admits excitement is growing ahead of what will be his second Champions League final appearance.

“With the Premier League being over we’ve had 10 days to prepare for this final and it’s a long time to wait,” he said.

“Everyone is buzzing about it and the game can’t come quickly enough.

“It’s good for us to get away, get our bodies used to the heat and work privately with no distractions.”

The Reds’ last training camp abroad ended in a well publicised altercation between Riise and Craig Bellamy but the left-back insisted: “The lads are great together and we have a lot of fun.

“Of course we will play some golf but I don’t think there will be any karaoke this time!”

.

The lads seem to be in a confident mood which only bodes well for the final ( I hope

)

[scousemouse]

This might be a surprise for some of the Liverpool followers not from or living in Liverpool , the results so far for the player of the year ( voting ends the friday after the champions league final ).

Xabi Alonso 19.10%

Daniel Agger 5.11%

Fabio Aurellio 0.31%

Craig Bellamy 0.29%

Jamie Carragher 24.80%

Peter Crouch 1.25%

Steve Finnan 11.12%

Steven Gerrard 4.75%

Dirk Kuyt 2.41%

Jermaine Pennant 0.70%

Jose Reina 29.16%

John Arne Riise

[scousemouse]

Latest news :

Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden is facing a race against time to be fit for the Champions League final after picking up an ankle injury in training this week.

The Dutch midfielder injured his ankle in training and could be forced to miss the Athens final against AC Milan.

"He's been treated by the doctor and the good news is the swelling is not that bad," said manager Rafael Benitez.

Liverpool's first-choice keeper Jose Reina and back-up Jerzy Dudek have both been passed fit.

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 has Dudek who has been suffering with a groin problem.

Bolo can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team

Rafael BenitezBenitez will make no decision on Zenden until further checks on the injury.

He added: "It will be difficult to say he will be fit for the final now, but I won't say 'no' yet.

"He is strong and determined and it may recover quickly. I still hope he will be OK.

"It will be a big disappointment for him and for us if it's not possible. Bolo can bring character, experience and tactical knowledge to the team.

"He is one of the good options for the left side, but now we must see how he recovers and decide what to do."

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

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