REMEMBER HIM?
Dietmar Hamann
He will not be forgotten...
Who will neutralise Kaka this time round?
Who will neutralise Kaka this time round?
Friday, 4 May 2007
PENNANT FOR ENGLAND
He may not have been a popular figure in the start and was a major doubt when he was signed from birmmingham. But there's no denying what he can do and what he can produce. Look at his stats. He's a big match player. The way he tortured the left backs. He's got the cutting edge that no other Right winger have in england. He's a good crosser of the ball. If to compare he's a better crosser than Wright Phillips and Lennon. Pace wise he's up on top with these guys. After this performance. I hope Mclaren starts looking hard at him. He'll be a real boost to allow Gerrard more freedom in the middle.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
THE FINAL IN ATHENS
So here are the finalist of the Champions League Cup....
LIVERPOOL V AC MILAN.
Can Liverpool repeat history again like last time in Istanbul?What do you think???
LIVERPOOL V AC MILAN.
Can Liverpool repeat history again like last time in Istanbul?What do you think???
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
RAFA"COULDN'T ASK FOR MORE"
Rafael Benitez revealed his pride in his Liverpool heroes after they reached their second Champions League Final in three seasons.
The Spanish chief saw his side win 1-0 on the night, and then 4-1 on penalties after a nerve-shredding period of extra-time.
Benitez said: 'I could not have asked for more. It was very hard, they have some great attacking players and it was hard to keep them under control and keep a clean sheet.
'But we did that, we played with great passion and skill, and our fans helped us through.'
But as Benitez contemplates an Athens final on May 23 against either Manchester United or AC Milan - the team Liverpool beat in Istanbul in 2005 - he was not prepared to rise to any debate with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The Liverpool manager said: 'I would just prefer to enjoy this moment, to enjoy the thought of the final again and just praise my team without saying anything else.
'I will just enjoy this, the atmosphere was fantastic. But I repeat, Chelsea were pushing hard and we had to work really hard in defence.
'(Didier) Drogba was difficult, but they have other very good attackers, we had to work very hard to control them.'
Benitez also hailed goalkeeper Jose Reina, who made two crucial saves in the shoot-out, bringing back memories of his display in the penalty decider in last season's FA Cup final against West Ham.
Benitez said: 'Pepe was a specialist penalty stopper in Spain, and he has done the same thing here, he practices and is very hard to beat.
'But I felt we knew how to beat Chelsea, we played with passion and I am really proud of my players.'
Mourinho, who has now lost three European semi-finals in four seasons, and virtually conceded the Premier League title at the weekend, struggled for the right words.
He said: 'As far as my management career goes, that was the most heartbreaking night.
'To lose a Champions League semi-final on penalties is hard to take.
'I do not think we were bothered by the atmosphere, it was a great atmosphere with their fans supporting their team.
'It did not affect us, we were the team in blue always trying to win. They had a short period in the first half in control, but after that I felt it was always Chelsea in control and trying to win the game.
'For 90 minutes, extra-time, we always tried to win. Free-kicks, we had every strong player into the box we showed we wanted to win the game so we had no problems with the atmosphere.
'I felt Chelsea could always win. Penalties, penalties, some people say they are luck, some that their 'keeper has an appetite for them or that some players do not take them well.
'They scored four, us one. That was the story of the game and they were stronger in that part of the game and are in the final.'
He added: 'We will keep going. There is always a next chance, next season is another season. I feel we deserve to be in a final, three times now in four seasons we get this close, we deserve a final.
'But in five, 10, 20 years, nobody will remember that Chelsea were the better team in the first-leg of the semi-final and I feel deserved to win the second.
'Nobody will remember that Chelsea were the best team in extra-time. That is the history of football.'
*snipped from soccernet.com*
The Spanish chief saw his side win 1-0 on the night, and then 4-1 on penalties after a nerve-shredding period of extra-time.
Benitez said: 'I could not have asked for more. It was very hard, they have some great attacking players and it was hard to keep them under control and keep a clean sheet.
'But we did that, we played with great passion and skill, and our fans helped us through.'
But as Benitez contemplates an Athens final on May 23 against either Manchester United or AC Milan - the team Liverpool beat in Istanbul in 2005 - he was not prepared to rise to any debate with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The Liverpool manager said: 'I would just prefer to enjoy this moment, to enjoy the thought of the final again and just praise my team without saying anything else.
'I will just enjoy this, the atmosphere was fantastic. But I repeat, Chelsea were pushing hard and we had to work really hard in defence.
'(Didier) Drogba was difficult, but they have other very good attackers, we had to work very hard to control them.'
Benitez also hailed goalkeeper Jose Reina, who made two crucial saves in the shoot-out, bringing back memories of his display in the penalty decider in last season's FA Cup final against West Ham.
Benitez said: 'Pepe was a specialist penalty stopper in Spain, and he has done the same thing here, he practices and is very hard to beat.
'But I felt we knew how to beat Chelsea, we played with passion and I am really proud of my players.'
Mourinho, who has now lost three European semi-finals in four seasons, and virtually conceded the Premier League title at the weekend, struggled for the right words.
He said: 'As far as my management career goes, that was the most heartbreaking night.
'To lose a Champions League semi-final on penalties is hard to take.
'I do not think we were bothered by the atmosphere, it was a great atmosphere with their fans supporting their team.
'It did not affect us, we were the team in blue always trying to win. They had a short period in the first half in control, but after that I felt it was always Chelsea in control and trying to win the game.
'For 90 minutes, extra-time, we always tried to win. Free-kicks, we had every strong player into the box we showed we wanted to win the game so we had no problems with the atmosphere.
'I felt Chelsea could always win. Penalties, penalties, some people say they are luck, some that their 'keeper has an appetite for them or that some players do not take them well.
'They scored four, us one. That was the story of the game and they were stronger in that part of the game and are in the final.'
He added: 'We will keep going. There is always a next chance, next season is another season. I feel we deserve to be in a final, three times now in four seasons we get this close, we deserve a final.
'But in five, 10, 20 years, nobody will remember that Chelsea were the better team in the first-leg of the semi-final and I feel deserved to win the second.
'Nobody will remember that Chelsea were the best team in extra-time. That is the history of football.'
*snipped from soccernet.com*
MIGHTY REDS ARE OFF TO ATHENS!!
Liverpool are through to the Champions League Final in Athens after they produced an awesome performance to overturn Chelsea's first leg lead and win Tuesday's Semi Final on penalties on a glorious night at Anfield.
The Reds sealed their place in the final against either Manchester United or AC Milan after Daniel Agger's first half leveller had taken them into extra time and then penalties. And they beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties with Pepe Reina the hero saving three of Chelsea's spot kicks.
It was a cruel way to go out for Chelsea, but on the balance of chances Liverpool deserved their win because they were the ones who had come closest and controlled most of an epic 120 minutes.
It wasn't just on the pitch that this battle was won. The Anfield atmosphere was simply breathtaking. You could search far and wide and still not find a support to match it. No one does scarves and flags like Liverpool and, combined with the noise; it presented a wall of power that drove the players on to a fantastic prize.
And it will be Liverpool's second European Cup Final in just three years, a throw back to the late 70s and early 80s, when the Reds dominated Europe just as they are doing now.
With what was at stake it was no surprise to see this game start slowly. Jose Mourinho had said his side would come here to attack, but they dropped inside their own half every time Liverpool had the ball and the Reds were finding space hard to find.
Rafa had stated his intention by starting with Steven Gerrard at the centre of the midfield and with two strikers in Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch. And it was Liverpool who did all of the early pressing, without really threatening to test Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.
That was until the 22nd minute, when Daniel Agger scored and sent an already noisy Anfield into an absolute frenzy. It came from a free kick on the left of the Chelsea penalty area. Steven Gerrard fooled everyone when he rolled the ball back to Agger 12 yards from goal and he finished superbly side footed.
We needed a great save by Reina from danger man Drogba just minutes later and Chelsea got on the front foot for the first time as half time approached, but Agger's goal had levelled the tie and it was game on when the sides went in for the break.
The game was on a knife edge. A goal for Liverpool would put them in pole position, but a goal for Chelsea would leave the Reds needing two. Steven Gerrard though wasn't about to stick, he wanted to force the issue and only the timely intervention of Ashley Cole deprived him of a run on goal with the second half just minutes old.
Chelsea responded with a shot wide from Cole, but Liverpool were soon back on the attack and it took a brilliant save from Cech to stop Crouch's far post header after Pennant's cross had picked him out.
Liverpool were looking the more likely and they came desperately close again in the 59th minute when this time Riise's cross found the head of Kuyt; and he rattled the Chelsea crossbar with Cech beaten.
The chances kept coming for Liverpool. Next it was a last ditch deflection that sent Pennant's fierce shot over the crossbar and into the Kop. The Reds were on top, but the question on everyone's lips was would the goal come; and would Chelsea come again.
Liverpool escaped when Carragher deflected the ball just inches over his own crossbar with Drogba closing in, but as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes it became obvious that we would have extra time.
It was again Liverpool who had the better chances in extra time. It took a great block to stop Riise's goalbound effort and all of Anfield thought they'd scored the winner when Kuyt slammed the ball home after Cech could only parry Alonso's shot, but they were cruelly denied by what looked a wrong offside decision. And in the dieing minutes, it took another fine Cech save to deny Kuyt a certain winner.
So it was penalties and it was just like Istanbul with Liverpool's goalkeeper and penalty takers again proving they had the greater strength of mind. Zenden scored, Reina saved from Robben , Alonso scored, Lampard scored, Gerrard scored, Reina saved from Geremi and then Kuyt scored. What a night!
*snipped from liverpoolfc.tv*
The Reds sealed their place in the final against either Manchester United or AC Milan after Daniel Agger's first half leveller had taken them into extra time and then penalties. And they beat Chelsea 4-1 on penalties with Pepe Reina the hero saving three of Chelsea's spot kicks.
It was a cruel way to go out for Chelsea, but on the balance of chances Liverpool deserved their win because they were the ones who had come closest and controlled most of an epic 120 minutes.
It wasn't just on the pitch that this battle was won. The Anfield atmosphere was simply breathtaking. You could search far and wide and still not find a support to match it. No one does scarves and flags like Liverpool and, combined with the noise; it presented a wall of power that drove the players on to a fantastic prize.
And it will be Liverpool's second European Cup Final in just three years, a throw back to the late 70s and early 80s, when the Reds dominated Europe just as they are doing now.
With what was at stake it was no surprise to see this game start slowly. Jose Mourinho had said his side would come here to attack, but they dropped inside their own half every time Liverpool had the ball and the Reds were finding space hard to find.
Rafa had stated his intention by starting with Steven Gerrard at the centre of the midfield and with two strikers in Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch. And it was Liverpool who did all of the early pressing, without really threatening to test Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.
That was until the 22nd minute, when Daniel Agger scored and sent an already noisy Anfield into an absolute frenzy. It came from a free kick on the left of the Chelsea penalty area. Steven Gerrard fooled everyone when he rolled the ball back to Agger 12 yards from goal and he finished superbly side footed.
We needed a great save by Reina from danger man Drogba just minutes later and Chelsea got on the front foot for the first time as half time approached, but Agger's goal had levelled the tie and it was game on when the sides went in for the break.
The game was on a knife edge. A goal for Liverpool would put them in pole position, but a goal for Chelsea would leave the Reds needing two. Steven Gerrard though wasn't about to stick, he wanted to force the issue and only the timely intervention of Ashley Cole deprived him of a run on goal with the second half just minutes old.
Chelsea responded with a shot wide from Cole, but Liverpool were soon back on the attack and it took a brilliant save from Cech to stop Crouch's far post header after Pennant's cross had picked him out.
Liverpool were looking the more likely and they came desperately close again in the 59th minute when this time Riise's cross found the head of Kuyt; and he rattled the Chelsea crossbar with Cech beaten.
The chances kept coming for Liverpool. Next it was a last ditch deflection that sent Pennant's fierce shot over the crossbar and into the Kop. The Reds were on top, but the question on everyone's lips was would the goal come; and would Chelsea come again.
Liverpool escaped when Carragher deflected the ball just inches over his own crossbar with Drogba closing in, but as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes it became obvious that we would have extra time.
It was again Liverpool who had the better chances in extra time. It took a great block to stop Riise's goalbound effort and all of Anfield thought they'd scored the winner when Kuyt slammed the ball home after Cech could only parry Alonso's shot, but they were cruelly denied by what looked a wrong offside decision. And in the dieing minutes, it took another fine Cech save to deny Kuyt a certain winner.
So it was penalties and it was just like Istanbul with Liverpool's goalkeeper and penalty takers again proving they had the greater strength of mind. Zenden scored, Reina saved from Robben , Alonso scored, Lampard scored, Gerrard scored, Reina saved from Geremi and then Kuyt scored. What a night!
*snipped from liverpoolfc.tv*
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
RAFA HITS BACK!!!
Rafael Benitez has fuelled his feud with Jose Mourinho by claiming that tinkering with his Chelsea team at the weekend 'cost him the league title'.
Liverpool boss Benitez has had to listen to Mourinho's suggestion that the Anfield men have been playing 'testimonials' for weeks because they have only one trophy to play for.
The Chelsea manager has also been critical of Benitez's decisions to rest players ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clashes.
But now Benitez, ahead of tomorrow's decisive semi-final second leg at Anfield, claims that by trying to do the same in the 2-2 draw against Bolton on Saturday, Mourinho lost Chelsea their Premiership crown.
'It has cost him the league title,' Benitez said.
And that, believes Benitez, will make the pressure-cooker atmosphere at Stamford Bridge even more difficult for Mourinho to handle.
Benitez even took a sly dig at Mourinho's `Special One' tag, saying: 'We have our special ones here, they are our fans, who always play with their hearts.'
He added of Chelsea: 'They know the pressure they have, but everyone has their own problems. We want to win this game, we want to finish third and, as for them, I do not need to put them under more pressure because they know full well what pressure they are under to win things.
'They try to win everything - that is enough pressure without me saying anything.
'They know the pressures they are under, you only have to ask Mr Abramovich what he wants, the Champions League or the Premier League. They know.
'It is clear they will be under pressure because they were talking about trophies, trophies, trophies. Maybe they have one less to win now and that makes the Champions League their priority.'
Mourinho has also been critical of Liverpool's fans over the past week, but Benitez hit back by saying that, unlike Chelsea, Liverpool do not need to hand out free flags to get their fans in the right mood.
He added: 'At Stamford Bridge, we showed that our supporters won their battle, even though Chelsea had their fans all with flags to wave. But our supporters were there with their hearts.
'We do not need to give away flags for our fans to wave - our supporters are always there with their hearts and that is all we need.
'I aim to be concentrating on one competition after the semi-final, and I do not worry whether Chelsea have one or two to think about.
'They will know that Anfield is a difficult place for them. I know they can say it is not a problem and they have experienced it before, but we know it will be a problem for them.
'Our supporters, they are the special ones, that is clear. Chelsea know why.'
Two years ago, the Anfield hordes roared their team into the Istanbul final on a memorable night against Chelsea, and Benitez believes they can do it again, with the Merseysiders 1-0 down from the first-leg.
He said: 'We can use the memories of two years ago to our advantage because we know what the players and fans can do working together.
'I remember before the game in 2005, the Chelsea players spoke a lot about being ready for the Anfield atmosphere, but when the game was played they could not handle it. It's very difficult for any opposing team to prepare to play against 12 men.
'Our fans cannot give red cards or award penalties, but they can score goals. I like this about our supporters because we know they will show they are in the best in the world again tomorrow night.
'The players can also use these positive memories. We will go into the game with a lot of confidence, but we know Chelsea are a very good team and we cannot afford to make mistakes.
'They are a team which has been built with a lot of money to win major trophies. They spent a lot of money on [Andriy] Shevchenko and [Michael] Ballack last year because their priority is the Champions League. Now they have more difficulties in the Premiership, it's clear if they're going to win a major trophy, this is the one they want to win.'
And Benitez reveals he has spent time working on the mistakes made in the first leg last week at Stamford Bridge.
He said: 'We are trying to learn from our mistakes in the first leg, they are very good, but I have confidence because playing with 12 men is a great advantage for us.
'It is no secret we will try to play with a high tempo from the beginning, something we didn't do in the first-leg. If we can keep a high tempo going for 90 minutes, that will be perfect.
'We did not play to our best level in the first leg, that is the key for me.
'If we play to our best, we will win.'
*snipped from soccernet.com*
Liverpool boss Benitez has had to listen to Mourinho's suggestion that the Anfield men have been playing 'testimonials' for weeks because they have only one trophy to play for.
The Chelsea manager has also been critical of Benitez's decisions to rest players ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clashes.
But now Benitez, ahead of tomorrow's decisive semi-final second leg at Anfield, claims that by trying to do the same in the 2-2 draw against Bolton on Saturday, Mourinho lost Chelsea their Premiership crown.
'It has cost him the league title,' Benitez said.
And that, believes Benitez, will make the pressure-cooker atmosphere at Stamford Bridge even more difficult for Mourinho to handle.
Benitez even took a sly dig at Mourinho's `Special One' tag, saying: 'We have our special ones here, they are our fans, who always play with their hearts.'
He added of Chelsea: 'They know the pressure they have, but everyone has their own problems. We want to win this game, we want to finish third and, as for them, I do not need to put them under more pressure because they know full well what pressure they are under to win things.
'They try to win everything - that is enough pressure without me saying anything.
'They know the pressures they are under, you only have to ask Mr Abramovich what he wants, the Champions League or the Premier League. They know.
'It is clear they will be under pressure because they were talking about trophies, trophies, trophies. Maybe they have one less to win now and that makes the Champions League their priority.'
Mourinho has also been critical of Liverpool's fans over the past week, but Benitez hit back by saying that, unlike Chelsea, Liverpool do not need to hand out free flags to get their fans in the right mood.
He added: 'At Stamford Bridge, we showed that our supporters won their battle, even though Chelsea had their fans all with flags to wave. But our supporters were there with their hearts.
'We do not need to give away flags for our fans to wave - our supporters are always there with their hearts and that is all we need.
'I aim to be concentrating on one competition after the semi-final, and I do not worry whether Chelsea have one or two to think about.
'They will know that Anfield is a difficult place for them. I know they can say it is not a problem and they have experienced it before, but we know it will be a problem for them.
'Our supporters, they are the special ones, that is clear. Chelsea know why.'
Two years ago, the Anfield hordes roared their team into the Istanbul final on a memorable night against Chelsea, and Benitez believes they can do it again, with the Merseysiders 1-0 down from the first-leg.
He said: 'We can use the memories of two years ago to our advantage because we know what the players and fans can do working together.
'I remember before the game in 2005, the Chelsea players spoke a lot about being ready for the Anfield atmosphere, but when the game was played they could not handle it. It's very difficult for any opposing team to prepare to play against 12 men.
'Our fans cannot give red cards or award penalties, but they can score goals. I like this about our supporters because we know they will show they are in the best in the world again tomorrow night.
'The players can also use these positive memories. We will go into the game with a lot of confidence, but we know Chelsea are a very good team and we cannot afford to make mistakes.
'They are a team which has been built with a lot of money to win major trophies. They spent a lot of money on [Andriy] Shevchenko and [Michael] Ballack last year because their priority is the Champions League. Now they have more difficulties in the Premiership, it's clear if they're going to win a major trophy, this is the one they want to win.'
And Benitez reveals he has spent time working on the mistakes made in the first leg last week at Stamford Bridge.
He said: 'We are trying to learn from our mistakes in the first leg, they are very good, but I have confidence because playing with 12 men is a great advantage for us.
'It is no secret we will try to play with a high tempo from the beginning, something we didn't do in the first-leg. If we can keep a high tempo going for 90 minutes, that will be perfect.
'We did not play to our best level in the first leg, that is the key for me.
'If we play to our best, we will win.'
*snipped from soccernet.com*
PORTSMOUTH 2 LIVERPOOL 1
 | Portsmouth 2 Liverpool 1 | Apr 30, '07 10:02 AM for group thisisanfield |
| Category: | Other |
Reds keeper Jerzy Dudek’s misjudgement allowed Benjani Mwaruwari to chip over him and nod in for Pompey’s opener.
Niko Kranjcar chested down a long ball and finished with aplomb as Pompey went further ahead before Boudewijn Zenden’s shot hit the crossbar for Liverpool.
Sami Hyypia headed in as the Reds fought back but some stubborn defending helped Pompey to victory.
Pompey keeper and ex-Liverpool stopper David James had received an award before kick-off for recently breaking the Premiership clean sheet record.
James was also the unlikely catalyst in helping Pompey take the lead and livening up a dour affair. He started a counter-attack which ended with Gary O’Neil’s curled effort tipped round the post by Dudek. James again launched a long kick which Dudek flapped at on the edge of his area and Mwaruwari pounced to put his side ahead.
Kranjcar, who had come on for Matthew Taylor, was left in acres of space as he chested down a long diagonal Lauren ball and slotted into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.
The Reds clearly had their eyes on the Champions League semi-final, second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday and the replacement were found wanting.
Liverpool had only a Zenden half-volley, which rattled the crossbar, to show for their efforts in the first half.Pompey had a chance to put the game out of reach after the break but Dudek saved well from Mwaruwari from a tight angle.
The visitors had more intent about them in the second half and were rewarded when Hyypia headed in a Robbie Fowler corner.
Pompey were forced on to the backfoot and two last-ditch tackles from Glen Johnson on Craig Bellamy proved crucial.
Hyypia, scathing of some of his Liverpool teammates, said: "This was a chance for those who are not playing regularly but there were a lot who didn't play in the first half. I haven't been in the team regularly, so it was a chance to show I still belong in the club.
"I was very fired up but it only takes a few people not being up for it from the start, then you don't play well.
"I'm sure the boys back home enjoyed their rest. Now they will be fired up for Tuesday.
"Yes, we can score two goals against Chelsea. If we can create the same atmosphere that was there when we last played Chelsea in the semi-final then we have a good chance to win and give something back to the fans.
"Then they can come and support us in Athens."
- Liverpool: Dudek, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Paletta, Insua, Sissoko (El Zhar 83), Alonso, Zenden, Gonzalez (Pennant 67), Fowler, Bellamy.
- Subs Not Used: Padelli, Kuyt, Hobbs.
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