[lfc-news] Jubilant Reds hail Dudek - PA

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PA Sport, 25 May 2005
JUBILANT REDS HAIL DUDEK

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard hinted he would be staying with an
Anfield after the club became European champions.

Gerrard started the Reds' comeback with the first goal as they hit back
from 3-0 down to level the match at 3-3, before going on to win a
penalty shoot-out 3-2 after extra-time had failed to produce a winner.

The England midfielder's Liverpool future has been in doubt - with
Chelsea and Real Madrid reportedly interested in signing him.

But after tonight's success in Istanbul Gerrard told Sky Sports: "I'll
be having talks very shortly - and it's looking good."

Centre-back Sami Hyypia thought goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek deserved the
plaudits for the victory, making a superb double save from Andriy
Shevchenko in extra-time and then producing the goods in the shoot-out.

"The magnificent save from Jerzy, then the penalty shoot-out, he's the
hero today," he said on ITV1.

"It unbelievable, back in the first they went 3-0 up and many thought
the game was over, we decided to give it a go and we did it.

"It was great to comeback, as long as we got the first goal we had a
chance."

Gerrard told ITV1 that even he thought the game was beyond Liverpool at
half-time.

But he gave credit to boss Rafael Benitez for reminding the players the
match was far from over.

"Credit to this man," said Gerrard, with Benitez by his side. "He never
let us get our heads down.

Paying tribute to the masses of supporters who followed Liverpool to
Istanbul, he added: "These fans have saved up for months to come here.

"After the Carling Cup final a few people questioned my commitment but
I'm just happy I can do this for the fans, the chairman and this
football club."

Gerrard gave an indication that his future could be at Liverpool next
season.

"I'm going to talk very soon with (chairman) Rick Parry and the manager
but it's looking good."

Defensive henchman Jamie Carragher added: "It's unbelievable. This must
be one of the greatest of all time. I've never seen a final like that in
my life."

Like Gerrard, Carragher admitted he felt down and out at half-time.

"We were all deflated," he said, before revealing how Liverpool felt
confident after Gerrard pulled the first goal back.

"We got the first one and they seemed to 'go'. I'm just delighted."

Gerrard continued: "At 3-0 down at half-time I thought I was going to be
in tears after the final whistle.

"But the manager said keep our chins up and try and score early - and we
did.

"I'm on top of the world. Every one of us deserves it - it hasn't sunk
in yet and I'm finding it hard to talk.

"I can't describe how good I feel.

"The fans are the 12th man and I'm really happy for chairman.

"We've taken some stick over the past few years and now we have delivered."

Benitez explained: "At half-time I had to change things and hope things
would be different - we scored and they were.

"We lost Harry Kewell and other players had cramp. It was very difficult
but the players believe and we won."

Outstanding defender Jamie Carragher added: "I think it will go down in
history - people will be talking about it in 20-30 years' time.

"I honestly haven't seen a game like that I don't think.

"I said at half-time we had to go for it - we didn't want to be beaten
four or five nil, then we got the first goal.

"The save Jerzy Dudek made from Shevchenko at the end was unbelievable.

"I can't believe we've just won."

Dudek added on Sky Sports: "This is our night - we did a fantastic job."

Benitez, whose greatest triumph has come in his first year as Liverpool
manager, after leaving Valencia last summer, was as buoyant as his players.

"Fantastic. After losing 3-0 [at half-time], losing players and with
injury problems at the end, it's fantastic," he said.

"If the players believe, you can do it."

Like Gerrard's compliment for his manager, Benitez had praise for his
captain, particularly with regards to the goal which gave Liverpool a
whiff of a chance.

Benitez told ITV1: "It's good for us. When the captain scores all the
team play the same.

"It's been a really good match. a good game."

For Dudek, his performance has redeemed a player who has been cast as a
scapegoat.

"I was waiting for this moment," he said. "I had difficult moments in
this game but this is fantastic."

Asked about his brilliant double save from Shevchenko, which kept the
scores locked at 3-3 going into the closing minutes of extra-time, Dudek
added: ``I don't know how I did it.

"It was fortunate for myself that I did it. Fantastic for me."

And Dudek revealed Bruce Grobbelaar's antics in the 1984 final, where
his wobbly-legged dance confused Roma's penalty takers, had been an
inspiration for the shoot-out.

"Of course I watched it. That was my inspiration," he said.

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