Liverpool FC Stuff - Anfield Road: May 22, 2005

Saturday, May 28, 2005

[lfc-news] Stevie thanks magnificent Reds fans - Official Site

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Official LFC Website, 28 May 2005
STEVIE THANKS MAGNIFICENT REDS FANS
By Steve Hunter

Captain fantastic Steven Gerrard saluted the Liverpool fans who saluted
their heroes on the tour of the city and said it was the greatest two
nights of his life.

Gerrard said the Liverpool fans are the best and was simply in awe at
the reception the team got from the supporters on the streets of Liverpool.

Gerrard said: "It was unbelievable. None of the players imagined there
would be so many people there, waiting to cheer us on.

"The scenes were incredible. I was sitting on the plane coming home with
my medal and thinking 'life can't get any better than this,' and then
you saw those fans everywhere.

"Someone told me there was about a million people on the route and it
was just so special.

"I can remember the celebrations following the cup treble in 2001, but
this was something else. The lads were just buzzing.

"For some of the foreign players it was a real eye-opener but this is
Liverpool Football Club, and that's why we never gave in against Milan
when it looked like a lost cause.

"The fans in Istanbul were brilliant and the welcome home topped off the
greatest night of my life. I'd just like to say thank you to everyone
who turned out on behalf of all the players. Those supporters are the best."

Gerrard also revealed he slept with the European Cup in his hotel
bedroom following the dramatic win over AC Milan.

Gerrard joked: "Well I didn't sleep with it but it was in my room! It
was just special and I just had to have the cup with me, lifting the cup
as Liverpool captain was just the best moment of my life."

Xabi Alonso said he was in awe and couldn't quite believe the amount of
supporters who came out to applaud Liverpool in their thousands during
the parade of the city.

Alonso said winning the Champions League and securing a fifth European
Cup for Liverpool was the proudest moment of his career.

Alonso said: "It's really difficult to describe how we feel. This really
is amazing to see all the people who came out to see us. I've never seen
celebrations like this and I didn't expect so many people.

"This is the biggest trophy of my career and in my first season with
Liverpool it is really special. We hope to win it a lot more in the future."

Alonso said playing in the Champions League final more than made up for
his despair at missing the Anfield semi-final with Chelsea.

Alonso said: "It was fantastic and it was just great to play in the
final. We had some incredible celebrations after the game as well."

Djibril Cisse says he can't quite believe his dream of playing and
scoring a goal in the Champions League final came true and said it was
one of the best moments of his life.

Cisse scored a vital penalty in the shoot-out victory over AC Milan and
the French striker said he was overwhelmed with the amazing support of
the fans on the parade of the city.

Cisse said: "It is great to see the people and I have never seen
anything like this. This is a special club with special fans.

"I was out for six months but I've come back to help Liverpool win the
Champions League. It's amazing and I can't believe my dream came true.
The way it has ended it has been a great season.

"This is one of the best days of my life. Just to get on in the match
was brilliant for me and to score a goal in the penalty shoot-out was
extra special. I was nervous before taking the kick as I knew how
important it was to the club and also to our wonderful fans."

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[lfc-news] Traore: Milan celebrations inspired us

Official LFC Website, 28 May 2005
TRAORE: MILAN CELEBRATIONS INSPIRED US
By Paul Eaton

Djimi Traore has revealed how AC Milan's half time celebrations inspired
the Reds to produce the greatest comeback the European Cup final has
ever seen.

As manager Rafa Benitez spent the intervel attempting to convince his
players they could still triumph in Istanbul, Milan players were already
celebrating after establishing a three goal lead.

Traore admits the sounds from the Milan dressing room were a huge
motivating factor to cut short their celebrations with an epic second
half display.

"Honestly, when I sat listening to the manager at half-time I did not
really believe we could do it. Against Milan even less, they are great
players," he said.

"But when we were back in the dressing room the Milan players were
outside already celebrating that they were champions, celebrating the
victory. That really got to us and gave us the hunger to come back at them.

"Once we scored the first one they were scared, and they fell back. When
we brought Didi on it gave us a lot of experience in midfield and it
really disrupted them.

"I think he is good for the team and I hope that he stays at Liverpool
next season."

He added: "It is just unbelievable for me, to think we were 3-0 down at
half-time.

"But when we got back into the dressing room the manager told us we
could still do it if we scored in the first five minutes. He said if we
did that we could keep scoring and they would wilt.

"And we had people like Gerrard and Carragher for keeping us going, and
we have to say thank you to Jerzy Dudek.

"The two wonderful saves right at the end from Shevchenko were the key,
and then when he saved a penalty and made their men miss a couple he can
be very happy as we all can with being champions."

"We have had some luck, we have had that fortune all the way through. In
the early rounds, then against Olympiacos, it has just been on our side.

"There was a lot of lads who have contributed along the way who were
injured and couldn't be involved, Flo and Neil have both played their
part and we may not have been here but for what they had done in the
very early round."As for me I want to continue to play for Liverpool for
the rest of my career. I have no doubt about that.

"Now we are going to celebrate for five days, there will be a party in
Liverpool and then one in Paris, these are great times."

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Friday, May 27, 2005

[lfc-news] Big guns behind Liverpool bid - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 27 May 2005
Big guns behind Liverpool bid

Pressure has increased on UEFA to include Liverpool in the Champions
League next season after G14, the grouping of elite European clubs,
called for the Reds to be allowed to defend their trophy.

G14 was the body that forced UEFA to expand the Champions League in 1998
by threatening to set up a breakaway competition and now they have
thrown their weight behind Liverpool, one of their founder members.

A G14 spokesman said: "We support the desire to see Liverpool defend
their trophy and the matter will be raised at our management board
meeting next month. We believe UEFA should look at ways of allowing this
to happen."

The organisation is made up of 18 powerful clubs including Real Madrid,
AC Milan and Bayern Munich - as well as Manchester United and Arsenal -
and a formal approach will be made to UEFA after the G14 meeting in
Amsterdam on June 9.

Meanwhile, the FA's chairman Geoff Thompson, who is also a UEFA
vice-president, has continued lobbying for there to be five English
clubs in the Champions League so Liverpool can defend their crown.

His main argument is that nearly all the 52 UEFA member countries would
be given an extra place in the Champions League in similar circumstances
- apart from England, Spain and Italy because they are already allowed
four teams in the competition.

The FA believe that is an inconsistency in the regulations and that even
if UEFA are not convinced on this occasion they should change the rules
for the future.

Thompson said: "We are working extremely hard to try to secure the extra
place for Liverpool.

"Our basic concern is to ensure that all 52 countries have the same
opportunity. There is an additional place guaranteed should the
champions come from 49 countries in Europe but not for the other three -
England, Italy and Spain.

"We are saying that there should be a level playing field and that every
country should have the same opportunity."

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[lfc-news] Benitez: Cup win won't affect summer changes - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 27 May 2005
Benitez: Cup win won't affect summer changes
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ will not allow sentiment to stand in the way of plans to
create a new Anfield dynasty this summer as he proceeds to dismantle his
European champions.

The Liverpool manager was still savouring the greatest triumph of his
career as the five-time European Cup winners returned home to a
tumultuous reception yesterday. But even amid the hysteria of a proud
city Benitez was plotting how to turn his Champions League heroes into
genuine Premiership contenders next season.

Benitez will be handed a treasure chest of around £30million this summer
and that figure could rise with a number of big-name departures from
Anfield.

Milan Baros, Harry Kewell and Jerzy Dudek could all be sold in the close
season while Dietmar Hamann, Vladimir Smicer, Igor Biscan and Mauricio
Pellegrino are out of contract.

And with on-loan El Hadji Diouf, Salif Diao, Gregory Vignal, Bruno
Cheyrou, Alou Diarra, Carl Medjani and possibly Anthony Le Tallec all
advised to find new clubs in the close season Anfield is prepared for a
mass cull.

Even those who shone in Istanbul - Dudek, Smicer and Hamann - are
unlikely to be reprieved by their European Cup achievement.

Benitez insisted: "It is my responsibility to make these decisions and I
have a very clear idea about the future.

"I will talk to the players about my plans. What has happened in this
final doesn't change things. I knew the players before the final and
after the final I still know them.

"We cannot change everything but there will be changes.

"The interesting thing now we have won the European Cup is that other
players will see we have a good team and they will want to come with us.

"We need a new mentality in the Premier League, especially away from
home, and when we have that things will be much better for sure. We will
have a better team next season.

"We were 60% of what I wanted, now we are 70%. We still have to improve
a lot. I am always trying to analyse why things happen.

Benitez added: "Why are we fifth? We know we must improve. If we want to
win more trophies we must improve."

Villarreal keeper Jose Reina, Real Zaragoza centre-half Gabriel Milito,
Owen Hargreaves, and Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt are on Benitez's wish-list.

But the inflated price of homegrown talent will continue to deter the
Liverpool manager from buying only British.

He explained: "We need to change some things and find new players. I
want good players, good professionals. It would be good to sign a lot of
English players but the market is so expensive you have to look
everywhere. It is the most expensive market in the world."

Whatever the ins and outs at Anfield during the close season Benitez is
adamant Liverpool will become a more serious domestic force next year.

He added: "As a manager and as a person I am very proud of my team. It
was the best night of my life in football.

"It is very difficult to win a trophy, especially in your first year in
a foreign country. And the Champions League is the most important and
difficult to win. When I decided to come here it was to challenge for
trophies and now we must work even harder to win more."

Meanwhile Harry Kewell is to undergo surgery on his groin injury today.

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[lfc-news] The street party with a million guests - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 27 May 2005
The street party with a million guests

IT WAS the day after Liverpool's historic, headline-grabbing Champions
League victory in Istanbul - and still the party continued last night.

But this time glory and the glitz had shifted from Turkey back to the
streets of Merseyside as the city's heroes returned home to a victory
parade no-one will forget.

The team had touched down at Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 4.24pm,
before setting off on a procession in front of an astonishing one
million adoring fans.

In an open top double decker bus they looked on as the streets in front
of them exploded into red and white.

It was a scene that will no doubt live with the team for the rest of
their lives as people young and old lined up to welcome them.

Fans climbed on to anything they could to catch a glimpse, using road
signs, traffic lights and, in some cases, police surveillance vans to
make sure they could see the squad.

And, as they snaked their way along the route through Queens Drive, past
Anfield stadium and into the city centre where they stopped St
George's's Plateau, it was quite clear that the entire community had
come together to shout, dance and simply voice their overwhelming
feelings of joy.

From the rapturous scenes that could be viewed what was not in doubt
was that Liverpool FC was back with the best of world sport. The city
may have been crowned Capital of Culture for 2008, but this year it is
undoubtedly the holder of another title, Capital of Football 2005.

Yesterday had started as a bit of blur for most following Liverpool FC's
game against AC Milan. But even though Wednesday night had been a time
of partying no one was quite ready to move down a notch from the
ecstatic feelings of the night before.

With the world's media focusing its attention on the city, praise
flooded in for Steven Gerrard and the rest of the players.

Even the Queen added her support, saying in a statement:
"Congratulations on your remarkable win last night. It was a magnificent
achievement which will be remembered for many years both in Liverpool
and across the country."

Hours later, more than 750,000 people lined the route of the parade
while a further 300,000 were in and around William Brown Street where
the procession came to an end.

Along the way little boys sat on their fathers' shoulders alongside
babies dressed in Liverpool romper suits. Grandmothers waved flags on
their front lawns while people kitted out their pet dogs in the team's
colours.

And children, having freshly dyed their hair, banged on the bus with
red-stained hands.

On Queen's Drive, near the start of the route, two young girls in white
lace dresses held a banner proclaiming: "Today was our communion party,
but we'd rather party with you."

The parade had started at around 7pm at the Rocket flyover on Queens Drive.

As cars passed underneath, drivers sounded their horns even before the
players had arrived.

The clatter of helicopters overhead mingled with a few disparate chants
among the supporters.

Then the bus came into sight, followed by the Liverpool squad in a coach
with blacked-out windows.

As they began to board, the helicopter blades, whistles, horns and
chants seemed to get louder, culminating in a deafening crescendo as
Gerrard, Garcia, Riise and Carragher took their places at the front of
the top deck.

But loud though this was it was nothing compared to the scenes at
Anfield where the deafening noises reached their peak.

As children clambered onto the Paisley Gateway, the crowds broke out
into choruses of You'll Never Walk Alone.

And the bus started bouncing up and down as the squad began rocking in
time with the chanting.

It was hard to imagine that less than 24 hours earlier, these supporters
were vainly hoping for a miracle as Liverpool went into half time 3-0 down.

But perhaps it was the roller coaster ride of emotions they went through
during the game that made this victory even more special.

"This is the most amazing day of my life," said mature student Jan
Jones,, 46, from Dovecot.

"I've supported them all my life, and it doesn't get any better than
this. This is the best place to be in the world at the moment."

AFTER passing Anfield, the parade continued through Everton Valley and
on to Scotland Road. Along the way, banners showed a mixture of messages
expressing fans' feelings for the squad.

"Thank you" was the simple wording on a red rosette held high above the
crowds while another tribute read: "Who needs Toffees when you can have
Turkish delight?"

Elsewhere, One man carried a yellowing flag, marked with "Wembley '86".

By the time the bus entered the city centre, at around 9.30pm, it was
getting dark and Liverpool's most monumental buildings around William
Brown Street were lit up.

There crowds burst in to cheers and song as the team gave the trophy a
final viewing. Student Jason Wallbank, 34, from Greasby, Wirral, was at
St George's Plateau, watching with friends.

He said: "It has been an absolutely fantastic day. It's just what the
city needs. Everyone seems to have come together to celebrate."

Near him was marketing executive Christina Sam, 27, who had travelled
from London with her partner, Richard Doherty, 25, a web designer.

She said: "This is a once in a lifetime experience. It's something we
will always remember, and it's something to tell the grandchildren about.

"The fact that you're so close to them is amazing. They are celebrities,
but they're accessible to everyone."

Following the parade Merseyside Police paid tribute to the fans.

Area commander for the city Chief Superintendent Andy Ward said: "Crowds
tonight have been extremely patient and good-natured, which has eased
the pressure of a massive policing operation.

"We'd like to thank the public for their support tonight. It's been a
great event for the city, and its success is testimony to everyone's
pride in the region's achievements.

"Officers along the route have also worked extremely hard to make sure
the parade went smoothly. My thanks also goes to them."

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Thursday, May 26, 2005

[lfc-news] FAW rejects Reds' Euro lifeline - BBC

BBC Sport, 26 May 2005
FAW rejects Reds' Euro lifeline

TNS have no hope of playing a Champions League play-off with Liverpool,
the FA of Wales has told BBC Sport.

The Welsh champions are willing to give up their place in the Champions
League first round qualifying draw if they lose to Liverpool in a
one-off match.

But the FAW has insisted that TNS must enter the competition, or else
their place would go to another Welsh club.

Liverpool failed to qualify for next season's Champions League after
finishing fifth in the Premiership.

The Football Association has confirmed that the top four teams will be
entered into next season's competition, and Uefa says it has no plans to
give Liverpool special dispensation to defend their title.

But the FA says it will lobby strongly for Liverpool to be entered into
the qualifying rounds.

Said FA executive director David Davies: "If they are admitted at an
early stage they could play one if not two of the smallest sides in
Europe and for those clubs it would be a fantastic prospect in terms of
both football and finances to face the European champions."

TNS chairman Mike Harris told BBC Wales Sport a pre-qualifier against
Liverpool would make far greater financial sense than for his side to
play against a European minnow.

But FAW secretary general David Collins said such a proposition was not
feasible and would not be supported.

TNS made their Champions League debut in 2000, losing 6-2 on aggregate
to Levadia Maardu of Estonia.

Only Barry Town have managed to progress past the Champions League's
first hurdle since the Welsh Premier's inception in 1992/93.

Harris, therefore, believes a high-profile match against Liverpool makes
greater financial sense than playing against a European minnow.

"Such a play-off would enjoy huge media coverage," he added. "It would
bring the image of our league to the whole of the UK.

"We suffer immensely compared to other nations because we're right next
door to the English Premiership which takes all the media and all the cash.

"We as a nation and as [Welsh Premier] clubs are trying to put very
stringent Uefa criteria in place in terms of our grounds which needs
massive investment.

"Such a game would help us achieve some of our ambitions. And with a bit
of luck we might beat them."

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[lfc-news] Media reaction to Liverpool win - BBC

BBC Sport, 26 May 2005
Media reaction to Liverpool win
A review of the media coverage following Liverpool's epic Champions
League victory over AC Milan.

Britain

LIVERPOOL ECHO

'We did it'
The greatest comeback in football history.

THE GUARDIAN

'Champions of Europe'
The glory of Liverpool is reborn. They are not merely champions of
Europe once more but the indefatigable creators of a victory that will
be talked about so long as football exists.

THE INDEPENDENT

'History men'
In the great, tumultuous history of Liverpool Football Club this will
take some explaining.

DAILY EXPRESS

'Dream Come True'
The newspaper recalls Steven Gerrard's comments made in Wednesday's
edition - "Imagine that, me with the trophy in the air. It is an image
in my mind I want to make it reality."

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

'Gerrard leads glorious fightback'
It was Gerrard's guts and lust for glory, his refusal to countenance
defeat even when its dark hand fell across Liverpool...

THE TIMES

'The Miracle of Istanbul'
Trounced by half-time, triumphant by the end, Liverpool celebrated their
fifth European Cup all the more joyously because of the astonishing
manner of victory.

'Kewell the odd man out on a night of pride and passion'
Never renowned for leaving a drop of blood, sweat, tears on the field,
Kewell had clearly no intent on changing this successfully high-earning
formula.

DAILY MAIL

'They've potted the big one... now let them defend it'
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish on the likelihood of the Reds missing
out on the chance to defend their title: "How can European football's
rulers possibly ignore the cry for Liverpool to be allowed to defend
their trophy next season?"

Italy

LA GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT Milan's pink sports daily newspaper

'The Champions League goes to Liverpool'
Liverpool are champions of Europe. For the fifth time. In the most
extraordinary way... This cup was thrown away by Milan when one was
already thinking about the statistics of the 4-0 victories over Steaua
and Barcelona (in previous finals)... Honour to Liverpool.

The paper quoted AC Milan owner and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi:
"Football is like politics: you think you have won, but that is not the
case. Pity, this is a real pity. But I know full well what football is
like."

CORRIERE DELLA SERA Milan, Italy' top-selling broadsheet

'The great unfinished double' (Milan were second in both the Italian
league and the Champions League.)

This is the Milan of the great unfinished tasks: they lost the
championship only a few games from the end; they lost the Champions
League final after being ahead by three goals at the end of the first
half. Never seen a Champions League thrown away like that.

'Dudek like Grobbelaar'
Like Grobbelaar, even more so than Grobbelaar. In the final at the
Olimpico [in Rome] on 30 May 1984, Roma melted away from the penalty
spot hypnotised by the dances of the goalkeeper... Yesterday, inside the
Ataturk stadium, Milan collapsed in front of Jerzy Dudek's breakdance.

LA REPUBBLICA Rome

'Milan suicide, Liverpool triumph'

Also: 'The folly after the show'
One usually has to work hard for victories. Milan, instead, worked hard
for a bitter defeat.

Gerrard raised the cup, they did not steal it. It seemed they lost it,
they won it. Honour to them.

Source: BBC Monitoring

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[lfc-news] Uefa defiant over Liverpool entry - BBC

BBC Sport, 26 May 2005
Uefa defiant over Liverpool entry

Uefa has insisted it has no plans to change its rules to allow Liverpool
to defend their Champions League crown.

The Reds finished fifth in the Premiership - a place outside automatic
qualification for the Champions League.

"I fully sympathise with the club and I would love to have them in there
- but we have rules," Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told BBC Radio
Five Live.

"We can't change them in the middle of the season. The FA has said
Everton are the fourth English club to qualify."

Gaillard insisted that the precedent set in the 2000-01 season, when
Real Madrid defended the trophy despite finishing fifth because the
Spanish football federation decided to hand them Real Zaragoza's place,
would make no difference.

How do we, for good sporting reasons, find a way to persuade Uefa that
it should find room for Liverpool
FA chief executive Brian Barwick

But the English Football Assoctiation has pledged its support to
Liverpool's quest for a Champions League place after the breathtaking
win over AC Milan in Istanbul.

"We'll be keeping up a dialogue with Uefa, which we have been for the
last couple of months," said FA chief executive Brian Barwick.

"What Uefa has, and I sympathise with it to a degree, is a situation
where it is faced with not having its own champions in its own
competition which is called the Champions League.

"Liverpool finished outside the top four. I think the FA was right and
proper to put the top four in to the Champions League.

"We are more in a situation now of how do we, for good sporting reasons,
find a way to persuade Uefa that it should find room for Liverpool?"
added Barwick.

And Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted his team should be allowed
back into the Champions League next season.

"We have won the trophy. It is common sense that the winner should
defend the title," said Benitez.

"It's quite unbelievable to even consider that a side who will play in
the European Super Cup as well as the World Club Championship next
season should not be allowed back into the Champions League."

Meanwhile, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has also made his own
plea to Uefa: "Look at the support, the worldwide audience and the game.

"I think we have to be given a shot. We are worthy champions and I think
that's what the world will say."

Liverpool get to keep the European Cup trophy after winning it for the
fifth time by beating AC Milan on penalties.

But their participation in the competition has been in doubt since the
Football Association decided that the top four in the Premiership would
take up England's places next season.

Parry added: "At least we get to keep this one so they can't take it
back off us if nothing else.

"You wouldn't have given a lot for our chances at half-time but the boys
were absolutely magnificent.

"It's good to win it for the supporters because they were magnificent."

And Reds skipper Steven Gerrard added: "It is called the Champions
League so the champions should be able to defend it."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "Yes, I think they should be
allowed to defend the title."

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[lfc-news] Carra: I told him to do a Brucie - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 26 May 2005
Carra: I told him to do a Brucie
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE CARRAGHER ordered goalkeeping hero Jerzy Dudek to 'do a Brucie'
before the dramatic penalty shoot-out.

Bruce Grobbelaar famously psyched out the Italians of Roma in 1984, when
Liverpool last lifted the trophy.

Carragher recalled how experienced stars crumbled at the sight of the
keeper's wobbly knees and thought the Pole could use a similar trick.

Dudek's efforts had the required impact when he saved Andriy
Shevchenko's penalty to win the European Cup for his side.

"I told Jerzy what Bruce Grobbelaar did to put the Italians off in 1984
because he had to be doing everything he could to get the same thing to
happen, " revealed Carragher.

"Whether it worked or not, I don't know, but I saw the way he kept
squeezing the ball every time one of their players walked up to the
penalty box.

"Maybe it did have an impact or maybe he didn't have a clue what I was
talking about. He says he was a Liverpool fan when he joined, but they
all say that when they come here, don't they?

"Jerzy will be remembered as a legend forever for what he's done now.

" The save he made from Shevchenko just before the end was unbelievable.
I was just waiting for the ball to hit the back of the net. I thought it
was game over."

Carragher was still in a state of shock hours after the whistle,
admitting the magnitude of the achievement still hadn't sunk in.

"I've not been able to celebrate yet. I just can't believe it's
happened," he said, still shaking his head.

"There was a similar scenario against Arsenal a few years ago when we
came back from an impossible position. We were dead and buried that day,
too, but when you come back and win like that it makes it feel even sweeter.

"I never believed we could get back in this one. When we went out in the
second half, I was just thinking we've got to make sure we don't
embarrass ourselves even more.

"I thought we might lose four or five-nil and I didn't want it to be a
final remembered for being so onesided. That was my big concern.

"The first goal in the second half was crucial. After that, we seemed to
be pushing them back. To do what we've done must make this one of the
greatest finals of all time.

"It will never be bettered. Maybe we can win it again, but not in the
manner we've done this."

While some Liverpool players took exception to Milan's half-time
celebrations, Carragher thinks their attitude was understandable.

"It didn't bother me they were confident at half time. So would I have
been if we'd been 3-0 up," he said.

"The belief we got from the supporters drove us on and after we scored
they seemed to go down a notch. We were getting more tackles in and
winning more second balls.

"Then, by the time the second half of extra time came, we'd gone. All of
us had cramp and tight hamstrings and calves. We were hanging on for
penalties and grateful for them in the end."

Liverpool's win is sure to offer a platform for a Premiership challenge
next season, but Carragher wanted to savour the moment rather than look
too far ahead.

"I'm not thinking of next season. I just want to enjoy this and go out
on the ale to celebrate," he said.

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[lfc-news] Liverpool defy belief - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 26 May 2005
Liverpool defy belief
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

TODAY they will find a permanent resting place for the European Cup at
Anfield. Last night they somehow made room in the pantheon of Liverpool
managerial legends for Rafael Benitez.

Defying the odds has been the script of Liverpool's Champions League
campaign, yet the story of how Steven Gerrard came to get his hands on
the club's fairytale fifth continental crown defies belief.

Three goals down and outclassed by a rampant AC Milan they were down and
out after 45 minutes in Istanbul. Saving face was their only aim for the
second half. Only their remarkable strength of character - that allowed
Jerzy Dudek to write his name in Anfield folklore in possibly his last
game for the club - and Benitez himself explain what happened next.

The confidence that radiates from this Liverpool manager has never
wavered in the face of this season's trials, although it was a
superhuman effort that sustained him last night.

Weaker men would have buckled and thrown blame around the Liverpool
dressing room.

Instead, Benitez produced another of his famed tactical switches,
Liverpool produced the most astonishing comeback in cup final history,
and 75 minutes and a successful penalty shoot-out later, he had
delivered the trophy upon which the club's reputation was built.

He has made his people happy once again. To many, the substitution of
Dietmar Hamann against Bayer Leverkusen was the beginning of the end of
real hope under Gerard Houllier. How ironic then that the half-time
arrival of the German, another who may have made his final appearance
for the club, swung Liverpool back into this final and into a glorious
new era last night.

There was no inkling of the triumph to come as Liverpool made the worst
possible start.

Having caught Juventus and Chelsea cold at Anfield to reach the final
Liverpool were caught at their own game when Paolo Maldini scooped
Andrea Pirlo's clever free-kick beyond Dudek after only 49 seconds.

Despite pre-match assertions to the contrary Liverpool were over-awed by
the occasion and betrayed by their nerves in the beginning. Milan, too
good to decline invitations, revelled in the space allowed.

Once anxiety disappeared from Liverpool's game, however, they did find
hope and a measure of control.

Xabi Alonso was the first to emerge from the malaise, although only when
Harry Kewell made a galling early exit did Liverpool offer any real
purpose with Luis Garcia a far more effective second striker.

Benitez had gambled on Kewell and called it badly wrong. Even so, he had
every right to expect some repayment from the fading star. Instead he
got a repeat of the Carling Cup Final, with the Australian limping away
from an innocuous thigh injury - and to a chorus of boos from his own
supporters - after only 23 minutes. The night would get much worse for
those he left behind, before getting unbelievably, brilliantly better
thanks to a collective force of will.

Before Gerrard assumed the mantle in the second half the Brazilian Kaka,
playing off the front two, was the Milan destroyer. The first of several
outstanding runs ended in a goal for Andrei Shevchenko in the 29th
minute, only for Liverpool to escape thanks to a generous off-side decision.

Then came what everyone inside the Ataturk Stadium believed was the
game's defining moment in the 38th minute. Alessandro Nesto clearly
handled inside his own area as Garcia left him sliding on the floor yet
referee Manuel Gonzalez, no friend of compatriot Benitez, incredibly
waved play on.

Three passes later Kaka sent Shevchenko clear of the Liverpool defence
with a nonchalant flick and the Ukrainian picked out Hernan Crespo at
the far post for a simple finish. The game had appeared to swing
irrevocably away from Liverpool, and the sense of loss intensified two
minutes before the interval when Crespo added a fabulous third.

Again Kaka was the orchestra-tor, spinning away from Gerrard and
dissecting the Liverpool defence with an instant pass reminiscent of
Kenny Dalglish in his pomp. The one Chelsea player to reach the final,
Crespo, duly dinked the delivery over Dudek.

Game over? Even Liverpool's players thought so. Yet their remarkable
European support had other ideas and so, it transpired, did Benitez in
the bowels of the stadium. Before kick off the question of how Liverpool
could have reached this final without a league title for 15 years and
having finished 37 points behind Chelsea had dissolved into the more
positive; how could they possibly lose?

Even Istanbul carried a bias for Liverpool. Before it became known as
Constantinople the host city was originally called New Rome and, of
course, they always win there.

The hunger and passion that carried them through against the champions
of Italy in the last eight and the champions of England in the
semi-final shone through even now.

Tentative strains of You'll Never Walk Alone developed into a thunderous
rendition as the travelling Kop refused to give up hope during the
interval, although "We're gonna win 4-3" did seem a little optimistic at
the time.

It was on the pitch, however, where Liverpool played their ace in Hamann
and in five never-to-be-forgotten minutes --from the 54th to the 59th -
the new midfield diamond tore Milan apart to bring the constant
underdogs, somehow, miraculously, level.

Alonso set the tone by driving inches wide from 35 yards. Then Gerrard
began to stamp his mark all over on this astonishing final.

Freed to attack by Hamann's calm presence alongside Alonso the Anfield
captain rose majestically to send John Arne Riise's left-wing cross over
Dida with a towering header.

The comeback was on and Gerrard, whipping his supporters into further
hysteria as he raced back to the centre-circle, knew it.

Two minutes later Kewell's replacement Vladimir Smicer, yet another
heading for the Anfield exit, was teed up by Hamann for a 25-yard drive
that flew into the bottom corner with such power Dida could not change
its path with both hands.

Milan were powerless to stem the tide now tearing through them. Gerrard
led another wave into the area and was clipped by Gennaro Gattuso.
Penalty, although there should have been a red card as well. Amid the
mayhem Alonso was denied from the spot by a fabulous Dida dive, but
reacted quickest to send the rebound high into the battered Italian net.

With mission impossible accomplished and Milan eventually coming to
terms with Liverpool's shape the momentum inevitably faded as the
fastest 90 minutes in living memory flew by.

The Serie A runners-up finished strongest with Shevchenko denied by two
outstanding Jamie Carragher tackles and on the line by Traore after
Dudek had risked an Anfield lynching by spilling Kaka's cross at the
feet of the usually deadly striker.

Jon Dahl Tomasson sliced the first chance of a balanced extra-time wide
while Gerrard, as an emergency right-back, Carragher and Sami Hyypia
swept up everything Milan had to offer.

Shevchenko should have won the cup with only three minutes left when
Dudek blocked his header on the line and then somehow diverted his
rebound over the bar from only two yards. And so to the dreaded
penalties, down at the Milan end, but the momentum was with Liverpool as
soon as Serginho sent the first spot-kick over the Bosphorus and into Asia.

Then, as Hamann, Cisse and Smicer all converted, Dudek produced his
finest moment in an Anfield shirt to save from Pirlo and finally
Shevchenko, the man who won the European Cup for Milan with the fifth
penalty in 2003. Not this time.

With one more flying save the glory days returned to Liverpool -28 years
to the day that they were first crowned European champions with victory
over Borussia Moenchengladbach in Rome.

The subsequent years have brought both the highs and lows of Liverpool's
history but after suffering enviously on the sidelines for so long they
can rejoice from the peak of Europe. Liverpool reign in Europe once more.

As even Benitez will have to admit when he goes to buy his wife another
expensive watch this weekend, it is no longer just a possibility.

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[lfc-news] We're thinking about next season - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 26 May 2005
We're thinking about next season
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

RAFAEL Benitez is already looking forward to next season after ending
his first Anfield campaign with the most prized trophy in European football.

Liverpool's supporters stretch out to shake manager Rafael Benitez's
hand as he heads towards the tunnel

After guiding Liverpool to their fifth European cup success in the most
amazing Champions League final, the Reds boss said he would first enjoy
the victory, then go to a jewellers to buy his wife Montse a new watch
before immediately focusing on next season.

"We are thinking about next season for sure," he said.

"We will enjoy today but we know we need to change things.

"But first this is the moment to enjoy. I think that Liverpool is a big
club, a great club and now we are the winners of the Champions League
the history of the club is even bigger.

"I am sure players will be interested in coming to us."

Asked whether goalkeeping hero Jerzy Dudek would be one of the victims
of those changes, Benitez added: "I don't know.

"At this moment he has two years left on his contract.

"We know he is a good goalkeeper and he has played a really good game,
made that great last minute save and of course, the penalties."

One player who is staying, however, is skipper and official UEFA Man of
the Match Steven Gerrard. Benitez handed the trophy personally to
Gerrard and said: "Will Stevie stay?

"The question is for him but I think he wants to win more trophies with
us and he was delighted today.

"He knows that the supporters are with him and want him to stay."

Gerrard was designated to take Liverpool's fifth penalty kick had Dudek
not saved Andriy Shevchenko's decisive spot kick and Benitez revealed
that his "no penalty practice" claim was not just a psychological stunt.

"We practised a bit, but not much," he smiled.

"The most important thing in penalties is to find out which players want
to shoot or not, which we did.

"We changed things at half time when we knew Steve Finnan was injured.
We used three defenders, played with two secondary strikers and one man
up front and Stevie ' s early goal changed things.

"We just needed to press with more energy, score a goal and keep
playing, in the end we scored three goals."

Benitez pleaded with UEFA officials to now allow Liverpool the chance to
defend their trophy.

"Common sense says that the winner has to defend the title and I think
that you all think the same," he declared.

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[lfc-news] So, Rafael Benitez does walk on water - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 26 May 2005
So, Rafael Benitez does walk on water
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ went for a stroll in the early hours of this morning.

Rumours that he walked across the Bosphorus were exaggerated . . . of
course.

But maybe only a little. Penalty practice? Who needs it? Give a three
goal head-start to one of the most miserly defences in Europe? Don't
worry, we'll turn it around.

A squad in transition, containing some players already on their way out
of Anfield now crowned European champions? You better believe it.

Liverpool's remarkable manager turned what had threatened to be a
dispiriting shambles into the club's most celebrated success for 21
years. Perhaps even in all of its 113 years.

Liverpool have an affinity with the famous old trophy which is the
European Cup. And now they get to keep it - joining Real Madrid and AC
Milan as the only clubs in Europe to boast the achievement of five
victories.

But the manner in which the Reds reclaimed their place at the pinnacle
of European football topped everything they had achieved before.

Not since Ferenc Puskas galloped around Hampden Park has the European
Cup final witnessed such a mesmerising spectacle. The UEFA Cup triumph
over Alaves may have contained more goals, but the Spaniards are one of
the continent's lesser lights and the UEFA Cup is very much second best.

Last night Liverpool turned a three-goal deficit against arguably the
greatest club side in Europe... in the competition everybody craves.

And they did so dramatically, implausibly and quite brilliantly.

At half-time, Rafael Benitez was the man ready to shoulder the blame for
a shocking end to Liverpool's season.

Leaving Dietmar Hamann on the bench was a grave error of judgement. And
using Harry Kewell in a floating role behind Milan Baros was a gamble
which had backfired even before the Australian limped lamely off.

If Benitez believed he could exploit Milan's elderly rearguard -
combined age of 132 - with an adventurous attacking formation, it was a
bold move.

And it failed. The idea was for Liverpool to come out and blitz Milan's
ageing rearguard with a sustained early onslaught in the same way that
Juventus and Chelsea had been ambushed in the last two rounds.

Instead, it was the oldest Milanese of the lot, 36-year-old Paolo
Maldini, who caught Liverpool cold in 49 seconds. Then Kaka and Paulo
gouged huge holes through Liverpool's vulnerable midfield and, by
half-time, Liverpool were 3-0 down and seemingly out.

Two of the goals came from Hernan Crespo. Revenge, maybe, for Chelsea's
semi-final exit?

But then came the most remarkable recovery in Champions League history.

Dietmar Hamman was introduced for the injured Steve Finnan - and Gerrard
was finally given the licence to influence matters further up the pitch.

From a patchy first half performance, he began to dominate the match.

In a tumultuous 15-minute spell, Liverpool didn't just save face, they
restored parity quite sensationally.

Steven Gerrard glanced a header into the right goal - utterly
exonerating the painful memory of his Carling Cup final misfortune.

Vladimir Smicer marked his final match in a red jersey with a strike
which will ensure he is welcomed warmly back on Merseyside any time he
likes.

Then Gerrard thrust purposefully into the heart of the Milan penalty
area again, had his heels clipped by Gattuso, and Xabi Alonso stepped up
to drill into the roof of the net after his first strike had been saved.

Such was the gargantuan effort Liverpool had produced in clawing their
way back into the game, they were running on fumes as the game reached
its climax.

But they held on - not least when Jerzy Dudek made a stunning double
save from Tomasson and Shevchenko.

Then on to the lottery of penalties. Except maybe the shoot-out wasn't
such a lottery. With maybe 40,000 Scouse voices screaming themselves
hoarse every time a Milan player stepped up, the dice were loaded
heavily in Liverpool's favour.

Raising the European Cup wasn't Liverpool's only triumph of the night.
Their phenomenal travelling support outnumbered and over-whelmed Milan's
traditionally noisy fans by at least four to one.

Seasoned European travellers, they were flown, ferried, bused and - in
one ingenious case - taxied from the banks of the Mersey to the Bosphorus.

Before they even entered the airy, space-age Ataturk Stadium, they
enjoyed a pre-match party in the wide open spaces surrounding the stadium.

Pete Wylie sang of a Heart as big as Liverpool - apt given the comeback
Liverpool produced after half-time.

It was a shame Harry Kewell's heart proved the size of Little Crosby.

His selection for the starting lineup raised eyebrows - just as when he
started the Carling Cup final.

But just like that unfortunate afternoon in Cardiff, he left the pitch
early with an injury not immediately apparent.

The Australian may just be the most unlucky of footballers. But the boos
which rang out from the Liverpool supporters suggested they expected a
ballsier reaction than 21 lacklustre minutes.

But that was in the first half when the Reds' world was pear-shaped and
some fans were already contemplating early darts back to the airport.

The second half will remain embedded in the mind of every Liverpool fan
fortunate enough to have witnessed it.

Those inside the stadium were privileged. Those who watched back at home
in England were just as thrilled, captivated and delighted.

Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard received an impromptu round of applause
when they walked into the post-match press conference at about half-past
midnight local time.

But spare a thought for PSV Eindhoven boss Guus Hiddink this morning.

"Liverpool will make this the most boring Champions League final for
years," he moaned a week ago in a severe case of unripe chardonnay.

Don't let him pick your lottery numbers this weekend.

Rafa Benitez, however? Get him to do your lottery, pick your bingo
numbers and pat sick relatives on the head.

The man has the Midas touch - and last night he proved it to an audience
of disbelieving Europeans.

The audience on Mersyside, however, have always believed.

Altogether now . . . Ra-fa Benitez . . . . Ra-fa Benitez

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[lfc-news] Cup returns to spiritual home - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 26 May 2005
Cup returns to spiritual home
by Chris Bascombe in Istanbul, Liverpool Echo

WHEN you get homesick nothing will stop you returning to the arms of
those you love.

AC Milan had a few tricks up their sleeves to keep the European Cup away
from her spiritual base.

They tempted her with sublime skills, destructive finishing and a
fairytale script, courtesy of their legendary captain.

Paolo Maldini wasn't just holding the trophy at halftime, he was
planning his fifth acceptance speech.

What he never foresaw was the homing device triggered by 35,000
Liverpool fans in the Ataturk Stadium who inspired their side to
transform the most humiliating night in their history to the most
triumphant.

The European Cup didn't fancy Paolo. She wanted Steven but it took a
series of remarkable chat-up lines from the Liverpool manager to ensure
his skipper got his wicked way.

The only reason Liverpool weren't fatally wounded by a first half blitz
is the fortunate fact immortals can't be destroyed.

Gerrard and company have rewritten football "possibilities" throughout
this campaign but even the heroic efforts of Olympiakos, Juventus and
Chelsea were rendered insignificant compared to this.

It shouldn't have happened. Some of us aren't convinced it did. Only the
pinch marks confirm it. We thought it was all over. It wasn't.

Liverpool fans faced a sickening dilemma. What do you do when your side
is 3-0 down in the Champions League final to a side superior in every
position?

Praying was one option. Another, which was rather attractive at half
time last night, was to grab the nearest taxi back to Taksin Square and
drink the night away trying to forget the embarrassment they had just
suffered.

The other alternative, which one red-shirted gent decided was more
favourable, was to start an impromptu rendition of You'll Never Walk
Alone, drowned in the kind of sentimentality Liverpool's opponents find
repulsive.

But the 35,000 didn't sing it with hope in their hearts, nor with fire
in their bellies. It was poignant rather than passionate.

The tear in the eye wasn't one of joy but despair. A mere 45 minutes
into a ceremony 21 years in preparation and a dream had died.

As the second chorus faded Liverpool's players ran back onto the pitch
to an astonishing ovation.

The cresendo of noise somehow injected volumes of self-belief into the
hitherto drained souls.

The inspirational orchestrator of the famous anthem had perfectly
complimented Rafa Benitez's team talk.

He had inadvertently inspired the greatest fightback ever witnessed in
any football stadium in any decade by any team ever.

Okay, a few belated but painfully necessary tactical changes helped.

The previous manager's fatal mis-take in this competition was subbing
Didi Hamman during a crucial European clash three years ago.

Far more serious was the decision to omit him completely.

Benitez made an astonishing gamble, abandoning caution for an attacking
formation which backfired so hideously, the away end resembled a series
of portraits of Edward Munch's The Scream.

Everything which could go wrong did, until Harry Kewell was injured.

Djini Traore endured a nightmare start, conceding possession and then a
free kick which allowed Maldini to score in his seventh final.

Then Kewell, a surprising choice, pulled a muscle and limped out of his
second showpiece of the season.

Whether this was a blow or a blessing was debatable. The choice of
Vladimir Smicer ahead of the overlooked anchorman, however, ensured the
only immediate change was to Liverpool's detriment.

Not because of Smicer who gave the performance of a player who should be
signing a new deal rather than waving goodbye, rather Liverpool's
defence remained exposed.

The Reds pushed for an equaliser as if eight minutes remained, not 89.
And they were duly punished.

With no riot gear to protect them the defence was left bruised by the
combined force of Kaka, Crespo and Shevchenko.

Three-nil could have been five but for Luis Garcia's goal line clearance
and a generous offside flag when Gerrard's tackle sent Shevchenko clean
through.

"It's embarrassing," admitted Jamie Carragher later.

If a black hole had appeared in the centre circle some of the players
would have dived into it, swiftly followed by the fans.

Halftime was a painkiller. Not losing by more than three represented a
triumph.

What followed defied logic. If Elvis rose from the grave, brushed off
his white suit and announced plans for a world tour we'd still say it
wasn't as good a comeback as Liverpool's in Istanbul.

Freed by the essentially restored Didi Hamman, Gerrard started to
advance. The most important cross of John Arne-Riise's life found the
skip-per's head.

Then Smicer matched his former nemesis thanks to Dida's careless dive.
Yes, Smithy, Vlad has now scored a crucial European Cup goal just as you
did!

The improbable was suddenly possible. By the time Gennaro Gattuso (the
biggest culprit when it came to counting chickens at halftime) tripped
Gerrard Liverpool were rampant.

Gattuso should have seen red. Liverpool's equaliser at the second
attempt from Xabi Alonso was an acceptable consolation.

But the momentum shifted back to Milan. The Reds looked like they had
punched above their weight once too often. The only winner seemed
destined to come from a white shirt with Shevchenko and the increasingly
confident Dudek engaging in a personal duel.

When the Pole made an astonishing double save with two minutes of extra
time remaining rumour had it the engraver started with an L on the
famous trophy.

Penalties were still Liverpool's only hope. The spirit of 1984 was
enacted. Dudek was the hero. What's likely to be his final appearance
for Liverpool will sit comfortably alongside the images of Bruce
Grobbelaar - although the Pole's weren't the only knees wobbling by this
stage.

All that remained was for Gerrard to grab his prize.

The European Cup seemed to radiate a smile which beamed as broad as the
skipper's face.

The dreams of the captain, the manager, the squad and fans were realised
in a way the most elaborate fantasist couldn't have imagined.

Finally a new generation of Liverpool fans and players know how it feels
to be no games from greatness.

And the European Cup is coming home.

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[lfc-news] Bold Liverpool rise from the ashes - Telegraph

Daily Telegraph, 26 May 2005
Bold Liverpool rise from the ashes
By Paul Hayward

The phoenix should be Liverpool's new emblem. After conceding the
fastest goal in the history of European Cup finals, the club who
dominated football on the continent in the late 1970s and early 1980s
rose and took flight with victory after one of the most spectacular
comebacks ever to grace this great competition.

The line Rafa Benitez's men walked here last night was between
humiliation and resurrection. Three second-half goals inside five
minutes are sufficient for us to conclude that the Anfield tradition has
been saved from the grave. It's one thing to plot and scuff your way to
a final before being subjugated by a superior opponent. But Liverpool's
refusal to yield to the Milan of Paolo Maldini, Andrei Shevchenko and
Kaka came from the heart. It will be the base on which Benitez builds a
new Liverpool next season. A Liverpool who surely ought to be capable of
roughing up Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Like the FA Cup final, this was a game of brutal tension. The surest
evidence that reality had invaded the pitch seemed to come when some
Liverpool supporters began weeping through the half-time interval. Those
crimson tears were washing away the ink on a new page in the club's
illustrious history. Those who shed them have learned a lesson for life:
never despair.

Milan were already 3-0 up by the time Benitez's men found sanctuary in
the dressing room, so maybe the pessimism was understandable. It was
time, though, to remember that the Premiership's fifth best team had
already knocked out the champions of Italy and England en route to this
final. They are masters of the improbable.

When Liverpool crept past Chelsea to reach their first European Cup
final for 20 years, Anfield regulars imagined an exotic destination
bathed in hot Turkish sun. Instead, they encountered thick cloud and
biting wind at a white elephant of a ground that sits in a lunar
landscape, surrounded by impoverished neighbourhoods. Nothing on this
crazy, tumultuous night followed a script.

Down town, the T-shirts spoke of the club's renewed self-confidence.
'Rafa's Red Revolution', boasted one. On another, Jamie Carragher's face
stared out beneath the headline: 'Carradona'. Even Carragher, the
classic local hero, would have been surprised to see himself being
compared to the great Maradona. But every Liverpool fan you spoke to was
full of the old opiate of European success. Not even the long journey
and choking traffic could dampen their spirits as they shivered and
waited for the battle to commence.

Cunning, defensive solidity and the odd lightning raid had taken them
past Chelsea and Juventus. Now, though, a tactical dilemma confronted
Benitez. Excessive caution might prove fatal against a Milan team who
can beat most opponents at chess. PSV Eindhoven's audacious attempt to
overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in their semi-final had almost come
off. Back home the Dutch had unleashed a whirlwind against Milan's
ageing defence and had taken the game 3-1. The Italians needed Marco
Ambrosini's away goal to see them through.

Was this the magic formula for Liverpool to win their fifth European
Cup? Benitez thought so, if the surprising inclusion of Harry Kewell at
the expense of Dietmar Hamann was any guide. That bold attacking policy
was undone inside 20 minutes when Kewell, the antithesis of the Aussie
hard man, began limping theatrically and was booed off the pitch by
Liverpool's followers. As Vladimir Smicer took his place, Kaka began
ripping through the Liverpool midfield with the ball at his feet and
Shevchenko and Crespo pulled left and right to stretch the Anfield
club's previously impervious defence.

While Kaka tormented Xabi Alonso, who was over-run in the midfield
anchor position, Shevchenko went to work on the left-back, Djimi Traore,
who found out why this Ukrainian marksman is arguably the world's best
centre-forward. Shevchenko was a phantom ghosting behind Traore and
drilling the ball in from the inside-right position. With Crespo cutting
in from the other flank, the authority established by Carragher and Sami
Hyypia against Juventus and Chelsea was smashed.

By half-time, Kaka slicing through the middle to supply the two Milan
strikers was proving a lethal formula. As the tears rolled, there was
the temptation to look away in sympathy and embarrassment. The
post-mortems would say that Liverpool had no business being in a
Champions League final when they have travelled for 15 years without
winning their domestic league. No business, when they're not even the
leading team in Liverpool. It was going to be hindsight time.
Told-you-all-along time.

Except that Liverpool summoned from way down inside the spirit that has
stopped Anfield sliding into the Mersey these past 15 years. This
sudden, defiant urge may have stemmed from the fear of humiliation. They
were like a bloodied prize-fighter who fears the indignity of being
taken apart in front of his family and friends. First one, then two,
then three counter-punches put the Italian bully on the floor. Delirium
swept through the red hordes, who had annexed at least half of this
distant, soul-less stadium.

Emotion was only part of it. The tactical key to Liverpool's revival was
the arrival of Hamann, that wily, gritty German, who plugged the gaps
around Alonso and provided fresh composure and confidence.

With six minutes left, the Liverpool fans were chanting 'ole, ole' as
their heroes stroked the ball around. Baros gave way to Djibril Cisse as
You'll Never Walk Alone rang round the ground.

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Wednesday, May 25, 2005

[lfc-news] Jubilant Reds hail Dudek - PA

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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[lfc-news] Ac Milan v Liverpool player ratings - PA

PA Sport, 25 May 2005
AC MILAN v LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS

LIVERPOOL

JERZY DUDEK: The Poland keeper was not given much chance with any of the
goals. Pulled off fine save from Andriy Shevchenko's free-kick early in
the second half and produced amazing double reaction block deep into
extra-time. Superb in the penalty shoot-out with a maverick approach
resulting in two saves and one miss. 9.

STEVE FINNAN: Will not have been best pleased with his positioning at
vital moments, but always positive down the flank before being replaced
at half-time, carrying a slight thigh problem, as Liverpool went for
broke at the restart. 7.

DJIMI TRAORE: Like Finnan, was drawn out to the wing and also dragged
inside by running of Milan attack. But the French full-back redeemed
himself with goal-line clearance in second half. 7.

SAMI HYYPIA: Although dominant in the air as normal, had to do most of
his work on the floor to try to combat the waves of Milan attacks. 7.

JAMIE CARRAGHER: Worked hard, as always, and made some vital tackles as
Milan threatened to run riot, particularly towards the end of the first
half. Some more crucial interceptions in the closing stages. Picked up
injury during extra-time, but battled on. 8.

JOHN ARNE RIISE: Norwegian found himself tracking back too much for his
liking as the dynamic of the match changed, but still able to produce
pin-point cross for Steven Gerrard to pull goal back at start of second
half. 7.

STEVEN GERRARD: Reds captain gave his side a lifeline with a
perfectly-placed header after 54 minutes to spark a brave fightback, and
at the heartbeat of their drive for glory. 8.

LUIS GARCIA: Made an important block on the line from Hernan Crespo in
the first half and came into the match more as Liverpool rallied. 7.

XABI ALONSO: Saw his second-half penalty saved but was alert enough to
smash in the rebound and complete a remarkable turnaround. 7.

HARRY KEWELL: The Australian was unable to make any real impact on the
game before he was forced off with a recurrence of his groin problem
inside 25 minutes. 5.

MILAN BAROS: The Czech striker was full of running, often finding
himself isolated in attack. Held the ball up well, but frustrations saw
him cautioned for niggly foul late on. 7.

Substitutes

VLADIMIR SMICER (on for Kewell, 23): Making his farewell appearance for
the Reds, the Czech midfielder weighed in with a fine strike as
Liverpool rallied. 7

DIETMAR HAMANN (on for Finnan, 46): Was something of a surprise the
German had not started, and played his part in second-half revival,
keeping possession when needed. 7.

DJIBRIL CISSÉ (on for Baros, 85): Had little time to make an impact in
the closing minutes of normal time but worked hard during the extra
periods. 6.

AC MILAN

DIDA: After having little to do during the first half, the Brazilian
then suddenly found himself bombarded late on. Perhaps could have kept
out Smicer's effort, but made fine penalty save from Alonso, although
could do nothing to prevent the rebound being smashed in. 7.

CAFU: Veteran Brazilian got forward well down the flank in support of
attack, particularly during the opening stages. Forced to concentrate on
defensive duties after the break. 7.

PAOLO MALDINI: Milan skipper hardly put a foot wrong all night after
firing his men ahead with a volley early on. 8.

JAAP STAM: Big Dutchman stepped up his work-rate after the break, and
needed to be at his best as Liverpool threw everything forward late on. 7.

ALESSANDRO NESTA: Kept close tabs on Baros, but was somewhat fortunate
not to be penalised when appearing to handle the ball in the area just
before Milan went 2-0 up. Could have done more to close down Smicer as
he shaped to shoot. 6.

GENNARO GATTUSO: Had been solid in the first half but was lucky to still
be on the pitch at the end of normal time after hauling down Gerrard
when the England midfielder was clean through on goal. 6.

CLARENCE SEEDORF: Dutchman operated well in the midfield diamond but
faded as Liverpool rallied during the second half. 6.

ANDREA PIRLO: His cross set up the opening goal, and often drove
forwards at the Liverpool defence during the first half. Was, though,
less effective after the break. 6.

KAKA: The Brazilian operated at the top of Milan's midfield diamond and
bossed the match in the opening 45 minutes. However, his influence faded
as Liverpool rallied. 7.

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO: The Ukrainian was a real handful for the Liverpool
defence all night, and unfortunate to see a first-half effort ruled out
for what looked a tight offside decision. Somehow denied by Dudek deep
into extra-time. 7.

HERNAN CRESPO: On-loan Chelsea striker produced both a poacher's goal
and sublime finish as Milan looked to have wrapped up victory by
half-time. Made little impact in second period. 8.

SUBSTITUTES

JON DAHL TOMASSON (on for Crespo, 85): The Dane was sent on with
extra-time in mind but failed to make the most of the chance which then
came his way. 6.

SERGINHO (on for Seedorf, 85): Sent on to give Milan midfield a fresh
pair of legs after they had been worked hard in the second half. 6.

RUI COSTA (on for Gattuso, 112): Portugal midfielder came on late during
extra-time, but was keen to see plenty of the ball. 6.

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[lfc-news] CL Final report - PA

PA Sport, 25 May 2005

AC Milan 3 Liverpool 3 (After extra time, Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)

History repeated itself for Liverpool here when they amazingly won the
Champions League in a penalty shoot-out after staging a stunning
comeback in normal time from three down.

Their fifth Euro crown came when marksman Andriy Shevchenko hit the post
with his crucial spot-kick to give Liverpool victory and send the
Anfield fans wild with delight.

The last time Liverpool won this trophy was back in 1984, and that too
against Roma was after penalties.

Milan had stormed into a three-goal first-half lead through Paolo
Maldini and a Hernan Crespo double, only to be stunned by an amazing
Liverpool fight back with three goals in six minutes at the beginning of
the second period through Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso.

Kewell's final ended after just 23 minutes. He had suffered an ankle
injury earlier and was replaced by Vladimir Smicer, for what will be his
last game for the club before he leaves at the end of his contract this
summer.

That was a cruel blow for Kewell and Benitez's brave plan to start with
him in the first place, and with Milan controlling the game with their
technique and movement, it was already looking an uphill battle for the
Anfield men.

Baros was hardly getting a sniff against Jaap Stam, and there was no
fire and passion from Liverpool as Milan were strolling through the game.

There was a clear need for someone to take a grip from the Liverpool
point of view and start breaking up the flow of Milan passing. Gerrard
was trying but Xabi Alonso looked lost not and not sure of who he was
supposed to be picking up.

When Luis Garcia gave the ball away with a weak flick, Milan sped away
through Pirlo and when the ball found Andriy Shevchenko unmarked on the
left he finished with clinical ease - only to be denied by a linesman's
flag. Liverpool thanked their luck.

Already Milan had a stranglehold on the game, Gennaro Gattuso was
finding space to forage from, while Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf were able
to pick off Liverpool's passing and set in motion their own attacks.

And had it not been for Luis Garcia on the line after 14 minutes, it
could have been 2-0.

Crespo produced a clever flicked header on the near post that the
Spanish midfielder headed away from under the bar.

Liverpool still looked stunned. Riise gave away possession too easily,
Traore also looked to be struggling down the flank and even Steven
Gerrard was chasing shadows in midfield.

Kaka then dummied his way through the middle to feed Cafu on the right,
before continuing his run into the box to produce an uncontested header
wide.

Baros was hardly getting a sniff against Jaap Stam, and there was no
fire and passion from Liverpool as Milan were strolling through the game.

Baros managed to get in the way of Alonso, better placed, to hook a shot
over and Riise again arrived on the left to fire another long range
effort over the top.

Baros was penalised for a supposed push on Stam and then for backing
into the Dutchman by Spanish referee Manuel Gonzalez.

But Liverpool did create a decent opening on 35 minutes when Riise
nodded across goal for Baros to flick the ball towards Luis Garcia, 15
yards out.

But the midfielder's touch escaped him at the worst time and he mishit
his effort wide, knowing such a half-chance for the Premiership side
just had to be taken against a team of Milan's class and authority.

Then came a key point in the game in the 36th minute.

Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty when Luis Garcia tried to
go past Alessandro Nesta - but appealed for a spot-kick when the ball
appeared to strike the stricken defender on the elbow.

Milan surged to the other end, Shevchenko crossed from the right for
Crespo to beat a helpless Dudek from six yards and double the Italians'
advantage.

Worse was to follow a minute before half-time. Kaka split the Reds'
defence with a wonderful pass and Crespo chipped the ball over Dudek to
make it 3-0.

Liverpool brought on Hamann at the break for Steve Finnan, pushing
Carragher to right-back, Traore to the centre of defence and Riise to
left-back, a complete rejig of their defence which had been so badly
exposed in the first period. Hamann took up a central midfield role,
allowing Gerrard to push forward.

But in the 47th minute when Cafu sent over an angled cross from the
right, Dudek on the near post managed to fumble the ball and it bounced
back dangerously into play.

Alonso saw a 30-yard effort fly inches wide with Liverpool at least
trying to make a fight of things. But still the defensive errors
continued and Traore's slip let in Kaka for a run which was halted by
Hyypia's foul.

And it took a flying save from Dudek to turn away Shevchenko's drive
from the resulting free-kick touched to him by Pirlo.

But Liverpool were still going forward and on 52 minutes Gerrard sent a
looping header over Dida from Riise's cross and the red faithful
erupted, with Gerrard urging them to turn up the volume.

And it worked. Two minutes later Hamann fed Smicer and the Czech saw an
edge of the box drive beat Dida to bring the Reds to within one goal of
Milan.

Amazingly on 60 minutes Liverpool were level.

Gerrard was brought down in the box by Gattuso as he surged forward to
reach a Smicer pass.

Referee Gonzalez pointed to the spot and refused all appeals to send off
the former Rangers midfielder.

Alonso stepped up to take the penalty and Dida pushed it out diving to
his right only for the Spain midfielder to smash the rebound into the
roof of the net to send the Liverpool fans into delirium.

Liverpool were a totally changed side now. Gone was the indecision and
fear of the first period, replaced by men with conviction.

Riise was next to test Dida, firing in a 30-yard strike which the Brazil
keeper palmed up before catching gratefully.

A far more fluid, mobile Liverpool stretched a worried Milan who must
have felt at the break that the cup had been won.

Milan hit back and on 69 minutes Traore was on the line to hack away a
Shevchenko drive that threatened to restore the Italians' lead.

Gerrard and Smicer both had long range efforts over the top, while Luis
Garcia was finding far more space to exploit and Gerrard had a far more
attacking role.

Carragher was booked for a 75th-minute foul on Gattuso, before Gerrard
played a 50-yard pass for Luis Garcia to chest down in the box, but he
was unable to bring the ball fully under control.

Carragher made a fine saving tackle on Crespo before Baros was booked 10
minutes from time for a push on Nesta.

Baros was replaced by Cisse in the 84th minute, with the Italians
sending on Jon Dahl Tomasson and Serginho for Crespo and Seedorf at the
same time.

Stam saw a close range header flash wide on 88 minutes, the last major
incident of the 90 minutes.

In the first period of extra time Tomasson just failed to reach a
left-wing cross and Pirlo saw a 35-yard shot clear the bar before also
firing a free-kick high over.

Gerrard now found himself patrolling a right-sided role, even to the
point of right-back at one stage to halt the runs of substitute Serginho.

With three minutes left, Serginho's cross forced Dudek to make two
remarkable saves, both from Shevchenko. The first was point blank, and
from the rebound the Polish keeper somehow deflected the rebound effort
over the top, sending the game into penalties.

Serginho missed Milan's first spot-kick - Dudek's dancing on his line
clearly put him off - allowing Hamann to fire in Liverpool's first
effort. Then Dudek saved Pirlo's next effort, allowing Cisse to ram home
the next one to give Liverpool a two-goal lead.

Tomasson kept his nerve to score from the next kick, and Dida saved
Riise's next effort to crank up the tension, with Kaka levelling the
scores with the next Milan effort.

Smicer was next up to send Dida the wrong way, and then amazingly
Shevchenko hit the post and Liverpool had won the trophy.

AC Milan: Dida, Maldini, Cafu, Nesta, Stam, Gattuso (Rui Costa 112),
Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf (Serghino 86), Crespo (Tomasson 85), Shevchenko
Subs not used: Abbiati, Costacurta, Dhorasoo, Kaladze
Booked: none
Goals: Maldini 1, Crespo 39, 44

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Finnan (Hamann 45), Hyypia, Traore, Alonso,
Gerrard, Kewell (Smicer 23), Luis Garcia, Riise, Baros (Cisse 85)
Subs not used: Carson, Biscan, Josemi, Nunez
Booked: Carragher, Baros
Goals: Gerrard 54, Smicer 56, Alonso pen 61

Penalties: Serghino misses (0-0), Hamann scores (0-1), Pirlo saved
(0-1), Cisse scores (0-2), Tomasson scores (1-2), Riise saved (1-2),
Kaka scores (2-2), Smicer scores (2-3), Shevchenko misses (2-3)

Att: 65,000
Referee: M Gonzalez (Spain)

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Liverpool FC Stuff - Anfield Road

Saturday, May 28, 2005

[lfc-news] Stevie thanks magnificent Reds fans - Official Site

[lfc-news] Traore: Milan celebrations inspired us

Friday, May 27, 2005

[lfc-news] Big guns behind Liverpool bid - Echo

[lfc-news] Benitez: Cup win won't affect summer changes - Post

[lfc-news] The street party with a million guests - Post

Thursday, May 26, 2005

[lfc-news] FAW rejects Reds' Euro lifeline - BBC

[lfc-news] Media reaction to Liverpool win - BBC

[lfc-news] Uefa defiant over Liverpool entry - BBC

[lfc-news] Carra: I told him to do a Brucie - Echo

[lfc-news] Liverpool defy belief - Post

[lfc-news] We're thinking about next season - Echo

[lfc-news] So, Rafael Benitez does walk on water - Echo

[lfc-news] Cup returns to spiritual home - Echo

[lfc-news] Bold Liverpool rise from the ashes - Telegraph

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

[lfc-news] Jubilant Reds hail Dudek - PA

[lfc-news] Ac Milan v Liverpool player ratings - PA

[lfc-news] CL Final report - PA

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