FREE: DOWNLOAD THE NEW LFC PODCAST

Paul Eaton 18 May 2007 With the big game in Athens now just days away, the Official Liverpoolfc.tv Champions League Final Podcast will help get you in the mood for our most important match since May 2005. Download it for FREE now.

Our second official podcast is a must-have travel companion if you're making the trip to Greece, offering almost 50 minutes of audio content including exclusive interviews and special features ahead of the clash with AC Milan. Rafael Benitez, Xabi Alonso and John Arne Riise all give their exclusive thoughts on the big game, we relive the road to Athens with some magical commentary moments and we talk to Anfield legend Phil Neal, a veteran of the club's first European triumph 30 years ago. Celebrity supporter John Bishop brings his own unique sense of humour to the podcast by selecting his all-time Liverpool European Cup X1 and we talk with one supporter who's travelling 4,000 miles to reach Athens. Remember, this official podcast is completely FREE to download from today. Click here to download the podcast from iTunes for free. Click 'Subscribe' and it will start downloading now>> >>

CISSE'S BID FOR GLORY THWARTED BY FELLOW RED

Mark Platt 13 May 2007 Out on loan Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse netted twice but still ended up on the losing side in Saturday night's French Cup Final.

Cisse scored two for Marseille at the Stade de France only to see Sochaux twice draw level. His dreams of glory were dashed by another loaned out Red, Anthony Le Tallec, who struck the second equaliser five minutes before the end of extra time. Sochaux then went on to claim the cup with a dramatic 5-4 victory in the penalty shoot-out. From Liverpool FC .TV French Cup Final V Xvid 512x384, French Commentary, Marseille V Sochaux Goal Clips: 1-0 Cissé SendSpace MediaFire 1-1 Dagano SendSpace MediaFire zSHARE 2-1 Cissé SendSpace MediaFire zSHARE 2-2 Le Tallec SendSpace MediaFire zSHARE All goals in one rar: http://www.sendspace.com/file/9jvix2 Extras: Coupe de France final shoot-out French commentary, France 2 coverage Video: XviD 352x256 @ 554 kbps Audio: 128 kbps (VBR) Download links RapidShare SendSpaceAll goals in one rar: http://www.sendspace.com/file/9jvix2 Highlight video: Grax hits crossbar SendSpace Nasri sombrero SendSpace Nasri panna SendSpace Niang chance SendSpace Extra video: 35' Nasri sombrero + shot (replay) 44' Ribery run and fouled (replay) 61' Niang skill + shot 66' Ribery throw in 66' Nasri panna Argentinian style (replay) 86' Nasri chance (replay) 105' Nasri skill Credit : total;Toone10

DEFENDER SET FOR CREWE SWITCH

Paul Eaton 09 May 2007 Crewe have been given permission to speak with Liverpool defender Danny O'Donnell over a permanent move to Gresty Road.

O'Donnell has spent the past season on loan with the League One outfit and boss Dario Gradi is now hoping the player can sign a permanent contract. He said: "We have been given permission to speak to Danny and although he won't be a free transfer, we are confident that he will come here. I would be very, very surprised if he doesn't sign for us. "I've spoken to Rick (Parry) and he has told me that we will come to a deal if Danny wants to come here. I've known Rick a long time and have the utmost respect for him, so when he says we will come to an agreement, we will come to an agreement. "Danny is a genuine guy and is as close to signing as you can get to agreeing to a deal. I don't envisage a problem and if there was, then they would have sort it out with Liverpool because he is still their player."

DUDEK: RAFA WILL WIN PREMIERSHIP

Jimmy Rice 09 May 2007 Jerzy Dudek believes Rafa Benitez will soon end Liverpool's tortuous wait to win the Premiership.

Dudek claims the current Reds squad is the best he's been a part of during his five years on Merseyside. And he reckons it's only one or two players shy of being a championship-winning outfit. "We are all happy with the way we have played in the Premiership in the second half of the season and I feel we are not too far away from winning it," the Pole told LFC Magazine. "Rafa knows what he has to do to take the club across the finishing line. If he is able to bring in quality players in the summer in one or two key positions, then we will be very close next season. "If it doesn't happen next year, then the Premiership will be at Liverpool soon."

BENITEZ HAILS 'FANTASTIC' BOLO

Jimmy Rice 08 May 2007 Rafa Benitez today hailed the contribution of Bolo Zenden to the club - both on and off the field.

While the Dutchman has had an increasing role to play on the pitch of late, Benitez also revealed he acts as a 'glue' that helps to keep his squad together. "It's not easy when you talk about Bolo because some people don't know how good he is, as a professional and as a player," said the Liverpool manager. "His mentality is very competitive, he is always a fantastic teammate. "One manager that he had said he was the glue because he is always between the players and trying to keep them together. The young players, the new players, the English players, the Spanish players, because he talks a lot of languages. "I think that is a very good definition. He is a fantastic teammate, fantastic professional and a good player." Zenden, who joined from Middlesbrough on a free transfer two years ago, is one of several Liverpool players who fall out of contract in the summer. And Benitez admits he has yet to make a decision on the midfielder's future. "I was talking with him last week because he is finishing his contract, and the first thing he said to me was, 'I want to win the final.' "That is the only thing that is important now but I will try to be honest with him. I think he is a very good professional but you need to analyse everything. "There is no decision now but I will explain to him quickly if I decide something one way or the other. But there is no decision yet."

WHOLE 'HICKS CLAN' WILL BE IN ATHENS

Jimmy Rice 07 May 2007 Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks will fly eight members of his family to Athens for the Champions League final.

Mr Hicks was blown away by the atmosphere during the semi-final against Chelsea and claims his family wouldn't miss the final for the world. He said: "The whole Hicks clan, the eight of us, will be in Athens. "My 15-year-old son is in the middle of his school finals, so he will have to get some dispensation to be there. "I hadn't heard anything like the atmosphere when Liverpool played Barcelona. I didn't think I would ever hear anything like it again. "That was until the Chelsea game. This was a level above."

RAFA COUNTS THE COST

Lee Brown 05 May 2007 Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez is sweating on the fitness of four of his players after they picked up injuries during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The Reds were beaten by a second half goal from Fulham substitute Clint Dempsey, but Rafa was more concerned with the condition of some players who had been the recipients of some over zealous challenges. "I have four players injured," said Rafa. "Pepe Reina has a shoulder problem, Mark Gonzalez and Alvaro Arbeloa have ankle problems and Momo Sissoko has a knee injury. We will have to wait and see how they all are." Benitez was particularly unhappy with a headbutt by Fulham Captain Michael Brown on Xabi Alonso that went unpunished. He said: "It's clear for everybody to see this incident and how the officials didn't see it is unbelievable." On the game itself, Rafa defended his decision to make nine changes and pointed to a number of missed chances that might have seen Liverpool win the game. "We had five clear chances in the first half which should be enough to win the game. If you want to win matches you have to take your chances, it's as simple as that. They had two chances and scored one goal."

BOSS: FINAL MUST BE OUR PRIORITY

	Jimmy Rice 05 May 2007 Rafa Benitez has refused to rule out resting senior players during the last two Premiership fixtures despite concerns it could influence the relegation battle.
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock believes fellow strugglers Fulham will be handed an advantage in the fight for survival if they face a weakened Liverpool side this weekend. But Benitez today brushed aside those fears – claiming all but a handful of Premiership sides try out new players at this stage of the season. He said: "It's difficult to do the right things by everyone. I'm sure the teams in the middle of the table will try to use some young players, or players who haven't played a lot during the season because it needs to be decided if they get new contracts. "If you play against Watford, and I have a lot of respect for them, but now they are relegated I don't think they'll play with the same players now as three months ago, because they'll be thinking about preparing for the future. "I think it will be similar with a lot of teams. We'll try to do our best, we'll use a good team with senior players, but we will try to use our squad. "We need to think about the final but we also want to finish third. We will do a professional job, but everybody needs to understand that our priority is the final."

RAFA: WHY I SAT DURING PENALTIES

Jimmy Rice 04 May 2007 Rafa Benitez has explained his reasons for sitting cross-legged during Tuesday's penalty shoot-out.

The Spaniard's unusual pose caused quite a stir after the semi-final victory against Chelsea. However, the Reds boss today told liverpoolfc.tv that he decided to sit simply so the supporters could see. "The Chelsea players were standing up in front of the bench, but the supporters were then asking them to sit," said Benitez. "We went to one side, but again the supporters couldn't see, so we sat down and watched. We were thinking about our people. "It's true I was really calm because I had a lot of confidence in Pepe. He is very good at penalties. Also, the players I selected had been practising. They'd played against Pepe and Jerzy in almost every training session. I had a lot of confidence." Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed he didn't celebrate with the players after reaching his second Champions League final in three seasons – because he feared a soaking! "I was talking with the press. I had about 15 TV interviews and the press conference. After I'd finished they had started celebrating, and I've read some things about the owners going in. But I know from experience that it's better to stay far from the players! "Then I went with the new owners and some staff to relax – not with the players because that's always a risk! "You are with your family and your people. We went to a hotel for a drink, but talking about football. I had a little bit of water and a little champagne. "We were really happy but now we must finish the job."

RAFA: MILAN WILL BE DANGEROUS OPPONENTS

Paul Eaton 03 May 2007 Rafael Benitez watched AC Milan destroy Manchester United's European dreams in style last night and declared: "They're better than two years ago."

The Reds have enjoyed their celebrations since beating Chelsea on Tuesday night but Benitez is now keen to remind his players that the hard work is only just starting and that they'll be facing a side desperate to avenge their final misery in Istanbul. While the Liverpool manager is keen to stress his side is superior to the one which triumphed in the Ataturk Stadium, he also believes Carlo Ancelotti's men have upped their level. "It's clear we are going to play a team with players with a great attitude and quality," said Benitez. "You could see by how hard they worked last night. They are desperate to win the Champions League, and after what happened two years ago we must be very careful. They are a very dangerous opponent for us. "We enjoyed the day on Tuesday, but now that's gone and we must focus on the final. The hard work for the players begins now. The final is not today, it is in a few weeks time and we must start our preparation from this moment. "Some people think because we won two years ago and we also beat Chelsea we will do it again, but this is not the right message. You do not win a trophy for winning a semi-final. Playing well in the final is what's important now. "They are strong in every position. Defensively they are good, they have excellent strikers and in players like Gattuso and Kaka they have two of the best players in the world. "They are a team we will show a lot of respect to. I have said many times we are stronger now than we were two years ago, but I also believe Milan is a better side than they were when we last played each other."

GILLETT BLOWN AWAY BY RAFA BRILLIANCE

Paul Eaton 02 May 2007 George Gillett basked in the euphoria of watching Liverpool book their place in the Champions League final and then paid a glowing tribute to manager Rafael Benitez.

Gillett watched proudly from the Director's Box last night as Benitez led the Reds to the seventh European Cup final in the club's history. A date in Athens now beckons on May 23 when Liverpool will take on AC Milan or Manchester United for the biggest prize in European football. "Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe," said Gillett. "We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach. "Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. He knows what he wants and how to get it. "The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become. We have talked money but that is not the main point. We have discovered that the way people operate privately is not always the same as in public. George on Rafa Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe. We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach. "We will be supporting him during the summer but it is not about money, it is about giving people opportunities." Gillett spent the minutes after the final whistle shaking hands and hugging supporters as Anfield united as one to celebrate our second Champions League final appearance in the space of three seasons. "You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous games already in Europe and that will be another," he said. "I am hugely impressed by the way myself and my family have been received here, it is truly wonderful, that is why I wanted to share the moment with the fans. "They are amazing. Everywhere Tom and I go it is the same, people are pleased and so welcoming. I wanted to shake their hands, to embrace them at the end because they had been magnificent for their team. "It is all about them, it is not about us. The success since we have been here has been marvellous, I just wanted to thank them. I suppose chairmen don't do that sort of thing usually but it is just how I feel about them."

KEWELL BACK AS REDS BEAT BLUES

Steve Hunter at Wrexham 30 April 2007 Harry Kewell made an impressive return from injury when he created a goal during Liverpool Reserves' 3-1 win over Everton in the mini-derby at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Monday night.

The Reds number seven hadn't kicked a ball since scoring for Australia against Croatia in the World Cup and has been on the sidelines all season. He came on after 55 minutes and played on the left wing. Kewell made an instant impact too. He was only on the field for five minutes when he beat two defenders down the left and set up Craig Lindfield for a tap-in from close range. Paul Anderson scored the Reds first goal and Moroccan Nabil El Zhar will claim the second goal with the aid of a deflection. In their final second string match of the season Gary Ablett's side played some superb football at times and they were full value for their win. Indeed the Reds could easily have scored more than three goals on the night. Ablett's starting line-up included six of the young starlets who helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup Final against Manchester United last Thursday, in the form of Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby, Lindfield, Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett and goalkeeper David Roberts. Jimmy Ryan and Lee Woodward were on the bench as was 16-year-old Academy goalkeeper Chris Oldfield. Argentine left back Emiliano Insua, who made his first team debut at Portsmouth on Saturday was given another outing. Spearing played central midfield alongside Barnett with captain Jack Hobbs partnering Ronald Huth at centre half. Everton, who won this corresponding fixture 2-1 earlier this season fielded a young team and they were outclassed. Liverpool went close after 16 minutes when Lindfield's superb lay-off sent Anderson racing away down the right wing. The winger's low cross found El Zhar whose effort was well kept out by John Ruddy. A minute later Anderson put the Reds 1-0 up when he intercepted an Everton clearance and ran clear before producing a clinical finish. It was 2-0 after 25 minutes with a goal of almost comical proportions. An attempted Everton clearance by Darren Dennehy struck the right boot of El Zhar and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Liverpool were looking as though they were going to score with every attack as inspired by the passing and prompting in midfield by Jay Spearing they used the wide players to great effect. Lindfield hit a great strike from 30-yards out which beat Ruddy but sailed just wide. Then a minute later a diving header from El Zhar landed just wide. Lindfield and strike partner El Zhar caused the Everton defence problems all night and they were proving too hot to handle. Just before the interval it should have been 3-0 but Anderson could only shoot wildly over the bar after a good left wing cross from Threlfall. Lindfield added the third goal on the hour mark after some magical wing play from Kewell. The Aussie then nearly set up another goal but Anderson's effort was superbly saved by Ruddy. Everton pulled a goal back after 78 minutes when Kieran Agard ran onto a through ball and finished well. Liverpool Reserves: Roberts, Darby, Insua, Hobbs, Huth (Kewell 55), Barnett (Ryan 77), Anderson, Spearing, Lindfield (Brouwer 67), El Zhar, Threlfall. Subs' not used: Oldfield (GK), Woodward. Everton Reserves: Ruddy, Densmore, Molyneux, Irving, Dennehy, Harpur (Downes 45), Phelan, Vidarsson, Spencer (Morrison 45), Agard, Kissock. Referee: K G Evans. Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Paul Anderson. Scored an excellent goal and had a terrific match on the right wing. Really exciting to watch.

BENITEZ: WE CAN SCORE THREE

Jimmy Rice 30 April 2007 Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool can reach the Champions League final in Athens even if Chelsea score a crucial away goal on Tuesday night.

The 1-0 scoreline at Stamford Bridge last week means the Reds will have to net three if Chelsea get a goal at Anfield. But Benitez insists he won't panic if this happens – because he knows from experience what his players can do when the chips are down. "For me, it's better if we don't concede. But we know we can score more than one goal. If we need to score three, okay, we have experience against Olympiacos," the Spaniard told an Anfield press conference on Monday. "I know we were not playing at our level last week. That's the key for the second leg. If we play to our level I'm sure we will win." Meanwhile, the Liverpool boss believes the Anfield atmosphere will be a problem for Jose Mourinho's men - despite the experience they have from two years ago. "Our supporters – they are the special ones," said Benitez. "We don't need to talk about our supporters, it's enough just to hear them. "At Stamford Bridge, we won in the stands, that was clear. The other supporters were with their flags, but our supporters were with their hearts. We don't need to give flags. It's easy for us. "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 the best in the world again tomorrow night. "I am sure you will see that Anfield is very difficult for Chelsea. They can say they've experienced it before, they can say it's not a problem, but it will be a problem for them. "We are playing against a very good team, but we have confidence, and playing with 12 men is easy!"

EX-RED LEE NAMED NEW BOLTON BOSS

Mark Platt 30 April 2007 Former Liverpool player and coach Sammy Lee has been appointed the new manager of Bolton Wanderers.

Lee, 48, succeeds Sam Allardyce, who resigned on Sunday. He was unveiled at a press conference this morning and spoke of his delight at being handed his first senior managerial role. He said: "I'm delighted about the prospect of being Bolton manager. It is a great legacy that Sam has left and it is my job now to carry that forward." Lee, who left Anfield to became a coach at Bolton in June 2005, added: "It took me one second to decide to accept the job after it was offered to me. "I am very proud to be sat here in front of everybody as the new manager of Bolton Wanderers. "The education I've gained from working with Sam Allardyce has been immense. "I have to continue what Sam has started, that's first and foremost, and then re-evaluate it after that. "It certainly is a healthy position that Bolton are in, we're now contesting for a place in Europe. "The main thing for us is to keep the players stable and to make sure that we get the result we firmly feel deserve after all the hard work we've done this season."

RIISE: EARLY GOAL WILL SET US UP NICELY

	Mark Platt 29 April 2007 John Arne Riise has emphasised the need for an early goal at Anfield on Tuesday when Liverpool aim to overturn a one goal deficit in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea.
But on what is bound to be a highly-charged night he's also pleading for patience. "We know we're going to have to score and it would help if we can get an early goal," said Riise, a member survivor from the side that dumped the Londoners out of the competition at the same stage in 2005. "We didn't create many chances on Tuesday, but we performed better in the second half and at home we know we can get forward and score goals. "We need a good start. If we get that, with the crowd behind us, it means it could be game on. It's also important to be patient and be careful to give nothing away. "Two years ago it was unbelievable and it can be the same again." Riise thinks Didier Drogba is Chelsea's main danger-man but backed Liverpool's strikers to pose an equal threat at the opposite end. "Drogba is a very good player. He's as strong as a bull, he works hard and he scores goals. It's very difficult to play against him," added the Norwegian. "He didn't have many chances on Wednesday, but played his part in the goal. "But our strikers are capable of producing a similar level of performance if we can create enough chances for them. Usually we always get chances at home and we'll have to put them away. "I don't care if it's strikers, midfielders or defenders, all of us can score goals and we'll work together to do that."

SKIPPER WANTS HEIGHWAY TO STAY ON

Mark Platt 28 April 2007 Steven Gerrard has backed Rick Parry's declaration that departing Academy director Steve Heighway should remain at the club in some capacity.

Heighway is stepping down from his position as head of the Kirkby-based complex at the end of the season but Liverpool chief executive Parry has hinted that the former flying winger does not have to sever his ties with Anfield completely. Having coming through the club's youth system under his guidance, Reds skipper Gerrard cites Heighway as one of the biggest influences on his career and would love to see him continue in some capacity. "I'd be gutted if Steve were leaving Liverpool. I was so pleased to hear the club will find some role for him because in terms of coaching and looking after young players, there's no one in Europe with a record as good as his," he said. "I remember the first day I walked into Liverpool Football Club and Steve was the one who was there to meet me and look after me. For what must be nearly 20 years he's done a terrific job and you only have to look at the kind of names he's brought through to see that. "He was someone who worked from 8am to being the last person to leave at night. It's been 24 hours a day commitment to Liverpool and I hope the club do something to mark his contribution, possibly on the last day of the season against Charlton. "The fans know he was a top player, but I'm sure they'd like to show their appreciation for his work bringing through youngsters." Gerrard has also defended Liverpool's Academy system in the ace of accusations that not enough quality players are being developed. He added: "I know there's not been so many coming through in the last few years, but I think there are many reasons for that. "Carra and I have discussed this a lot because obviously we're really keen to ensure there are always local lads coming through, but if you look all around the Premiership and the rest of Europe, how many Academies have been producing world class players every season? "How many can say they had one like Michael Owen, Carra and the rest of us? "Have you seen many of the top European clubs packed with more home-grown players that Liverpool? I think it's an issue across all of football, not just Liverpool."

BRILLIANT REDS WIN YOUTH CUP ON PENALTIES

Jimmy Rice at Old Trafford 27 April 2007 Liverpool's class of 2007 have written their names into Anfield history by retaining the FA Youth Cup.

The under-18s lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Manchester United in their own backyard on Thursday night. Steve Heighway's youngsters, who lost the Anfield leg 2-1 last week, took the game to spot kicks following a deserved 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Centre-back Robbie Threlfall, who scored an own goal which let United back into the first leg 10 days ago, went from zero to hero by netting the only goal in normal time and a decisive penalty. While stand-in keeper David Roberts also made a hero of himself by saving United's first spot kick, it was home captain Sam Hewson who handed the cup to the Reds when he skied over his side's fifth penalty at the Stretford End. The victory means Liverpool Under-18s have now gone two years without defeat in youth football's premier competition. What a way for the retiring Heighway to bow out. The triumph was witnessed by new Reds co-owner George Gillett, whose presence provided yet another indication of the safe hands in which former chairman David Moores has placed the club. Mr Gillett's smile as the travelling Kop erupted spoke volumes, while the hoards of Reds watching around the country will be hoping this is just the first of many trophies under our new American owners. Liverpool may have been second best on home soil during the first leg, but no one could argue they didn't deserve to get their hands on the trophy after 120 minutes of maturity, spirit and poise across the East Lancs. They had to be patient on the night, with the game getting off to a cagey start. Aware from the first leg how dangerous their opponents could be down the flanks, United were doubling up on wingers Jimmy Ryan and Ray Putterill. This made it difficult for the visitors to create much during an uneventful first-half, though Youth Cup veteran Craig Lindfield perhaps could have done better on the one occasion Ryan did manage to get the ball into the box. The Reds will have been the more disappointed of the two sides when the half-time whistle blew having started to get into their stride as the opening 45 minutes wore on. Their rhythm was nearly disrupted further four minutes after the restart when Febian Brandy found himself one-on-one with Roberts. It took a fine save to keep the scoresheet blank. It seemed finally we had a game on our hands when, two minutes later, Lindfield crafted a marvellous chance inside the United box. The Reds number nine was denied by the post, with strike-partner Ryan Flynn unable to direct the rebound into the net. But then came the moment the thousands of travelling Merseysiders had been waiting for when Threlfall drove an unstoppable left-foot volley into the back of Ron-Robert Zieler's net from a Charlie Barnett corner. How ironic the goal came on 55 minutes, that being the exact number of times the Old Trafford stadium announcer had reminded us we were in the 'Theatre of Dreams'. So, with the away-goals rule not applying in Youth Cup games, the tie was heading for extra-time. Putterill had different ideas, mind, and he nearly doubled the Reds' advantage on the night in the closing stages with a sublime curling shot which crept agonisingly wide of Zieler's goal. This one was going the distance, then. Liverpool perhaps came closest to clinching victory in extra-time when Lindfield turned the United defence inside-out before lashing a low drive goalwards. But, for the second time of the evening, the young marksman was denied by the post. Both Lindfield and United substitute Antonio Bryan could have scored from close range in the last 15 minutes, though by that stage the tie looked destined to be settled from 12 yards. United won the toss but Roberts made it advantage Liverpool from the off with a fine save from Magnus Eikrem. Putterill sent Zieler the wrong way to put the visitors in front, though Chris Fagan soon levelled things up. Lindfield, James Chester, Flynn, Daniel Galbraith and Threlfall all converted to make it 4-3 after four pens each, meaning Hewson had to score. He didn't, and Liverpool were going home with their third FA Youth Cup. Attendance: 24,347. Liverpoolfc.tv man-of-the match: Robbie Threlfall. Liverpool: Roberts, Spearing (capt), Threlfall, Darby, Burns, Ryan (Woodward 94), Putterill, Flynn, Lindfield, Ajdarevic (Irwin 81), Barnett. Subs not used: Mimms, Highdale, Parsonage. Man Utd: Zieler, Eckersley, Evans (Moffatt 99), Strickland, Chester, Drinkwater (Bryan 72), Welbeck (Eikrem 88), Hewson (capt), Brandy, Fagan, Galbraith. Subs not used: McCormack, Woods.

RAFA FRUSTRATED BUT REMAINING CONFIDENT

	Paul Eaton 25 April 2007 Rafael Benitez has insisted Liverpool still have a chance of playing in next month's Champions League final despite going down to a one goal defeat at Chelsea.
The two teams will meet at Anfield on Tuesday night with a place in Athens at stake for the winners and with Jose Mourinho's men in the driving seat after their first leg success. Benitez admits he was disappointed with his team's first half display but encouraged by their improvement after the break which could have been rewarded with an away goal. "The first half wasn't good for us," he said. "They had chances but it wasn't because they were playing well, it was because we were giving the ball away. "We spoke before the game about being careful because we know they like to play on the counter-attack, but in that first half we were doing the wrong things and making the wrong decisions. "In the second half we had a target man and we played better. We had much more control of the game and possibilities to score. "Now we look forward to Anfield and the chance to play in front of our own fans. We have confidence because we know we're a good team, we know we can score goals and we know we can beat them. "We'll need to be careful because we know how dangerous they can be on the counter-attack. I don't know what each side's chances are of going through now, I just know we can still do it." Benitez was frustrated at the lack of protection his defenders received against the physical presence of Didier Drogba, but refused to criticise them for allowing Chelsea to grab the opening goal. "It's difficult when decisions are going against you. Drogba is a good player and he had a good game, but usually decisions go against the striker in some of the situations we saw tonight. "When people talk before the game then maybe it puts some pressure on the referee."
OTHER HEADLINES

BOSS: WHY I CAN RELY ON STEVIE

Jimmy Rice 25 April 2007 Rafa Benitez has spoken of his ultimate confidence that skipper Steven Gerrard will perform every time he walks out on to the big stage.

The Spaniard knows he can rely on the Huyton-born midfielder when it matters most having witnessed countless inspirational performance over the last few years. Benitez said: "He has the mentality, especially in the key moments, like the final in Istanbul, and in Cardiff. It's his whole character. At this moment, he is a good player. He is ready for the challenge." Despite hailing his captain, the Liverpool boss refused to be drawn into trivial arguments about how Gerrard compares to Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard. "Both are really good players," said Benitez. "Each one has his own abilities; they are different players, so you cannot say Gerrard is better than Lampard, or Lampard is better than Gerrard. "But now we have a better squad and Stevie can receive support from Mascherano, Alonso, Crouch, Kuyt, other players. Now it is easier for Steve."

BENITEZ: OUR IDEA IS TO WIN

Mark Platt 24 April 2007 As Liverpool apply the finishing touches to their preparations for the Champions League semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, Rafa Benitez insists they aim to return with a win.

The Reds squad will fly down to London later today ahead of Wednesday's tie and Benitez admits confidence in the camp is high. "Our idea is to win if possible," says the boss. "Sometimes you have to play counter-attack and sometimes press high, it depends on the situation. But it would be good to score a goal and come away with the win. "This is a very good positive situation for us and you have to approach games like this with confidence. "We know them, they know us, that is clear and at the end of the day it could be just the small details that make the difference. "Chelsea have been champions in this country for the last two years and they are a very strong side, especially at home. Maybe they are a better side than two years ago but we also have more experience now and I think we can do it. "I can tell you the players are as hungry for success now as they were two years ago."