AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool

Pippo Inzaghi struck twice as AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool with victory in Athens. Inzaghi scored a freak opener in first-half injury time, unwittingly deflecting Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.

Steven Gerrard missed a glorious chance to equalise before Inzaghi slid home a second eight minutes from time.

Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a header with a minute left, but time ran out. Liverpool, as expected, used Kuyt as a lone front man with captain Gerrard pushed into an advanced role.

And it was a ploy that worked well until Liverpool conceded unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half.

Jermaine Pennant was also prominent as Liverpool posed the greater threat, forcing a fine save from Dida after Marek Jankulovski had conceded possession. The much-touted Brazil star Kaka was a peripheral figure early on, but he brought a comfortable save from Liverpool keeper Reina with a 20-yard drive.

Alonso then came within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending an angled drive just wide after more poor Milan defending. But after controlling the game, Liverpool conceded needlessly in first-half injury time.

Alonso had committed several careless fouls, and he paid the price for another infringement on Kaka 20 yards out.

Pirlo's free-kick took a crucial deflection off Inzaghi that completely wrong-footed Reina. Liverpool struggled to exert their superiority in the early stages of the second half and Benitez made a change after 58 minutes, sending on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden.

Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance on 62 minutes when he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved. Time was running out for Liverpool and Benitez made a second change with 13 minutes left, sending on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano.

As Liverpool pushed forward, they were punished by a piece of brilliance by Kaka and a trademark ruthless finish from Inzaghi. Kaka unlocked Liverpool with a glorious pass and Inzaghi rounded Reina before scoring from an angle.

Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery.
Liverpool pulled one back in the dying seconds when Daniel Agger flicked on Pennant's corner and Kuyt headed home.

But this time there was no dramatic comeback and Milan celebrated wildly.

AC Milan: Dida, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Jankulovski (Kaladze 79), Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Seedorf (Favalli 90), Kaka, Inzaghi (Gilardino 88).Subs Not Used: Kalac, Cafu, Serginho, Brocchi.
Booked: Gattuso, Jankulovski.
Goals: Inzaghi 45, 82.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan (Arbeloa 88), Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Alonso, Mascherano (Crouch 78), Zenden (Kewell 59), Gerrard, Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Bellamy.
Booked: Mascherano, Carragher.
Goals: Kuyt 89.

Att: 74,000
Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Clint Dempsey's first goal for Fulham secured a narrow win over Liverpool to ease their relegation worries. Liverpool should have been ahead by the time substitute Dempsey sidefooted the ball past Jose Reina on 68 minutes.

Three times Antti Niemi was tested by Craig Bellamy and three times the Fulham keeper denied the Welshman.

Robbie Fowler missed an open goal for Liverpool, while Vincenzo Montella hit the post for Fulham, who had Papa Bouba Diop red-carded after a second booking.

This was Fulham's first victory in 11 league games as well as the first time they had won under caretaker manager Lawrie Sanchez. With the Champions League final looming, Liverpool's side, with nine changes, was unrecognisable from the one that got the better of Chelsea in midweek.

Along with Jermaine Pennant, goalkeeper Jose Reina was the other player not be rested and the Spaniard, who saved two penalties in Tuesday's shootout, kept Fulham at bay until Dempsey's goal. He athletically punched clear Brian McBride's cross in the first half and after the break frustrated the American for a second time when he got to the ball before the Fulham striker.
But there was nothing Reina could do to stop Dempsey's shot.

The American started and finished the move, dissecting Liverpool's defence with a one-two with Liam Rosenior, before sweeping the ball past Reina. This was Liverpool's ninth league loss on their travels this season and their inability to take advantage of a number of chances was key to their defeat. The majority of those chances fell to Bellamy, who early on twice forced saves from Antti Niemi. It was not long before Bellamy was in the box again, though this time he was unable to shoot, after he was tackled by Bouba Diop.

Having survived those scares, Fulham began to show some attacking intent, with Montella's acrobatic bicycle kick striking the post after it deflected off Xabi Alonso. Moments later Liverpool's Spanish midfielder had to go off for a treatment for a bloody nose after he appeared to be headbutted by Michael Brown, an infringement that went unpunished as referee Steve Bennett was looking the other way.

Towards the end of the first-half Bellamy troubled the Fulham defence twice more, flashing a shot past the post and sending over a dangerous cross that was diligently cleared by Zat Knight.
Bellamy's striking partner Fowler should have then given Liverpool the lead, but he somehow failed to steer the ball home with the goal at his mercy. If Liverpool probably had the better of the first-half, that was never the case after the break, particularly following Dempsey's introduction, his strong running unsettling the visitors' defence.

Even so Liverpool continued to create chances, Niemi once more denying Bellamy with a reaction save, while substitute Harry Kewell - making his first appearance for Liverpool since the 2006 FA Cup final - flashed a shot past the post. Bouba Diop was dismissed after he collected a second booking, but Fulham held on to secure three priceless points.
Fulham caretaker boss Lawrie Sanchez:"People tell me it's mathematically possible to be relegated so until it's proven we're safe I'll save the relief.
"But we took a big, big step today. It was a big ask of the players.
"Michael Brown said he and Alonso ran into each other, there was no headbutt. I believe my captain if he says that. He did say they clashed heads but added there was no intent."
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Brown's challenge on Alonso:"You can use 20 referees, 2,000 cameras and a lot of electronic systems but if you don't want to see it you won't. Unbelievable.
"If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game.
"Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the officials yet nobody could see anything."

Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Christanval, Knight, Bocanegra, Radzinski (Volz 90), Brown, Diop, Davies, Montella (Dempsey 53), McBride (Helguson 86).Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Routledge.
Sent Off: Diop (90).
Booked: Diop, Brown.
Goals: Dempsey 69.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Paletta, Hyypia, Insua (Finnan 75), Pennant (El Zhar 65), Alonso, Sissoko, Gonzalez (Kewell 77), Fowler, Bellamy.Subs Not Used: Padelli, Hobbs.
Booked: Fowler, Arbeloa.

Att: 24,554
Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

Fulham v LiverpoolFULHAM resume the battle for top flight survival against a jubilant Liverpool side, bound for the Champions League final in Athens in just over two weeks time. The west Londoners were a top half team in early December, but have been in free fall of late and go into this match two places and one point above the trap door. Match day will be the 25th since Lawrie Sanchez took over from Chris Coleman in a caretaker capacity. The Cottagers have drawn one and lost two under Sanchez, and have picked up four points from a winless 10 matches since victory over Newcastle on 3 February. They're never finished a Premier League campaign lower than 14th place, nor accumulated fewer than 44 points. The best they can get this time around is 42.
The Cottagers won last season's corresponding fixture 2-0. It was their first win in six matches against Liverpool and a fitting way to bid farewell to Fulham legend Johnny Haynes, who sadly passed away earlier in that week.

LIVERPOOL have managed five top three finishes in their 14 Premiership seasons prior to this. They go into this penultimate League match, and last on the road, one point ahead of Arsenal in fourth. They are already guaranteed a place in the qualifying rounds for the next seasons Champions League, but Rafael Benitez will want his side to go directly into the group stages by beating AC Milan and winning the competition for the second time in three seasons on 23 May.

The Merseysiders missed the opportunity to become the fourth club to top 1,000 Premier League points, when beaten away to Portsmouth last Saturday. Currently on 998 points, a maximum at Craven Cottage will see them joining Manchester United (1,228 points), Arsenal (1,079) and Chelsea (1,010) on four figures.

The Reds have won four of the last five Premiership matches against Fulham, scoring a total of 16 goals in the quartet. The Merseysiders dominated the first half of this season's reverse fixture, but needed a three goal blitz in 12 second-half minutes to seal the points. They eventually won 4-0 and are now looking to 'double' the Cottagers for the second time in three seasons.

REFEREE

Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)

SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
FULHAM
Fixtures 16th 36 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 15thLowest could fall: 18th
1. Drawn four and lost six of the last 10 Premiership matches, since beating Newcastle 2-1 at home on 3 February.
2. Won only one of the last 18 top flight encounters.
3. Won seven Premiership matches this season. Only Watford (four) have won fewer.
4. Kept six top flight clean sheets - only Spurs have fared less well (five block outs).
5. On the longest current run of 10 matches since scoring more than a single goal in a Premiership game (2-1, home to Newcastle on 3 February). Also on the longest such sequence since winning by more than a single goal. It's now 48 League matches since the 6-1 success, home to West Brom on 11 February 2006.
6. Drawn 15 times in the highest League. Only Aston Villa have finished level more often (16 times).
7. Second bottom in the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with two points from the possible 18. (Liverpool are third top, 13 points).
8. Striving for a first home win in six League fixtures, having drawn three and lost two since the victory over the Magpies. Scored 17 times in Premiership matches by the banks of the Thames. Only Manchester City have netted fewer home Premiership goals (10). Gained 25 of their 36 points at the Cottage.
9. Already been 'doubled' by Manchester United, Manchester City and Reading.
10. End the season away to Middlesbrough on Sunday, 13 May.

LIVERPOOL
Fixtures 3rd 67 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rdLowest could fall: 3rd
1. Lost one of the last seven Premiership matches.
2. Won 13 more top League games than Fulham (20 to seven).
3. Only Manchester United (27) and Chelsea (24) have won more top tier encounters, and conceded just 24 Premiership goals. Only Chelsea have shipped fewer (22).
4. Kept 20 clean sheets in the highest echelon. Only Chelsea have managed more (21).
5. Lost nine times in the top tier this term. Only Chelsea (three), Manchester United (four) and Arsenal (eight) are also still in single figures in the "lost" column.
6. Conceded two first half goals against Portsmouth last time out - only the second match in 24 Premiership outings that their goal line has been penerated in the first 45 minutes.
7. Hold the best disiplinary record in the highest League with just 41 yellow cards picked up during the 36 fixtures.
8. Won six matches and scored just 18 goals on their top flight travels with this one fixture remaining. Last season they managed 10 away wins and scored 25 goals.
9. 'Doubled' Tottenham, Watford, West Ham, Reading and Wigan so far.
10. Finish the League campaign home to Charlton on Sunday, 13 May.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Fulham 2-0 Liverpool22 October 2005 - Ref: Martin AtkinsonFulham scorers: John 30, Boa Morte 90

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Liverpool 4-0 Fulham9 December 2006 - Ref: Uriah RennieLiverpool scorers: Gerrard 54, Carragher 61, Luis Garcia 66, Gonzalez 90

HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and awayLeague: Fulham 6 wins, Liverpool 22, Draws 11Prem: Fulham 2 wins, Liverpool 7, Draws 2
at Fulham onlyLeague: Fulham 6 wins, Liverpool 7, Draws 6Prem: Fulham 2 wins, Liverpool 3, Draws 0
The "League" figures in these Head to Head totals include all Premiership matches

Gerrard opens talks on new deal

Gerrard is keen to sign a new contract at LiverpoolLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he is in talks over a new contract that could tie him to Anfield for the rest of his career.

Gerrard, as well as Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Jose Reina, Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger are all on the verge of agreeing new deals.

The skipper said: "I'm in talks to extend my contract and I've never been happier with my football."

Rafael Benitez said: "I expect deals to be agreed after the Champions League."

Gerrard is expected to sign at least a four-year deal worth about £120,000 a week after leading Liverpool to the Champions League final.

Benitez added: "We have been talking to several players, not just Steven. "Those talks were suspended ahead of the Chelsea game in the Champions League, but we will start talking again.
"Nobody has yet agreed a deal, but if we can get them sorted out, as well as some for younger players too, before the Champions League final at the end of the month, we will do.

New Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has said he could not see Gerrard playing for any other club - and the Liverpool captain is equally keen to extend his Anfield career.

Gerrard said: "We need to keep all of our big players here so it's very important we get the contracts sorted out so they can be here for a long time." And the Anfield captain admitted he was surprised that AC Milan will be Liverpool's final opponents in Greece.

He said: "I'm confident we can go to Athens and bring the cup back home. "But Milan are a fantastic team and we know it's going to be really difficult, so we need to be right at the top of our game.

"I was really surprised actually that they won their semi-final because I had confidence that Manchester United would get the result they required.

"I thought it was going to be a Liverpool-Manchester United final, but credit to Milan because they were excellent on the night and deserved to win the game."

Countdown to Liverpool v Chelsea

Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side hold a 1-0 lead, courtesy of Joe Cole's goal in the first leg at Stamford Bridge. The game has been given extra spice by some interesting exchanges between Mourinho and his opposite number

Rafael Benitez ahead of the game. The winners will face either Manchester United or AC Milan in the final in Athens on 23 May.

"I remember before the game in 2005, the Chelsea players spoke a lot about being ready for the Anfield atmosphere but when the game was played they could not handle it.Reds boss Rafael Benitez
"We did not create many chances at Stamford Bridge but I am sure we will create more at Anfield."Jamie Carragher
"Peter Crouch is the tallest man I have ever played against but I am ready. I have never seen a footballer like him - he can beat me in the air but I can beat him to the ball on the ground."Michael Essien
"Liverpool will win it 2-1 and go out of the competition."Artistika on 606

TEAM NEWS AHEAD OF 1945 BST KICK-OFF
Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan is set to return after a neck injury.
Reds striker Peter Crouch could also be in line for a starting place.
Javier Mascherano, Jose Reina, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and John Arne Riise all missed Liverpool's defeat against Portsmouth at the weekend but are expected to start against Chelsea.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Pennant, Zenden, Bellamy, Kuyt, Mascherano, Crouch, Dudek, Gonzalez.
Blues forward Andriy Shevchenko will not play as he has a groin problem which he picked up in taining on Sunday.

Newspaper reports have suggested he refused to travel after being told he would be a substitute for the game but Chelsea have denied the accusation. Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack are also on the injured list but Arjen Robben is fit. Midfielder Michael Essien returns for the Blues but he could be drafted into central defence in place of Carvalho.

Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Joe Cole and Liverpool duo Mascherano and Jermaine Pennant would be suspended for the Champions League final if they were to earn a booking at Anfield.

Chelsea (from): Cech, A Cole, Makelele, Terry, Essien, Ferreira, Boulahrouz, Robben, Lampard, J Cole, Drogba, Mikel, Geremi, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Diarra, Kalou, Cudicini.

Take Over ... The Big Change ....

2007 Takeover

The last pearl in the English FA sea of clubs left to be taken over looks set to finally meet and discuss the possibility of selling up, again. Liverpool Football Club, which has been trying to find the right buyer for the past three years, will meet on Thursday to discuss the shortlist of which surprisingly contains the name of an eminent Dubai super player.It is believed that Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private equity arm of the Arab state is one of three – along with George Gillett, the owner of the Montreal Canadians ice hockey club and John Miskelly, the Belfast-based property millionaire - looking to buy out David Moores, who currently owns 51% of the club.The English are very protective of their clubs and whoever own them, especially the traditional giants of the game. They still view Roman Ambramovich as a leech, who is up to no good and is in it for himself somehow, even though he's wasted £300 million of his own money in doing so! Even the American Glazers that took over Manchester United are considered parasites that have corrupted the beautiful game and sold out the ordinary fan even though it fails to escape most of them that the Glazers acquired the club through legitimate means.Not so long ago Thaksin Shinawatra claimed he had actually taken over Liverpool FC and within hours the internet was full of irate fans questioning the ethics of someone like Shinawatra owning their beloved club. (By the way Shinawatra never really recovered from failing to buy the Reds, ultimately being kicked out of Thailand)DIC and Gillett can no doubt expect the same courtesy; to have their financial and private lives thoroughly probed just because they have the audacity to take over an English football club.

Liverpool Football Club announced they are in talks concerning a possible takeover of the club.
The Liverpool board have said they are in "continuing discussions with a number of parties regarding a potential investment of new funds" that "may include an offer for the entire share capital of the club".

Present chairman David Moores may sell part of his 51.5 per cent majority stake investment in the club for the right price.
The Liverpool board are looking for new investment in the club and are rumoured to be in negotiation with several possible investors and expect a share valuation in the region of £200 million.

Leading the way in the takeover bid is Spanish tycoon Juan Villalonga, who has been constantly linked to the club in the past few days. The Spaniard’s interest could certainly have been spiked by Liverpool’s success last year in the UEFA Champions League and also from the Spanish influence at the football club, which includes manager Rafa Benitez and star midfielders Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia.

With a background in telecoms, Mr Villalonga is reported to have accepted a £14 million payoff when he left Spanish company Telefonica last year.

Liverpool FC have been searching for extra investment into the club for the past three years. Several well-documented takeover attempts have been rejected by the Liverpool board, including bids by Liverpool builder Steve Morgan and also a rumoured shares buyout by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Central to any takeover bid would be a good new stadium plan, as Liverpool FC have been looking to move from Anfield for several years.

In December 2006 Liverpool FC announced that the investment group, DIC, were considering buying out the club. They completed their due-diligence of the club and the offer of £450 million was convincing to the public that this was nearly a done-deal. Subsequently George Gillett and Tom Hicks, both US tycoons, made an improved offer which saw Dubai Investment Capital pull out completely almost immediately afterwards. The Chief Executive of Liverpool FC Rick Parry, said the club "felt bullied" by DIC and did not want to make a decision to sell the club too quickly.

On February 6th 2007 at 14:00hrs GMT, George Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens and Tom Hicks, owner of the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers respectively, took control of Liverpool FC in a deal worth £470 million. The Liverpool board of directors were unanimous and advised shareholders and Chairman David Moores (with his 51% stronghold) to accept the offer of £175 million. The deal also included £45 million of club debt and £215 million for the new stadium proposed for Stanley Park, with building expected to begin within 60 days. In the same press conference the new owners commented that the new stadium could sell naming-rights should it allow them added funds to bring in "one great player" a season.

Liverpool Today

The Rafael Benítez Era (Since 2004)
(Honours won: UEFA Champions League (2005), UEFA Super Cup (2005), FA Cup (2006))

Spaniard Rafael Benítez took over from Houllier, arriving from Valencia CF with whom he had just won La Liga title for the second time and the UEFA Cup. Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League. The season had a surprising ending, however, as Liverpool won their fifth European Cup final in Istanbul. After eliminating favourites Juventus in the quarter-finals, they beat English rivals Chelsea in the semi-finals, on the strength of a controversial second-leg goal from Luis Javier Garcia Sanz. Many TV replays have been inconclusive as to whether the ball crossed the line.
The Reds met the heavily favoured Italian club A.C. Milan in the final. Liverpool, having trailed 3-0 at half time, made a dramatic comeback and scored three goals in the second half forcing extra time. Liverpool went on to win the penalty shoot out with the heroics of goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

This Champions League final win ensured that Steven Gerrard stayed with Liverpool, after rumours linked him with a move to Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Although they were the current champions Liverpool were in danger of not being able to defend their title. The England’s Leagues high UEFA ranking allows the maximum number of teams, four, to be entered into the Champions League competition. In the 2004-05 season, five English teams had qualified under then existing UEFA guidelines for the Champions League competition: Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Everton, who had finished in places first to fourth place respectively in the Premier League, and Liverpool, who had won the competition. UEFA regulations stipulated that the choice of which team to be excluded fell to The Football Association. The FA chose to exclude Liverpool in favour of fourth-place finishers, Everton. This highly-unusual situation was eventually resolved by UEFA, which added Liverpool to the first qualifying round of the 2005-06 event. UEFA created an automatic berth for every subsequent Champions League and UEFA Cup title-holder.

For more details of Liverpool’s entry into the 2005-06 competition, see Liverpool FC’s 2005-06 Champions League Qualification.

After a solid run through qualifying and the group stage, Liverpool's defence of the Champions League title ended in the last sixteen in March 2006, being knocked out 3-0 on aggregate by the unfancied Portuguese side, Benfica.

As the UEFA Champions League 2005 winners, Liverpool competed in the 2005 European Super Cup, beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 AET. Liverpool also earned the right as European Champions to represent UEFA in the FIFA Club World Championship 2005 held in Japan. Liverpool met São Paulo in the final where the game was decided by a single goal scored by São Paulo midfielder Mineiro. During the match, three Liverpool goals were ruled offside.

After starting their FA Cup run against Luton with a 5-3 victory, Benitez's side broke an 85-year jinx by beating Manchester United 1-0 in at Anfield on 18 February 2006, their first victory over their arch-rivals in the competition since 1921. The quarter final tie, away to Birmingham City F.C., saw Benitez's highest scoring result with the Reds winning 7-0, this result was also Liverpool's biggest away win in the FA Cup. On 22 April 2006, Liverpool defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the semi-finals, with John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia scoring to reach the FA Cup final to face West Ham United. This was the 13th time Liverpool had reached an FA Cup final.

In the final they claimed victory against West Ham, drawing 3-3 at full time with captain Steven Gerrard scoring an incredible equaliser in the 91st minute to take them to extra time and then penalties. They went on to win 3-1 on penalties with Pepe Reina saving three out of four penalties. Being the last FA Cup game at the Millennium Stadium, it was fitting that it has been noted as one of the best modern FA Cup finals.

In 2005-06 Liverpool also gathered 82 points in the Premiership - their highest points total since 1988 and the largest number of points achieved by a team in third position.