Football Magazine News

Shevchenko had a glorious seven years at Milan from 1999 to 2006, scoring 127 goals in just 208 games, before leaving to join Chelsea following the last World Cup in Germany. His time at Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of disastrous, and he is desperate to return to San Siro this summer.

Milan are also keen to arrange a deal to sign Shevchenko, however, according to the striker’s agent, they are not prepared to pay a fee for him.

“There’s so much talk about a return, but I’m not at liberty to say anything more than that I have always been close to Milan,” said the 31-year-old.

“Whether or not I return, this side has given me so much. I grew at Milan and I won the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League there.

“I have great memories and relationships with my ex-colleagues at San Siro,” he added.

Shevchenko also said that he is especially excited for this weekend's Milan derby, which he reckons has the makings of a classic.

“It’s a unique and great game,” enthused the Ukrainian.

“I think that this derby is worth more to Milan because they are fighting for fourth place and Champions League qualification and it is also their home fixture.

“I wish all the best to my former teammates. I know how important it is to win the derby, especially now.”

Inter will keep hold of the Scudetto if the result they obtain against their city rivals is better than what Roma achieve during their tricky trip to Sampdoria, while anything less than a victory for Milan will very likely mean that they will be a high profile absence from Europe's elite club competition next season.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Saturday lunchtime sees the potential Premier League title decider at Stamford Bridge as defending champions and current leaders Manchester United in London to take on Avram Grant's second-placed Chelsea side.

Chelsea know thast anything less than a win will effectively wreck their hopes of snatching the title from United's grasp and being crowned champions themselves for the third time in four seasons.

Ivory Coast hitman Didier Drogba has warned his Chelsea team-mates that they will have to on top form to beat arch-rivals United.

He told The Sun: "We need to play like champions.

"There is no more to say. I want tomorrow to come quickly and to be on the pitch.

"I enjoy these kind of games."

Drogba was absemt from Chelsea's damaging home draw with Wigan 11 days because of a knee injury, but typically believes that The Blues would now be closer to Sir Alex Ferguson's team on points if he had played against the Latics.

Drogba added: "I had to leave my friends when I wanted to help them against Wigan.

"Maybe the League would now be a different story but we're still on for it.

"My knee is improving. It was good for me to rest for a few days because it wasn't getting better."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

The 29-year-old, who has enjoyed perhaps his best season yet for the Red Devils, is determined to have a trophy for each hand once the final whistle is blown this campaign, and the next four days will do much to determine whether that dream will turn into reality.

United will be effectively looking to seal the Premiership title with a win at Chelsea on Saturday, before hosting Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final decider next Tuesday.

"It's obvious we want to win at Chelsea," said Ferdinand. "Success as a team is paramount.

"If we win, we'll get the plaudits we deserve. If we don't, we'll get the criticism we probably deserve.

"Winning the league and the Champions League is what I want to round off the season."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Irresistible Forces & Unmovable Objects

The two remaining unbeaten sides in this season's Champions League tournament go head-to-head in the semi-final, with Barcelona - at home in the first leg - striving to prevent the first all-English final by defeating Manchester United and going on to face Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow.

United stand between Barca and a second final in three seasons, while the Red Devils are targeting an appearance in the European Champions final 50 years after the Munich air crash robbed Matt Busby's much-loved 1958 'Babes' side of the chance of glory in the tournament's fledgling phase.

Both Barca and United have previously won Europe's premier club competition on two occasions, the Catalans in 1992 (against Sampdoria) and 2006 (Arsenal) twice and United in 1968 (against Benfica) and 1999 (Bayern Munich).

That 1999 United triumph was at Camp Nou, but the Red Devils have never beaten Barca on their own turf - losing 2-0 in the 1983-84 Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals and 4-0 in the 1994-95 Champions League group stage, and drawing 3-3 there in the 1998-99 in the Champions League.

Barcelona also boast a more impressive record in the last four of the Champions Cup/League. They have won four of the eight previous semi-finals they have contested – in 1960-61, 1985-86, 1993-94 and 2005-06 – as well as reaching the 1991-92 final as winners of their last-eight group.

In contrast, United's nine previous semi-final appearances have yielded only two victories, and in last year’s competition they were defeated by eventual winners AC Milan in the last four, leading 3-2 from the first-leg but crashing out with a 3-0 defeat t the San Siro.

Ahead of Wednesday's clash, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he hoped his side would show a "really positive" approach at Camp Nou, and certainly United go into the first leg as favourites based on current form. They will be looking to establish a platform of one or more away goals to take to Old Trafford for the second leg on 29th April.

Something will certainly have to give because Barcelona's home form has been flawless in this season's Champions League campaign - played five, won five, scored ten, conceded one - while the Premier League leaders are unbeaten away in Europe this season, with three victories and two draws.

Moreover, Barcelona's home record against English opponents is impressive, with 13 wins, eight draws and only two defeats in 23 previous meetings in European competition. Both those defeats came against this year's possible finalists, Liverpool - 0-1 in the 1975-76 Uefa Cup semi-final first leg (prior to a 2-1 aggregate defeat), and 1-2 in the 2006-07 first knockout round of the Champions League (which they exited to Rafa Benitez's side on away goals after the aggregate score finished 2-2).

That defeat by Liverpool last season means Barca have won seven and lost eight of 15 two-legged ties against English teams.

As for United, they have played 16 times in Spain against Spanish opposition, and won only once, drawing six and losing nine. Their one victory was in the quarter-finals of the 2001-02 Champions League at Coruna against Deportivo.

United's record in nine previous two-legged ties against Spanish opposition is five aggregate defeats and four draws.


Contrasting Domestic Fortunes

However, leaving history aside, it is the present that sees United travel to Catalonia this week as favourites not only to overcome Barca in the semis but also to win the overall competition in Moscow. Indeed, United are on course to capture a coveted Premier League-Champions League Double, although Ferguson will be coming down hard on any complacency within his squad, any tendency to think either of those two prizes are already in the bag. That is why in his pre-match press conference he insisted United and Barca are evenly matched, and that it is wrong to regard his side as favourites.

Nevertheless, United are meeting Frank Rijkaard's side when the Blaugrana are going through an indifferent spell of form at just the wrong stage in their season. Their fast-receding Primera Liga title hopes took another major knock at the weekend as city rivals Espanyol held them to a goalless draw that left them third behind Villarreal and arch-rivals Real Madrid, who now have 11 more points than the Blaugrana.

At least Rijkaard was able bring back Bojan Krkić, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Deco from injury. Bojan started, and Iniesta and Messi came on as second-half substitutes.

Rijkaard said: "We had plenty of opportunities and didn't score so you have to say we were unlucky.

"We worked hard in order to get a good result but it wasn't to be. We're disappointed because we did everything we could. I'm happy with the players' attitude and mentality. The work that they are continuing to put in is something very positive. We're not giving up because we know there are still games left to win."

Barca have now taken seven points from their last eight Liga games, a run that includes one win (against Real Valladolid on 23rd March), four draws and three defeats, with Rijkaard's side scoring 13 goals and conceding 14 - a statistic that will give huge encouragement to United's prolific attack. In fact Barca have lost four of their last ten games in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, winning only one.

United's record is certainly more impressive: they have lost one of their last 15 matches in all competitions and are unbeaten in nine games. They are unbeaten away since going down to a shock 2-1 Premier League defeat at West Ham United on 29th December - ten games ago.

On Saturday, they came through a stern examination by Blackburn in a hard-fought battle that saw Rovers, managed by Ferguson protege Mark Hughes, take an early lead through Roque Santa Cruz and hang on to it through some Brad Friedel heroics until two minutes from time, when Carlos Tevez grabbed a close-range equaliser.

Despite the dropped points, United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of next weekend's trip to Stamford Bridge for the showdown against second-placed Chelsea, where Ferguson's side could clinch the title.

Ferguson said: "We'd rather have had the three points and deserved that but we've rescued the game late on so that's a positive thing.

"Our performance in the second half was brilliant, the tenacity we showed was fantastic and we played like champions. We dominated the second half and were very, very unlucky not to win. We know that if we win at Chelsea we'll win the league. We've given ourselves a chance, there's only three games left and we're approaching the finish line. The attitude the players showed in the second half was fantastic, I'm proud of them today."


The Road To The Semi-Final

Barcelona

19.09.2007 Barcelona - Lyon 3-0 (Clerc o.g., Messi, Henry)
02.10.2007 Stuttgart - Barcelona 0-2 (Puyol, Messi)
23.10.2007 Rangers - Barcelona 0-0
07.11.2007 Barcelona - Rangers 2-0 (Henry, Messi)
27.11.2007 Lyon - Barcelona 2-2 (Iniesta, Messi pen))
12.12.2007 Barcelona - Stuttgart 3-1 (Giovani, Eto'o, Ronaldinho)
20.02.2008 Celtic - Barcelona 2-3 (Messi 2, Henry)
04.03.08 Barcelona - Celtic 1-0 (Xavi)
01.04.08 Schalke - Barcelona 0-1 (Bojan)
09.04.08 Barcelona - Schalke 1-0 (Yaya Toure)


Manchester United

19.09.2007 Sporting - Man. United 0-1 (Ronaldo)
02.10.2007 Man. United - Roma 1-0 (Rooney)
23.10.2007 Dynamo Kiev - Man. United 2-4 (Ferdinand, Rooney, Ronaldo 2)
07.11.2007 Man. United - Dynamo Kyiv 4-0 (Piqué, Tévez, Rooney, Ronaldo)
27.11.2007 Man. United - Sporting 2-1 (Tévez, Ronaldo)
12.12.2007 Roma - Man. United 1-1 (Piqué)
20.02.08 Lyon - Man. United 1-1 (Tévez)
04.03.08 Man. United - Lyon 1-0 (Ronaldo)
01.04.08 Roma - Man. United 0-2 (Ronaldo, Rooney)
09.04.08 Man. United - Roma 1-0 (Tévez)


DOMESTIC FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Cup 20/03/08 v Valencia (A) LOST 2-3 (Henry, Eto'o)
League 23/03/08 v Real Valladolid (H) WON 4-1 (Eto'o, Iniesta, Bojan 2)
League 29/03/08 v Real Betis (A) LOST 2-3 (Bojan, Eto'o)
League 06/04/08 v Getafe (H) DREW 0-0
League 12/04/08 v Recreativo de Huelva (A) DREW 2-2 (Eto'o 2)
League 19/04/08 v Espanyol (H) DREW 0-0

Manchester United

League 19/03/08 v Bolton (H) WON 2-0 (Ronaldo 2)
League 23/03/08 v Liverpool (H) WON 3-0 (Brown, Ronaldo, Nani)
League 29/03/08 v Aston Villa (H) WON 4-0 (Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney 2)
League 06/04/08 v Middlesbrough (A) DREW 2-2 (Ronaldo, Rooney)
League 13/04/08 v Arsenal (H) WON 2-1 (Ronaldo pen, Hargreaves)
League 19/04/08 v Blackburn (A) DREW 1-1 (Tevez)


TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Striker Thierry Henry was unable to take part in training on Monday morning because of a fever. He had been an unused substitute in Saturday's goalless Liga draw against Espanyol. Ronaldinho, Lilian Thuram, Jose Edmilson and deputy goalkeeper Albert Jorquera also missed training.

Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has been suffering from bruising and inflammation in his right foot but is expected to be able partner Gabriel Milito in the heart of the Barca defence.

Skipper Carles Puyol must sit out the first leg through suspension, having collected his third yellow card in this season's competition in the second leg with Schalke. Rafael Márquez, Gabriel Milito, Yaya Touré and Messi are all within a booking of a suspension.

Squad: Valdés, Jorquera, Milito, Márquez, Zambrotta, Edmílson, Sylvinho, Thuram, Abidal, Oleguer, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Yaya Touré, Gudjohnsen, Eto'o, Henry, Giovani, Messi, Bojan.

Last Starting XI (v Espanyol): Valdés, Milito, Sylvinho, Puyol (Márquez 66), Zambrotta, Yaya Touré, Xavi, Gudjohnsen (Iniesta 45), Eto'o, Giovani (Messi 45), Bojan.


Manchester United

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is fit after a groin strain and is in line to play, while Wayne Rooney seems to have overcome the hip injury he sustained against Blackburn on Saturday.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson have both recovered from minor injuries, and Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also been named in the squad.

Ferguson was in positive mood when he said of Rooney: "Sometimes you get these knocks right on the bone but I'm sure Wayne will be OK for Wednesday. Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson should also be fit."

Squad: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Pique, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre, Kuszczak, Tevez, Heaton, Welbeck.

Last Starting XI (v Blackburn): Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 81), Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (Nani 6), Tévez, Rooney (Park 90).


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona

Thierry Henry spent eight years with United's Premier League rivals Arsenal, and scored nine goals in 18 appearances against the Red Devils. The last of those was a 90th-minute winner when the Gunners came from behind to beat United 2-1 at the Emirates in London in January 2007. Henry was also in the AS Monaco team that beat United on away goals in the Champions League quarter-finals in 1997-98.

Henry said of Wednesday's opponents: "At the moment, they're flying, but you never know in football. Hopefully, they will have a bad day when we play them. You know how it is in the Champions League - one bad day and you're gone.''

Should Henry's recent illness restrict his involvement, there is always Samuel Eto'o - who scored both Barca's goals in the 2-2 draw against Recreativo on 12th April, his 13th and 14th League goals on only his 14th appearance this season.


Manchester United

Between them Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tévez and Wayne Rooney have scored 73 of United's 101 goals in all competitions this season, and 52 of their 73 in the Premier League.

Ronaldo's goal against Roma in the quarter-final first leg was his seventh in the Champions League this season, making him the competition's top scorer. Before the Blackburn game, Ronaldo had scored in his last seven United games in all competitions. And he is also the Premier League's leading scorer this season with 28 goals. His goal against Arsenal on 13th April was his 38th of the season in all competitions and keeps him in contention to break Denis Law's club record of 46
goals (1963-64).

Ronaldo has also been nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, along with Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, David James, Cesc Fabregas and Adebayor. And for good measure, the United winger has also been short-listed for the Young Player of the Year award - having collected both accolades last season.


PREDICTION

Barcelona really need victory - and a clean sheet - to take to Old Trafford. But although United have never won at Barcelona, and have the pressure of being the favorites to reach the final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, they are widely expected to have the quality to get past Barca at the moment. However, Barcelona boast attacking riches that can upset he best defence if they click, and although Ronaldinho is injured, Messi, Henry and Eto'o represent a pretty formidable trio.

For United there is everything to play for, and they also have experience running through h team now, which has given them the capacity to grind out results when things are not quite going for them. And while Barca also have outstanding talent in their ranks, they are not impregnable defensively. United might just have the pace and panache to damage them at Camp Nou with a couple of away goals.

Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United


Graham Lister

The Catalan stopper admits that the clash against the English champions will be tough, but he feels that the blaugrana are capable of success.

He told skysports.com, "I do not fear playing against Manchester United in this semi-final. It is true that the English club is excellent at the moment but over 180 minutes anything can happen.

"Barcelona play better against better teams. We have demonstrated in the Champions League this season that we deserve our place in the semi-finals.

"Having the second match at Old Trafford is not ideal but this is what the draw has left us with and our objective now is not to concede at home."

Stars Versus Stars

With Cristiano Ronaldo looming, the 26-year-old countered that Barça have threats of their own.

"Nobody would to doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is a star but Barca possess the likes of (Lionel) Messi, (Samuel) Eto'o and Bojan (Krkic)," he warned.

"In this respect I do not see so much difference. Today for any player to play against United is a challenge and not a problem. We will plan carefully and go in without fear."

"The draw? I had no preference about the rival. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are the same level of difficulty.

"I am a player who loves English football because of the sprit in the teams and the atmosphere in the stadiums."

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

The Red Devils’ comeback win against Bayern Munich nine years ago capped a landmark season for Ferguson’s men, as they clinched a historic Treble comprising the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League titles – a feat that had never been done before and has never since been matched.

The scene of their European triumph – the second in their illustrious history – was Camp Nou, where they head tomorrow to face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

But Ferguson insists his team does not need reminding of their past glory, insisting that they have seen it all before and that it is more important they focus on creating history rather dwelling in it.

"It is almost 10 years since we won the final," he said. "The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past.

"They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them. What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that."

Memories

United have not visited Camp Nou since ‘99, but Ferguson vividly recalls the 4-0 thrashing they received from Barca in 1994, claiming it was an eye-opening experience.

"1994 was a good lesson to us about the importance of ball retention," said Ferguson. "At the time we couldn't play our best team because of the three foreign player rule, but Barcelona's quality and possession was far superior to us and it was a great lesson to us.

"We realised how important it is in Europe."

The Red Devils also visited Barcelona during their successful 1998-99 campaign, playing out a remarkable 3-3 draw – which Sir Alex admits could have been much more either way.

"Looking back it could have been more than 3-3, especially at the Nou Camp," he said. "There were periods where I thought we could lose by ten, then other periods I thought we could win by ten.

"It was a marvellous open game and demonstration of how both clubs believe the game should be played. United and Barcelona remain well balanced teams in terms of history and the way they play."

Stronger

Despite their triumph in ’99, Manchester United’s record in the latter stages of Europe is decidedly underwhelming for a club that has dominated its domestic league so thoroughly over the last 15 years.

United have reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition three times since their last triumph, but have not progressed to the final once in that period. In fact, they have only reached two finals in their history, resulting in both their European Cup victories.

Last year they were downed by eventual champions AC Milan, losing 3-0 at San Siro after securing a 3-2 win in their home leg.

But Ferguson believes his side is stronger this time around, insisting he has not only more numbers and better fitness levels, but also more quality.

"We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it," he said. "Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries.

"Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us."

Balanced

United have been heavily backed as the favourites to proceed to a final clash with either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow, due to the vast difference between their league form and Barca’s.

While the Red Devils lead the Premier League race, the Blaugrana sit third in La Liga, some 11 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

But Ferguson does not believe his side should have any advantage heading into tomorrow’s clash, insisting both teams possess immense quality and would be worthy champions.

"I do not see that we should be favourites," he said. "It is a very balanced game if you look at the number of quality players on both sides.

"Manchester United and Barcelona must be among the strongest sides in Europe as they have come to this stage of the competition. Both clubs deserve to be there and this match would be an attractive final, a fantastic occasion.

"I believe the winners of this game have a great chance in the final."

Not Just Messi

One of the most tantalising aspects of this match-up is the prospect of seeing United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca’s Lionel Messi turn it on at opposite ends of the pitch.

Both were runners-up to AC Milan star Kaka in last year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards, and while Messi has been plagued by injury this term, Ronaldo is the red-hot favourite to take out both titles this time around.

And while Ferguson admits that stopping Messi is a priority, he is wary of the overall creative quality that the opposition possess.

"He is one of the best players in the world, everyone knows that," he said. "But the game is not all about Messi.

"Like many good teams, Barcelona have many good players. We have a tough job tomorrow but we will do our best to try and contain them and get a good result."

Mike Maguire

Chelsea, who at times looked ragged, thus have a priceless away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge. They had had some earlier chances to equalise, but Liverpool might also have scored again. The dramatic way in which it ended leaves the tie intriguingly balanced - but just in Chelsea's favour now.

A scrambled goal by Dirk Kuyt towards he end of a tense, tight first half at Anfield put Liverpool in the driving seat in a Champions League semi-final first leg that Chelsea started the stronger. But the Blues allowed the Reds to come more and more into it and Rafa Benitez's side deserved their first half lead.

Chelsea looked tentative with Frank Lampard's set-pieces unproductive and Petr Cech unusually hesitant between the sticks. In contrast, Xabi Alonso was superb for Liverpool, bringing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres into the game.

Benitez had recalled eight players for the game, Gerrard and the in-form Torres being joined in the starting line-up by Fabio Aurelio, Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant picked Paulo Ferreira at right-back ahead of Juliano Belletti but made five changes from the side that beat Everton last week, with Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Claude Makelele and Florent Malouda are given starts.

Chelsea started brightly, but Gerrard had the first attempt on goal, trying a snapshot from the edge of the area that Cech saved comfortably low down, before Alonso put Kuyt through on goal, only for the Dutchman's first touch on his chest to let him down, Cech blocking the ball which was then scrambled clear.

Torres stabbed a half-chance past the post before a promising move by Chelsea saw Ballack find Drogba, whose cross just eluded Joe Cole, who soon afterwards had a great chance when Lampard played him in with a deft chip that he made a mess of by miskicking.

With the game tight and cagey, few clear chances were being created. Drogba went down under Carragher's challenge as he ran through on goal, but the referee waved play on much to Drogba's indignation.

Then Gerrard found Torres with an excellent pass but the Spaniard shot straight at Cech when clean through on goal. Gerrard had a go himself with an ambitious volley from 25 yards out, but Cech saved it easily.

However, the breakthrough came ten minutes later - with 43 minutes on the clock. Alonso took a quick free-kick which caught Chelsea napping, and untypically, Lampard gave the ball away on the edge of the area. Javier Mascherano's miskick found its way through to Kuyt, who slid the ball through the legs of Cech as Makelele completely missed the ball. It was a scruffy sort of goal but a potentially crucial one, and Chelsea only had themselves to blame for conceding it.

Liverpool began the second half in dominant mood, buoyed by the goal, with Chelsea guilty of wasting possession too often, seemingly unable to keep the ball. Their big-name midfield players Ballack, Makelele and Lampard were not getting hold of the game as Gerrard and Alonso dictated play.

Chelsea looked to go long for Drogba, but the Ivorian striker was getting little joy from the Liverpool defenders.

On the hour mark, Babel nearly doubled Liverpool's lead with a sensational volley from 30 yards, Cech scrambling across his line as the ball went just inches wide.

Drogba found Lampard in space inside the area but the England man took a heavy touch and the ball went out for a goal-kick, summing up Lampard's night.

But Chelsea began to string a few more passes together, and they created a great chance when Malouda, free on the left, decided to cut inside and Mascherano had to get back to deflect his shot wide.

Drogba chested the ball back to Ballack whose volley was blocked by Carragher.

As the game moved into its last ten minutes, Chelsea wasted another chance to secure a possibly crucial away goal. They had men to spare as substitute Kalou raced towards the box, but his pass to Lampard was poor and Carragher was able to block. Then Ballack spun and went for goal from 25 yards out but Reina held his shot well.

At the other end, Gerrrard forced Cech to tip a volley over the bar. Torres was played in behind the Chelsea defence by Gerrard but his touch let him down and he lost the opportunity to run at Cech.

Then came the sensational finale - a dramatic twist to the tale as Kalou's cross, difficult for Riise to deal with facing his own goal, was headed past Reina as the Norwegian substitute chose not to trust his right foot but instead stooped low in a disastrous attempt to clear. His intervention has swung the tie in Chelsea's favour.

Teams:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Gerrard, Torres.Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Crouch, Pennant, Lucas.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Malouda.Subs: Hilario, Shevchenko, Obi, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

Graham Lister