Issue 155

Liverpool to face AC again

08th May 2007

Another year's Champions League is coming to a close and the hopes of the first all English final has been dashed by Italian club AC Milan.

Liverpool overturned Chelsea in a thrilling penalty shootout at Anfield to overcome their first leg deficit of 0-1 from the first leg at Stanford Bridge. This was after a well worked training ground goal from centre back Daniel Agger brought them back into the game at 1-1 on aggregate after 90 minutes and extra time, which took the game to a penalty shoot out.

However Manchester United were unable to carry their 3-2 score from the Old Trafford leg of their tie into success, as they suffered a 3- 0 defeat in the Stadio Giuseppe in Milan.

Goals from Kaka, Seedorf and Gilardino saw off Manchester's hopes as they went out 5-3 on aggregate, in a relatively poor display considering recent form.

This now leaves Liverpool to face Milan in Athens on May 23, in a repeat of the thrilling 2005 final, in which Liverpool came back from being 3-0 down, to eventually lift the trophy in a thrilling penalty shoot out.

Liverpool had obviously been practicing their penalties as they managed to net all four that they took last Tuesday night, whereas Arjen Robben and Geremi had their penalties saved by the Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, who is developing a reputation for saving penalties after saving three in Liverpool's FA Cup shoot out against West Ham last season.

They will now travel to Athens to try and clinch their sixth ever European trophy which would equal Milan's own record, and make ground on the most successful European club, Real Madrid who have won nine European titles in their expansive history.

Matt Cannon