Reds

CHARITY SHIELD WINNERS 2006

And hes in my dream team

GO ON SPAIN....

Xabi Alonso scores the opener for Spain in the World Cup who are beating Ukraine by 3 goals to nil

Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard, seen here lifting the FA Cup 13 May 2006, insists he is ready and willing to fill the gap left by Wayne Rooney and play as England's emergency striker at the World Cup.

Shevchenko could be on his way to Chelsea for a record £35 million, and the Russain Billionaire wants to buy into our Steel companies...

LIVERPOOL last night agreed to sell Fernando Morientes to Valencia in a cut-price £3 million deal after a hugely disappointing spell on Merseyside. The Spain forward arrived at Anfield in a £6.3 million move from Real Madrid in January 2005, but Rafael Benítez agreed to accept a substantial loss on the 30-year-old after his failure to adapt to the English game.

Morientes claimed a fortnight ago, before the FA Cup Final victory over West Ham United, that he expected to see out the remaining two years of his contract with Liverpool, but his subsequent omission from Spain’s squad for the World Cup finals prompted a rethink. Having learnt that he was not in the club’s plans for next season, Morientes informed Benítez that he would be willing to return to Spain.

Liverpool are ready to turn to Spain again for summer reinforcements after being linked with a move for Real Betis defender Melli.

Reports emanating from Spain suggest Liverpool are keeping tabs on the young central defender.

The Reds are believed to have watched Melli on several occasions this season after he impressed in the two UEFA Champions League encounters between the sides this year.

Melli is highly-regarded at Betis and he still has four years to run on his contract with the Seville-based club.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is thought to be in the market for a new defender, as he looks to build a side capable of mounting a serious Premiership challenge next season.

Barcelona scored twice in the last 14 minutes to beat 10-man Arsenal in the Champions League final.

Sol Campbell's thumping header gave Arsenal a 37th minute lead - after goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had been sent off for a foul on Samuel Eto'o. Thierry Henry missed a crucial chance to give Arsenal a two-goal lead before Eto'o fired home with 14 minutes left.

Henrik Larsson then set up fellow substitute Juliano Belletti to win it four minutes later to sink Arsenal. Henry opened in sensational fashion and could have twice given Arsenal the lead in the first three minutes.

He turned brilliantly in the Barcelona box, only to be denied by the diving Victor Valdes from point-blank range. And from the resulting short corner, he fired in an angled drive which was pushed to safety by Valdes.

Lehmann had already shown his quality with two stops from Ludovic Giuly and Deco - but was shown the red card in a moment of drama after 18 minutes.

Ronaldinho played in Eto'o, who was upended by Lehmann as he rounded the keeper. Giuly tapped in the loose ball, but Arsenal were at least reprieved from going behind because referee Terje Hauge had already blown for the foul.

Lehmann was sent off for his foul on Eto'o with Manuel Almunia coming on for the unlucky Robert Pires, in possibly his last game for the club.

Barcelona were starting to take control when Arsenal stunned the favourites by going ahead after 37 minutes.

Arsenal were fortunate to be given a free-kick when Emmanuel Eboue tumbled threatrically under a challenge from Carles Puyol.

And Barcelona were punished for referee Hauge's generosity as Campbell powered Henry's free-kick past Valdes.

Arsenal hung on desperately for the remainder of the first-half, with Almunia brilliantly turning Eto'o's shot on to the post after he turned Campbell inside the box.

Barcelona made a half-time change, Andres Iniesta coming on for the injured Edmilson.

Iniesta tested Almunia after 51 minutes, and with a downpour descending on the Stade de France, the keeper did well to clutch a skidding shot.

Barcelona were piling on the pressure, and Almunia again distinguished himself by pushing away Ronaldinho's cross as he raced into the area.

Arsenal were still dangerous on the break. Henry and Cesc Fabregas combined to set up Aleksander Hleb, but he pulled his shot wide.

Ljungberg was denied by a brilliant save from Valdes as he took advantage of poor defending by Oleguer.

Henry then had a glorious chance to double Arsenal's advantage after 69 minutes when he raced clear on goal, but Valdes saved low down to keep Barcelona's hopes alive. It was to prove the pivotal moment of an enthralling final.

Former Celtic star Larsson had been introduced as a substitute, and he was instrumental when Arsenal's superb resistance was broken with 16 minutes left.

He delivered a deft touch into the path of Eto'o, who tucked a neat finish past Almunia.

The Swede was the provider again as substitute Belletti gave Barcelona the lead with 10 minutes to go.

Larsson's clever pass released Belletti, and he scored via a deflection from Almunia.

It was a killer blow from which Arsenal never looked likely to recover.

Well, what can we say...Good Game Good Game, but Arsenal just dont have that extra bit in them to go all out attack in the finishing minutes and bring the game back...

Yeh, players were tired, had 10 men...all excuses i say...Weve done it in two finals now, where the games lost, yet weve come back to take the trophy back to the Kop.

But lets not dwell on that.. Barca may not have deserved the win, but they showed their style, when it came down to it, they killed the game off...and that mad the big difference...

Good luck next year Arsenal...Or maybe not!!!

Reds for the Premiership !!!!