Football News: Chelsea's Lampard to Inter Milan mystery

Chelsea's Frank Lampard is linked with Inter Milan on Champions League eve
Chelsea's Frank Lampard was at the centre of an astonishing row with Chelsea last night, as Inter Milan claimed they had lined up a transfer for after the UEFA Champions League final. Inter Milan even went to the effort of quoting the contract they have lined up for the Chelsea midfield star.

Reports from Italy now cite Lampard's move from Chelsea to Inter Milan as a 'when' not 'if', and it all adds to the weight of Jose Mourinho being the next Inter Milan manager.

Peter Kenyon was incensed when he heard, and rang Abramovich to ensure no deal had been going ahead without his knowledge.

Seems to Footy focus there is no smoke without fire. Chelsea had better prepare themselves for the inevitable, Lampard is transferring to Inter Milan!

Mourinho next manager of Inter Milan?

Jose Mourinho in talks with Inter Milan as the Special one seeks a special job

Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, is in talks with Inter Milan with a view to taking over at the San Siro next season, according to reports from Portuguese media.

Mourinho left Lisbon on Friday for Milan to negotiate a contract with Inter president Massimo Moratti, according to Antena 1 radio, a fact later confirmed by the Lusa news agency, quoting a source close to the Portuguese coach.

The 44-year-old Mourinho is one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe after quitting Chelsea, who he led to two Premier League titles, in September last year.

Current Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who has been in charge since 2004 and has a deal until 2012, said after his team’s Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool last month, that he would step down at the end of the season.

However, the following day, Moratti said that Mancini had had a change of heart.

Liverpool 2-0 Inter Milan

Rafa lives to fight another day as Liverpool's late show flattens Milan

Liverpool conjured up a magnificant performance in the Champions League, and aided by some luck in Materazzi getting sent off, finally overcame Inter Milan to take charge of this tie.

Liverpool came straight out the blocks at Inter, seemingly intent on getting the early goal and the upper hand in this tie. However Inter quickly demonstrated a masterclass in defending and were clearly not fazed by the Anfield wall of noise. Also they were intent on stopping Liverpool's most attacking threats, Torres and Gerrard, by fair means or foul. Unfortunately for them referee Belgian Frank de Bleeckere was having none of it, and Materazzi paid for it on 30 minutes, when he picked up his second yellow card for the pull-back of Fernando Torres.

Despite this Liverpool created very little in the first half, and it was only into the second half that you really began to sense a Liverpool goal was coming. Eventually Crouch was brought on and almost made an immediate impact, shooting wide from the edge of the area, when he should have hit the target. Then on 75 minutes, Inter Milan's other centre half, Cordoba, was carried off and Inter began to give the footballing impression of a punch drunk boxer on the ropes.

Finally Kuyt swivelled to shoot home and give Liverpool the break-through on balance they deserved. Then very late, Gerrard took a pass from Pennant and sent a shot flying into the bottom corner to grab what may well prove to be a priceless second for Liverpool.

Liverpool: Carragher demands big performance

Carragher asks his team mates are they ready in Liverpool's hour of need

Liverpool vs Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League: Liverpool's Jamie Carragher demanded a response from his team-mates in tomorrow's Champions League first-leg clash at home against Inter Milan, in the wake of the FA Cup fifth round debacle against Barnsley on Saturday.

Liverpool are now desperate to show that they ready for what is potentially the last big game of their season, against the Serie A defending champions and current leaders. Carragher admits Liverpool will have to substantially improve as the Champions League is now their only chance of a trophy.

“There'll be a great atmosphere against Inter,” he said on the club’s official website. "The fans will be up for it and it's up to us to match that. I don't think that beating Inter would make up for losing the FA Cup tie the way we did, but it would give everyone a boost if we can get a result. We're devastated. It's a major, major blow to go out of the FA Cup to a lower league team at Anfield. We realise that's not good enough."

Liverpool have pulled off some stunning results in the Champions League in recent times, but this would top them all, simply because they are playing the Serie A leaders. Their only hope is to get an early goal at Anfield and get Inter rocking. If Inter settle into the game, Liverpool will struggle to score, and will quite likely go to Italy with a mountain to climb.

Footy Focus prediction: Champions League heartbreak for Liverpool