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!

Liverpool vs Arsenal Champions League

Liverpool vs Arsenal the trilogy concludes in the Champions League

Liverpool entertain Arsenal in the champions league in the final game of the mother of all Battle of Britain ,Super Sunday trilogies, or whatever Sky want to call it!

Rafa Benitez is again expected to tinker with his side, with Peter Crouch fully expecting to be on the bench, despite an outstanding performance and goal against Arsenal at the weekend. Benitez's lack of use of Crouch really does beggar belief! He is a 20 goal a season man, who teams can find unplayable, and is technically very skilful. How Kuyt and Voronin have so often been preferred is really unbelievable, and has cost Liverpool vital ground, whatever Benitez says.

Back to the Arsenal game and Liverpool are likely to bring back Torres, Mascherano, Kuyt, and Gerrard at the expense of Crouch, Pliesse, Benayoun, and Pennant. Arsenal meanwhile are likely to start with Hleb and Adebayor as they seek to snatch the required away goal to at least take the tie to penalties. If they score, they would probably be confident of getting the second to snatch the tie.

This Liverpool and Arsenal battle really does hinge on the first goal. If Liverpool get it, Arsenal are as good as out, as they won't get three. While an Arsenal opener really does put them right back in it and will really rattle Liverpool.

Footy Focus prediction: Liverpool to just edge Arsenal out of the Champions League!

Liverpool Crouch hints at Exit

Peter Crouch hints at Liverpool exit and doesn't expect to start against Arsenal

Peter Crouch gave the clearest hint yet that he is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer. Talking ahead of the Liverpool vs Arsenal Champions League tie, he admitted that the lack of football this season has led him to consider his future, despite their being an offer on the table from Liverpool.

Crouch said:"It's pretty clear I probably won't start," he said.

"Obviously if the manager plays one up front, he is more than likely to go with Fernando - and rightly so, he's been fantastic this season.

"Before when he was rotating at least I was getting a game here and there. But the manager's obviously stuck with a formation now that seems to be working, and credit to the players that have been playing in that system

"We have certainly been playing well and I think we have got a great chance of going through to the semi-finals now in Europe.

"But for me, I will just have to obviously keep working hard and try and change his mind."

Crouch revealed: "It can be disheartening, but you have to keep going.

"I am one of those players that will keep going, I keep working hard in training, and, if called upon then hopefully I'll do what I did at Arsenal.
"At a big club there is always that pressure. Even if you start every game, if you don't perform, you know you are going to be out.

"But maybe me more so, with the fact that I haven't played that much this season, so, when I do, I have to make sure that I do well and do the business to try and stay in."

We at Footy Focus are at a loss why Crouch has not played more this season. Persisting with the immobile and ineffective Kuyt and Voronin, when Torres was injured or rested beggared belief and cost Liverpool vital points. It would be madness to let Crouch go! He's a 20 goal a season man!!

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Champions League: Arsenal vs Liverpool

It's Beauty & the Beast as Arsenal take on Liverpool in the Champions League

Wednesday is the first of three Arsenal vs Liverpool games, with the two-legged Champions League tie, being sandwiched by a Premier League game at the Emirates.

Both teams are in mixed form, though it has to be said, Liverpool are playing better than Arsenal at the moment, and of course they are the Champions League specialists. Liverpool will be relieved Javier Mascherano is available to play, and he will even be rested, after being suspended for the game against Everton.

Liverpool will go for the same team they've been playing in the last ten games or so, with Benitez following his pattern of tinkering with the team early in the season, until his rivals are out of sight, then stumbling on a winning formula for a late charge and some glory nights in Europe! They could have achieved so much more!

Arsenal meanwhile, are in a bit of a crisis. Make no mistake, they were lucky to get the win at Bolton, and were woeful for the first hour. Adebayor has stopped scoring, Fabregas has gone missing as has Hleb, while Van Persie may have returned, he is not firing on all cylinders after a long time out.

Liverpool will take on Arsenal with the hope of keeping it tight, and play on the counter attack, with the likes of Torres, Babel and Gerrard, expected to do the damage and swing this Champions League tie their way. Arsenal, meanwhile will be happy as long as they don't concede at home.

Wenger believes that in the Champions League, teams that don't score away, find themselves under huge pressure in the home leg. However he does concede that the support for Liverpool at Anfield does have an impact, particularly in the Champions League.

Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Champions League is soooooooo difficult to call, but overall we think Liverpool will edge Arsenal out, and take the semi-final place.

Champions League Draw Fix - More Intrigue

More mystery as a post turns up on Yahoo answers predicting the draw

The Champions League draw fix mystery took a further turn last night, with the forum where the prediction was orginally made, pointing out that on Yahoo answers someone claimed to have been told that the English clubs would avoid each other except one of them would get Liverpool. Read the post here: Yahoo answers Champions League draw

The original post that started the mystery can be found here at: Liverpool Echo forum

It's strange that the FA, and the clubs themselves have been silent on the affair. Even UEFA have only made one comment from a fairly low ranking individual. They obviously don't want to give the story any currency by making comment. But the lack of comments equally raises questions, especially as it's more a wall of silence than anything else!

It all sounds so incredulous, yet the evidence is actually quite compelling. Also given that the fixing of matches is hardly unknown, it is not beyond the realms of fantasy that it was fixed. Given the huge amounts of money involved, the Asian betting syndicates, the Russian mafia, and the preponderance of brown envelopes undoubtedly still being passed between sheepskin jacket clad men, it's no wonder people are suspicous!

Footy Focus view - it stinks!!

Champions League Draw - Fixed or freak coincidence?

Claims the Champions League draw was fixed as it appears on the internet over an hour before

UEFA was having to fend off potentially sensational claims that the Champions League draw was fixed yesterday. The draw was made at 12.oopm in Nyon, Switzerland, however it had already appeared on a Liverpool website at 10.28am that morning.

A football forum for the Liverpool Echo (the local tabloid for Liverpool) and owned by Trinity Newspapers, recieved a post at 10.28am from someone called 'confused', which claimed to have heard a rumour on what the draw would be, accurately predicted the English clubs ties, and claimed bookmakers had stopped taking bets on the draw.

UEFA spokesman William Gallard said: "He must have supernatural powers. I know the people who did the draw and I am 150% certain it is completely honest. You might be able to fool a computer but everyone can see the teams are picked out fairly this way."

The odds of predicting the ties like this are apparently 191/1, so all in all it is a really, really freaky coincidence, or one for the conspiracy theorists to dine out on for years to come. Really we don't think there's anything in it, I mean you'll be telling us Diana was bumped off by the House of Windsor next!

Champions League Draw

Draw of death for the English clubs as Arsenal take on Liverpool

The quarter-final draw for the Champions League is:

Arsenal v Liverpool
Roma v Man United

Schalke v Barcelona

Fenerbahce v Chelsea

Arsenal and Liverpool have arguably got the hardest draw, having to face each other. Also what makes it worse for the Premier League teams is that the winners face the victors of Fenerbahce and Chelsea. All in all, not a good draw for the Premier League boys.

Manchester United go to Roma for the first leg, and will be quietly confident of seeing them of over the two legs, while Chelsea will consider Fenerbahce eminently beatable over two legs.

Liverpool and Arsenal now face three massive games in a week against each other, with a Premier League game at the Emirates stadium being sandwiched by the Champions League games on 22 and 29th of April. It will be the mother of all battle of Britains!!!

Foot focus prediction - Liverpool to sneak the Champions League tie, but Arsenal to beat them in the Premier League!

Uefa Champions League: AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal

Cesc just fab as Arsenal dump out holders AC Milan

Cesc Fabregas and his teammates turned in a masterful performance, to dump holders AC Milan out of the UEFA Champions league last night. Milan simply couldn't cope with Arsenal's passing and movement as they instantly took the game to their opponents. Arsenal effectively won the tie the moment Cesc Fabregas's long shot on 84 minutes hit the back of the net, which left them requiring two goals to get through to the last eight. Late on, Adebayor added to AC Milan's misery slotting Theo Walcott's right-wing cross to complete a historic 2-0 win at San Siro.

"Everybody is happy, we've all got smiles on our faces," said Adebayor "We knew it was going to be very hard but we had a lot of belief and knew that we could do something special at the San Siro - the temple of football."

Arsenal became the first English side to beat Milan at the San Siro and the history of this was not lost on Adebayor. He said: "We have become a part of the new chapter we are trying to begin in the history of this club, so we very happy about that. Not long ago everyone was saying that we'd blown it in the league and that we would lose to Milan, but after this result everyone has got their confidence back."

Fabregas was simply outstanding and gave the complete performance. Hleb and Flamini were also superb, and Gallas gave a commanding captains performance. What was astonishing about this game was that Arsenal simply battered Milan!

You really do have to salute Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. They've been building to this season for a couple of years, and are a model for other clubs in building without spending what are relatively massive amounts. Well done!!

Uefa Champions League: Barcelona 1-0 Celtic

Celtic dreams just that as Barcelona progress

Comfortably outclassed, Celtic eventually ended this game with some credit due to spirited defending, and a gritty show of resilience. The margin of defeat was kept to a single goal by some stioc defending and exceptional goalkeeping from Artur Boruc, who recovered from his all to obvious nervous start.

Barcelona's manager Frank Rijkaard, had decided to leave out some of the players who started the first match and this suggested he presumed victory. This could have been interpreted as an insult to Celtic, however it would take just two minutes to vindicate his decision and effectively kill the tie.

Seemingly intent on erasing Saturday's 4-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid, Barcelona started at a whirlwind tempo and it was clear Celtic would again would struggle to cope with the swift movement, and passing of Barcelona. Deco and Ronaldinho both went close with great efforts, but Barcelona just couldn't get the goals they threatened.

After the scary opening for Celtic, in which they survived at keeping the score to 1-0, the game played out in a similar though less intense manner, with Celtic spending their time keeping Barcelona at bay and eventually achieving for them a creditable showing against one of Europes top sides.

Celtic 2-3 Barcelona

The Bhoys get a UEFA Champions League lesson from Barcelona, as Messi's class tells

Barcelona are now favourites to advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-2 win at Celtic Park. Celtic now have to go to Barcelona in a fortnight and score twice without reply, which would seem on the evidence of this game a most unlikely feat.

Celtic had twice taken the lead through Jan Vennegoor and Barry Robson, but their efforts were cancelled out by Barcelona's Messi and Thierry Henry respectively. Overall Barcelona richly deserved their win as they displayed a footballing masterclass at times. Celtic at varying stages, could not cope with Barcelona's rapid passing and posession football and scored their first goal very much against the run of play. Indeed, after regaining the lead for the second time, Barcelona very quickly scored to get back in the game. Just when the Scottish champions looked set to hold on for a draw, Argentina star Messi grabbed a late winner for Barcelona to inflict Celtic's first Champions League home defeat since 2004.

Overall Barcelona deserved the victory, and are now firm favourites to advance to the last sixteen and indeed will be one of the favourites to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy.

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.

Barcelona vs Celtic: Larsson can't wait

Old Bhoy Larsson can't wait for Barcelona at Celtic

Henrik Larsson has told of his delight at tonights game, and of his split loyalties in who to choose as victors in the UEFA Champions League tie.

"When they told me the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, I just couldn't believe it," he said. "For Celtic and Barcelona to meet again was such a surprise. But it will be a nice match between two great teams for whom I have a lot of affection."

Larsson was a major success at Barcelona and Celtic, being part of the Celtic team that knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup in 2003, and then a year later playing for the Barcelona team that knocked Celtic out of the Champions League.

Barcelona: Eto'o backs Rijkaard

Eto'o gives under pressure Rijkaard his backing as the Parkhead hothouse looms

Samuel Eto'o gave beleagured Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard a major boost today ahead of their UEFA Champions League game with Celtic, by giving him his unqualified backing, and dismissing the dutchman's critics. In an outburst against the media frenzy to replace Barcelona's manager, Eto'o derided those calling for his head;

"It's a total lack of respect and I find it incomprehensible that people should be questioning Frank Rijkaard, particularly at this stage of the season," argued Eto'o. "Rijkaard came to this club when they were in the middle of a long spell without trophies and Barca suddenly went on to win practically everything. Now we'll go back to winning practically everything again if people just let him and us get on with our work".

This is a major rebuff in particular to Johan Cruyff, who has been talking up the qualities of Rijkaard's supposed successor, Marco Van Basten. Rijkaard is banned from the touchline for the Champions League game against Celtic

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

UEFA Champions League Results

Right the boring stuff first - already qualified for the Champions League Chelsea and already out Valencia played a scoreless draw in Stamford Bridge. Hope the Chav's lowered the prices for that one! Also already qualified Real Madrid comfortably beat Lazio 3-1. Olympiakos from the same group sealed their place in the last 16 with an oh so comfortable 3-0 win against Werder Bremen.

Elsewhere Porto confirmed themselves as group winner with a 2-0 home defeat of Besiktas. Schalke 04 the surprise package so far continued their great form by progressing to the last 16 courtesy of a 3-1 home win that sent Rosenberg crashing out.

The teams to have qualified so far for the Champions League last 16 are: Liverpool, Porto, Arsenal, Sevilla, Manchester United, Roma, Real Madrid, Schalke 04, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona, Celtic, Olympiakos and Chelsea

Marseille 0-4 Liverpool

What can you say? This was as Rafa said the 'almost perfect' performance. From Reina at the back to Torres upfront Liverpool to a man were superb.

From the off Liverpool clearly wanted this more than Marseille and set about them immediately from the kick-off. Four minutes in and some great inter-play from Torres and Kuyt sent Gerrard bearing down on goal. One dodgy challenge later and Liverpool had the start they dreamed off. It nearly wasn't though, with Gerrard only scoring after Mandana saved the initial penalty.

Torres then was slid in by Kewell and boy did he finish! He ghosted into the area past the Marseille defenders like they weren't there and finished with a wonderful curled shot past Mandana. From then on Marseille weren't in it. Kuyt added a third early in the second half from Kewell's pass, and substitute Ryan Babel added a fourth in stoppage time to seal Liverpool's best away win in the Champions League.

In the second half Liverpool understandably didn't attack as much but comfortably held out Marseille. Eric Gerets brought on Nasri the French young player of the year and ex-Liverpool favourite Djibril Cisse but with no real impact. Cisse sent a header onto the post and wide, but that was about it.

Kuyt was having one of his best Liverpool games, while Benayoun also caught the eye. Gerrard was at his barnstorming best while Marseille just couldn't cope with Torres. Kewell in the first half especially looked outstanding. At the back Carragher and Hypia were their usual rock solid 'selves while Arbeloa was consistent as per usual.

Benitez said after the game he was proud of this Liverpool team and you can understand why after such a performance in such a high pressure game. He's not one to show much emotion during a game but the cameras caught him beaming as walked off the pitch! You can understand why!!

Marseille vs Liverpool

A big week for Liverpool just gets bigger after the defeat at Reading. The next two games against Marseille in the European Champions League and against Manchester United in the Premier League are now absolutely massive games, two real finals in a row. Benitez's summit with his American masters at Anfield on Saturday after Liverpool's game against Manchester United will be especially prickly if (god forbid) failure at Reading is followed up with failure in these two key games

Liverpool fans will have been groaning in frustration after the defeat at Reading, with the dreaded 'r' word of rotation rearing its ugly head again. Benitez is certainly his own man with a strange selection leaving him open to criticism after the defeat. Playing Voronin wide right was at best strange and selecting a midfield with no pace, width or unpredictability was asking for trouble. Its easy in hindsight but most Liverpool fans would have been questioning the team the moment they knew the line-up. Surely one of Kewell, Lucas, Benayoun or Babel could have played to give some pace, creativity or flair.

And so to tonights massive Champions League game. Liverpool due to the strange UEFA rules realistically have to win tonight. The only way a draw will be good enough is if Beskitas pull off a surprise and beat Porto. Liverpool will have an unchanged squad from which to pick from against Marseille. Agger though nearly fit, Alonso and Pennant are all still absent. Marseille have Samir Nasri back in the squad while former Liverpool players Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden are also set to feature.

Reading apart Liverpool have been building up to some great form of late. Benitez seems to have abandoned his alarming idea of resting Fernando Torres, Harry Kewell is edging back to fitness, the rotation has dropped off and suddenly Liverpool are beginning to look the part again. Liverpool fans can only hope Reading was a rotation inspired blip with Benitez having one eye on this Marseille game.

My hoped for Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hypia, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kewell, Torres, Crouch but I'm not holding my breath!

Champions League Round Up

Chelsea joined Man Utd and Arsenal in the next round with a great 4-0 win at Rosenberg while Celtic are still in the hunt with a late 2-1 win at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. Milan also qualified with a 1-1 draw at Benfica.

Elsewhere there were shocks for Madrid going down 3-2 at Werder Bremen and Lazio losing 2-1 at home to Olympiakos.

Liverpool kept their hopes alive with an eventual easy win home to group leaders Porto 4-1.

Liverpool 4-1 Porto - Liverpool Ease To Victory

Liverpool ultimately had too much for Porto and won with ease by the games end. It was not all Liverpool's way though with Lofrinda Lopez equalising Fernando Torres headed opener and a resolute Porto side often comfortably holding on until the 78th minute.

Porto's equaliser dented Liverpool's confidence and they rapidly lost their way with the game descending into a stale frustrating affair. Benayoun, Torres and Gerrard were catching the eye for Liverpool while Voronin and Babel looked neat in their play but weren't creating anything of note. Babel in particular was simply not going past people and looked short on confidence at times.

The second half began like the first ended with an increasingly anxious Liverpool running out of ideas. The introduction of Crouch and Kewell ultimately won Liverpool the match with the Portuguese holding out until the 78th minute. Kewell picked the ball up in his own half, ran at the Porto backline and threaded the ball through to Torres who turned his man, held off a challenge and finished superbly into the far corner.

After that Liverpool ran out easy winners with a handball from Stepanov giving Steven Gerrard the chance to seal the win from the spot. Peter Crouch added a late late fourth from a Gerrard corner.

Benitez will be feeling a relieved and happy man after Liverpool flirted with disaster for long periods of this game. He will also have been buoyed by the 5,000 strong protest before the game by fans angry at speculation the clubs American owners were to sack him.

The group is now incredibly tight with Besikta's victory meaning that all four teams have a chance of going through.

The Wheels coming off Rafa's Train?

After last nights lamentable display Rafa Benitez sounded like he's beginning to reach the time when everyone in the world except the manager can see whats wrong with the team. His continuing refrain of 'we were in control and had more shots than the opposition' sounds alarmingly like the last days of Gerard Houlliers reign. How many times did GH refer to stats to back up something no one else could see. Granted that this squad is packed with a lot more talent than that of 2003 and 2004 but Rafa just cant get the balance right. More worrying, he is adamant that he is sticking to his rotation policy but neglects to notice that only when he settled the side in 2005/06 did the results come (remember the midfield of Kewell, Alonso, Sissoko and Gerrard).

Looking at last nights and recent displays its obvious the attack is blunt without Torres. Play any of Kuyt, Voronin and Crouch together and you have no pace, little mobility and no unpredictability. Not many worried when Luis Garcia went but his quick fit and trickery would make some difference to the attack. Also if Torres is not playing why not play Pennant or Babel to at least give some pace and trickery. Babel will have to be put up front sooner rather than later (as soon as Kewell is fit) as he clearly is not suited out wide and is need to give us much needed pace up.

If Rafa doesn't act decisively, reshape his side and dump some of the under performers the wheels will be off the wagon big time. Lose to Arsenal and its a nine point gap by the end of October - this time last year the Reds were eleven points off the top.