REDS HERO ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY Steve Hunter 04 June 2005 Liverpool Champions League hero Jerzy Dudek is on international duty on Saturday when he lines up for Poland in a World Cup qualifier away to Azerbaijan. Dudek last played a competitive match in Istanbul when his heroics helped Liverpool to a fifth European Cup success but his Polish manager has told the Anfield hero he must come back down to earth so Poland can overtake England today at the top of their group.
Poland's manager Pawel Janas said: "Jerzy has been giving interviews non-stop for the past 10 days about his past, present and future. I don't know if he can concentrate on this match. It worries me."
Spanish striker Raul has intimated he may be ready to leave Real Madrid and Liverpool is reported to be his likely destination.
Raul's place in the Real team has come under threat from former Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
The 27-year-old believes he has yet to peak, but has called on the Bernabeu club he joined in 1995 to tell him if he still has a future there.
"After 11 years here I want what is best for the club," Raul said.
"If at some time I have to sacrifice myself in order for the team to progress then I will do.
"If the club calls you up and says you have to go then as a player you have to be prepared to look for a way out that benefits everyone.
"If I listen to the polls in some papers, it looks as though I should leave now.
"I still feel useful to the club and believe I have not reached my peak, but I don't want to be in the way. All I want is for the club to be clear with me."
Owen joined Real from Liverpool last summer, while Raul's former strike partner Fernando Morientes made the switch to Anfield in a £6.3million deal in January.
.. Goooaaaaaal Alonsoooooooooo .. as screamed by the Spanish commentator on Spanish radio.. class that was.. first he was screaming for the Madrid player to be sent of then.. screaming in sheer ecstacy when Xabi scored..