Liverpool FC Forum

[BringBackTiti]

Neil Ruddock believes the Champions League final will finish goalless but has tipped his old Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher to score the winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out against AC Milan.

Ruddock, the former Reds defender who spent five years at Anfield in the 1990s, has been pleasantly shocked by his old club's progress to the final in Istanbul next week.

Despite indifferent domestic form, Rafael Benitez's side squeezed out of their group thanks to Steven Gerrard's late winner against Olympiakos and knocked Bayer Leverkusen out of the last 16.

Titanic victories over Italian giants Juventus and newly-crowned Premiership champions Chelsea soon followed - with the Reds conceding just one goal over the course of the two two-legged ties.

Ruddock believes PSV's semi-final performance against Milan - they won the second leg 3-1 but went out on away goals - gives Liverpool real grounds for optimism.

But the former England international thinks Benitez's defence will again reign in Turkey and they will win the trophy the hard way, with Carragher and Gerrard key figures.

"I think Liverpool can score goals against Milan because PSV showed they can concede," said Ruddock.

"Defensively, in Europe, Liverpool have been the best team there. If you can keep Chelsea out for 180 minutes, they can keep Milan out for 90, that's for sure.

"You always need Stevie G to be on top of his game. He gets everyone around him going with his enthusiasm, he gets everyone playing and when he gets the ball he can slow the game down if he wants.

"But the Razor Ruddock prediction is 0-0 and Jamie Carragher to score the winning penalty. He deserves it because he has had a great season.

"When they beat Olympiakos with that last-minute goal from Steven Gerrard I thought they were a little bit lucky so it is amazing that they are there and they have got a great chance."

Ruddock admits he is slightly baffled at the Reds' failure to convert their European form into league wins - they finished fifth in the Premiership - and believes Benitez must improve next term.

"The league is more intense, more physical and the games come around every four or five days," added Ruddock.

"Sometimes some of the foreign lads can't handle the physical side of it. European football is less physical and they are used to the continental game.

"Even if Liverpool had been knocked out by Chelsea it still would have been a good season but he has had his honeymoon period now.

"He knows what the Premiership is like and they need to definitely improve next season, with Everton getting fourth place."

[Woollyback]

I think I'd have a heart attack if it goes to penalties

[Pablo_Escobar]

I'd like it to go to penalties - emotions to the last second, and Dudek who I belive would show his class maybe for the last time in the Anfield shirt

[BringBackTiti]

and carra to slot one bottom left for the european cup 2005 i think i would run down bold street bollock naked!!!

[Woollyback]

and carra to slot one bottom left for the european cup 2005 i think i would run down bold street bollock naked!!!

I'll pass you going the other way

[Nando]

I'd like it to go to penalties - emotions to the last second, and Dudek who I belive would show his class maybe for the last time in the Anfield shirt

it would certainly be memorable but come off it i wud take a comfortable 90 min victory any day over a 120 min plus penalties nail-biting pendulum swinging match

Wouldnt you? 

[lawrenson_sarah]

omg if it went to penalties i fink i wud collapse literally

[Pablo_Escobar]

I'd like it to go to penalties - emotions to the last second, and Dudek who I belive would show his class maybe for the last time in the Anfield shirt

it would certainly be memorable but come off it i wud take a comfortable 90 min victory any day over a 120 min plus penalties nail-biting pendulum swinging match

Wouldnt you? 

I like strong football emotions so I'd take penalties
I'm a freak

[Sean]

Neil Ruddock should neve have been allowed near a Liverpool jersey.  I disregard any comments from a like him.

[Sean]

t*w*a*t

[Woollyback]

Ruddock was but once scored our equaliser in a mental 3-3 game against ManU with a cracking header. We'd gone 3-0 down and Nigel Clough bagged a brace before Razor blew the roof off the place

[The_Rock]

i won't be able to take it if it went to penalities...lets just beat them during 90 mins......

[stmichael]

I think I'd have a heart attack if it goes to penalties

Tell me about it.

Especially when you read this.

....................................................................................

RAFA BENITEZ claims Liverpool won't practise penalties ahead of next week's Champions League final.

The Anfield boss believes it's a waste of time organising spot-kick takers before the trip to Istanbul as nothing can prepare a player for such an ordeal.

Liverpool won their last European Cup on a penalty shoot-out against Roma in 1984, after the senior squad famously missed all their attempts in practise the previous afternoon.

Benitez says courage rather than skill determines who'll step up if necessary.

"I don't believe in practising penalties. In my opinion, the most important factor is how you feel on the day, not if you look good taking a penalty in training," said Benitez.

"You can look the best in practise, but then when you're in front of all the people inside the stadium, you may get afraid.

"I don't go into a game like this thinking it's going to go to penalties. I only think about winning the match. Maybe if we get to extra time, then I'll consider who takes penalties."

The Reds fly to Turkey on Monday, but Benitez is determined to make the build-up as orthodox as usual.

However, this afternoon Liverpool's players took the unusual step of returning to the hallowed Anfield turf for a final time this season to host a training session open to media from across the world.

"We're training as normal. The only difference is there are more journalists around," said Benitez.

[xd3vilx]

RB Plan Is Easy That Even A 1 Year Old Kid Will Understand...Score A Goal And Start Defending...So I Don't Think It Will Go To Penalty

[L-type]

I will take a win no matter how it comes.  I'm gonna have about 10 good friends over and we'll be representin DC.