 | |
 | Five Liverpool players have been included in the Spain squad for the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa later this month. |
| Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera and Fernando Torres have been named in Vicente del Bosque's 23-man selection. The Confederations Cup begins on June 14, with Spain taking on New Zealand in Rustenburg. The European Champions will also face Iraq and hosts South Africa in Group A of the tournament. The final is scheduled to take place on June 28 in Johannesburg. | |
 | Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have made great strides towards winning the Barclays Premier League title – despite finishing the season empty-handed. |
| The Reds skipper admits he is still hurting after missing out on title number 19 but feels the club are now just two or three signings away from ending their wait. He said: "Has the season been a success or failure at club level? I think failure is a bit strong but you've got to be realistic and look at the big picture. "We've finished the season without a trophy which hurts. But from a Liverpool point of view, a lot of progress has been made. "We are getting really close to becoming champions. Our next two or three signings as far as we are concerned are crucial to push on and try and go one better than this year. "I am certainly not sitting here proud of not winning a trophy." | |
 | Steven Gerrard is hoping England can collect maximum points from their next two fixtures to put themselves within touching distance of the 2010 World Cup finals. |
| The Three Lions currently sit at the top of Group Six with a 100 per cent record from their opening five qualifiers. Gerrard believes picking up six points from the forthcoming clashes with Kazakhstan and Andorra will put England in pole position to qualify for next year's tournament in South Africa with games to spare. "It’s a chance to get seven wins out of seven and put ourselves in a fantastic position to qualify," said Gerrard. "The most important thing is to pick up the six points, and if I can score a couple of goals that would be the perfect way to round off the season. "We want the job done as soon as possible. With all due respect to Kazakhstan and Andorra these are games we should win. We need to approach them with the right attitude, be professional and try and get the job done. "We believe if we win these two games we’ll be three points away from qualification with three games to play. That’s basically in the driving seat." England's fortunes have been transformed since Fabio Capello took charge and Gerrard is confident they will continue to improve under the guidance of the Italian. "I believe this England team in progressing well, and becoming a better team. I feel as if we’re professional enough to take six points out of the next six," added the 29-year-old. "The manager’s installed a winning mentality, we’re getting a better team and we’re getting stronger. Hopefully we can get qualification as soon as possible and then we can keep trying to improve and then go into the World Cup with a good team." | |
as the 'best player in the world' after Barcelona beat Manchester United 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final.
Iniesta, who had been doubtful for the game, pulled the strings in midfield as Barca outplayed the 2008 winners in the Rome showpiece.
Much of the build-up before the game centred on the battle between United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and his Barca rival Lionel Messi to prove who is the game's leading light.
However, United forward Rooney believes the talents of Iniesta should lead to the Spanish midfielder being labelled the world's best footballer.
"Barcelona are a brilliant team and in my opinion Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world, he's incredible," said Rooney.
"They're a great team, pass the ball well and if you don't take your chances, they will punish you. That is what happened.
"We're still a young team and we can come back I hope.
"It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting. But we have to forget it and look forward to next season."
Samuel Eto'o and Messi scored Barca's goals and Rooney had no complaints with the outcome as United failed to secure a Quadruple.
He added: "It is a big disappointment, but Barcelona were the better team.
"They deserved to win. I've never played against a better team than this Barcelona. They're a brilliant team.
"Barcelona scored two good goals and unfortunately for us, they came at good times. That made it very difficult for us."
"I want the players to realise they are playing in front of the whole world. I want them to feel good, be daring and play beautiful football. I want them to show that we deserve to be European champions."
Above are the words of UEFA Champions League-winning manager Pep Guardiola. The former Barcelona captain, now 38-years-old and manager of the Spanish giants, delivered. His players delivered for him. The onlooking football lover was satisfied, spoilt.
All the makings of a fairytale - the backdrop, the characters, the romance - the game between two footballing leviathans was a rare occurrence whereby the customary pre-match hyperbole was justified. A supporter need not be briefed of its grandeur.
There were no eyebrows raised upon the submitting of the team-sheets, the starting XIs as predicted: Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta passed fit for Barca, Ryan Giggs replacing the suspended Darren Fletcher for United.
First, the question of dictator, the pursuer. Initially, it was United, and those who were quick to rudely point at Barca's backline reshuffle appeared justified. But them fingers would prove better arrowed at adeptness further forward. Guardiola knew he had enough attacking armoury to shelter potential weak spots. La Blaugrana are what Arsenal aspire to be.
The main point for consideration in the lead up to the encounter was Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, with television pundits and journalists scouring their thesauruses for a fresh superlative for the pair, who finished first and second in the Fifa World Player of the Year vote for 2008.
Indeed, Ronaldo's bullish, yet dainty, approach was apparent, the Portuguese swinging tree-trunk muscle through the ball on several occasions in the early stages. But it was a false start. Messi, meanwhile, floated - the ability to interchange vital in the modern game - threatening to pull his left trigger.
With an intake of breath drawn when said duo were in possession, one risked overlooking other masters. There were many on show. At half-time, Xavi, a player often taken for granted, had lost the ball just three times out of 37 passes while covering 5.74km. By full-time his pass completion stood at 93 per cent.
Iniesta, too, stood tall, despite cutting a diminutive figure, at 5ft 6.5in, at Stadio Olimpico. Like a puppet that can harrowingly spring to life, the Spaniard has ability to not only smell the blood of an opportunity, but to seize it. It was Iniesta's probing run that assisted Samuel Eto'o. And it was Xavi's tantalising cross that met Messi's forehead.
Of the Argentine, much has been made, particularly from the English media, of his failure to score versus English opposition. At his 11th attempt, that statistic, which seemed to reek of Primera Division jealousy, went up in smoke. He lit up the grandest of stages.
It is true, the Premier League champions had an off day, but at this level mistakes are rightly punished. Barca's performance was professional with decoration. It even highlighted Guus Hiddink's impressive work over two semi-final legs in charge of Chelsea. Even then, Guardiola's XI was stronger on paper. Yet on 27th May, Barca's display, not needing last-minute drama, was whole.
It was worthy of such a coveted crown.
The Manchester United defender believes the Gunners skipper attempted to injure him so he would miss tonight's Champions League final.
Fabregas was booked for a tackle near the end of Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on May 16.
Evra rapped: "If it amuses you to hit people, you do boxing, you do taekwondo, whatever you want. But you don't play football.
" We will see each other again off the pitch and there will not be a referee to give me a red card.
"I was really disappointed. Everyone understood that he wanted to hurt me.
"It was because of what I said after the Champions League semi-final: 11 boys against 11 men.
"I said it and I thought it. But in this world, as soon as you say what you think then you are seen as arrogant."
Evra also revealed he has been sending constant texts to fellow Frenchman and Barcelona star Thierry Henry, who has been battling to be fit for the showdown in Rome.
He added: "He told me he was working like crazy to get fit. At the start, he was pessimistic. I told him 'Don't talk nonsense, you have to be there'. It is important for France."
Bizarrely, Evra also claims he has 24 brothers and sisters.
He declared: "They are not from the same mother, I assure you!
"My father, he didn't watch the television..."
