Thursday May 26, 2005

Gerrard looks like staying; Liverpool hopes to defend title

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) - It looks like Liverpool will keep Steven Gerrard after its Champions League triumph over AC Milan. Whether he can help the club defend the title is another matter.

Gerrard scored to spark a rally that saw Liverpool become the first club in the 50-year history of the competition to overcome a three-goal deficit and win the title.

Deadlocked 3-3 with the Serie A club after extra time, Liverpool won a penalty shootout 3-2 and, having won the title five times, is entitled to take the trophy home for keeps.

Now it has to persuade UEFA to let it defend the title next season.

Liverpool finished fifth in the English Premier League, just out of the top four spots that are guaranteed a place in next season's Champions League.

"We hope that the people above (UEFA) will be able to let us defend it. It's called the Champions League and we are the champions so we should be able to,'' Gerrard said.

Gerrard's own future seems a much clearer after he won his first Champions League trophy.

There was speculation that the talented England international midfielder would leave Anfield because Liverpool appeared to be falling behind Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for titles.

"We are going to talk really soon (about a new contract),'' he said.

"I am sure the manager and (chief executive) Rick Parry will want to sit down really soon and talk about it. But how can I leave after a night like this and all the nights I have experienced?

"My form has been hot and cold this season and I am going to put that to bed. You will see a different player next season.''

Milan captain Paolo Maldini, chasing his fifth European Cup title at age 36, scored his first goal of the season after just 52 seconds and Hernan Crespo's two strikes put the Serie A side in control.

But Gerrard's header, Vladimir Smicer's low shot and Xabi Alonso's goal after his initial penalty had been saved drew the two sides even within six minutes.

"They deserved to be three goals up and there were a few heads down at half time,'' Gerrard said. "The manager made a few changes and put some belief in the players.

The first thing we had to do was get back in the game and give some respect for the fans. The first goal gave us a bit of belief.''

Gerrard admitted he didn't think Liverpool, whose league form has been so poor it lost 14 league games, would make it so far in European soccer's biggest competition.

"We were massive underdogs at the beginning of the competition and I'll put my hands up and I didn't think we were going to go all the way. But as you can see tonight, we are never beaten.''

Liverpool eliminated newly crowned Italian and English champions Juventus and Chelsea to reach the final before beating Milan.

The last time Liverpool played in a European Cup final 39 people were killed after its fans started a riot at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.

Juventus won the match 1-0, and Liverpool was banned from European competition for six years.

The Reds aren't banned this time, but they still may not be able to play in the Champions League next season.

Gerrard looks like staying; Liverpool hopes to defend title. - AP

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