Gerrard
taunts Jose after keeper wins it for 'little'
Liverpool
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0 (Agg 1-1 AET)
Liverpool win 4-1 on penalties
Jose Mourinho had to endure the taunts of a gloating Steven Gerrard
after seeing his quadruple dream shattered by more penalty heroics
from Pepe Reina at Anfield.
A crestfallen Mourinho received a warm handshake from opposite
number Rafa Benitez at the end of the spot-kick drama, but there
was little sympathy from Gerrard, once a top transfer target for
the Chelsea manager, as he said: "Mourinho did the team talk for
us. We all read the press and understood what he was saying. It was
a bit disappointing hearing him say we are only a little club, but
there you go. Mind you, weve got to two European Cup finals in
three years now. Not bad for a little club, eh?
Despite Dirk Kuyt hitting the bar and going close to a winner in
the last minute of extra time, Mourinho flatly refused to accept
Liverpool had booked their place in Athens on merit. "It is the
most heartbreaking moment of my time at Chelsea, and it is all the
harder to take when you consider we were the best team," he said.
"We were the only team trying to win it in 90 minutes and again in
extra time. "But football is like this, and in 10 years or so no
one will remember that we were the best team and should have won.
All I saw was one team in blue playing without any problems and
trying to win the game.
"They were stronger when it came to penalties but I dont accept
Liverpool had the best chances. We werent the team playing for
penalties. We created good chances and had a dominant figure in
Didier Drogba. "Liverpool knew that, and that is why they defended
so much.
Benitez could barely believe Mourinhos claim that the better team
lost but preferred to salute his team and, in particular, Reina,
who saved three out of four penalties in last seasons FA Cup Final
shoot-out with West Ham. "He really said that?" queried the
Liverpool manager. "I would rather concentrate on my teams
marvellous achievement and the amazing atmosphere our fantastic
supporters created.
Bookmakers are now offering odds of 11-10 that Mourinho will not be
in charge of Chelsea next season. They also make Liverpool evens
favourites to win the Champions League, with Manchester United 7-4
and Milan, their opponents tonight, 3-1.
