GERMANY: LIVERPOOL MANAGER GERARD HOULLIER BELIEVES HIS TEAM WILL DEFEAT ALAVES IN THE UEFA CUP FINAL

Record ID: 646616

  • Title: GERMANY: LIVERPOOL MANAGER GERARD HOULLIER BELIEVES HIS TEAM WILL DEFEAT ALAVES IN THE UEFA CUP FINAL
  • Date: 15th May 2001
  • Summary: DORTMUND, GERMANY (MAY 15, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. PAN FROM REPORTERS TO DIETER HAMMAN SEATED ALONGSIDE MICHAEL OWEN AND LIVERPOOL MANAGER GERARD HOULLIER 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANAGER GERARD HOULLIER SAYS: "You can only become mature through big games and important games. So tomorrow's game is really important. I am pleased to say to the boys 'you've done something because reaching three Cup finals in the same year is huge, is incredible. Now, we've done already two but obviously to me Europe means more because that' probably thanks to the European success that Liverpool had such an impact all over the World Cup. And the fact the club did not reach a final, hasn't been in a final since 1985 of course, is also a major event. To win is a different thing. There's two teams and the two teams want to win when they are in a final. We've got 50 per cent chance. We'll play our chances, we'll play our cards and we'll see but from a personal point of view, from the players point of view, I think this is hugely important because it could mean the beginning of a new era for us 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL OWEN ASKED IF LIVERPOOL ARE ABOUT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME GREATNESS OF MANCHESTER UNITED SAYS: "Yes, is a big word, greatness, hopefully we can improve. Obviously, Manchester United have walked away with the league this year and I am sure they won't win by as many points as they have done this year, that would be practically impossible and hopefully we can close the gap considerably and I am sure we had over the last two years." 4. MIDSHOT OWEN AND HOULLIER Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DORTMUND, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA1B77NOCVOTOJIXDFCIIKV3KM2
  • Story Text: Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier believes that
    victory over Alaves in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday (May
    16) could herald the start of a new golden era for the club.



    Liverpool's French manager Gerard Houllier told a
    packed news conference on Tuesday (May 15) that after
    understanding the significance of the FA Cup 2-1 victory in
    the final against Arsenal, he now craved European success even
    more.

    Looking ahead to Wednesday's game, he said, "this is a
    huge match for the club and is very, very important, and
    winning it could herald the beginning of a new era for us.

    "This club built its reputation on success and for the way
    it dominated European soccer until the Heysel tragedy when it
    all came to an end.

    "Now we are in our first European final since that
    happened in 1985, and for me, as a Frenchman, to win in Europe
    means as much to me as winning the FA Cup meant to the fans
    and certainly the English players on Saturday."
    Houllier refused to give any hints of what his starting
    lineup might be, but said that everyone was fit, and that even
    the players who had been nursing the odd injury were now ready
    for action.

    Liverpool striker Michael Owen will continue to wear his
    lucky boots in the UEFA Cup final against Alaves of Spain on
    Wednesday -- assuming he can get a place in the side.

    The England international is currently on devastating
    form, taking his tally to eight goals in four games with a
    brace in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup
    final.

    Owen had been due to break in a specially designed brand
    new pair of boots flown in from Italy before the game but
    changed his mind when manager Gerard Houllier intervened.

    "I was going to change my boots but the manager told me to
    stick with the ones I was scoring with," Owen said on Tuesday.

    "He was proved right so I'll wear the same ones again on
    Wednesday against Alaves."
    Owen has been the main source of concern for Alaves. His
    two expertly-taken goals against Arsenal, the first
    demonstrating his sharpness in the box, the second his
    lightning pace and killer instinct, brought high praise from
    the Spanish side.

    Houllier warned, though, that however well he is playing
    the striker cannot take a place in the starting line-up for
    granted.

    "He still doesn't know if he's going to be in the side
    yet," said the French coach, who has rotated his forwards all
    season.




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