Andy-oh-six

Happy Istanbul Day to one and all!

daily post Morientes' demands to sink BetisMay 23 2006 By Ian Doyle, Daily Post REAL BETIS'S hopes of signing Fernando Morientes could be scuppered by the Liverpool striker's financial demands. The Spaniard has resigned himself to an Anfield departure after struggling to impose himself in the Premiership since arriving from Real Madrid for £6.3million in January 2005. Espanyol and Fenerbahce are also both tracking the 30-year-old, but it appears Betis have jumped to the head of the queue. Liverpool have accepted they must take a loss on the player, with the Spaniards believed to be offering in the region of £2.5m. That would give Rafael Benitez additional funds in the transfer market and Betis financial leeway as they strive to meet the striker's personal terms. Reports in Spain had suggested Betis were ready to offer centre-back Juan Melli as part of a swap deal, but Liverpool are already well covered in that position. Benitez is determined to reshape his strikeforce after admitting Liverpool must score more goals next season if they are to win the Premiership. "The improvement in the Premiership was the most important thing for me this season," said the Liverpool manager. "To reduce the gap in the league and to get into the top three was a very good thing for us. "We needed to score more goals and if we want to progress then we need to score more." Benitez, who is also willing to listen to offers for Djibril Cisse, continues to monitor Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe and Craig Bellamy but is keeping an open mind on other alternatives.

Bascombe summed it up when he said the FA Cup had everything including a 'farewell goal'.

Joey Barton: cool, calm head. Just what we need. Seriously though I think O'Neil could be a good bet in the summer. he can play right or central and still has room for improvement in his game.

take out Ashton's goal and he had a superb game. The double save at the start of the second half and the last minute tip onto the post were exceptional. The penalties were more than luck. He has such great anticipation of where a player is putting the ball. The first penalty save was as good as any penalty save you'll ever see. He also couldn't do anything about Konchesky's goal.

I can't remember experiencing such extremes. I was distraught and angered by a lot of our play but then completely over the top when we scored the goals - more so than usual. My emotions were all over the place. I didn't enjoy it but the highs were so impossibly high. It was weird.

He was gutted when he went off and crying as he walked down the tunnel. He'd suited up and looked equally dejected when he collected his medal. I feel for the guy.

There was one moment in the second half of extra time when Gerrard lost the ball and Momo won it back then Didi passed the ball forward and it was lost then Momo won it back then Momo had cramp but got up won it back again beat two men passed it to Kromkamp (I think) and then went down with cramp. Unbelieveable.

I caught the highlights last night and he gave a glowing tribute to Gerrard - the quotes are on .tv. He seemed in awe of Gerrard's ability and quite humble. He'll still go.

what a plie of crap.

Green was going on about 'supposed' injuries for Kewell. Why did Harry have an operation and miss the start of the season? C'mon Greenie. I thought you were a knowledgeable Liverpool fan. He should set some of the idiots straight.

there's defo something in it. We are in for him. No doubt about that.

they are a load of dicks. They are saying that others stayed on with injuries. They are forgetting we had used up our subs when the cramp had set in and had the whole second half to go when he had to go off. And didn't Xabi run off. He couldn't wait to be subbed!

'w*****, am I'

glad he'll be fine. Rafa's just keeping West Ham guessing.

You can listen there. To download and give your money to the Marina Dalglish appeal it seems it can only be downloaded from .tv.

Everyone knows that the only goals that count are the ones not scored by Cisse.

Riise is miles ahead of Quedrue and likewise Carra over whichever Ferdinand it is.

I think you underestimate how well Kewell has done down the left since getting back to full(ish) fitness a few months into the season. It'll be up to Gonzalez to oust him and as others have said Rafa is a big fan and has shown that he also willing to play him as a second striker. It wouldn't surprise me to see him pop up on the right either.

I think he has had the clear chances to score five more goals though. For Gerrard to score ten more is not much of a comparison for me. As you say more can still come from him. I think a 7-8/10 of ten would be fair enough for his first season and with so much nation wide stick early in the season. At least he showed how mentally tough he is.

I can't see Rafa being interested in him. Defensively he is poor and going forward he doesn't produce quality ball every time. I really don't think he would push Steve Finnan at all for first choice* *if he signs he great.

An excellent season and with only a couple of exceptions every win was fully deserved. The results were not built on many smash and grab performances but were well earned. If we can gain a few more points away and take some of the top two we are right up there next season.

He's done well for me. If he had scored five or so more goals it would have been an excellent debut season. I am sure he has done the job Rafa wanted him to and he has made a massive contribution to the way we have played this season. Hopefully he can add more goals next year and we'll have a couple more quality strikers to compete with him and Robbie.

s*** news. Bulgarian courts are a joke. Feel for the lad and his family.