Michael Shields in Liverpool team’s thoughts

May 22 2007 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE Carragher’s thoughts today are with Michael Shields and his family.

The Liverpool star said the whole squad was very much aware of Michael's plight as the Edge Hill man is set to begin his third year in jail for a crime he maintains he did not commit.

Carragher said: "Ever since Michael was first arrested we've paid a lot of attention to the case, like everyone else in Liverpool.

“His family have had a lot of disappointments and setbacks since then and they deserve all the credit in the world for keeping up their campaign.

“I just want them to know that our thoughts are with them, especially with tomorrow night being another European cup final.”

Today the Shields family were flying a new banner from their home to highlight their son’s plight.

He was arrested in Bulgaria after a trip to watch Liverpool win the European Cup in Istanbul two years ago.

Holidaying in Bulgaria’s Golden Sands beach resort with friends, he was arrested for attacking a Bulgarian barman – which he has always denied.

He was charged with attempted murder and later jailed for 15 years.

He has since been allowed to serve out the rest of his sentence in an English jail. But his family, friends and local politicians have continued the fight to clear his name.

Earlier this month, their hopes suffered a huge blow when the European Court of Human Rights rejected his application for an appeal against his conviction.

Carragher said he hoped a Liverpool win tomorrow will give Michael, 20, a bit of a boost.