Thinking in the present

May 22 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

This is the ultimate ‘live for the moment’ theory from Carragher, who also has little time for the generalisations which define Liverpool as the pragmatic side looking to win 1-0, while AC Milan are the artists hoping to play the game ‘as it should be played’.

“As players and as clubs you get pigeon-holed, and once that happens there’s no escape. Everyone jumps on the bandwagon,” he said.

“Before every major final we’ve played, the same comments have been made and yet we’ve now contributed to some of the most exciting, open games of football ever.

“In 2001 we were accused of being negative, but the UEFA Cup final against Alaves was the best UEFA final there’s been.

“In Istanbul, everyone predicted a tight, defensive game which would end 1-0, and that turned out to be the best Champions League final there’s ever been.

“Then there’s last season’s FA Cup final against West Ham, which was one of the most exciting cup finals ever.

“I don’t know what it is, but whenever we’re in a final these things seem to happen, so it seems a bit harsh for people to keep banging on about us being a cautious side.

“I watched the FA Cup final on Saturday, and even though everyone goes on about United always playing in an attacking style, they played one up front and there was hardly a chance in the match.

“You just can’t make these generalisations in football because every game is different.”

The neutrals will be hoping for another addition to Liverpool’s extraordinary portfolio of cup final classics, but Carragher will be happier with a return to a more orthodox route to victory.

“I’d be absolutely delighted if we could win the game like the club did in 1978 against Bruges or in 1981 against Real Madrid,” he said.

“They were recognised as tight, defensive games where one goal did it for us. If we can repeat that, it would give me just as much pleasure as the way it happened last time.

“I couldn’t care less how we win, I just know I want to win.”

The Liverpool supporters are arriving in Athens, and will make the city centre their territory over the next 24 hours.

Carragher has done his bit to make sure as many family and friends could get tickets as possible, and as well as his personal motivation, his thoughts will never be far from those in the stands.

One of the most symbolic moments of the semi-final followed Dirk Kuyt’s winning penalty.

While the rest of the squad ran to the Dutchman and Pepe Reina, Carragher ran to The Kop.

“It may sound like a cliché, but we really are playing for the fans more than anyone else,” he said.

“We know how badly our supporters want this and how much pride they take from seeing us on this kind of stage.

“That’s something all of us think about when we’re preparing for the game, and it definitely gives us the belief we need. No matter what situation we’re in, we have to keep going and our supporters will never give up.

“That’s what happened in Istanbul and I don’t believe there’s another group of fans anywhere in the world who would have kept behind the players in those circumstances when we were 3-0 down.

“I just hope this time we don’t all have to go through the same again. As long as we win, I don’t care how.”