Established 1961 27 Sports Monday, June 3, 2019 Liverpool’s Champions League party moves to England Liverpool European champions for a sixth time

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s celebrations moved to their daughter Keira, 16 — from central England were also in home city yesterday as tens of thousands of bleary- place with special edition flags at the ready. eyed fans prepared to greet the team who beat “We wanted to get tickets for Madrid, but obviously Tottenham to win the Champions League final in this is the next best thing,” said Mark Hodgetts. Madrid the night before. “We just wanted to feel the atmosphere. we’ve been Mohamed Salah’s second-minute penalty and waiting so long - my daughter was only two when we Divock Origi’s late strike secured a 2-0 win in the swel- last won it,” he added. tering Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid to make The team returned to tabloid headlines declaring the Liverpool European champions for a sixth time. “Joy of Six”, in the Mail and Sunday, and “Six It was a first trophy in seven years for the club and Machines”, in the Sunday Mirror. banished the memories of last year’s bitter defeat to Liverpool’s sixth success in Europe’s top club trophy Real Madrid in the final in Kiev. came after wins in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and the mem- The win also represented a personal triumph for orable come-from-behind victory against AC Milan in coach Jurgen Klopp, who finally snapped his run of six Istanbul in 2005. The Sunday Times hailed Klopp for straight losses in cup finals. “We were all pretty much introducing steely discipline into Liverpool’s play this crying on the pitch, because it was so emotional, it was year, turning an all-out attacking team that often leaked so big, it means so much to us,” Klopp said. goals into European champions. Celebrations ran late into Saturday night in the “Game management is the biggest item Jurgen Spanish capital and in Liverpool city centre, as ecstatic Klopp added to the armoury since desolation in last supporters danced drunkenly in the streets singing a year’s final in Kiev,” Northcroft said. repertoire of the club’s fan anthems. By lunchtime fans began streaming back onto the Salah’s redemption streets ahead of the team’s trophy parade, which is set Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who scored a to begin in the suburbs at around 4:00 pm (1500 GMT) penalty awarded in the first minute for a disputed and work its way towards the city centre. handball from Moussa Sissiko, said he had drawn moti- vation from the disappointment of last year’s final LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson (C) holds the European Champion Clubs’ Cup trophy First victory since 2005 match in which he trudged off in tears with a shoulder during an open-top bus parade around Liverpool, north-west England yesterday, after winning the UEFA Supporters were staking out their spots Sunday injury. “Before the game, I looked at a picture of last Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham. —AFP lunchtime under leaden skies, already waving flags and year and we were so disappointed to lose the final,” blowing horns. “We left home at quarter to six and Salah said. we’re not moving now,” said Mark Jeffrey, 47, in a “I was very disappointed after that injury, I went off £75 million ($95 million, 84.5 million euros), and Brazil “We promised each other already that we will kick prime position with his 12-year-old son, who live after 30 minutes and we lost the game. It motivated me goalkeeper Alisson Becker, a £65 million recruit from our butts next year again,” Klopp said of his conversa- around 115 miles away in central England. to win today. When you know how it feels to lose, you Roma, both played crucial roles in Liverpool’s success. tion with Guardiola. “We will go for everything and “It’s another five hours but no way are we moving. I say to yourself ‘Let’s go and win that’.” Klopp revealed he had received a congratulatory we’ll see if we get something.” missed it in 2005 because they did the parade on a Liverpool’s success also underlined the financial call from Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was Monday so I wasn’t going to miss this year,” he added muscle of the Premier League, made rich by TV con- Three weeks ago, Liverpool were denied a first proud of his team, who defied the odds to reach the of Liverpool’s last European cup triumph 14 years ago. tracts that dwarf other European leagues. league title in 30 years by Abu Dhabi-backed City, final: “When you live this experience you want to do it The Hodgetts family-dad Mark, 47, son Shane and Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk, signed for despite losing just once all season. again. I hope we can do it again in the future.” — AFP

Liverpool had won nothing at all since Neymar denies Klopp predicts defeating Cardiff City on penalties in the League Cup final in 2012. A trophy, but not on the same level as this. After losing he raped woman more good the Europa League final in 2016 and last year’s Champions League final against after allegations times ahead Real Madrid, Liverpool seized their chance this time thanks to Mohamed Salah’s early penalty and Divock Origi’s RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil and Paris Saint- for Liverpool late strike. Germain forward Neymar yesterday denied This was already a club reborn under raping a woman who accused him of sexually MADRID: A first trophy in seven years the German’s management, but such a assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father for Liverpool, and a first win in seven tangible reward was needed, three and a claiming he is the victim of blackmail. finals for Jurgen Klopp. The European half years on from his arrival on According to a complaint filed with Sao Cup is heading back to Anfield for the Merseyside. “I’m interested really in Paolo police and reported by the UOL and sixth time and their manager is confident development, but I get it, we have to win GloboEsporte websites, the world’s most there is much more to come. things, and so it’s really important that expensive footballer is accused of “using A beaming Klopp revealed after people don’t ask now all the time about violence to have sex with the victim without Saturday’s 2-0 final victory over not winning things,” he said. her consent.” Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid that he “Now we won something, and we will “I am accused of rape, it’s a big word, it’s had received a congratulatory phonecall carry on, we want to win things, 100 very strong, but that is what has happened,” from Manchester City coach Pep percent. “This is only the start for this Neymar said in a seven-minute video posted Guardiola. group, it’s a wonderful age group, they on Instagram. “It surprised me, it’s a really Neymar Three weeks ago, the Reds were still have the best times in their career ugly thing and a sad thing because anyone denied a first league title in 30 years by still ahead of them, so that’s big.” who knows me knows what kind of person I City, despite losing just once and racking The former Borussia Dortmund coach am and knows I would never do such a thing.” denied the accusations in an interview with waited until last Friday to file the complaint up 97 points, but winning the has continually improved Liverpool in Neymar, 27, then showed what he said was Brazilian broadcaster Bandeirantes. in Brazil because she was “emotionally Champions League makes up for that his time at the club, and nowhere was a long series of WhatsApp messages with the “This is not true, he has never committed shaken.” Neymar, who was transferred to disappointment. that more evident on Saturday than in woman, including topless photographs of her any crime,” said Neymar Santos, arguing that PSG from Barcelona for a world-record 222 “We promised each other already goal. Twelve months after two hideous in bed. He added: “These are intimate his son was a victim of blackmail. “We have million euros ($248.5 million) in 2017, is cur- that we will kick our butts next year errors by Loris Karius cost them dear moments but it is necessary to make them all the evidence and we already gave every- rently in Brazil preparing for the Copa again,” Klopp said of his brief exchange against Real, his replacement Alisson public to prove that nothing really happened.” thing to the lawyers.” America, which takes place in the country with Guardiola in between speaking to showed just why Liverpool were pre- The unidentified woman, who lives in According to Neymar Santos, his son and from June 14 to July 7. the world’s media at the Metropolitano pared to pay £66.8 million (75 million Brazil, allegedly met Neymar through the woman went on a date, but Neymar did His 2018-2019 season with his club has Stadium. “We will go for everything and euros, $84 million) to sign him from Instagram, and after exchanging messages, not want to see her again. Since then, the been blighted by injury. Sao Paulo’s security we’ll see if we get something.” Roma as he made several key saves late the footballer invited her to visit him in Paris woman has tried to extort money from the secretariat would not provide a copy of the It was a sentiment shared by centre- in the game. in mid-May. According to the complaint, player and his family, he said. woman’s complaint to AFP, confirming only back Virgil van Dijk as he spoke after “He of course played a sensational Neymar arrived at the hotel “apparently “My son can be accused of many things, that one had been filed but saying its contents being named man of the match in the game, he looked completely unbeatable intoxicated,” and the two chatted and but I know what kind of man he is ... it’s clear were classified. final. “In July when we start again, every- pretty much,” said Klopp. Van Dijk was exchanged “caresses.” that this was a trap,” he said, adding that the Another star of world football, Cristiano one starts on nil and everyone’s working again outstanding too, so good that it was But then “he became aggressive and used WhatsApp messages released by the player Ronaldo, is facing allegations he raped a US towards their goals,” he declared. put to him that he could be a contender to violence to have sex with the victim without would exonerate him. woman in Las Vegas in 2009. The Portugal “Obviously we want to challenge for win this year’s Ballon d’Or. It was not a her consent,” the document said. Neymar’s According to the media reports, the and Juventus player strongly denies the accu- every trophy if possible. We have the great game and it was not a vintage father, who is also his agent, categorically accuser was in Paris from May 15 to 17, but sations. — AFP squad for it, but you’ve also seen it this Liverpool performance, but Klopp year, you still have to do it, and hopefully emphasised the importance of getting fans in a bustling cafe. The cart, which only operates between 11 we can challenge Manchester City again over the line. Now he will hope to Egyptian fans “This is a positive development for pm and 3 am, is emblazoned with Sayed’s red next season for the title, because I don’t strengthen again for next season, although Egyptian soccer,” he added. In a busy and green design - after the Liverpool foot- think they will go anywhere, so we won’t they don’t have long, with the new cam- laneway in an upmarket suburb packed with ball club logo. Liverpool’s legendary anthem go anywhere either.” paign starting on August 10. — AFP jubilant with cafes and cacophonous cries from ardent has been amended on the cart to read: “You’ll Liverpool fans, some 400 Egyptians cheered never eat alone.” Liverpool win, loudly with every touch of the ball for nation- “There’s no one who doesn’t love Salah. when Canada play Martinique and seven- al icon Salah. We’re avid football fans so the idea clicked USA name time champions Mexico face Cuba. He is due to represent the North African one day while we were sitting around, and the The United States are drawn in Salah’s goal heavyweights in the Africa Cup of Nations response has been huge from the locals,” he Group D with Panama, Guyana and later this month. The slow moving match with told AFP. 28-man squad Trinidad and Tobago-which will give a few chances picked up momentum in the “As Egyptians we like to get together, them a chance to avenge the shock 2-1 CAIRO: Egyptian football fans were over- last 20 minutes with more attempts at goal for especially during Ramadan, and have a com- ahead of defeat against Trinidad that in 2018 joyed on Saturday as Liverpool were both teams. munal meal. So the tagline came naturally and World Cup qualifying that saw the US crowned European champions after winning One of the few Spurs supporters in the Sayed designed it perfectly.” miss the finals. 2-0 against their English counterparts Reds-dominated crowd Antoine Philip, 25, Ahmed Adel, a 25-year-old engineer, spot- Jamaica friendly Veterans Jozy Altidore and Michael Tottenham Hotspur. Coming in as favourites, who works in an insurance company, was ted photos of the cart on Facebook in early Bradley headline the list of 28 players, LOS ANGELES: US coach Gregg the Reds sealed the win and their sixth critical of the referee’s performance. “That May and has been a regular customer. He is which also includes Manchester City- Berhalter has named a 28-man roster European Cup in a grinding game after penalty was not right in the first minute. He circled every time by dozens of hungry bound goalkeeper Zack Steffen. Two ahead of a friendly against Jamaica, part Divock Origi fired home the team’s second should have gone to the VAR. Liverpool were patrons in a carnival-like atmosphere of loud notable names not on the roster for the goal in the 87th minute. undeserving but it’s good progress for music and football commentary on flat screen of the build-up to the CONCACAF Gold Jamaica friendly - Christian Pulisic and Those gathered erupted with joy in unison Tottenham to get this far,” he said. televisions. Cup. “The game against Jamaica will Tyler Adams - are expected to be after Mohamed Salah converted a penalty to In anticipation of the final, other Egyptians Named after Liverpool’s Swiss star, represent an opportunity for us to eval- named to the Gold Cup roster and will open the scoring as early as the second paid tribute to the Reds feasting at the Shaqiri-sterma, a mix of eggs and pastrami, is uate new prospects as well continue to arrive later in camp having recently minute. “I’m happy that Salah won because “Liverfuul” cart which serves up hot dishes of his favourite. A dish named “Mo Salah” is also develop the group for the Gold Cup,” wrapped up their Bundesliga seasons. he’s our son” said Seif Hegi, 21, a university “fuul” (fava beans) in Ain Shams, a working- on the menu. “The food is great and the said Berhalter, who must submit the final Following the friendly against Jamaica student from Cairo. class suburb of Cairo. atmosphere is friendly,” he said. 23-man squad for the regional champi- and the final Gold Cup squad announce- “The match was like a typical Premier Mohamed Ahmed, 31, a DJ turned street Ahmed, the food cart operator, said he was onship on June 6. ment, the United States will play one League game, that was highly defensive...but food entrepreneur, came up with the idea happy that his business had become a gather- The United States are the defending more friendly against Venezuela on June it’s a huge feat because no other Egyptian with friend Mohamed al-Sayed before the ing point for the club’s fans in the capital champions in the Gold Cup, which will 9 in Cincinnati. They launch their Gold footballer has achieved this before,” he told start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of Cairo. “I’m a winner either way, it’s not just kick off with a double-header at the Rose Cup campaign against Guyana in St. AFP surrounded by throngs of boisterous daytime fasting due to end next week. about money for me,” he said. — AFP Bowl in Pasadena, California, on June 15, Paul, Minnesota on June 18. —AFP