Farewell GOD

[smithy]

ROBBIE FOWLER will be given the chance of an emotional Anfield goodbye tomorrow - but Champions League hero Jerzy Dudek is likely to miss out on a farewell appearance.

Rafael Benitez has confirmed Fowler will be in the starting line-up for the visit of Charlton Athletic, the strikers last home outing as a Liverpool player.

The 32-year-old was informed this week his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season, bringing to an end his second spell at the club.

Dudek will also depart Anfield in the summer, but a groin injury means the Istanbul match-winner is almost certain to be on the sidelines tomorrow.

And with Pepe Reinas shoulder injury meaning the Spaniard will not be risked, on-loan Daniele Padelli is in line for his Liverpool debut.

The focus, though, will be on Fowler, with Benitez contemplating handing the Anfield legend the captains armband for the afternoon.


I spoke to Robbie and said we wouldnt offer him a new contract, said the Liverpool manager. He will play against Charlton because it is important for a player like him to say thank you for everything, and in front of our supporters it will be perfect for him.


Robbie understands and has experience in football, so he knows that he has not been playing a lot of games.


I think that he is a very good professional and I must also say thank you to him.


Its a possibility that he will be captain on Sunday and he will definitely start the game.


The injuries to Reina and Dudek will hand an opportunity to 21-year-old Padelli, who arrived at Anfield in January on a six-month loan from Sampdoria.


Jerzy Dudek has a problem with his groin, said Benitez. He was fit but two days ago he felt something. He is having the scans, and it will difficult for him to be fit on Sunday.


Pepe will be fit for the final and I think Jerzy will be too. Neither problem is really serious but the timing is not great.


It looks like it could be Padelli and David Roberts as the two goalkeepers at the weekend.


Liverpool have an option to make Padellis move permanent in the summer, and Benitez added: We need to talk to Padelli about his future. Hes on loan with an option to sign, and we will discuss this at a later date.


Benitez also confirmed Scott Carson, who is ineligible to play for Charlton this weekend, will return to


Anfield in the summer with no decision yet made on the goalkeepers future.


Scott Carson will finish his loan this weekend and then he will come back to the club, he said. He has a long contract, and he could come back as a number two to Reina, he could come back as a number one.


Were happy with Scott. He was player of the year with Charlton, and he will come back and then we will decide on him.


Benitez will wheel out many of his big guns for tomorrows game, which is Liverpools last fixture ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan on Wednesday week.


Although Momo Sissoko (knee) is out, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan and Daniel Agger are among those likely to play some part against Charlton.

We will try to use our big names and well use a mix of players, added Benitez.


This is the kind of game that is difficult to play, but I think we can enjoy the game. There will be two teams that like to play football and the last game of the season at Anfield is always a fantastic occasion in front of our supporters.

In other news,

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Chelsea. (The Sun)

Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to sign for Chelsea on Monday after completing a medical. (The Sun)

And the Royals have joined Leicester in the chase for Birmingham's Julian Gray. (The Sun)

PSV Eindhoven defender Alex is set to join Chelsea, who effectively own him but have loaned him out to the Dutch club, in the summer. (Daily Star)

Aston Villa are set to move for Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin. (Daily Star)

Bolton will let Nicolas Anelka leave in the summer - but only if they receive a bid of £20m for him. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal want to beat Juventus to the signing of £5m-rated Bordeaux and France midfielder Rio Antonio Mavuba. (Daily Mirror)

Liverpool are ready to pay £8m for Brazil Under-21 captain Lucas Leiva, who plays for Gremio. (Daily Mirror)

Former Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier is joining David Beckham at LA Galaxy. (Daily Mirror)

Aberdeen have offered Wolves defender Jackie McNamara a two-year contract. (The Sun)

Hibs want to sign Daryl Duffy from Hull, but face a fight with Swansea for his services. (Daily Record)

Meanwhile, Hibs keeper Zibi Malkowski's transfer to First Division champions Gretna appears to have broken down. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP
Sam Allardyce has been handed the Newcastle manager's job after having talks with Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd. (The Sun)

Meanwhile, Sammy Lee has begged former boss Allardyce to come back to The Reebok on Sunday and support his old club's push for Europe. (The Sun)

Iain Dowie is the front-runner to be the new Leicester boss. (The Sun)

Manchester City will make a decision on midfielder Joey Barton's future on Tuesday. (The Sun)

Aston villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to hand midfielder Patrik Berger a new contract. (The Sun)

Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov says he is staying at the club, despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. (The Sun)

Stuart Pearce has insisted he will still be manager of Manchester City next season. (Daily Star)

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is praying striker Mark Viduka will decide to stay at the club. (Daily Star)

Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager to sign a contract extension. (Daily Mirror)

Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny has accused the Scottish FA of smugness for the way they rejected Scott Wilson's red card appeal. (Various)

Chelsea's Arjen Robben is set to snub interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to sign a new deal with the Blues. (Daily Express)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has guaranteed that striker Thierry Henry will stay at the club. (Various)

AND FINALLY
Referee Graham Poll wants a career in television after he takes charge of his final top-flight game at Portsmouth on Sunday. (Daily Mirror)

Tickets for next Saturday's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea are beig sold on the black market for £1800 each.

[devilsadvocate]

Tickets for next Saturday's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea are beig sold on the black market for £1800 each.

HOLY CRAP! World Cup tickets were going for less than that.

[johntheclaret]

Tickets for next Saturday's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea are beig sold on the black market for £1800 each.

HOLY CRAP! World Cup tickets were going for less than that.

Just to add insult, flight tickets on Easyjet (a cheap no frills airline over here) are going for £900 to Athens. Normally at this time of the year would cost around £40 - £50.
Anfield on got 17,000 tickets for the CL final and the demand is so high there are reports to tickets exchanging hands for over £1,200. God knows how high this price tag willl go as the time gets nearer.

[johntheclaret]

Smithy, don't know if you heard, they made Robbie captain for the last game against Charlton. He didn't score and they drew 2 - 2.

Rumours were, some time ago that he might be of to Oz to play for Sydney FC IIRC.

[devilsadvocate]

Just to add insult, flight tickets on Easyjet (a cheap no frills airline over here) are going for £900 to Athens. Normally at this time of the year would cost around £40 - £50.
Anfield on got 17,000 tickets for the CL final and the demand is so high there are reports to tickets exchanging hands for over £1,200. God knows how high this price tag willl go as the time gets nearer.

Profiteering at its WORST!

Still, I'm thinking it will be the greatest game of all time, if that's possible after 2005.