THEY play football as it was meant to be played. With a swashbuckling pride, a thirst for goals and a desire to entertain.

LIVERPOOL chief executive Rick Parry wants to be competing for the Premiership but insists there is no rush for Steven Gerrard to commit his career to the club and lead the charge.

WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley is ready for a breathtaking finish to the season after his side climbed out of the bottom three for the first time since December with a 3-1 home win over Bolton.

AC MILAN midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has dismissed Champions League final opponents Liverpool as a “long ball” side.

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez expects not only Steven Gerrard to sign a new contract in the next few weeks but also a clutch of big-name Anfield stars.

ARSENE WENGER believes to successfully chase so many trophies and remain competitive takes something more than just the quality of players on the pitch.

ARSENE WENGER has the utmost respect for what Ashley Cole did on the pitch with Arsenal, but does not expect the former Gunner to face his old club when Chelsea come to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.

THE Italian media collectively relished the prospect of AC Milan’s Champions League final rematch with Liverpool and mocked Manchester United’s beaten stars after the Rossoneri secured their place in the final.

AC MILAN president Silvio Berlusconi is convinced his team will go all the way in the Champions League after watching them tame Manchester United.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has warned his players to be wary of a “dangerous” AC Milan team in the Champions League final later this month.

SO THERE is to be no historic all-English Champions League final.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane is a man on a mission, writes Clive Hetherington

FORMER Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri fears for Jose Mourinho’s future at Stamford Bridge if the Portuguese cannot add to the Carling Cup this season.

The Examiner’s football correspondent Liam Mackey likes a good argument when he hears it, and he’s got strong views of his own.

SHAY GIVEN is very much alive and kicking — and Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder predicts the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper can play until he is 40.

GILBERTO is warning Arsenal cannot afford to slip up against Charlton tonight if they want to stay on course for a Champions League place.

Reading 6 West Ham 0

MANCHESTER United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured in his home country by being awarded the Portugal Sportsperson of the Year award for 2006.

FULHAM manager Chris Coleman will tell his players to throw everything at a Chelsea side rocked by the loss of injured captain John Terry for today’s London derby at Stamford Bridge.

ROY KEANE picked Manchester United rookie Jonny Evans for a starring role with Sunderland — after bumping into him at the pictures.