not much said!!!

AND

REDS SUNK BY INZAGHI DOUBLE
Liverpool fell to two Filippo Inzaghi goals as AC Milan claimed Champions League glory in Athens' Olympic Stadium.
The striker deflected Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past Jose Reina for the opener on the stroke of half-time before springing the Reds' offside trap to make the game safe eight minutes from time.

Dirk Kuyt pulled a goal back with a late header after Dan Agger flicked on Jermaine Pennant's corner, but there was to be no repeat of Rafael Benitez's side's heroic comeback in Istanbul two years ago.

Unlike on that delightful Turkish night two years, it had all begun rather promisingly for Liverpool.

Although they were starved of possession for long spells, Benitez’s men largely kept Milan at arm’s length.

Javier Mascherano, who won Olympic gold with Argentina on the same ground in 2004, was a key factor in the Merseysiders' successful smothering operation.

Twice Liverpool’s holding midfielder was left for dead by an initial moment of brilliance from Kaka. On both occasions, rather than dive in, Mascherano stayed on his feet, recovered his position and took the ball back.

As Benitez predicted, Milan got their full-backs forward at regular intervals.

However, not only did Marek Jankulovski and Massimo Oddo continually pick out Pepe Reina with their crosses, their enthusiasm to push down the flanks provided Liverpool’s wide men with the space to attack - and Pennant in particular rose to the challenge.

The speedy former Arsenal man was by far the Reds' most effective performer and visibly rose in confidence after having one early shot parried away by Dida.

Pennant gave the Rossoneri defence a torrid time, providing the cross which Steven Gerrard, asked to provide the main attacking support to lone striker Kuyt, volleyed over.

Gerrard was his usual energetic self but, without direct involvement in the midfield skirmishes, struggled to exert the kind of influence he would have wished.

Instead, Pennant continued to torment Jankulovski, indirectly creating the opportunity Xabi Alonso fizzed wide just before the half hour, then cutting inside to set up John Arne Riise, who drilled over.

The winger linked with Gerrard to set up Kuyt, only for Alessandro Nesta to block.

At that point, with the snarling Gennaro Gattuso booked for one borderline tackle too many on Alonso, Liverpool were by far the more likely scorers.

Unfortunately, just as in Istanbul, a rude shock was awaiting Benitez right on half-time as Inzaghi’s desire to hunt a rebound saw him divert Pirlo’s effort home with his chest, wrong-footing Liverpool's Spanish keeper.

Ripping intended interval team talks up against Milan is nothing new for Benitez and, in the knowledge Liverpool’s position was nowhere near as acute as the one he faced before, he opted not to change things until close to the hour mark.

By that stage two years ago, Benitez’s side had thrillingly drawn level. This time, not only were they still behind, Milan were starting to get on top.

The arrival of Harry Kewell at least gave the Italians something else to think about, although the momentum was with them and had Pirlo curled home a 20-yard free-kick instead of dipping it over the bar, Liverpool would surely have been doomed.

Pirlo’s near-miss ignited Gerrard’s fire and Liverpool’s talisman should have levelled when he sped onto Kuyt’s pass, then flashed past Nesta, only for Dida to save a precise shot aimed at the far post.

It was the Reds' clearest opportunity before Inzaghi raced onto Kaka’s inspired through ball, rounded Reina and tapped home Milan’s second.

A few Italian hearts must have stopped when Kuyt nodded home from close range but instead of the beginning of a comeback, it proved merely to mark the beginning of the end.