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Steve Hunter 29 April 2008
Sami Hyypia has backed John Arne Riise to bounce back to his best and vanquish that own goal agony when the Reds face Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
The big Finn said the Norwegian international has the quality to put that memory behind him and help the Reds achieve their Moscow dream by beating Chelsea.
"John is a good character and hopefully he is not worrying about that own goal any longer," said Hyypia.
"He is mentally 100 per cent and players should be professional enough to handle these situations.
"It is not the first time John has scored an own goal and there are many other players who will score own goals. It is normal in football these days because the ball is travelling through the air so quickly and sometimes you don't know where it is going from your head or foot."
Reflecting on Saturday's 2-2 draw at St Andrews, Hyypia admitted he was happy to come away with a point but was left disappointed from a defensive point of view with the two goals conceded.
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May 2 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
LIVERPOOL have tabled a £10m bid to bring Aston Villa star Gareth Barry to Anfield.
The offer was made yesterday as Rafa Benitez reacted to Liverpool's Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea by making an immediate move for his number one summer transfer target.
The Reds boss has earmarked Barry as a potential key signing and the centre piece of his rebuilding plans as he looks to put together a squad with enough strength in depth to be able to mount a genuine challenge for the Premier League title.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has insisted he would be reluctant to let the England international leave Villa Park. But the 27-year-old central midfielder is keen to experience Champions League football and is believed to favour a transfer to Anfield, despite interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The two London clubs have been monitoring Barry's situation for several months and both are believed to be ready to test the water by make offers of their own.
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Diaby fired Arsenal into an early lead
Liverpool set up another Champions League semi-final with Chelsea after a stunning late win over Arsenal.
Abou Diaby put Arsenal into an early lead but Sami Hyypia lost Phillipe Senderos to head an equaliser.
Fernando Torres looked to have settled it when he scored in the top corner, until a superb Theo Walcott run allowed Emmanuel Adebayor to tap in.
But Kolo Toure fouled Ryan Babel and Gerrard held his nerve from the spot, before Babel broke to add a fourth.
News conference: Arsene Wenger
News conference: Rafael Benitez
It was an extraordinary end to yet another wonderful European tie at Anfield.
The two sides, who have faced each other three times in six days, saved their best for last in a game that was full of drama from start to finish.
Both teams played as if their season was on the line and it resulted in a pulsating cup tie.
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