“Some people may have expected us to drop points at Liverpool or get beaten. We didn't do that, we won emphatically in the end which sends out a statement. A lot of talk comes when you're the champions. I remember back to Man United and Arsenal winning the league and people do have a go when you're top. The art of it is to be strong enough to use that to motivate and we did that. We showed our character and our strength.”
Claude Makelele
“Everybody hopes they'll drop points. Ourselves, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in the same boat where that's concerned.”
Alex Ferguson
“I'm aiming to make it a double. I've won at Liverpool in Australia and now I'll try to do it at Royal Liverpool in Britain.”
Michael Wright
“Liverpool have to make sure they have a long-term business plan and the people to back that up. A stadium is an investment, not a cost. It will pay back if you get it right.”
Dan Jones
“This city has two great teams - Liverpool and Liverpool reserves.”
Bill Shankly
“Pyramid of piffle [no, not his views on Liverpool but a report Petronella Wyatt was his mistress]”
Boris Johnson
“To captain Liverpool in any game is special, but to do it in a final, particularly an occasion like this, would be one of the proudest nights of my life,”
Jamie Carragher
