The 4thegame.com regular feature that brings you the best of the coverage from the UK press. It's not a mere news round-up, but instead gives you all the top headlines, outrageous puns and crazy stories...
Headline of the day...
KISS 'N' HELL
The Daily Mirror look ahead to tonight's Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Chelsea with a ropey headline but some nice photoshopping. The headline refers to the 'Anfield nightmare' that Chelsea will be facing if Steven Gerrard gets his way. Or something like that.
Hold the back page...
MY FIGHTERS WILL KNOCK YOU OUT AGAIN
In the Daily Express they say that Gerrard has 'sounded a rousing battle-cry and warned Chelsea that Liverpool will fight to the finish to reach a third Champions League final in just four seasons."
YOU'RE GONNA KOP IT
In the Daily Star, someone called 'Gerro' says: "This team never knows when it's beaten. Some teams wilt and chuck it when the going gets tough. That's not the case with us."
CHELSEA HAVE MENTAL BLOCK, SAYS BENITEZ
His boss says in The Guardian that Chelsea are scarred by their previous Anfield experiences: "For me it would be an incentive, but for them maybe it is a psychological problem."
TERRY SENDS OUT CLEAR MESSAGE AS CHELSEA FIX THEIR GAZE ON MOSCOW
John Terry shrugs that off in The Times: "It's not so much about putting the record straight, it's about what we can go on and achieve. For the club it's a massive chance to make history."
WE'RE AVING A LARF!
The Sun have a rare photo of Didier Drogba looking happy on their backpage, along with defiant quotes from him: "I'm not in the least bit worried about them. They may have beaten us in the last two Euro semis but this Chelsea team is perfectly capable of winning at Anfield."
GILLETT STIRS IT
Perhaps working in Chelsea's favour is that tonight's game comes with the backdrop of boardroom battles, and the Daily Mail say that George Gillett has invited officials from DIC to the game with his son.
BATTLE FOR ANFIELD CASTS SHADOW OVER QUEST FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The Independent say that while ill health will keep Gillett Snr away tonight, co-owner and nemesis Tom Hicks is likely to be there, which could lead to some interesting seating arragements.
Other top stories...
SULKY SKILLS DON'T FIT CHELSEA BRAND
Des Kelly in the Daily Mail ponders how Avram Grant fits into Chelsea's marketing scheme: "A typical Grant press call sounds like a Book of Condolence being read aloud by a sedated undertaker who secretly hated the deceased."
THE STORY SO FAR
Fancy a snooze? The Independent have got descriptions of all the Liverpool-Chelsea Champions League games of the past few years. Three goals in six games, and one of them didn't even go in...
I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE THIS LOT WON!
In The Sun, even Rafa Benitez admits that he can't quite understand how his 2005 Liverpool squad managed to win the Champions League. Looking at the celebration photo above the text, it's easy to see what he means...
LEGIONS OF FANS START TO DREAM AS CLUBS PREPARE FOR FINAL PUSH
In the Daily Telegraph, Jim White ponders who everyone wants to get to the Champions League final, reckoning that neutrals want Barcelona to get there and Man United fans want Chelsea because: "the thought of losing to Liverpool in a Champions League final is too painful to contemplate."
RONALDO CAUTIOUS AS PRESENT CROP COURT THE UNITED SEAL OF APPROVAL
In The Times, Cristiano Ronaldo says: "I think this is the most talented team, but you can only confirm this at the end of the season, seeing what the team has won."
GLUM HENRY ATTRACTS FEW HOMAGES IN CATALONIA AS FORM AND FITNESS DECLINE
The Guardian analyse just what has gone so badly wrong for Thierry Henry in Barcelona: "If Thierry Henry thinks Barcelona fans will fret about his absence, thanks to the fever that kept him out of training yesterday, from tomorrow's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester United, he will be disappointed - almost as disappointed, in fact, as they have been with him.
MESSI THE OWEN-LY BIG WORRY
Yes, it's the Daily Star alright. They reckon that Sir Alex Ferguson will assign Owen Hargreaves to man-mark Lionel Messi tomorrow.
WHY I'LL BE RAISING GLASS TO ALEX
In the Daily Express, Alan Curbishley pays tribute to Fergie: "He is Mr Amazing. Want to hold a general knowledge quiz? He'll win it. Looking for the answer to a crossword clue? He'll provide it. Want some advice about a player or a situation? He'll return the call, be it from another Premier League manager or one in League Two."
